What if Roc-A-Fella Records had never Split?

By The Voice
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Sixteen years ago, Jay-Z was a street hustler trying to go legit. He had teamed up with Damon Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke to launch his own record label. Jay-Z had attempted to get signed by major labels, but none of them saw his vision. The trio's hail mary attempt was starting their own record label, Roc-A-Fella Records.

In 1996, Jay-Z released Reasonable Doubt and Roc-A-Fella Records took off. Memphis Bleek also signed to the label, while Jaz-O, a mentor, of sorts, to Jay-Z, and Sauce Money were expected to. For one reason or another, they never signed to the label. Roc-A-Fella Records soon established a distribution deal with Def Jam and hit it big.

Before the end of 1997, Jay-Z had a platinum album under his belt and was quickly becoming a big name in hip hop. By 1998, Jay-Z became the biggest rapper on the planet, propelled by his "Hard Knock Life" single. Soon, Def Jam was using Jay-Z to spin off the careers of DMX and Ja Rule. Because of Jay-Z's initial flame, both rappers went on to achieve much success. Back at Roc-A-Fella Records, the label added several rappers from Philadelphia, which became State Property.

When the 2000s emerged, Roc-A-Fella Records had become the biggest hip hop label in the game. Every rapper in the game wanted to be a part of the movement. If an artist did not want to sign to the Roc, they wanted a beat from one of the in-house producers. Due to the success they were having, Damon Dash decided the company should branch out, which led to the 1999 launch of Rocawear. Corporate giants were watching Roc-A-Fella Records, as they had become much more than an independent record label.

Most independent record labels were founded when an artist had trouble getting signed. After creating one hit, the label gets picked up by a bigger label and the star makes hits. Roc-A-Fella Records bucked the trend and continued to sign more artists. Not only was Roc-A-Fella Records signing artists, they were also helping artists out with their movements. Beanie Sigel created State Property Records under the Roc, Memphis Bleek's Get Low label was founded in 1998, under Roc-A-Fella Records.

Roc-A-Fella Records' biggest move came in 2001, when Cam'ron was signed. Being from Harlem, Cam'ron knew Damon Dash and the two were friends. Cam'ron was also the head of his own label, Diplomat Records and he came to Roc-A-Fella for a deal. Unlike other artists signed to Roc-A-Fella, Cam'ron had buzz before signing to the label. Previously, Cam'ron had a deal with Sony Records. But, in 2002, he had the biggest hit of his career with "Oh Boy" and his only platinum album, to-date, Come Home with Me.

By 2003, it was clear Roc-A-Fella Records was much more than hip hop, with a film division, a clothing line, subsidiary labels, and a liquor brand. The major corporate players had watched long enough and they decided it was time to make an offer. Def Jam offered to buy complete control of Roc-A-Fella Records and offer an executive role to Jay-Z. Already worth well over $100 million, Jay-Z would have been well without the role with the company.

However, a behind the scenes beef with his partners prompted Jay-Z to move with Def Jam. But, had their not been any beef, Roc-A-Fella Records could have either turned Def Jam down, or made a counter-move. Either way, the label could have continued to run the game. Had Roc-A-Fella Records turned Def Jam down, they could have easily established a new deal with another label, which could have been much more lucrative.

A bigger focus could have been placed upon the sub-labels, building their stars. With Kanye West emerging, the Roc-A-Fella movement could be what the Cash Money movement currently is. Cash Money Records has big names, such as Bow Wow and Lil Wayne and is also the head of the Young Money movement. It could have been the same way for Roc-A-Fella Records and Jay-Z could have been just as rich, if not richer, had the partners been able to stay together.

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Ski Beatz talks Curren$y and Jay-Z, compares "Pilot Talk" series to "Reasonable Doubt"

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

The history of Roc-A-Fella Records was shaped with several tracks produced by Ski Beatz. On the label's first release, Jay-Z's classic debut, Reasonable Doubt, Ski Beatz produced a number of the tracks. Last year, Damon Dash re-launched Roc-A-Fella Records and is returning the label to its former glory.

Among Damon Dash's first moves were signing Curren$y and reunting with Ski Beatz. Before his time with the re-vamped Roc-A-Fella, Curren$y was signed with Lil Wayne's Young Money. Ski Beatz recently discussed working with Jay-Z and Curren$y, both rappers have helped build Roc-A-Fella Records.

Ski Beatz has had the opportunity to work with Curren$y on both of his Pilot Talk albums. Also, Ski Beatz had the opportunity to work with Jay-Z on Reasonable Doubt. Despite Curren$y and Jay-Z being two different type of rappers, Ski Beatz has been able to draw comparisons. Ski Beatz said Curren$y's albums are like the Reasonable Doubt of the current time.

His reason for saying this is because, like Reasonable Doubt, Ski Beatz has laced both Pilot Talk albums with timeless music. People of both younger and older age can listen to the music and enjoy it for both the instrumental and the lyrics. Thinking back on his time working with Jay-Z, Ski Beatz remembered how he was convinced by Jay-Z to quit rapping to focus solely on production.

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Steve Stoute talks Jay-Z, Damon Dash, and More on Power 105.1 [VIDEO]

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Beanie Sigel says Jay-Z blocked his G-Unit move

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Perhaps an attempt to prove to the people he is not trying to get back on Jay-Z's good side, Beanie Sigel has another story to tell. Following the 2004 Roc-A-Fella breakup, each member had to choose between Jay-Z and Damon Dash. Most of the members had no trouble choosing, but Beanie Sigel was stuck in the middle.

In the end, Beanie Sigel decided to stay with Roc-A-Fella, while maintaining a strong relationship with Dash. In 2005, after being released from prison, Beanie Sigel released a new album, which was moderately successful. Even after the release of his 2005 album, Beanie Sigel remained with the Roc until the 2008 dismantling.

Now, after revealing he has beef with Jay-Z, Beanie Sigel has made a number of outrageous comments. The Philadelphia rapper teamed up with 50 Cent, nearly two years ago, in an attempt to bring Jay-Z down. Ever since 50 Cent and Jay-Z made peace, Beanie Sigel has been going at Jay-Z without enforcement. Most recently, Beanie Sigel has decided to speak on his release from prison and his plans. Originally, Beans intended to sign with G-Unit Records, after having meetings with 50 and the other executives of G-Unit.

Beanie Sigel said when he went to Jay-Z to secure his release from Def Jam, Hov refused to let him off the roster. According to Beanie Sigel, 50 Cent offered him his own label under G-Unit, cash in advance, and a full label deal with Interscope Records. While Beanie Sigel wanted to leave Def Jam, he wanted to remain on the Roc-A-Fella Records roster, but Jay-Z still refused to release him. Being the president of the entire company, Beanie Sigel thought he could easily make the deal happen.

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Cam'ron discusses Just Blaze feud

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

By 2002, Roc-A-Fella Records had reached their peak with Jay-Z on top of the rap game. Not only was Jay-Z on top, but Cam'ron also posted several hits and his Diplomat Records imprint was going strong. Many credit the addition of Cam'ron and the Diplomats to the end of the Roc-A-Fella dynasty.

Despite being a part of the same crew, Cam'ron and Jay-Z had been rivals for several years. When Jay-Z accepted the Def Jam role, Damon Dash had plans of Cam'ron taking over the Roc. This is what led to the demise of the dynasty. By 2005, half of the label had gone with Dash, including Cam and company.

Years after the fallout, Just Blaze opened up about his own beef with Cam'ron. During his time at Roc-A-Fella Records, Just Blaze became one of the top producers in the game. Blaze's beats were on many of the classic albums and still are to this day. Cam'ron reaped the benefits of having Just Blaze's beats on his albums.

Just Blaze said Cam'ron told him he should have been Dipset, so Just asked him for a chain. Cam'ron had purchased several chains and repeatedly told Blaze he should be Dipset. Just Blaze told him he was Dipset, just as much as he was State Property, Get Low, and Roc-A-Fella. From there, the feud was started, even though there was an apology. Just Blaze said Cam'ron cut ties with him then.

Cam'ron recently spoke out and said he has not talked to Just Blaze in years. The Harlem rapper went on to say he was unaware of any tension between the two of them. Ending any speculation of a feud, Cam'ron said he is proud of everything Just Blaze has accomplished and he is also grateful for everything he has done for him.

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Damon Dash discusses his Evolution

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Early in the days of Roc-A-Fella, Damon "Dame" Dash was considered the brains of the operation. Jay-Z, on the other hand, was considered as the face. There was a time when Dame Dash was hailed as the second coming of Russell Simmons.

In the middle of their dominance, all of this ended. Jay-Z was named the CEO of Def Jam and Damon Dash was without the label he helped create. Ever since the 2004 Roc-A-Fella breakup, Dame Dash has been a running joke.

There have been rumors about his financial stability for the past few years. Last year, Dash returned to the public and announced some of his new ventures. The former mogul has created a new label, BluRoc, and has artists signed.

Outside of music, Damon Dash is currently working on his new movie, Muscle Car Chronicles, which stars his artist, Curren$y. Dash also has his new company, Creative Control, which does just that for independent artists and music companies. Damon Dash said he sees so many independent artists not even getting airplay that are living like rockstars and he wants to give them publicity.

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Young Chris talks Damon Dash's influence

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Young Chris was among the many rappers upset when Jay-Z and Dame Dash split up. Over the years, the two had been a united front and they helped many people become successful. Young Chris looked to both men for inspiration. But, when it was time to choose, he chose Jay-Z.

At the time, the feud was very high profile. As a result, Dame Dash had negative things to say about the entire Roc-A-Fella camp. It still did not mean that the remaining guys did not have love for their other CEO. Even years after the split, some remains of the beef still exist.

Recently, Young Chris spoke about the way things used to be with the old crew. He compared the Roc to the 1996 Chicago Bulls because they all had rings. Chris said Jay-Z helped him in many ways, but he did not give as much, he taught more. But, Dame Dash gave a lot to Young Chris and he said that Dame influenced him more than anyone during that period of time.

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Memphis Bleek is cool with Damon Dash

When Roc-A-Fella Records split in 2004, Memphis Bleek sided with Jay-Z. Out of all of the feuds going on in the crew, it was said that the worst one was between Bleek and Damon Dash. Right before a performance in 2003, Memph Bleek got into it with Dash and Jay-Z told him that there would be a day when he would never see Dash again. That time would come within the next year and things would never be the same again.

For five years after the split, Memphis Bleek remained on the label. Despite being the most loyal member of the label, he was lost in the shuffle when it came time for him to release his fifth studio album. In his last years with the Roc, Bleek often spoke highly of Jay-Z and badly of Damon Dash. Even to this day, he does not blame Jay-Z for the mishandling of his album, which has yet to come out.

Last summer, Memphis Bleek was finally able to leave Def Jam and Roc-A-Fella Records. Throughout his career, Bleek has been running his own label, Get Low Records, which was distributed by Roc-A-Fella. During his time away from the game, Bleek used the label to release a series of mixtapes. But, by 2009, he realized that he needed to make plans to release his album. There were short talks with Def Jam, then Memphis Bleek broke out on his own and signed a distribution deal with the independent label, Mass Appeal Entertainment.

Now that the deal is in place, Memphis Bleek has made plans to release his album, The Process, and the first single, "Still Ill," has taken over the radio waves. Recently, there was video footage of Memphis Bleek running into Damon Dash in London, England and the two former rivals shook hands. When Bleek was questioned about the footage, he said that the footage was actually from 2008. Memphis Bleek never did state his current feelings for his former boss, but it was clear that there was little friction. Around the same time that they saw each other, Memphis Bleek was saying bad things about Dash in interviews. That was because he was still signed to Roc-A-Fella, at the time.

Memphis Bleek is now the captain of his own team and he speaks directly with the big executives. That gives him the right to say whatever he feels like saying. Recently, he was asked how he feels about Damon Dash and Memphis Bleek said that their issues are in the past. Often, he tries to downplay feuds that he was once involved in. While he and Dash are on good terms, the chances of the two uniting for any causes are slim, at the moment. On March 23, 2010, Memphis Bleek is expected to release his long-awaited album, The Process, through Get Low Records and Mass Appeal Entertainment. No Roc-A-Fella, no Def Jam.

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