roc-a-fella Archives

Sauce Money Makes His Return With O.G. Producer E-A-Ski (Audio)

One of Jay Z's oldest right-hand-men is none other than Sauce Money. Another Marcy Projects representative, Sauce notably passed on Roc-A-Fella Records offers (possibly/inadvertently giving Memphis Bleek the rock) in lieu of his own deal, first with Dennis Scott's Atlantic Records-backed imprint, and later, Priority Records. While the onetime mid-'90s... Read more

September 6, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Cam’ron & Just Blaze Reunite In What Feels Like A Come Home With Me Leftover (Video)

When Cam'ron told Just Blaze, "You owe me, nigga" on the intro to "Welcome To New York City" back in 2002, Heads might've felt the precursor to tension within Roc-A-Fella Records. After all, Just had just played a critical role in Jay Z's The Blueprint, along with Kanye West. He was... Read more

May 14, 2014 Fresh, Video

Former Roc-A-Fella Engineer Reportedly Uses Extortion To Give Back Vintage Jay Z Master Recordings

In the late '90s and early 2000s, Chauncey Mahan was a name Heads would certainly find in the insert booklets of their albums. A recording engineer, Mahan was by no means a household name, even to level of an Eddie Sancho, Young Guru, or DURO, but he worked on Jay... Read more

April 22, 2014 Fresh

If You Don’t Have Fancy Footwork, Freeway & Girl Talk Will Leave You With Broken Ankles (EP Mixtape)

After two singles, one being a video, Freeway & Girl Talk released Broken Ankles today. The free EP (or freEP) features Jadakiss, Waka Flocka Flame, and others. The Pittsburgh native DJ and the Philly-based MC came together with some '80s kick and snare-minded production to set their working relationship off... Read more

April 8, 2014 Fresh, Mixes

Freeway & Girl Talk Invite Jadakiss On Board For Hardcore, I Can Hear Sweat (Audio)

Tomorrow, Freeway & Girl Talk will release Broken Ankles, the free-EP. The Philly-Pittsburgh connect showed off their raucous video for the Waka Flocka Flame-assisted "Show You How" last week, before turning to "I Can Hear Sweat" this week. This track features the same strong energy, and attitude as the first,... Read more

April 7, 2014 Audio, Fresh

What If You Treated Your Haters Like Mortal Kombat? Freeway, Girl Talk & Waka Flocka Flame Show You How (Video)

One week from today, Freeway & Girl Talk are releasing Broken Ankles EP via DatPiff. The State Property vet from Philly and the mash-up/legal juggernaut from Pittsburgh may make an unlikely pair, however, there's clearly something special here. "Tolerated" shows that. The Keystone State kids walk around Hollywood, encountering hate... Read more

April 1, 2014 Fresh, Video

Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Peedi Crakk & Young Chris Get Mean On A New State Property Track (Audio)

State Property had a style all their own in the late '90s and early 2000s. Roc-A-Fella's Philly army never shied from fast tracks that required deft rapping. Such is the case with the Mike Jerz-produced "Reputation." This sounds like vintage S.P., with Young Chris, Peedi Crakk, Freezer, rapping off the... Read more

March 25, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Russell Simmons Explains Success Through Meditation, Recalls Some Vivid & Never Before Heard Def Jam Memories (Audio)

With his latest book hitting shelves (Success Through Stillness: Meditation Made Simple), Russell Simmons stops by his former Def Jam Records employee, Combat Jack's show. Beginning at the 16-minute mark, Uncle Rush enters. In the lengthy and coherent interview, Russ speaks about his storied drug days and early era as... Read more

March 11, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Memphis Bleek Takes Responsibility For Bringing The Jay Z & Nas Beef To A Clash (Video)

Okay, this is interesting. A lot of Rap beefs start indirectly. It was a Source Awards speech in the case of Death Row vs. Bad Boy. It was an association in the case of 50 Cent vs. Jadakiss and Fat Joe. In the case of Ras Kass vs. Alchemist, it... Read more

March 11, 2014 Fresh, Video

Sauce Money Talks Jay Z’s “Disgusting” Flow, Ghostwriting & Why He Didn’t Sign To Roc-A-Fella (Audio)

It's easy to confuse Sauce Money as a Jay Z protege. After all, many Heads may have heard Sauce by way of Roc-A-Fella Records releases, as well as Jay's support of Middle Finger U. However, those who listened to Big Daddy Kane & DJ Premier's famed "Show & Prove" know... Read more

March 5, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Memphis Bleek Gets Really Up Close & Personal In It’s For Me (Video)

In addition to some killer beats from the likes of Just Blaze, Swizz Beatz and 9th Wonder, Memphis Bleek's albums have always had some really personal moments. Although known for the big Jay Z assists at times, and Roc-A-Fella Records posse cuts in others, Marcy Projects' youngest breakthrough artist in... Read more

February 17, 2014 Fresh, Video

How Did Pharrell React To Watching Kanye West Rap Never Let Me Down For The First Time? Watch (Video)

With all the attention on Kanye West's College Dropout this month, one track that deserves special mention is "Never Let Me Down." The Jay Z-assisted moment, which closed with a powerful Spoken Word piece by J. Ivy was a stellar album cut on the 2004 Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam Records debut. But... Read more

February 13, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

‘Ye Speaks: Kanye West Remembers The College Dropout 10 Years Later

Kanye West doesn't really seem like the type of artist who enjoys looking back at his past songs with reminiscent nostalgia. However, today he released a statement via Def Jam Records, honoring his debut album, which turns 10 years old today: "Ten years ago today we finally released what had... Read more

February 10, 2014 Fresh

Before the Madness: Here’s a Previously Unseen Look at “College Dropout-Era” Kanye West (Video)

Earlier this week, Billboard Associate Editor Erika Ramirez made a monster of a story, when she created The Oral History Of Kanye West's College Dropout. 'Ye's debut album, which turns 10 years old soon, featured involvement from Talib Kweli, Freeway, and Consequence, who contributed, as well as Jay Z, Mos... Read more

February 7, 2014 Video

Diamonds Are Forever: Jay Z Gives J. Cole His Original Roc-A-Fella Records Chain On Stage (Video)

While J. Cole did not join his Roc Nation leader at Sunday's Grammy Awards, despite being nominated for Best Rap Album, the two reconvened this week. Last night, while Cole took the stage at Madison Square Garden, his fans were treated to surprise appearances by Kendrick Lamar, and Jay. While... Read more

January 29, 2014 Fresh, Video

Jay Z Originally Had More Songs Planned For Reasonable Doubt & A Different Sequence?

Jay Z's 1996 debut album, Reasonable Doubt, has made an immortal impression on Hip-Hop. The Roc-A-Fella Records breakthrough release featured involvement from The Notorious B.I.G., DJ Premier, Ski Beatz, and Mary J. Blige. Now platinum, the album is still considered Jay's best (including by the artist himself), and spawned many... Read more

January 17, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Kanye West’s Yeezus Reaches Platinum Status, He’s Now 7-For-7

For the seventh time in his career, Kanye West has a platinum album. Yeezus, released in June of last year, has reached the benchmark milestone, according to the RIAA. With the announcement, Kanye West has a perfect track record for meeting the million mark. The Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam Records release included... Read more

January 16, 2014 Fresh

Just Blaze Merges His Roc-A-Fella Sound With Recent Work In Collab With Sinjin Hawke (Audio)

Great Hip-Hop producers can bring back certain movements in their evolution at special times. Dr. Dre touches on some G-Funk when it's called for, as Heads heard on Game's The Documentary breakthrough. DJ Premier, over 15 years removed from Moment Of Truth, can piece together a sharp scratch-chorus for certain... Read more

January 15, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Jay Z & Dame Dash Hang Out Again, Backstage At Staples Center

Earlier this year, Jay Z and Dame Dash were photographed together for the first time in nine years, courtesy of a mutual friend's birthday partner. Two-thirds of Roc-A-Fella Records' founders have a speckled history following the dismantling of the label, and Jay's brief retirement. While Dame publicly questioned Jay's loyalty... Read more

December 10, 2013 Fresh

Jaz-O, Mister Cee, Bobbito Appear In New Unauthorized Jay Z Documentary (Video)

A trailer has been released to A Genius Leaves The Hood, The Unauthorized Story Of Jay Z. Not at all endorsed by Jay or Roc Nation, the film features some folks close to Hova's career. Included are early mentor Jaz-O, mixtape DJ and radio personality Mister Cee, as well as... Read more

December 5, 2013 Fresh, Video

How Would You Rank Jay Z’s Albums? Hov Weighs in on His Own Catalog.

Jay Z celebrated his birthday in style. The 44 year-old blogged on his Life + Times his favorite albums from his own personal catalog. The first three may not come as a surprise, given Jay's tackling the question in interviews for some time now. However, Jay's admission of the miss... Read more

December 4, 2013 Fresh

Mister Cee Honors Jay Z With A 44th Birthday Mix (Audio)

All fans of The Black Album know that December 4th means Shawn Carter's birthday. Today, Jay Z celebrates 44 years on the planet, since being born in the P.L.A.N.E.T. Longtime friend and affiliate since the Big Daddy Kane days, DJ Mister Cee, honored H-O-V via HOT 97 airwaves with a... Read more

December 4, 2013 Fresh, Mixes

The “Ultimate” Exit That Was Jay Z’s Black Album (Food For Thought)

Hip-Hop celebrates a grand entrance. Since the days of receiving Bad Boy Records promo-packs of The Notorious B.I.G. & Craig Mack in a McDonald’s "Big Mac" container, the dog-and-pony show known as the music industry has embraced the infinite possibilities of the new over the challenges of re-purposing the old.... Read more

November 14, 2013 Food for Thought, Fresh

DJ Quik Decodes Jay Z’s Justify My Thug (Video)

Back in 2003, when the production was announced for Jay Z's The Black Album, there were two big curiosities: 9th Wonder and DJ Quik. While DJ Premier, Ski Beatz, and Irv Gotti were notably absent from what was billed as Jay's curtain-call album, he helped get Little Brother's co-founder the... Read more

October 1, 2013 Fresh, Video

Just Blaze & Young Guru Discuss the Early Days of Roc-A-Fella (Video)

If you have an interest in peering behind the curtain in the music industry, it's been a phenomenal week. Q-Tip gave a 2-hour talk on his creative process, J. Cole told the uncensored story of the struggles he had with his first album and Young Guru and Just Blaze talked... Read more

June 7, 2013 Video

After 10 years, Backstage is still one of the most candid behind the scenes looks at life on tour in hip-hop. Watch the whole movie below.

It's fascinating to go back and look at the likes of DMX, Method Man, Redman, Ja Rule and Jay-Z in the earlier stages of their careers. Even more insightful is the look at Damon Dash, Jay-Z's infamous partner in crime in building Roc-A-Fella Records. Some of his exchanges vividly depict... Read more

March 13, 2011 Video