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JAY-Z continues to make criminal reform a priority. Roc Nation is launching a podcast about misconduct within the justice system.
As reported by Variety Magazine the entertainment company will shine a light on the wrong doings that often take place when someone stands accused in a court of law. This week the organization’s social justice division Team Roc announced a new medium in which they will try to bring attention to the matter. Corruption Uncovered is a show that will specifically explore the alleged corruption that has followed the Kansas City, Kansas police department. This new project coincides with the trial of former KCKPD detective Roger Golubski who is accused of kidnapping two Black women and raping them. These claims came to light back in 1994 when it was alleged that he and his police department at the time framed a Kansas City teenager for double murder. The man, Lamonte McIntyre, was eventually released in 2017 and was awarded $12.5 million dollars in a settlement.
“There is a need for powerful and comprehensive storytelling in the criminal justice sector so that the voices of those who have been silenced are heard,” says Team Roc managing director Dania Diaz said. “Our hope is for Corruption Uncovered to not only achieve that purpose, but also to serve as an investigative platform that will expose misconduct, demand accountability and drive change from the people and systems that are duty bound to protect its citizens and community.”
On Monday, Dec. 2 Roger Golubski was found dead at his home by what is suspected to be a suicide. According to Fox 4 KC neighbors called 911 after hearing a gunshot. When police arrived they found the former lawman with a gunshot wound. Authorities are not investigating this as a homicide. You can view the trailer to Corruption Uncovered below.
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It looks like the culture will continue to headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show. The NFL have announced they have extended their deal with Roc Nation to curate the festivities.
As spotted on Yahoo! Entertainment, the National Football League will continue their partnership with Jay-Z to curate their biggest event of the year. As exclusively reported by Bloomberg News, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell disclosed the deal saying the partnership is “mutually positive” while attending the annual owners meeting in Atlanta. “I’m not sure either one of us really spend much time talking about contracts. Jay is happy” he said. “Desiree Perez is happy. I’m happy, so we’re all good.”
Back in 2019, the NFL signed the original deal with Roc Nation to curate the Halftime Show festivities. According to ESPN, the original contract was for about $25 million over a five-year term. In addition to choosing the talent, Roc Nation also assisted in the league’s commitment to social justice via their Inspire Change program. Since then, the Super Bowl has featured some of the culture’s biggest and brightest stars. In 2022, Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, Mary J. Blige and Eminem took the stage. Rihanna headlined the show in 2023, and Usher took the baton earlier this year.
Kendrick Lamar has been chosen as the headliner for Super Bowl LIX. It is set to take place on Feb. 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La.
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Roc Nation, an entertainment company that encompasses music, sports management, film, and more, recently announced a merger of two existing divisions that will provide a new opportunity for artists. With the merger of the label and the company’s Equity Distribution arm, the new distribution division will empower all artists who sign while allowing them to remain independent.
The new venture will give signees access to a bevy of resources that includes advice from label staff, data analytics, technology, and more, all while maintaining their independence, which includes keeping control of their master recordings.
More from a recent press release:
ROC Nation distribution is a hybrid, offering a unique blend of services. Artists who partner with ROC Nation distribution are independent, retain ownership of their master’s and creative control of their art. Artists also receive data analytics from a proprietary dashboard and have the ability to opt into various services across the company. We will sign all artists in all genres around the world.
Roc Nation was founded with an independent spirit and an artist-first mentality. The formation of ROC Nation distribution is a natural transition in the music space. The mission is to support and empower independent artists while providing them the tools and services to distribute their music. All artists signed to Roc Nation Label will join and benefit from the new ROC Nation distribution structure.
For artists who wish to learn more, please follow this link.
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Roc Nation and its music distribution wing, Equity Distribution, have merged to form Roc Nation Distribution, sources tell Billboard. As part of this new formation, all artists currently signed to Roc Nation the label will be under ROC Nation Distribution.
Sources add that ROC Nation Distribution will continue to sign artists and offer myriad services similar to those provided by Equity Distribution. Established in 2019, Equity Distribution works with independent artists who wish to retain ownership of their masters. Under the leadership of president Krystian Santini, Equity offers a range of services including in-house marketing and publishing administration. Notably, they have worked with independent artists like Mach-Hommy and Tinashe and brought Jay-Z‘s 1996 debut album, Reasonable Doubt, to streaming services in 2019.
As part of the move, Shari Bryant, co-president of Roc Nation’s record label, has stepped down from her post. Bryant became co-president alongside Omar Grant in 2019 after former label president Benny Pough departed. Bryant and Grant signed new acts to the label during their tenure, including Maeta, Ambre, Reuben Vincent and Kalan FrFr.
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Roc Nation was originally founded in 2008 as a joint venture with Live Nation to cover Jay-Z’s touring and future recordings; the company signed its first artist, J. Cole, the following year. Since then, Roc has expanded into a full-service entertainment company, with management, sports, publishing and distribution divisions, as well as a long-running festival, Made In America; the company also has a deal with the NFL to oversee the programming for its Super Bowl Halftime Show and its social justice initiatives. Over the years, the label released several chart-topping albums from Jay-Z, J. Cole, Rihanna and a slew of others; the roster had more recently included artists such as Rapsody, Vic Mensa, Belly, Snoh Aalegra, and Jaden and Willow Smith.
In March, Maeta landed her first No. 1 on Billboard‘s Adult R&B Airplay chart with the success of “Through the Night” featuring Free Nationals. Grammy-nominated MC Rapsody released her new album, Please Don’t Cry, through Roc Nation and Jamla Records in May with features from Erykah Badu and Lil Wayne.
Roc Nation Management remains formidable, boasting names such as Megan Thee Stallion and Lil Uzi Vert. In June, Megan released her eponymous album, which debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200; it featured her Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper, “Hiss.” Tinashe, also managed by Roc, regained momentum this year when she notched a hit with “Nasty,” her first Hot 100 entry as a lead artist since 2014’s “2 On.” The management division also reps DJ Khaled, J Balvin, Yo Gotti, Robin Thicke, Mustard, Christina Aguilera and more, according to its website.
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Jay-Z and Roc Nation have come under fire for backing a program in Pennsylvania, which critics say aims to gut public education.
A new campaign underway in Pennsylvania is aiming to get students from low-income households in Philadelphia into the city’s private schools. The Pennsylvania Award for Student Success (PASS) program is spearheaded by Jay-Z and his Roc Nation entertainment company, which also refers to the PASS grants as “Lifetime Scholarships.” Roc Nation had publicly pledged an investment of $300 million towards the cause. “PASS – which is also known as Senate Bill 757 – is legislation aimed at increasing education opportunities for underprivileged youth attending the state’s lowest performing public schools,” a press release by the group stated.
But critics, including teachers’ groups, have called out the campaign for being heavily influenced by Republicans to gut public education and pointed to Jay-Z’s friendship with a key figure of the campaign. “This ain’t it,” wrote the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “And for good measure, here’s a still of @sc and Jeffrey Yass, PA’s richest man, potential Trump Treasury Secretary, and the force behind the voucher push in PA.” The push comes as House Democrats are advancing a bill for $5.1 billion in school funding, capping charter schools’ annual tuition fees.
Criticism also came from individuals such as parent Dena Driscoll, who said that “Jay-Z is like ‘defund Abbott Elementary‘ and for real though my actual Philadelphian children’s public school. Lifeline Scholarships mean most of our children are left to drown.” Journalist and scholar Nikole Hannah-Jones blasted initial coverage of the PASS program as well in a thread of posts on X, calling Roc Nation out for lending its name to efforts in trying to get the bill passed, stating its “involvement is to convince poor Black parents to leave the public schools. “This is no different than the right-wing efforts in Arizona, Florida, and elsewhere just because they put a Black face on it,” she wrote.
Jeff Yass is a billionaire who is the largest megadonor to Republican federal campaigns this election cycle, according to CNBC, totaling over $46 million to date. School choice has been a major focus of PASS and the groups he funds through various entities, with sources remarking that he is a top choice for a cabinet position under Donald Trump if he were to win the presidential election in November.
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Source: handout / Warner Music Group
On Friday, (Feb. 2) Megan Thee Stallion and Warner Music Group announced that the Houston rap star entered a historic deal that will allow her to maintain her independence as a musician while also having access to the music company’s robust global services, ranging from radio promotion to worldwide marketing.
“This is the beginning of an exciting new chapter of my life and career,” Megan said, according to a press release. “I’m really focused on building an empire and growing as an entrepreneur, so I’m proud to take this next step in my journey and work with Max Lousada and the entire Warner Music Group team in this new capacity. I know we’re going to create history together.”
In the agreement, Meg will release music through Hot Girl Productions – her independent music and entertainment entity – and simultaneously work with Warner Music and its international affiliates.
She will also retain full creative control of her music releases along with the option to bring artists who are signed to her imprint into the WMG ecosystem.
“Meg is not just a superstar,” WMG Recorded Music CEO Max Lousada said in the release. “She’s an artistic force and a mogul in the making – authentic and unapologetic in defining her own unique place in the cultural landscape. So many relate to her remarkable story and have witnessed her come into her power on her own terms. At Warner, we’re creating an environment where original talents can explore both their creativity and entrepreneurialism, while building long-term careers. Following on her success with 300, we’re excited to continue our journey with Meg through this dynamic new partnership, with our global teams, infrastructure, and expertise supporting her every step of the way.”
The announcement was also celebrated by Meg’s management company, Roc Nation. The company’s CEO Desiree Perez wrote, “Megan continues to be an absolute trailblazer,” she added. “This new chapter with Warner Music Group will shift the landscape in the music industry and empower other independent artists to follow in her footsteps and claim their power. It’s also a testament to Max’s ability to reimagine the relationships that major music companies can engage in with independent artists.”
The deal comes after the superstar was recently appointed a brand ambassador for Planet Fitness starring in an ad and releasing a line of merch.
The superstar rapper is also at the top of the charts with her single “HISS,” which has already reached No. 1 on Apple Music’s Global charts, Spotify’s U.S. charts, iTunes and YouTube Trending within the past week of its release.
Megan stopped by Good Morning America last week and announced that she will soon release a new album and that she has a Hot Girl Summer tour on the way.
“Oh, we’re having the tour this year. The Hot Girl Sumer tour is going to be 2024, summertime,” the Houston rapper said during her GMA appearance. “I feel like I’ve never been able to be outside doing my own thing during the summer, since like 2019. So this is going to be the first time that I drop an album on time for the summer. I do want to give the hotties the Megan Thee Stallion experience.”
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Just when we thought Hov was ready to reintroduce himself to the rap game, it seems like chatter about a new Jay-Z album in 2024 was much ado about nothing.
Over the weekend, social media was buzzing with rumors of a new Jay-Z album after video director Hidji took to his IG stories and shared a picture that featured a clapperboard that had the production titled listed as “JAY Z – 2024 ALBUM.” Naturally, everyone assumed that this was happening and Hov would return with some new work in this new year.
Unfortunately, it seems like it’s not meant to be as the official Roc Nation X account refuted the rumors by simply replying, “That’s news to us” to the post circulating on social media.
Well, that was exciting for a few minutes. It’s been six years since Jay-Z dropped his last album, 4:44, and though the project went platinum only a week after its release, Jay hasn’t dropped any new full-length projects since.
In an attempt to make up for his absence from the rap game, Jay did drop a verse the length of an EP on DJ Khaled’s “God Did” but his day-ones want a new album already.
Hopefully, everyone over at Roc Nation is just playing dumb and Jay does indeed have a project on the way in 2024, but it seems like that might be something they’re playing close to the chest for the time being as they’re denying any knowledge of a brand new joint from Hova the Gawd.
What do y’all think? Is Jay-Z dropping a new album this year and keeping it secret? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Photo: Getty
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Source: Taylor Hill / Getty / Megan Thee Stallion
Megan Thee Stallion is officially a free agent and is using her money to get her next project out.
On a recent Instagram Live session, Thee Stallion revealed to her loyal Hotties that she has gone independent. No longer having a label means she will be footing the bill to get her next project out.
“This part of my album is definitely very much funded by Megan Thee Stallion because you know we trying to get off… Y’all know what’s the tea,” the Houston Hip-Hop star said.
The “Big Ole Freak” crafter also added that she would be paying for the studio time, music videos, and marketing for the yet-to-be-named project that she could possibly already be teasing in previous IG posts.
“The next s**t y’all about to see ’bout to be all straight from Megan Thee Stallion’s brain and Megan Thee Stallion’s wallet. Yes, we are in my pockets, hotties, so let’s do our big one,” she said.
Megan Thee Stallion & Her Drama With Her Label
The news of Thee Stallion going independent should surprise no one, and she has been engaged in a very public battle with Carl Crawford’s 1501 Certified Entertainment.
The rapper claimed her last project, Traumazine, which has been certified gold by the RIAA, was the previous project to fulfill her contractual obligation.
Crawford argued the project before Traumazine, Something For The Hotties, did not qualify as an album; thus, Megan Thee Stallion did not fulfill her contractual obligations.
Thee Stallion also accused her former label of trying to sabotage her career and acting funny with her money. She was granted a restraining order by a judge in 2022.
The news also has some on social media reacting, being loud and wrong, mainly directing energy towards Roc Nation, which manages Thee Stallion and has nothing to do with funding her music projects.
As long as Thee Stallion is mentally in a good space, we are happy she has finally rid herself of Carl Crawford and 1501 Certified Entertainment.
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Photo: Taylor Hill / Getty
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Source: Lexus / Lexus
The Book Of Hov exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum has been a resounding success, and it’s going to stick around a little longer. Also, the Brooklyn rapper turned mogul’s famed “Off-White Lexus” is going to be parked right outside the building.
Source: Lexus / Lexus
Roc Nation has partnered with Lexus to bring a vintage 1993 Lexus GS 300, the same one Jay-Z flexed in the “Dead Presidents” video, to the Brooklyn Museum. Is it the exact same whip? Probably not, but it’s all about the nostalgia. The Book of HOV was originally scheduled to close up shop in the fall but will now end its run at the close of 2023.
“We’re excited to partner with Lexus to bring JAY-Z’s iconic ‘Off-White Lexus’ to The Book of HOV. The new installation adds another element of JAY-Z’s career to the exhibit that visitors can enjoy,” said Desiree Perez, CEO Roc Nation, in a press statement. “The response to The Book Of HOV has been overwhelming, so we’re excited to extend the exhibit to December to ensure new and returning attendees can have enough opportunities to fully immerse themselves into the experience.”
Since opening July 14, the Book Of Hov has reportedly hosted over 255,000 visitors and in turn created over 21,000 new accounts thanks to limited edition Jay-Z library cards.
According to Kelly Blue Book, the Lexus GS 300, a four door sedan, had a retail price of a cool $40,000 back in ’93. High-end Lexus automobiles have been name-checked in various Hip-Hop songs throughout the years, and that fact isn’t lost on the brand itself.
“In further celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip hop, we are thrilled to partner with Roc Nation in this special tribute to JAY-Z’s musical legacy,” added Mia Phillips, Senior Manager, Lexus Advertising & Media, in a statement. “The vehicle display is recognition of the mutual respect and admiration between Lexus and JAY-Z, whose brilliance and contributions to culture extend far beyond hip-hop.”
Real recognize real.
Source: Lexus / Lexus
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