S. Samuel
Rap mogul Jay-Z has shared his thoughts on the growth of his entertainment company Roc Nation and how he plans to continue making it a strong force within the music industry.
According to Jay, Roc Nation’s success is already being portrayed by the company’s dominance over the sales charts.
“[I] want to build the best entertainment company ever, which is Roc Nation, which comes at a great time,” Jay said in an interview when asked about his current ambitions. “This week, if you look on the UK charts, the number one record is Rihanna, and we manage her. The producer of that record is Stargate, we manage them. Number two is Alexis Jordan, she’s on Roc Nation. Number four is Cee-Lo, we published the writer. Number five is Bruno Mars, we published the writer. So I’m just looking forward to building the best entertainment company ever made.” (BBC)
Last month, producer Sean Garrett announced his new deal with Roc Nation.
“I’m so misunderstood when it comes to the music man,” Garrett told VIBE less than 24 hours after announcing his signing to Roc Nation/Columbia. “I’m not afraid to say that I’m a true genius with my craft. This isn’t something I do for the money…I think I’m the modern-day Lionel Richie. I just want my fans to really know who I am and get to know me from the inside and out. You’ll be seeing a lot more of me on your TV–not just in music videos. Right now, it’s time to open myself up to the world…Roc Nation understands that my movement is way bigger than just my deal. The only thing that I could have asked for is an opportunity, and that’s what I was blessed with. Jay’s building a new Dynasty and it feels like family to me. No matter how much success I’ve had, I’m still humbled by the opportunity to still be creative and just be myself.” (VIBE)
In late October, Rihanna announced her alignment with the Nation.
The singer announced Wednesday (October 20) that she will now be managed by mentor and former Def Jam exec Jay-Z’s Roc Nation company. The chart-ruling singer spilled the beans toThe Associated Press, saying in a statement she’s “so excited to take this next step in my career.” The “Only Girl in the World” singer joins songstress Melanie Fiona, spitter Wale and DJ/producer Mark Ronson as other faces handled by the management arm of Hov’s multi-pronged firm. (MTV)
In September, Jay revealed that nine-year-old singer Willow Smith was also signed to Roc Nation.
“First off, I heard the record first, before I knew that it was recorded by a nine year-old,” Jay said in an interview with radio host Ryan Seacrest speaking about “Whip My Hair.” “I was like, ‘Man, that record is a smash.’ — I went to Japan to do some stuff and they were out there and I met Willow and she walked in and the first thing she said was, ‘I’m really nervous,’ and I thought that maturity, explaining exactly how she was feeling as she was walking in the room, I knew right there she was a star. I believe in super stars and I believe in big records on super stars…Yes, [I signed her and we plan on helping her] facilitate all her ideas. As you’re going to learn today, if you sit with her for a half hour, you’ll see, she’s just a wealth of information and ideas…She’s a child, she has child innocence but she has a refreshing clear vision of what she wants to be…And I imagine that’s how Mike [Jackson] was as a kid.” (Rap Radar)
The rap mogul launched Roc Nation around Apirl 2008.
Jay-Z is on the verge of closing a $150 million deal with concert promoter Live Nation that includes every aspect the rapper?s future touring and recordings. As part of the partnership, Jay-Z will also launch an entertainment venture called Roc Nation. This will finance future start-up ventures by Jay-Z including his own label, music publishing, and artist consulting and managing. (New York Times)
Check out Jay-Z’s interview down below:
