Roc-a-Fella Records
| Roc-A-Fella Records | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Parent company | The Island Def Jam Music Group a division of Universal Music Group |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Founder |
Jay-Z Damon Dash Kareem "Biggs" Burke |
| Status | Defunct |
| Distributor(s) |
Def Jam Recordings (In the US) Virgin EMI Records (In the UK) |
| Genre | Various |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Location | New York City, New York |
| Official website | RocAFella.com |
Roc-A-Fella Records was an American record label founded by American recording artist Jay-Z, Damon Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke. It operated as an imprint of Def Jam, a division of IDJMG, a subsidiary of Universal Music Group.
The foundation of the label occurred in 1996, beginning as an independent outlet for rapper Jay-Z's first album. After being turned down by several major labels, Carter, Dash and Burke started their own label through Priority Records, using money from the music videos provided by Payday Records due to their singles only deal. Though Reasonable Doubt didn't immediately attain commercial success, it spawned several hits, and a close relationship with The Notorious B.I.G. and procured Jay-Z a reputation in the hip-hop community. Starting out as Roc-A-Fella's only artist, Jay-Z was supported by Biggie producer DJ Clark Kent and DJ Ski, who was then working with Camp Lo; affiliated rappers, Sauce Money, Jaz-O, and a young Memphis Bleek, though only Bleek would eventually sign with the label. According to Dame, the label had intended on releasing Nas' group The Firm, but the deal fell through:
The snub, and a sample clearance issue with the Nas-sampling Reasonable Doubt song "Dead Presidents II," were elements that contributed to tension between Jay-Z and Nas. As such, Roc-A-Fella Records' only release in 1997 was Jay-Z's second album, In My Lifetime, Vol. 1, but the label and its figurehead artist saw increasing popularity, mainly due to a high-profile appearance by Jay on B.I.G.'s posthumous Life After Death, complete with Roc-A-Fella Records and Dame Dash references. While Memphis Bleek signed with the Roc, Sauce Money chose to pursue a deal with Priority Records, and Jaz refrained from signing anywhere and provided production for only one song on Vol. 1, "Rap Game/Crack Game." In 1998, Roc-A-Fella Records released the movie Streets Is Watching and the accompanying soundtrack; the film compiles various Jay-Z videos into a continuous story, and the album introduced more affiliated, future Roc-A-Fella Records signees N.O.R.E., M.O.P., and DJ Clue, as well as producer Irv Gotti and the short-lived group, Murder Inc. (namesake of Irv's record label, Murder Inc. Records).
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