Roc-A-Fella Records
Roc-A-Fella Records is a record label founded by Damon "Dame" Dash, Shawn "Jay Z" Carter, and Kareem "Biggs" Burke. It operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, being distributed by Def Jam Recordings.
History
Formation and early years
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, 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 included duo Da Ranjahz, 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:
Podcasts:
Blaargh!!
by: Into It Over ItCan you believe how much we've worked on our technique?
Sunshine for everyone you know
Brian, as we work on scaring you to death
It's become a contest
Of stealth perfection
To always catch you off your guard
We won't have to walk too far
To hide behind a doorway
And burst out screaming your name
If you're outside for too long
If you're seeing clouds of grey
We'll keep seeing sunshine
Everyone you know, Brian, is quiet and crouched down
You haven't made it hard
For a point and click reaction through the lens of a camera-phone
Stealth perfection
To always catch you off your guard
We won't have to walk too far
To hide behind a doorway
And burst out screaming your name
If you're outside for too long
[Jon Loudon:]
(Behind every doorway you'll find us
You're making it so easy
Around every corner you'll find us
Behind every doorway you'll find us
You're making it so easy
You can't hide
Cause you know we'll always find you
It's alright
It's alright)
And I don't trust us either
(And it's alright
It's alright)
And I don't trust us either
Sunshine for everyone you know, Brian
Making the third verse the same as the first
Cause it works over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again
Stealth perfection
To always catch you off your guard
We won't have to walk too far
We'll hide behind a doorway
And burst out screaming your name
If you're outside for too long
We're behind every doorway
We'll burst out screaming your name