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| by kenn on 8/06/2005 02:52:00 PM |
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Rocafella Up Til Now
Source: Wikipedia
Roc-A-Fella Records was one of the largest United States hip hop/rap record labels. It was co-founded in New York City by hip hop mogul Damon "Dame" Dash, Kareem "Biggs" Burke, and Shawn Carter who is known as multi-platinum rapper Jay-Z in 1995. The label is part of the Island Def Jam Music Group.
Contents
1 History
2 Death of A Dynasty
2.1 Roc La Familia
2.2 Dame Dash Music Group
3 Current Artists on Roc-A-Fella
4 Current Artists on Dame Dash Music Group
5 Current Artists on Roc La Familla Reocrds
6 Former Artists on Roc-A-Fella Records
7 See also
8 External link
History
The initial upstart was created out of frustration to attempt to secure a record deal for Jay-Z. The group began pressing records, selling them out of their trunks and requesting time on mix radio. This showing of independence and self-sufficiency impressed Priority Records so much that they agreed to support the release of Jay-Z's debut album "Reasonable Doubt" in a joint venture with Roc-A-Fella.
The break for Roc-A-Fella came after Jay-Z decided to record several tracks for his album with a then-unknown Foxy Brown. Foxy Brown's label Def Jam was initially opposed to the pairing of the two rappers, but were soon charmed by Damon Dash and his new record label. Today Roc-A-Fella and Def Jam enjoy a profitable, mutually-beneficial relationship. Since around 1997 to 2005, Roc-A-Fella was the dominant label in hip-hop.
Dame DashThe name Roc-a-Fella is a play on Rockefeller, a rich and powerful New York family. It is a limited-liability company that folds its own company's assets through Def Jam and also profits through its releases. Roc-A-Fella has been successful in starting the careers of Memphis Bleek, Beanie Sigel and Amil. Notably most of Roc-A-Fella's releases came from Jay-Z. Newcomers such as producer/rapper Kanye West, Freeway, Cam'Ron, Young Gunz and rock singer Samantha Ronson released albums under Roc-A-Fella. The label also was responsible in signing the controversial rapper Ol' Dirty Bastard, who recently died while recording his debut on Roc-A-Fella.
Roc-A-Fella has ventured into producing movies. Paid In Full, State Property, State Property 2 and The Woodsman were some of their notable successes. Other ventures included Rocawear, an urban apparel clothing company and Roc4Kids, a community outreach program started by Dame Dash to support students. Roc-A-Fella has also invested in Armadale Vodka, and also its publication America. Roc-A-Fella has generated earnings in the tens of millions.
Death of A Dynasty
Roc-A-Fella successful years as an independent hip-hop label came to an end as of January 3, 2005. Island Def Jam, bought the label and announced that Jay-Z will become the president of Def Jam. The announcement also meant that Dash and Burke were released as co-founders of Roc-A-Fella.
Industry insiders believed that Jay-Z was opting from the label to form his own franchise and signed Foxy Brown to his label S. Carter Records. The label has also seen trouble from the arrest of Beanie Sigel over attempted murder charges, and Dash facing lawsuits from an alleged rape victim. Roc-A-Fella and its artists were assigned to either Jay-Z or Dash. Those who stayed with Roc-A-Fella included Memphis Bleek, Young Gunz and multi-platinum producer and rapper Kanye West.
Roc La Familia
Jay-Z also expanded the Roc-A-Fella label to include reggae, and Latino music. Juan Perez was appointed the president of the label and officially signed Houston native Aztek Escobar and New York rapper Tru Life to the franchise.
Dame Dash Music Group
Not deterred, Dash and Burke decided to start their own labels. The moguls started the Dame Dash Music Group and establish Beanie Sigel, Nicole Wray, Rell, Grafh, and Sizzla as its current artists. The lineup also included former Wu-Tang Clan member Ol' Dirty Bastard, who was going to release an album for the label before his untimely death in 2005. Dash also still is invested in management of former Roc-A-Fella artists, N.O.R.E. and Cam'Ron. There is also investment in Team Roc, the sporting division of Rocawear whereas proceeds go to Roc4Life, a children's outreach program.
Current Artists on Roc-A-Fella
Jay-Z
Kanye West
Foxy Brown
Young Gunz
Memphis Bleek
NORE
Freeway
Teairra Mari
DJ Clue
Peedi Crakk
State Property
Current Artists on Dame Dash Music Group
Nicole Wray
Beanie Sigel
Grafh
Sizzla
Dirt McGirt
Rell
Current Artists on Roc La Familla Reocrds
Aztek Escobar
Rihanna
Tru Life
Former Artists on Roc-A-Fella Records
MOP
Cam'Ron
The Diplomats
Amil
Samantha Ronson
Free
Apple iPod Program
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