Roc Nation: Will It Be Different This Time? (by H2O)
July 15, 2008 by nappyafro.com Staff
We’ve all heard that Hov signed a deal with Live Nation, which is called Roc Nation, and this deal will be used to fund all of Jay’s entertainment ventures, like a new record label, also called Roc Nation. This deal was signed back in April, and was reported worth 150 Million DOLLARS! However, for this deal to take effect, Hov will have to finish his contract with Def Jam. If he releases one this year, then he’ll be able to leave Def Jam and being Roc Nation.
Jigga is worth over a half a billion dollars, and has a rep for being a business man, so we know he’s not going to just toss his money around, but is he really just going to leave Roc-A-fella? I mean, if you hadn’t noticed, Roc-A-fella earlier this summer, dropped a large number of it’s artists, including Freeway (one of the most underrated artists ever), Young Gunz (a rap duo), Peedi Peedi (Whatever), Tru Life (Still on Doggystyle Records), and Jadakiss (what!). If you don’t believe me, check out the Roc-A-fella website: only artists in the line-up are Jay-Z, Beanie Sigel, Kanye, DJ Clue, and Memphis Bleek. What is going on at Roc-a-Fella??
In 2001, Roc-A-Fella was the shit. Seriously. The Blueprint was out, and people was all over the Roc. They actually were putting out other people too, like Freeway, Beanie Sigel, DJ Clue, Amil, and Memphis Bleek. Then the ROC broke up in 2004 and everything went downhill! We lost Beans, M.O.P., and others. We had Roc La Familia with N.O.R.E. and Hector “El Father”, but that label folded soon after. We got Kanye, but that was the ONLY artist on Roc-A-fella making hits, which is still true today sadly; Jay’s been doing his thing, but he hasn’t been on the top of his game. American Gangster has filled me with hope for the future, but still, what is up with Roc-A-Fella??
If you ask me, Jay is holding back on Roc-A-Fella projects so he can move the artists over to Roc Nation. But will anything change when Roc Nation is formed? I’m a HUGE Jay-Z fan, but when it comes to promoting his artists, he’s not on top of things: Freeway only sold 100k 6 months after his album was released last year! Then when he complained to Def Jam, he was dropped! All because of no promotion. I’m not on LL Cool J’s side cause I don’t think he would’ve moved more than 500,000 units, even with promotion, but hopefully Jay will get his shit straight with Roc Nation.
Below, I’ve listed artists who could go to Roc Nation. Some will happen, others I put on because I want them to happen, and some I’m probably flat-out crazy to even think of. But anyway, here it goes:
Jay-Z (CEO)
Reason: Duh
Chances of being signed: Again, Duh
Beyonce (A&R)
Reason: I read about this somewhere: Beyonce is supposed to become the A&R of Roc Nation to help scout for talent. She’d be good for the job: maybe we’d see more female acts on Roc-A-Fella.
Chances of being signed: Incredibly Likely if Jay can get her to do it.
Freeway
Reason: He’s been on the squad for almost 10 years, and Free at Last was bangin’. He didn’t deserve to get dropped, hopefully he’s not angry with Hov like Peedi.
Chances of being signed: Likely if Jay wants him back.
Memphis Bleek
Reason: Do you have to ask…? I mean, Bleek is kind of mediocre as a rapper, but Hov’s been holdin’ him down since ‘96. This is a no brainer.
Chances of being signed: Extremely Likely
DJ Clue
Reason: The only DJ on the roster. I guess they could afford to lose him: He’s done solid numbers in the past, but Professional 3 wasn’t too successful, and Jay might want a new sound for Roc Nation. I’m going to go with maybe here.
Chances of being Signed: Sort-of Likely, but if Jay wants new DJs, adios
Kanye West
Reason: He’s the biggest artist on R.O.C. right now, including Jay-Z himself. But I think once Roc Nation is formed, Kanye will leave to work on GOOD Music: he’s got a big enough fan base to stand alone.
Chances of Being Signed: Depends on how arrogant Kanye is
Lil Wayne
Reason: According to D-Dot’s interview, Weezy will head over to Roc Nation if Jay calls him. With the numbers Tha Carter 3 did LEAKED, Jay would have to be an idiot not to pass this up. However, Weezy’s already got Young Money Ent., and is big enough to own his own label, plus I’m still skeptical Weezy would leave Baby like that. But if he does, it would make Roc Nation HUGE, and possibly start an even bigger beef.
Chances of being Signed: It’s up to Weezy
Saigon
Reason: Even though his debut album STILL hasn’t been released, he’s got potential. Jay has worked with him before, and Just Blaze is cool with Jay, so he’d put the good word in for him.
Chances of being Signed: Very Likely; Saigon’s not going to say no.
Rick Ross
Reason: It’s called Roc Nation! Jay needs some southern acts that can sell records, and Rick Ross has proven that, having the first album to go gold. They worked together twice before, so maybe?
Chances of being Signed: Sort-of Likely; I doubt Ross would decline.
Nas
Reason: A living legend, and probably the only guy on this list with a classic besides Jay(unless you conside C3 classic). Nas and Jay are businness partners now and good friends, so why not? However, he’s already signed to Def Jam, so it wouldn’t happen in the near future, unless they made a joint venture of some sort.
Chances of being Signed: Likely in 2 years, unless Nas is actually going to do something with Ill Will Records.
Well, there you have it. A solid roster if I do say so. I think Roc Nation will amazing, especially since Live Nation will be giving Jay 5 million a year; he can use that to promote his artists! If he does, Roc Nation could be the biggest rap recording label, rivaling even Def Jam. Here’s hoping.
Young Chris Needs To Be On That List! lol… Imma Fanboy….
I’m not. I heard his last song, and he was acting just like Jay!
That’s What I Though, But Niggas Told Me Jay Ripped Young Chris Flow! They Were Sayin How Jay Got However Many Different Flows And How Jay Picked Up On Young Chris… That Sounds Weird, but I’ve Heard That Story A LOT Of Times… Enough To Believe!
Check This Discussion… And This Wasn’t The First Time I Heard That!
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/audio/id.5221/title.young-chris-freeway-beanie-sigel-ready-for-war
Yeah, I heard that too, but I’m not too sure. I mean damn!
I dont believe that young chris shit for a second, but Jay is my fave rapper and I’m def a Roc fanboy, so I’m hoping dropping ppl like free, chris and jada was just prep to move them over to Roc Nation. here’s hoping the roc comes back.
The Roc will never be the Roc again without Dame! All you Jay heads need to admit that Jay needs Dame just as much as Dame needs Jay. They worked well together and were very successful. They were the best and the hottest crew in the game. Until they decide to put their differences aside and come back together like Voltron (whatchuknow about that H2O?) the Roc will never be the Roc again. IMO
King Jerm is right. Dame’s record label is doing worse than Roc-A-Fella is right now; they need to work together again, but I doubt it will happen.
I would agree with King Jerm too but dont forget Dame was the one who signed Cam and Dipset…
and that was a bad thing. They both put up platinum plaques for the Roc. What did Jay’s major pick up sell….Bleek went Gold.
Last few Dip projects sold even worse than the latest Roc ones that weren’t Jay or Ye. I think MOB did 17000 first week sales
Dame had nothing to do with those projects. You can’t deny the fact that when Dame was with the Roc, things were a lot better for the clique. Jay is an artist and he does business like an artist.. Ask Nas, the Roots, LL, Method Man, and many others who he pushed aside to make his project his first priority. While Dame never cared about being an artist, so he didn’t have a conflict of interest with his artists.
yeah, but look at DDMG(Dame Dash Music Group) now. Its worse than Roc-A-Fella! I mean the thing with Dame is that he was all for Team Unity: where do you think that ROC Chain thing came from? But I don’t think we need just Dame back: we need the original group. Dame, Biggs, and Jay.
ok sorry to take away from the dame/jay/biggs debate but why isnt dj green lantern on the list? green came out with jay on tour two years ago…which i saw!! boo yaa! so yeah i though green would be there to replace clue. green is getting some buzz back so it could be good for both parties to have have him on.
Brooklyn’s own john sportin will be the first artist signed to the Roc Nation Label.
CHECK OUT HIS SITE AND YOU WILL KNOW WHY
http://www.myspace.com/johnsportin