View source for Roc-A-Fella Records

{{Short description|American hip hop record label}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox record label
| bgcolor = #000000
| name        = {{color|white|Roc-A-Fella Records}}
| image       = Roc a Fella.svg
| image_size  =
| parent      = [[Universal Music Group]]
| founded     = {{start date and age|1994}}
| defunct     = {{end date and age|2013}}
| status      = Defunct
| founder     = [[Jay-Z|Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter]] <br />[[Damon Dash|Damon "Dame" Dash]] <br />[[Kareem Burke|Kareem "Biggs" Burke]]
| distributor = {{ubl|[[Priority Records|Priority]] {{small|([[Reasonable Doubt (album)|Reasonable Doubt]])}}|[[Payday Records|Payday]]/[[FFRR Records|FFRR]] {{small|(In My Lifetime)}}|[[Def Jam Recordings|Def Jam]] {{small|(United States)}}|[[Mercury Records|Mercury]] {{small|(United Kingdom)}}}}
| genre       = [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]
| country     = United States
| location    = New York City
| url         =
}}
'''Roc-A-Fella Records''' was an American hip hop record label and music management company founded by record executives and entrepreneurs [[Jay-Z|Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter]], [[Damon Dash]], and [[Kareem Burke|Kareem "Biggs" Burke]] in 1994.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hess |first=Mickey |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LldOLnIQ66cC&dq=rocafella+history+1994+dame+dash&pg=PA532 |title=Icons of Hip Hop: An Encyclopedia of the Movement, Music, and Culture |date=2007 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-0-313-33902-8 |language=en |access-date=July 29, 2022 |archive-date=July 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731173114/https://books.google.com/books?id=LldOLnIQ66cC&dq=rocafella+history+1994+dame+dash&pg=PA532 |url-status=live }}</ref> Carter issued his debut album, ''[[Reasonable Doubt (album)|Reasonable Doubt]]'' (1996) as the label's first release, in a joint venture with [[Priority Records]]. The label signed and released albums for acts including [[Kanye West]], [[Cam'ron]], [[Beanie Sigel]], [[Memphis Bleek]], [[Juelz Santana]], [[Freeway (rapper)|Freeway]], [[Jadakiss]], [[Teairra Marí]], [[State Property (group)|State Property]], and [[The Diplomats]] before its dissolution in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2019/10/18/jay-z-the-genius-thing-i-did-starting-out-in-music-business.html|title=Jay-Z: The Genius Thing I Did Starting Out in the Music Business|website=CNBC.com|date=October 18, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Archive-Rashaun-Hall |title=Jay-Z, Dame Dash Sell Roc-A-Fella Records; Jay Named Def Jam Prez |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/1494616/jay-z-dame-dash-sell-roc-a-fella-records-jay-named-def-jam-prez/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512233315/http://www.mtv.com/news/1494616/jay-z-dame-dash-sell-roc-a-fella-records-jay-named-def-jam-prez/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 12, 2014 |access-date=2022-03-18 |website=MTV News |language=en}}</ref>
== History ==
=== 1994–2000: Formation and early years ===
Roc-A-Fella Records was founded in 1994.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hess |first=Mickey |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LldOLnIQ66cC&dq=rocafella+history+1994+dame+dash&pg=PA532 |title=Icons of Hip Hop: An Encyclopedia of the Movement, Music, and Culture |date=2007 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-0-313-33902-8 |language=en |access-date=July 29, 2022 |archive-date=July 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731173114/https://books.google.com/books?id=LldOLnIQ66cC&dq=rocafella+history+1994+dame+dash&pg=PA532 |url-status=live }}</ref> After [[Jay-Z|Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter]] had been rejected by major record labels, it began as an independent outlet for the rapper's debut album. Carter, [[Damon Dash]] and [[Kareem Burke]] started the label through [[Priority Records]], using finances from [[Payday Records]] due to their singles-only deal.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Brown|first1=Jake|title=Jay-Z and the Roc-A-Fella Records Dynasty|date=2005|publisher=Colossus Books|isbn=0-9749779-1-8|page=47|edition=Paperback|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MhdD5B87rhQC&q=roc-a-fella+records+payday+records&pg=PA50|access-date=2015-02-04|archive-date=July 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731173205/https://books.google.com/books?id=MhdD5B87rhQC&q=roc-a-fella+records+payday+records&pg=PA50|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Hunter|first1=Asondra|title=Rockin' On Roc-A-Fella|url=http://slumz.boxden.com/f87/we-didnt-need-dirty-money-to-start-roc-a-fella-jay-z-1360475/|website=slumz.boxden.com|publisher=Yahoo! Music|access-date=2015-02-04|archive-date=February 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204161827/http://slumz.boxden.com/f87/we-didnt-need-dirty-money-to-start-roc-a-fella-jay-z-1360475/|url-status=live}}</ref> The name "Roc-A-Fella" was conceived by rapper [[Original Flavor|Tone Hooker]] as a double entendre for [[John D. Rockefeller|Rockefeller]] and a rapper dominating his opponent (“rocking a fella”).<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=2022-02-21 |title=How the Roc-A-Fella Chain Became a Symbol of Hip Hop Royalty |url=https://time.com/6149657/jean-yuhs-kanye-west-roc-a-fella-chain/ |access-date=2024-01-01 |magazine=TIME |language=en}}</ref> Though  ''[[Reasonable Doubt (album)|Reasonable Doubt]]'' (1996) didn't earn immediate commercial success, it spawned successful singles and earned Jay-Z regional popularity in hip hop. Starting out as Roc-A-Fella's only artist, Jay-Z was supported by [[the Notorious B.I.G.]]'s producer [[Clark Kent (producer)|DJ Clark Kent]] and [[Camp Lo]]'s producer [[Ski Beatz|DJ Ski]]; affiliated rappers, [[Sauce Money]], [[Jaz-O]], and a young [[Memphis Bleek]], though only Memphis Bleek would eventually sign with the label.
In June 1997, Roc-A-Fella agreed to a 50/50 partnership and distribution deal with [[Def Jam Recordings]]. In November 1997, Roc-A-Fella released their first two albums under Def Jam's distribution, Jay-Z's sophomore album, ''[[In My Lifetime, Vol. 1]]'', as well as R&B duo [[Christión]]'s debut and only album for the label, ''[[Ghetto Cyrano]]'', on the same day. Roc-A-Fella and Jay-Z saw increasing popularity, mainly due to a high-profile appearance by Jay on The Notorious B.I.G.'s posthumous ''[[Life After Death (album)|Life After Death]]'', complete with Roc-A-Fella and Damon Dash references. While Memphis Bleek signed with Roc-A-Fella, Sauce Money chose to pursue a deal with Priority, and Jaz-O refrained from signing anywhere and provided production for only one song on ''In My Lifetime, Vol. 1'', "Rap Game/Crack Game." Despite Jaz-O not signing to Roc-A-Fella, he became Memphis Bleek's manager. In 1998, Roc-A-Fella Records released the movie ''[[Streets Is Watching (film)|Streets Is Watching]]'' and the accompanying [[Streets Is Watching (soundtrack)|soundtrack]]; the film compiles various Jay-Z videos into a continuous story, and the album introduced more affiliated, future Roc-A-Fella Records acts like [[Noreaga]], [[M.O.P.]], and [[DJ Clue]], as well as producer [[Irv Gotti]] and the short-lived group, [[Murder Inc. (rap group)|Murder Inc.]] (namesake of Irv's record label, [[Murder Inc. Records|Murder Inc.]]).
Jay's 1998 album, ''[[Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life]]'', saw him largely depart from his previous entourage and venture forth with producers [[Swizz Beatz]], [[Timbaland]], [[The 45 King]] and [[Jermaine Dupri]]. ''Vol. 2'' spawned his first major hit, "[[Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)|Hard Knock Life]]", and became the label's first Platinum-RIAA certified release; it was the last Roc-A-Fella release to see appearances by Jaz-O or Sauce Money, and the first to feature new Roc artists [[Beanie Sigel]] and [[Amil]]. The label closed out 1998 with the December release of DJ Clue's debut album, ''[[The Professional (album)|The Professional]]'', which saw guest appearances from Jay-Z, Memphis Bleek, and an appearance from future Roc-A-Fella artist [[Cam'ron]]. The album was certified platinum by the RIAA, making DJ Clue the first other than Jay-Z to achieve platinum status. Meanwhile, DJ Ski had, at the time, formed the production company Roc-A-Blok, although the company folded when Ski moved out of New York to take a break from music.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://hhnlive.com/features/more/188 |title=hhnlive.com |access-date=2009-02-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090615084125/http://hhnlive.com/features/more/188 |archive-date=2009-06-15 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In August 1999, Memphis Bleek's debut album, ''[[Coming of Age (Memphis Bleek album)|Coming of Age]]'', was released through Roc-A-Fella. The album was executive produced by Kareem " Biggs" Burke, Damon Dash, and Jay-Z. It featured guest appearances from Roc-A-Fella artists [[Beanie Sigel]] and [[Jay-Z]]. The album also featured guest appearances from Dark Half and Da Ranjahz, artists signed to Roc-A-Fella's subsidiary label The Carter Foundation. Despite their appearances, they soon parted ways with The Carter Foundation. Though not as successful as Jay-Z's albums, ''Coming Of Age'' achieved Gold status in America thanks to the single ''What You Think Of That'' (featuring Jay-Z). Jay-Z's 1999 album ''[[Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter]]'' continued Jay's new affiliations with then-popular producers; in 2000, the label saw a redefinition in both sound and roster. Jay-Z put out ''[[The Dynasty: Roc La Familia]]'' as a solo album. Originally intended to be a collaboration project, it nonetheless featured heavy appearances by Beanie Sigel, Amil, and Memphis Bleek, along with a Philly rapper [[Freeway (rapper)|Freeway]] guest spot that led to him being signed to Roc-A-Fella. Rather than return to Timbaland or Swizz Beatz for production, Jay selected beats from a new crop of producers: [[Kanye West]], [[Bink (record producer)|Bink]], [[The Neptunes]] and [[Just Blaze]]. Each beat-smith would go on to become consistently involved in future Roc-A-Fella projects.
=== 2000–2005: Prominence and split ===
The new decade saw Roc-A-Fella begin to expand beyond one figurehead artist. Although Jay-Z remained the label's prominent image—with the acclaimed<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:wxfrxq80ldde|title=The Blueprint – Jay-Z – Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards – AllMusic|first=Jason|last=Birchmeier|work=AllMusic|access-date=March 6, 2015|archive-date=July 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731173118/https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-blueprint-mw0000013442|url-status=live}}</ref> release of ''[[The Blueprint (album)|The Blueprint]]'' and the closing of his trial for the 1999 stabbing of producer [[Lance Rivera]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.courttv.com/archive/trials/jay-z/120601_ctv.html |title=court TV becomes truTV<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2009-02-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226014044/http://www.courttv.com/archive/trials/jay-z/120601_ctv.html |archive-date=2009-02-26 |url-status=dead }}</ref>—other Roc artists began to gain popularity and acceptance. In 2000, Beanie Sigel released ''[[The Truth (Beanie Sigel album)|The Truth]]'' and reached #5 on the Billboard charts, DJ Clue released ''[[The Professional 2]]'', and Memphis Bleek released ''[[The Understanding (Memphis Bleek album)|The Understanding]]''. Although Clue and Beans's albums hit the top five on the Billboard charts, Bleek's album was in the top twenty. Nonetheless, all three albums were certified Gold by the RIAA. Amil's album, however, had lackluster sales. Jay-Z and Damon Dash began signing up new talent, including Freeway, and several young Philadelphia rappers that were later compiled into the Freeway/Sigel-led group, [[State Property (band)|State Property]]. During this time, Jay-Z and Beanie Sigel were embroiled in a feud with [[Ruff Ryders Entertainment|Ruff Ryders]] artists [[Jadakiss]] and [[DMX]]. Disses back and forth between Jay-Z and Jadakiss implied a conflict between Jay and former groupmate DMX, led to a full-on war of words between Sigel and Kiss, and eventually culminated in a diss by Beanie Sigel over Jada's hit "Put Your Hands Up," after which the rivalry faded.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1446481/20010809/story.jhtml|title=Jay-Z, Jadakiss Say Beef Good, Violence Bad|work=MTV News|access-date=March 6, 2015|archive-date=February 13, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213100206/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1446481/20010809/story.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> On December 4, 2001 (Jay-Z's 32nd birthday), it was announced and confirmed that rapper [[Cam'ron]] had signed to Roc-A-Fella through his connection with [[Damon Dash]]. After Cam'ron was signed, his rap group [[The Diplomats]] as well as Diplomats members [[Juelz Santana]] and [[Jim Jones (rapper)|Jimmy Jones]] also signed to Roc-A-Fella as well.
Upon signing to Roc-A-Fella, Cam'ron reached a new commercial peak. On May 14, 2002, Roc-A-Fella released Cam'ron's Roc-A-Fella debut ''[[Come Home With Me]]''. The album featured guest appearances from Roc-A-Fella artists Jimmy Jones, Juelz Santana, Beanie Sigel, Memphis Bleek, and Jay-Z, and featured production from Roc-A-Fella's in house producers Just Blaze and [[Kanye West]]. It featured two hit singles "[[Oh Boy (Cam'ron song)|Oh Boy]]" and "[[Hey Ma (Cam'ron song)|Hey Ma]]" (both featuring Juelz Santana), which both peaked in the top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as the moderately successful third single "Daydreaming". The album was certified Platinum by the RIAA for selling over a million copies in America. From 2002 to 2003, Damon Dash signed several artists in response to Jay-Z's talk of retirement after his 2002 album ''[[The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse|The Blueprint<sup>2</sup>: The Gift & The Curse]]''. He signed [[M.O.P.]] and [[Ol' Dirty Bastard]], gave [[Grafh]] a joint-venture deal, and attempted to sign [[Twista]] and [[Joe Budden]]. Twista never signed to Roc-A-Fella due to his deal with [[Atlantic Records]]. Roc-A-Fella experienced its height in product releases and overall popularity as a brand name during this period. On March 25, 2003, Roc-A-Fella released The Diplomats' debut album ''[[Diplomatic Immunity (The Diplomats album)|Diplomatic Immunity]]''. Despite not producing any major hits, the success of the singles ''Built This City'' and ''Dipset Anthem'' led to the album being certified Gold by the RIAA. In late 2003, the company released Jay-Z's alleged final album, ''[[The Black Album (Jay-Z album)|The Black Album]]''. Rumors of friction between Carter and Dash became apparent; though denied by both camps at the time, problems involving Damon's media attention and Jay's alleged inaccessibility had been brewing since the music video shoot for "[[Big Pimpin']]".
After Jay-Z's supposed last hurrah, it was revealed that he had accepted a position as CEO and President of [[Def Jam Recordings]], and [[The Island Def Jam Music Group]] purchased the remaining 50 percent stake of Roc-A-Fella Records that IDJ didn't already own. Dash, poised to take greater control in the company, began heavily promoting artists Cam'ron, The Diplomats, State Property, Kanye West, and Twista. In 2004, Kanye West's album, ''[[The College Dropout]]'', became a huge commercial and critical success, selling multi-Platinum-RIAA certified sales, and [[Foxy Brown (rapper)|Foxy Brown]] was signed and began work on her album, ''Black Rose''. The infamous 'split' between Dash, Carter, and Burke occurred when it was revealed the trio had sold their 50% interest in Roc-A-Fella to The Island Def Jam Music Group, making the label full owners. As President, Carter retained control of the Roc and his masters, ousting his 2 former partners. He later explained that he had offered to turn down the position and ownership for the masters to ''Reasonable Doubt'' alone:
{{blockquote|So I was like, let me get ''Reasonable Doubt'' and I'll give up [the rest of] my masters. I'll give up Roc-A-Fella, I'll give up president and CEO of Def Jam—everything. Just give me my baby to hold on to so 10 years down the line, I can look back and I got something—I'm not empty-handed. And I was the 1 being offered everything. I thought it was more than fair ... And when that was turned down, I had to make a choice. I'll leave that for the people to say what choice they would've made. That's about it. I don't really wanna talk about Dame or Biggs. I don't have nothing negative to say about them.|Jay-Z|XXL}}
As Dash and Burke set up their own fledgling record label, originally called ''Roc4life'' and later rechristened to ''Dame Dash Music Group'', each artist was offered their choice of labels. Memphis Bleek and Kanye West remained on Roc-A-Fella. Jimmy Jones and The Diplomats opted to leave Roc-A-Fella in 2004. [[Cam'ron|Cam'Ron]] chose not to stay with either Dame Dash Music Group or Roc-A-Fella and instead stayed with Diplomat Records and signed with [[Asylum Records]] for distribution for his next two albums. Cam'ron was especially vocal in running a smear campaign against Jay-Z, claiming Jay-Z blocked him from an executive position Dash had offered him at Roc-A-Fella.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/j/jay_z/news_feature_012506/index2.jhtml|title=MTVNews.com: Jay-Z Takes Over|website=[[MTV]]|access-date=March 6, 2015|archive-date=July 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715183651/http://www.mtv.com/bands/j/jay_z/news_feature_012506/index2.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Beanie Sigel, then doing a year's incarceration on an attempted murder charge, put out his album ''[[The B. Coming]]'' on Dame Dash and Roc-A-Fella; this was accompanied by accusations from Dash that of all the members of State Property, only Oschino had gone to visit Sigel in prison. Beanie had initially chosen Dame Dash Music Group, and he wanted to bring the rest of State Property over to Dame Dash. However, the rest of the group refused, preferring to remain on Roc-A-Fella; in response, Beanie Sigel effectively put the group on hold, claiming disappointment in his groupmates. M.O.P. and Grafh also left Roc-A-Fella for Dame Dash Music Group, though both acts parted ways with Dash soon thereafter. Due to the 2004 death of Ol' Dirty Bastard, Dash also brought with him masters of the rapper's project and promises to release the album, ''[[A Son Unique]]'', though this never occurred.
Memphis Bleek and Kanye West released ''[[534 (album)|534]]'' and ''[[Late Registration]]'', respectively, in 2005, along with the [[Young Gunz]]' sophomore effort and [[Teairra Marí]]'s debut, though only Kanye West's project saw significant sales. It was stated by Memphis Bleek that [[Cory Gunz]] had signed, but nothing materialized. By the end of the year, Dash had split his label from Def Jam and Jay-Z's role overseeing his project, after asking for more money and a bigger role in the company. Dame Dash Music Group left Def Jam and was subsequently dissolved.
=== 2006–2009: Roc Redefinition and departure of Jay-Z ===
In 2006, releases were largely limited to those of [[Roc-La-Familia]], a Latino-geared label under Roc-A-Fella that followed the trend of [[reggaeton]]. [[Héctor el Father]] and [[N.O.R.E.]] both put out albums, and the label was home to New York rapper [[Tru Life]], but has since folded. Jay-Z made his return that year with ''[[Kingdom Come (Jay-Z album)|Kingdom Come]]'', to mixed reviews. He stepped down from his Def Jam position and put out a second album in 2007, ''[[American Gangster (album)|American Gangster]]'', to more positive reviews and sales, along with Kanye West's ''[[Graduation (album)|Graduation]]'', Beanie Sigel's ''[[The Solution (Beanie Sigel album)|The Solution]]'', and Freeway's ''[[Free at Last (Freeway album)|Free at Last]]''; Kanye West's album sold multi-platinum to rave reviews. Freeway's project received acclaim but not major sales, and contained comments aimed at Kanye West and Just Blaze for not supplying production. He later amended his comments, stating he desired to work with Just Blaze but the producer hasn't reached out. This may have been due to Just Blaze's work on ''American Gangster'' and complications regarding his [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]]-distributed label, [[Fort Knocks Entertainment|Fort Knocks]], and his artist [[Saigon (rapper)|Saigon]].
The signing of Ruff Ryders artist Jadakiss, former rival to both Jay-Z and Beanie Sigel, also came in 2007, as did [[Uncle Murda]]. Foxy Brown was dropped from the label after 2 years, in light of a jail sentence. Though Young Chris and Peedi Crakk continued to appear on projects, neither seemed any closer to solo projects, and in 2008 Peedi Crakk announced that State Property had been dropped from the label.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.defsounds.com/news/Peedi_crack_roc_a_fella_drops_state_property |title=Defsounds — Think Different — Peedi Crack: Roc-A-Fella Drops State Property<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2009-02-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223204538/http://www.defsounds.com/news/Peedi_crack_roc_a_fella_drops_state_property |archive-date=2009-02-23 |url-status=dead }}</ref> This was countered by Beanie Sigel's manager, who confirmed that Beanie Sigel and Freeway were still part of Roc-A-Fella. Young Chris also apparently signed as a solo artist. 2008 saw only the release of Kanye West's ''[[808s & Heartbreak]]'', garnering decent sales. It also brought repeated disses in songs and interviews from Peedi Crakk towards Jay-Z, claiming he held up his project on purpose, though he claims to have moved on. During that year, Jay-Z had signed a $150 million deal with [[Live Nation Entertainment|Live Nation]] that included concerts, endorsements and recordings, and included a platform for him to launch his [[Roc Nation]] label.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/04/03/jay-z-and-live-nation-near-150-deal-new-record-label/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080405222835/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/04/03/jay-z-and-live-nation-near-150-deal-new-record-label/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 5, 2008|title=Music – New Music News, Reviews, Pictures, and Videos|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=March 6, 2015}}</ref> Uncle Murda left the label after a year and a half with no release, citing lack of executive interest after Jay-Z left Def Jam.
In March 2009, Freeway procured his release from Def Jam, claiming a need to explore his options; shortly, he announced his signing to [[Cash Money Records|Ca$h Money]], while stating he would always respect Roc-A-Fella.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.9252/title.freeway-to-join-cash-money-records|title=Freeway To Join Cash Money Records|author=HipHopDX|date=June 4, 2009|work=HipHopDX|access-date=March 6, 2015|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402165726/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.9252/title.freeway-to-join-cash-money-records|url-status=live}}</ref> Longtime signee Memphis Bleek also reported his departure from Def Jam, deciding not to travel to Roc Nation in favor of starting his own record label, but he is still very close with Roc-A-Fella.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sohh.com/2008/10/9617.html |title=Memphis Bleek Says "Jay-Z'S Moving Everything Off Of Def Jam" {{!}} Sohh.Com<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=April 15, 2009 |archive-date=February 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222052429/http://www.sohh.com/2008/10/9617.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Additionally, Tru Life has been referred to as a "1 time [or past] affiliate" of Roc-A-Fella upon his turning himself in to authorities for his connection to a retaliatory stabbing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.9382/title.tru-life-turns-himself-in-for-ties-to-murder|title=Tru Life Turns Himself In For Ties To Murder|author=HipHopDX|date=June 24, 2009|work=HipHopDX|access-date=March 6, 2015|archive-date=March 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150311175818/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.9382/title.tru-life-turns-himself-in-for-ties-to-murder|url-status=live}}</ref> On May 21, 2009, Jay-Z had bought back his contract from Def Jam for an unprecedented $5,000,000 and started his deal with Live Nation.
=== 2010–2013: Final years and TufAmerica vs. Roc-A-Fella ===
Jadakiss briefly moved to Roc-A-Fella and released an album ''[[The Last Kiss (album)|The Last Kiss]]'' before reuniting with Ruff Ryders.<ref>[http://hhvibe.wordpress.com/2009/11/26/jadakiss-leaves-roc-a-fella-records-reunites-with-ruff-ryders/ Jadakiss leaves Roc-A-Fella Records, reunites with Ruff Ryders | Hip Hop Vibe] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215124658/https://hhvibe.wordpress.com/2009/11/26/jadakiss-leaves-roc-a-fella-records-reunites-with-ruff-ryders/ |date=February 15, 2022 }}. Hhvibe.wordpress.com (November 26, 2009). Retrieved on 2013-08-25.</ref> On May 3, 2010, Damon Dash relaunched Roc-A-Fella after nearly a year of inactivity with his 1st artist being former [[Young Money Entertainment|Young Money]] rapper [[Currensy|Curren$y]].<ref name=relaunch>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1638284/20100503/dame_dash.jhtml|title=Damon Dash Resurrects Roc-A-Fella To Start A 'Positive Movement'|first=Shaheem|last=Reid|date=May 3, 2010|access-date=2010-05-04|publisher=MTV News|archive-date=May 4, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100504224753/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1638284/20100503/dame_dash.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> Curren$y's third album, ''[[Pilot Talk]]'', was to be released under the newly relaunched Roc-A-Fella.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1638284/20100503/dame_dash.jhtml |title=Damon Dash Resurrects Roc-A-Fella To Start A 'Positive Movement' |publisher=Shaheem Reid |access-date=May 5, 2010 |archive-date=May 4, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100504224753/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1638284/20100503/dame_dash.jhtml |url-status=dead }}</ref> However, Curren$y stated in interviews with both ''[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]'' and ''[[Complex Networks|Complex]]'' that the album would be released under [[Damon Dash]]'s [[DD172]] record label division, BluRoc Records<ref name="ddotomen1">{{cite web |url=http://www.ddotomen.com/2010/02/17/currenys-rocafella-chain-powered-by-bluroc/ |title=Curren$y's Rocafella Chain Powered By BLUROC |access-date=September 6, 2010 |archive-date=April 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401213257/http://ddotomen.com/2010/02/17/currenys-rocafella-chain-powered-by-bluroc/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web  |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=73349  |title=Curren$y, My Sophomore Year  |access-date=September 6, 2010 |url-status=dead  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100410155940/http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=73349  |archive-date=April 10, 2010 }} [[XXL (magazine)|XXL Magazine]]</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.complex.com/blogs/2010/07/13/interview-curreny-on-pilot-talk-dame-dash-and-his-relationship-with-lil-wayne/ |title=Interview: Curren$y On "Pilot Talk," Dame Dash, And His Relationship With Lil Wayne |publisher=Green, Dominic |access-date=September 6, 2010 |archive-date=July 16, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100716234125/http://www.complex.com/blogs/2010/07/13/interview-curreny-on-pilot-talk-dame-dash-and-his-relationship-with-lil-wayne/ |url-status=live }} [[Complex (magazine)|Complex Magazine]]</ref> and distributed through Def Jam. On August 8, 2011, Jay-Z and Kanye West released a collaborative album titled ''[[Watch the Throne]]''. It was later revealed that Jay-Z was part of a short-lived relaunched Roc-A-Fella, as the album was released on Roc-A-Fella, Roc Nation, and Def Jam.
In September 2012, record label [[Tuff City Records|Tuff City]], via its subsidiary TufAmerica, filed a lawsuit on the grounds of copyright infringement by Roc-A-Fella, seeking undisclosed damages.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Kanye West Sued over Song Sampling|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/legal-and-management/kanye-west-sued-over-song-sampling-1007963762.story|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 12, 2012|archive-date=October 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014030519/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/legal-and-management/kanye-west-sued-over-song-sampling-1007963762.story|url-status=dead}}</ref> The complaint filed in [[United States district court|federal court]] in Manhattan claims Roc-A-Fella and their parent [[The Island Def Jam Music Group|Island Def Jam]] paid them a $62,500 [[license]] fee to sample [[Eddie Bo]]'s "Hook and Sling, Part 1" in [[Kanye West]]'s "Who Will Survive in America" and "[[Lost in the World]]". Despite this, Tuff City says UMG and Roc-A-Fella "failed and refused to enter into written license agreements that accounted for their multiple other uses of 'Hook and Sling'".<ref>{{cite web|title=Kanye West Sued Over My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy Samples|date=September 29, 2012|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/48025-kanye-west-sued-over-my-beautiful-dark-twisted-fantasy-samples/|publisher=Pitchfork|access-date=October 12, 2012|archive-date=October 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016150258/http://pitchfork.com/news/48025-kanye-west-sued-over-my-beautiful-dark-twisted-fantasy-samples/|url-status=live}}</ref> The unmentioned "multiple other" uses TufAmerica refers to are in the "[[Lost in the World#Music video|Lost in the World]]" video and [[Runaway (2010 film)|the short film]] based on Kanye's "[[Runaway (Kanye West song)|Runaway]]". Tuff City is represented by New York attorney Kelly Talcott.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kanye West Being Sued For Illegal Song Samples On 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy'|date=September 29, 2012|url=http://musicfeeds.com.au/news/kanye-west-being-sued-for-illegal-song-samples-on-my-beautiful-dark-twisted-fantasy/|publisher=Music Feeds|access-date=October 12, 2012|archive-date=October 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001054717/http://musicfeeds.com.au/news/kanye-west-being-sued-for-illegal-song-samples-on-my-beautiful-dark-twisted-fantasy/|url-status=live}}</ref>
On June 16, 2013, Jay-Z announced with a tweet: "VII IV XIII Roc A Fella/Roc Nation", hinting a possible relaunch and revival of Roc-A-Fella and a possible merger with Roc Nation. However, it was later revealed that the tweet instead meant that Roc-A-Fella was only temporarily relaunched, specifically for the sole purpose of releasing his new album, ''[[Magna Carta Holy Grail]]''.
== Legal issues ==
In June 2021, Roc-A-Fella sued its co-founder Damon Dash for attempting to auction off a [[non-fungible token]] representing the Jay-Z album ''[[Reasonable Doubt (album)|Reasonable Doubt]]'', due to Roc-A-Fella owning the rights to the album. In response, Dash claimed that he was not trying to sell the album, but his own share of the record label. On June 22, a restraining order prohibiting Dash from further selling the album was placed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 20, 2021 |title=Roc-A-Fella Sues Damon Dash Over NFT of JAY-Z's Reasonable Doubt |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/roc-a-fella-sues-damon-dash-over-nft-of-jay-zs-reasonable-doubt/ |access-date=2022-03-22 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US |archive-date=March 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322012906/https://pitchfork.com/news/roc-a-fella-sues-damon-dash-over-nft-of-jay-zs-reasonable-doubt/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Subsidiaries ==
=== ROC Films ===
In 2002, Roc-A-Fella released through Lions Gate Entertainment, ''[[State Property (film)|State Property]]''. The movie, while not the first for Dash, would be the start of ROC Films/Roc-A-Fella Films. The film studio would go on to release ''[[Paid in Full (2002 film)|Paid in Full]]'' the same year and follow up in 2003 with ''[[Paper Soldiers]]'' and the hip-hop satire ''[[Death of a Dynasty]]''. In 2005, the sequel to the studios debut release would hit theatres ''[[State Property 2]]'', featuring rap stars such as Beanie Sigel and Damon Dash, who also produced and co-created the story. Cameo roles included musicians Kanye West, N.O.R.E, and Mariah Carey, and light heavyweight champion boxers Bernard Hopkins and Winky Wright. The list of films include:
*''[[Streets Is Watching (film)|Streets Is Watching]]'' (1998)
*''[[Backstage (2000 film)|Backstage]]'' (2000)
*''[[State Property (film)|State Property]]'' (2002)
*''[[Paid in Full (2002 film)|Paid in Full]]'' (2002)
*''[[Paper Soldiers]]'' (2002)
*''[[Death of a Dynasty]]'' (2003)
*''[[Fade to Black (2004 film)|Fade to Black]]'' (2004)
*''[[State Property 2]]'' (2005)
=== Roc La Familia ===
Roc-La-Familia was founded in 2005 by then Roc-A-Fella and [[Def Jam Recordings|Def Jam]] President/CEO [[Jay-Z|Shawn Carter]]. This sub-label was created to focus on signing international recording artists.
== Discography ==
=== Studio albums ===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Artist
!Album
!class="unsortable"|Details
|-
|[[Jay-Z]]
|''[[Reasonable Doubt (album)|Reasonable Doubt]]''
|
*Released: June 25, 1996
*Chart positions: #23 U.S.
*RIAA certification: Platinum
|-
|[[Christión]]
|''[[Ghetto Cyrano]]''
|
*Released: November 4, 1997
*Chart positions: #146 U.S.
*RIAA certification: —
|-
|Jay-Z
|''[[In My Lifetime, Vol. 1]]''
|
*Released: November 4, 1997
*Chart positions: #3 U.S.
*RIAA certification: Platinum
|-
|Jay-Z
|''[[Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life]]''
|
*Released: September 29, 1998
*Chart positions: #1 U.S.
*RIAA certification: 6× Platinum
|-
|[[DJ Clue|DJ Clue?]]
|''[[The Professional (album)|The Professional]]''
|
*Released: December 15, 1998
*Chart positions: #26 U.S.
*RIAA certification: Platinum
|-
|[[Memphis Bleek]]
|''[[The Coming of Age|Coming of Age]]''
|
*Released: August 3, 1999
*Chart positions: #7 U.S.
*RIAA certification: Gold
|-
|Jay-Z
|''[[Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter]]''
|
*Released: December 28, 1999
*Chart positions: #1 U.S.
*RIAA certification: 3× Platinum
|-
|[[Beanie Sigel]]
|''[[The Truth (Beanie Sigel album)|The Truth]]''
|
*Released: February 29, 2000
*Chart positions: #5 U.S.
*RIAA certification: Gold
|-
|[[Amil]]
|''[[All Money Is Legal]]''
|
*Released: August 29, 2000
*Chart positions: #45 U.S.
*RIAA certification: —
|-
|Jay-Z
|''[[The Dynasty: Roc La Familia]]''
|
*Released: October 31, 2000
*Chart positions: #1 U.S.
*RIAA certification: 2× Platinum
|-
|Memphis Bleek
|''[[The Understanding (Memphis Bleek album)|The Understanding]]''
|
*Released: December 5, 2000
*Chart positions: #16 U.S.
*RIAA certification: Gold
|-
|DJ Clue?
|''[[The Professional 2]]''
|
*Released: February 27, 2001
*Chart positions: #3 U.S.
*RIAA certification: Gold
|-
|Beanie Sigel
|''[[The Reason (Beanie Sigel album)|The Reason]]''
|
*Released: June 26, 2001
*Chart positions: #5 U.S.
*RIAA certification:
|-
|Jay-Z
|''[[The Blueprint]]''
|
*Released: September 11, 2001
*Chart positions: #1 U.S.
*RIAA certification: 3× Platinum
|-
|Jay-Z and [[R. Kelly]]
|''[[The Best of Both Worlds (Jay-Z and R. Kelly album)|The Best of Both Worlds]]''
|
*Released: March 19, 2002
*Chart positions: #2 U.S.
*RIAA certification: Platinum
|-
|[[Cam'ron]]
|''[[Come Home with Me]]''
|
*Released: May 14, 2002
*Chart positions: #2 U.S.
*RIAA certification: Platinum
|-
|Jay-Z
|''[[The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse]]''
|
*Released: November 12, 2002
*Chart positions: #1 U.S.
*RIAA certification: 3× Platinum
|-
|[[Freeway (rapper)|Freeway]]
|''[[Philadelphia Freeway]]''
|
*Released: February 25, 2003
*Chart positions: #5 U.S.
*RIAA certification: —
|-
|[[The Diplomats]]
|''[[Diplomatic Immunity (The Diplomats album)|Diplomatic Immunity]]''
|
*Released: March 25, 2003
*Chart positions: #8 U.S.
*RIAA certification: Gold
|-
|State Property
|''[[The Chain Gang Vol. 2]]''
|
*Released: August 12, 2003
*Chart positions: #6 U.S.
*RIAA certification: —
|-
|[[Juelz Santana]]
|''[[From Me to U]]''
|
*Released: August 19, 2003
*Chart positions: #8 U.S.
*RIAA certification: —
|-
|Jay-Z
|''[[The Black Album (Jay-Z album)|The Black Album]]''
|
*Released: November 14, 2003
*Chart positions: #1 U.S.
*RIAA certification: 4× Platinum
|-
|Memphis Bleek
|''[[M.A.D.E.]]''
|
*Released: December 16, 2003
*Chart positions: #35 U.S.
*RIAA certification: —
|-
|[[Kanye West]]
|''[[The College Dropout]]''
|
*Released: February 10, 2004
*Chart positions: #2 U.S.
*RIAA certification: 4× Platinum
|-
|[[Young Gunz]]
|''[[Tough Luv]]''
|
*Released: February 24, 2004
*Chart positions: #3 U.S.
*RIAA certification: —
|-
|Jay-Z and R. Kelly
|''[[Unfinished Business (Jay-Z and R. Kelly album)|Unfinished Business]]''
|
*Released: October 26, 2004
*Chart positions: #1 U.S.
*RIAA certification: Platinum
|-
|Jay-Z and [[Linkin Park]]
|''[[Collision Course (EP)|Collision Course]]''
|
*Released: November 30, 2004
*Chart positions: #1 U.S.
*RIAA certification: 2× Platinum
|-
|Cam'ron
|''[[Purple Haze (album)|Purple Haze]]''
|
*Released: December 7, 2004
*Chart positions: #20 U.S.
*RIAA certification: Gold
|-
|Memphis Bleek
|''[[534 (album)|534]]''
|
*Released: May 17, 2005
*Chart positions: #11 U.S.
*RIAA certification: —
|-
|Young Gunz
|''[[Brothers from Another]]''
|
*Released: May 24, 2005
*Chart positions: #15 U.S.
*RIAA certification: —
|-
|[[Teairra Marí]]
|''[[Roc-A-Fella Records Presents Teairra Marí|Teairra Marí]]''
|
*Released: August 2, 2005
*Chart positions: #5 U.S.
*RIAA certification: —
|-
|Kanye West
|''[[Late Registration]]''
|
*Released: August 30, 2005
*Chart positions: #1 U.S.
*RIAA certification: 5× Platinum
|-
|Jay-Z
|''[[Kingdom Come (Jay-Z album)|Kingdom Come]]''
|
*Released: November 21, 2006
*Chart positions: #1 U.S.
*RIAA certification: 2× Platinum
|-
|DJ Clue?
|''[[The Professional 3]]''
|
*Released: December 19, 2006
*Chart positions: #73 U.S.
*RIAA certification: —
|-
|Kanye West
|''[[Graduation (album)|Graduation]]''
|
*Released: September 11, 2007
*Chart positions: #1 U.S.
*RIAA certification: 7× Platinum
|-
|Jay-Z
|''[[American Gangster (album)|American Gangster]]''
|
*Released: November 6, 2007
*Chart positions: #1 U.S.
*RIAA certification: Platinum
|-
|Freeway
|''[[Free at Last (Freeway album)|Free at Last]]''
|
*Released: November 20, 2007
*Chart positions: #42 U.S.
*RIAA certification: —
|-
|Beanie Sigel
|''[[The Solution (Beanie Sigel album)|The Solution]]''
|
*Released: December 11, 2007
*Chart positions: #37 U.S.
*RIAA certification: —
|-
|Kanye West
|''[[808s & Heartbreak]]''
|
*Released: November 24, 2008
*Chart positions: #1 U.S.
*RIAA certification: 3× Platinum
|-
|[[Jadakiss]]
|''[[The Last Kiss (album)|The Last Kiss]]''
|
*Released: April 7, 2009
*Chart positions: #3 U.S.
*RIAA certification: —
|-
|Jay-Z
|''[[The Blueprint 3]]''
|
*Released: September 8, 2009
*Chart positions: #1 U.S.
*RIAA certification: 2× Platinum
|-
|Kanye West
|''[[My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy]]''
|
*Released: November 22, 2010
*Chart positions: #1 U.S.
*RIAA certification: 3× Platinum
|-
|Jay-Z and Kanye West
|''[[Watch the Throne]]''
|
*Released: August 8, 2011
*Chart positions: #1 U.S.
*RIAA certification: 5× Platinum
|-
|Kanye West
|''[[Yeezus]]''
|
*Released: June 18, 2013
*Chart positions: #1 U.S.
*RIAA certification: 2× Platinum
|-
|Jay-Z
|''[[Magna Carta Holy Grail]]''
|
*Released: July 4, 2013
*Chart positions: #1 U.S.
*RIAA certification: 3× Platinum
|}
=== Soundtrack albums ===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Artist
!Album
!class="unsortable"|Details
|-
|Various Artists
|''[[Streets Is Watching (soundtrack)|Streets Is Watching]]''
|
*Released: May 12, 1998
*Chart positions: #27 U.S.
*RIAA certification: —
|-
|DJ Clue?
|''[[Backstage: Music Inspired by the Film|Backstage: Music Inspired by the Film]]''
|
*Released: August 29, 2000
*Chart positions: #6 U.S.
*RIAA certification: Gold
|-
|[[State Property (band)|State Property]]
|''[[State Property (soundtrack)|State Property]]''
|
*Released: January 29, 2002
*Chart positions: #14 U.S.
*RIAA certification: —
|-
| Various Artists
|''[[Paid in Full (soundtrack)|Paid in Full/Dream Team]]''
|
*Released: October 25, 2002
*Chart positions: #53 U.S.
*RIAA certification: —
|}
=== Live albums ===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Artist
!Album
!class="unsortable"|Details
|-
|[[Jay-Z]]
|''[[MTV Unplugged (Jay-Z album)|Jay-Z: Unplugged]]''
|
*Released: December 18, 2001
*Chart positions: #31 U.S.
*RIAA certification: Gold
|-
|[[Kanye West]]
|''[[VH1 Storytellers (Kanye West album)|VH1 Storytellers]]''
|
*Released: January 5, 2010
*Chart positions: —
*RIAA certification: —
|}
== See also ==
* [[List of Roc-A-Fella Records artists]]
== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Roc-A-Fella Records}}
{{Def Jam}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:1996 establishments in New York City]]
[[Category:Companies based in New York City]]
[[Category:Defunct record labels of the United States]]
[[Category:Film production companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Film distributors of the United States]]
[[Category:Hardcore hip hop record labels]]
[[Category:Jay-Z]]
[[Category:Labels distributed by Universal Music Group]]
[[Category:Music production companies]]
[[Category:Record labels established in 1996]]
[[Category:Record labels disestablished in 2012]]
[[Category:Contemporary R&B record labels]]
[[Category:American hip hop record labels]]
[[Category:Def Jam Recordings]]