ROCAFELLA RECORDS: MOST TALENTED TEAM IN HIPHOP HISTORY*HATERS COME*

[i cant feel my facee]

Throughout its WHOLE era...whether yall like it or not, at one point the Roc had some of the of the most hottest superstars in the rap game of all time....fromtha producers, to the dj's to the MC's...CAM(& dipset), HOV, KANYE, CLUE, BEANS, bleek(homie is nice, dont care what no one says), twista, foxy,freeway, Just blaze, M.O.P, Ol dirty bastard, Jadakiss, NORE(cant hate on dude, he is/was pretty hot in tha regaeton scene)....and with upcomin artists likeyoung chris(underrated), tru life and uncle murda etc etc.,

basically what im sayin is, you cant put any team/group or label up against The ROC (includin former ROC members). period. not cash money, not young money, notdeath row, not bad boy, not the new dipset, not G-unit, no one. if you can name 3 members of a group that can eat tha top 3 members of the roc(i'm goin witJay, beans, and kiss[all in their prime of course]), then i'll delete this post.

 

[Girl Thats Jules]

Badboy - B.I.G. , Kiss , Styles P. >>>>>>>>>>> Jay-z,beans,kiss



if your goin by top 3's that is

 

[debso]

can't even count the following:

foxy
tru life
uncle murda
jada
ODB
NORE

but yeah, i agree. dopest label for a min. now its garbage.

 

[i cant feel my facee]

Originally Posted by Girl thats Jules

Badboy - B.I.G. , Kiss , Styles P. >>>>>>>>>>> Jay-z,beans,kiss



if your goin by top 3's that is

how can people even compare Big to Jay? BIG ONLY HAD 2 ALBUMS PEOPLE. compared to what? 10? %$*# outta here. to each his own i guess but thats jus crazy tome. and i'd def take beans over styles anyday

 

[mr subliminals]

i hate your s/n^

 

[i cant feel my facee]

dont care, who are u

 

[nolandw]

Death Row is better IMO. Snoop, Pac, Dre, Daz, Kurupt, Quik.

 

[illscan]

If we are comparing record labels, Loud > Roc all day.

 

[mossman75]

Originally Posted by iLLscan

If we are comparing record labels, Loud > Roc all day.

c/s 2 the fullest

 

[mossman75]

Originally Posted by mossman75

Originally Posted by iLLscan

If we are comparing record labels, Loud > Roc all day.

c/s 2 the fullest
also cold chillin records as well
Kane,Biz Markie,MC Shan,Kool G. Rap,Masta Ace

 

[mrdills]

NWA. Cube and Dre Ren and yellow, Juice Crew, Hill Top Hustlers Wu Tang. Man the Rock might not be in the top 10. You still got boot camp click. Death Row.Blackstar,native tongues the firm,...Def Squad hit squad Hot Boys

 

[Original Playa Records]

Rap has left a lot of history behind.

 

[mrdills]

Originally Posted by mossman75

Originally Posted by mossman75

Originally Posted by iLLscan

If we are comparing record labels, Loud > Roc all day.

c/s 2 the fullest
also cold chillin records as well
Kane,Biz Markie,MC Shan,Kool G. Rap,Masta Ace

Man that main source was that joint. You faking the funk used to be that thang.

 

[tha murdera 2001]

IM GONNA GET HATED ON THIS,BUT I DONT CARE...

Honestly,I think No Limit was better in theyre heyday...

Snoop
Mystikal
MAC(EXTREMELY slept on)
Soulja Slim
C-Murder
Fiend
Mia X
D.I.G.
Magic

were all pretty good,and P was decent when he was raw(Ice Cream Man era)


And the Juice Crew>Roc-A-Fella,but if we strickly talking record label crews,then i say(in order):

Death Row
Rap-A-Lot
No Limit
Roc-A-Fella
Bad Boy

top 5

 

[mrdills]

Man I forgot about the dungeon family

 

[langfor5]

No disrespect to any of the above labels posted but come on now when the ROC was at its peak, for how ever brief it was they were un-touchable.

 

[mossman75]

Originally Posted by MrDills

Originally Posted by mossman75

Originally Posted by mossman75

Originally Posted by iLLscan

If we are comparing record labels, Loud > Roc all day.

c/s 2 the fullest
also cold chillin records as well
Kane,Biz Markie,MC Shan,Kool G. Rap,Masta Ace

Man that main source was that joint. You faking the funk used to be that thang.

oh yeah that song and album

 

[all19mjs]

[edit] 1996-2000: Establishment
In 1996, Jay-Z and then-business partners Dame Dash and Biggs Burke needed an avenue to put out Jay's music. With no luck signing to any major labels, theydecided to found Roc-A-Fella Records and put out his first album, Reasonable Doubt, independently. They managed to procure distribution from Priority Records;though Reasonable Doubt was not a major commercial success, it was highly acclaimed critically, and (along with a cosign from The Notorious B.I.G.) helpedpropel Jay-Z to popularity. The early roster consisted of Jay-Z, Sauce Money, and Memphis Bleek; former friend Jaz-O, duo Da Ranjahz, and producers DJ Ski andDJ Clark Kent were also affiliated.

The label's next release was Carter's second album, In My Lifetime, Vol. 1, in 1997; 1998 saw an increase in activity with the release of the StreetsIs Watching Soundtrack, Memphis Bleek's Coming of Age and Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life. Vol. 2 was Jay-Z's first platinum release as well as thehighest-selling, helping to secure Roc-A-Fella's future as a record label. By this time, Sauce Money had signed straight to Priority to release his album;Jaz-O had become more involved with his own label and roster; and Da Ranjahz had gone separate ways from the label, as had Ski and Clark Kent. In their placesa new roster was signed, consisting of Amil and Beanie Sigel. In 1999, Jay-Z embroiled himself and (to a lesser extent) the rest of the label in a verbal feudwith rapper Nas which lasted until 2002.


[edit] 2000-2004: Breakup
2000 saw Memphis Bleek release his second album, The Understanding, the first appearances by Beanie Sigel and Amil, and the first Roc-A-Fella release tofeature heavy production by Just Blaze. The Understanding was followed by The Dynasty: Roc La Familia, a Roc roster album billed as a Jay-Z release. The albumfeatured Beanie Sigel, Memphis Bleek and Jay-Z heavily, with appearances by Amil and Freeway, who was signed shortly thereafter. Production was handled largelyby Just Blaze and Bink, with input by then-newcomer Kanye West, Rick Rock and The Neptunes. Later in 2000, Beanie Sigel released his first album, The Truth.

Jay-Z put out his sixth album, The Blueprint, in 2001, the same year Beanie Sigel released his second album, The Reason. Both were produced mainly by Bink!,Just Blaze, and Kanye West, who influenced the sound of Roc-A-Fella to include sped-up or heavily chopped 70's soul samples over an up-tempo framework ofdrums and bass. The label's disagreements with Nas began dying down; Amil was dropped from the label; and up until 2003, more and more artists were beingsigned to the roster. Beanie Sigel and Freeway put together State Property, a group of Philadelphia-based rappers; Cam'ron was signed, putting out hisplatinum-selling album Come Home With Me in 2002, before bringing his own group The Diplomats to the label.

From 2002 to 2003, Dame Dash signed several artists in response to Jay-Z's talk of retirement after his 2002 album The Blueprint²: The Gift & theCurse. He signed M.O.P. and Ol' Dirty Bastard, gave Grafh a joint-venture deal, and attempted to sign Twista and Joe Budden. Rumors of dissent among theranks began to breed, as sources said Jay-Z wasn't getting along with Dame or Biggs, and Cam'ron was gunning for a CEO position promised to him by DameDash, among other things. This ultimately led to talk that Roc-A-Fella was breaking up.

Meanwhile, Beanie Sigel was going through murder trials, eventually leading to a year-long incarceration. Cam'ron's Diplomats and State Propertyreleased Diplomatic Immunity and The Chain Gang Vol. 2 respectively in 2003, as well as Freeway's first album Philadelphia Freeway, and Memphis Bleek'sthird album M.A.D.E.; but the label's highest-profile release that year was Jay-Z's "final" studio album, The Black Album. After it was out,Carter held a large retirement party-style concert in Madison Square Garden.

2004 brought Beanie Sigel's incarceration, rape charges against Dame Dash and Jay-Z's retirement. While Cam'ron released his second album PurpleHaze and the Young Gunz released their debut, Tough Luv, Kanye West's The College Dropout became the biggest success for the label that year; however,these releases were overshadowed by rumors of goings-on behind the scene. When Carter, Dash and Burke finally split as business partners, each artist was givenan ultimatum: either stay on Roc-A-Fella, or move to Dame and Biggs' Def Jam-subsidiary Dame Dash Music Group. M.O.P., Grafh, Cam'ron and seeminglyBeanie Sigel opted to move off the Roc; while incarcerated, he released his third album The B. Coming on DDMG. There also sprouted controversy over the fate ofState Property: while Dame claimed Sigel intended to move the group to his label, the rest of the group disagreed, leading to a temporary breakup.


[edit] 2004-2007: Resurgence
While Jay-Z gained control of Roc-A-Fella, he also stepped up as president of Def Jam, and proceeded to focus more on the latter than the former. KanyeWest's second album came in 2005, again overshadowing other Roc-A-Fella releases, which included the Young Gunz' second effort Brothers From Anotherand Memphis Bleek's 534. During this time, Foxy Brown was briefly signed to the roster, but along with rumors of Cory Gunz joining the label, nothingmaterialized. Upon Beanie Sigel's release from prison, speculation began on whether he would return to Roc-A-Fella Records. In 2006, only Jay-Z released analbum from Roc-A-Fella: his return album, Kingdom Come, although the signing of Uncle Murda and Tru Life occurred.

Sigel's status would not be made clear until 2007, when he would announce his next release The Solution on the Roc; he would later make clear that he haddistanced himself from DDMG because of financial discrepancies. '07 also saw a huge increase in activity as compared to 2006; Kanye West's Graduation,Jay-Z's American Gangster, and Freeway's Free At Last materialized, as well as the signing of former rival Jadakiss. The label is currently set torelease Sigel's The Solution, as well as a "Roc Boys" mixtape headed by Memphis Bleek and including the entire current roster.


[edit] Business Ventures

[edit] Rocawear
Main article: Rocawear
In 1999, Damon Dash, Kareem "Biggs" Burke & Jay-Z launched the Rocawear clothing label.[1] Since its launch Rocawear has announced annual salesof over $700 million.[1] Recent expansion of its brand has led rocawear to develop lines for children, juniors, socks and sandals, leather suede and furouterwear, handbags and belts, loungewear and big & tall, headwear, jewelry, and sunglasses; as well as co-branded product with Pro-Keds.

In March of 2007, Jay-Z sold his rights to the Rocawear brand to Iconix Brand Group, for $204 million. Jay-Z has announced he will retain his stake in thecompany and will continue to oversee the marketing, licensing and product development.[1][2]


[edit] ROC Films
In 2002, following the release of the Rocawear clothing label, Roc-A-Fella Records released through Lions Gate Entertainment, State Property. The movie whilenot the first for Dame Dash, would be the start of ROC Films/Roc-A-Fella Films. The film studio would go on to release Paid In Full the same year and follow upin 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 andMariah Carey, and Light Heavyweight champion boxers Bernard Hopkins and Winky Wright.


[edit] Armadale
In 2002 Roc-A-Fella Records announced they will be taking over US distribution rights for the Scottish, Armadale vodka, from the previous owner William Grant& Sons.[1] The vodka is described as a 80-proof brand of "hand-crafted triple distilled vodka." Burke describes the motivation for purchasing thelabel: "You always hear about us talking about the [vodka] in the song so, like with the clothing and the music industry, we were like: 'Why are westill making money for everyone else?'" It is believed the vodka was named after the town of Edinburgh town of Armadale due to its strong history ofvodka distilling.[2]


[edit] Roc La Familia
Main article: Roc-La-Familia
In July 2005 Roc-A-Fella Records expanded with the creation of the Roc La Familia sub-label created to promote reggaeton and Latino music, the first artistsigned to the label was Colombian born rapper Aztek Escobar. Roc La Familia had officially signed New York rappers Tru Life and Uno Dos to the franchise, aswell as N.O.R.E. and Hector El Father. It is believed the label is now defunct after releasing only two albums: Hector El Father's Los Rompe Discotekas andN.O.R.E.'s album, N.O.R.E. y la Familia...Ya Tú Sabe.


[edit] Roster

[edit] Current Roc-A-Fella Artists
Beanie Sigel
DJ Clue
Freeway
Hector Bambino "El Father"
Jadakiss
Jay-Z
Kanye West
Memphis Bleek
Mystikal
Neo Da Matrix
Peedi Peedi
Tru Life
Uncle Murda
Young Chris
Young Gunz

[edit] Former Artists
Allen Anthony
Amil
Aztek Escobar
Cam'ron
Christion
Da Ranjahz
Denim
Diamonds In Da Ruff
The Diplomats
Foxy Brown
Freekey Zekey
Grafh
Jaz-O
Jim Jones
Juelz Santana
Mecca
M.O.P
Nicole Wray
NORE
Ol' Dirty Bastard
Omillio Sparks
Oschino
Rell
Samantha Ronson
S.A.S.
Sauce Money
Teairra Mari

[edit] Discography

[edit] 1996
Jay-Z - Reasonable Doubt

[edit] 1997
Jay-Z - In My Lifetime, Vol. 1

[edit] 1998
Streets Is Watching
Jay-Z - Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life
DJ Clue - The Professional

[edit] 1999
Memphis Bleek - The Coming of Age
Jay-Z - Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter

[edit] 2000
Beanie Sigel - The Truth
DJ Clue - DJ Clue Presents: Backstage: A Hard Knock Life
Amil - All Money Is Legal
Jay-Z - The Dynasty: Roc La Familia
Memphis Bleek - The Understanding

[edit] 2001
DJ Clue - The Professional, Pt. 2
Beanie Sigel - The Reason
Jay-Z - The Blueprint
Jay-Z - Jay-Z: Unplugged

[edit] 2002
State Property - State Property
R. Kelly & Jay-Z - The Best of Both Worlds
Cam'ron - Come Home With Me
Jay-Z - The Blueprint 2: The Gift & the Curse
Paid In Full Soundtrack

[edit] 2003
Freeway - Philadelphia Freeway
The Diplomats - Diplomatic Immunity
Jay-Z - The Blueprint 2.1
State Property - The Chain Gang, Vol. 2
Juelz Santana - From Me To U
Jay-Z - The Black Album
Memphis Bleek - M.A.D.E.
The Roc Files, Vol. 1

[edit] 2004
Kanye West - The College Dropout
Young Gunz - Tough Luv
R. Kelly & Jay-Z - Unfinished Business
Jay-Z & Linkin Park - Collision Course
Cam'ron - Purple Haze

[edit] 2005
Beanie Sigel - The B. Coming
Memphis Bleek - 534
Young Gunz - Brothers From Another
Teairra Mari - Roc-A-Fella Presents: Teairra Mari
Kanye West - Late Registration

[edit] 2006
Hector Bambino "El Father" - Los Rompe Discotekas
N.O.R.E. - N.O.R.E. y la Familia...Ya Tú Sabe
Jay-Z - Kingdom Come
DJ Clue - The Professional, Pt. 3

[edit] 2007
Kanye West - Graduation
Jay-Z - American Gangster
Freeway - Free at Last
Beanie Sigel - The Solution

[edit] 2008
Memphis Bleek - The Process
Young Chris - Now or Never
Jay-Z - The Dynasty 2
Peedi Peedi - Prince of the Roc

[edit] Upcoming Releases
Jadakiss - Kiss My%+!@
Tru-Life - TBA
Kanye West - A Good%+!@ Job
Mystikal - Low Battery

[edit] Unreleased Albums
Christion - Soul Survivors
Diamonds in Da Ruff - Walk In My Shoes
N.O.R.E. - 1 Fan a Day
Nicole Wray - Lovechild
Rell - *Teairra Mari - Second Round

[edit] Films
Streets Is Watching (199
Backstage (2000)
State Property (2002)
Paid in Full (2002)
Paper Soldiers (2003)
Death of a Dynasty (2003)
State Property 2 (2005)

 

[true 3 blue]

Originally Posted by langfor5

No disrespect to any of the above labels posted but come on now when the ROC was at its peak, for how ever brief it was they were un-touchable.

where the hell did you get that?

 

[rwfanatic]

Just because the ROC was deep back then, it's not like they was all hot at the time. Now Death Row in THEIR PRIME everybody who was down was actually dope.

 

[blackmagnus514]

Mystikal's on the ROC?

this guy was decent with the right producers..

 

[fortheloveofthegame8]

Aftermath?

Dre, Eminem, 50 Cent,



Also:

Busta Rhymes
The Game
Lloyd Banks
Young Buck
D-12
Bishop Lamont
Eve
Obie Trice

 

[x Buddha Bless x]

Soulja Boy's Crank Dat Dynasty >

 

[dunksfolife]

The Firm Easily NaS, Mega , AZ >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Any top 3

 

[blazinjkid]

Rawkus had quite a roster at one point in the late 90's