Lil' Kim explains turning Roc Nation down

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterBefore igniting her feud with Nicki Minaj, Lil' Kim was close to signing with Roc Nation. Throughout her career, Kim has worked closely with Jay-Z. The two have become good friends over the years and Jay-Z wanted her services. Many websites reported the deal being close to done.However, when asked about Roc Nation, Lil' Kim said she had not signed

Rick Ross signs Pill to Maybach Music

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterIt took four years for Rick Ross to become the face of Def Jam. He also became one of rap's biggest names in the process. Outside of simply rapping, Rick Ross has become a major executive in the music industry. In 2008, he launched his Maybach Music label and has signed several artists to the label.Last fall, Ross spoke of possibly signing Wale. Last

Rick Ross sets up shop with Warner Bros. Records

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterRecently, there were rumors about where Rick Ross would be going. Following the release of Teflon Don, Ross was a free agent. But, he also has a growing record label he is looking out for. Due to his popularity, everyone began making offers to the boss.Jay-Z helped Rick Ross break into the game when he made him a part of Def Jam. Soon, DJ Khaled, a

Jay-Z working with "Black & Yellow" producers

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterBefore "Black & Yellow," Wiz Khalifa was a no-name in the rap game. The track was produced by Stargate, a production duo known for doing tracks with Ne-Yo. Despite already being known, their career boosted after working with Wiz. The duo teamed with Roc Nation in 2008 and Jay-Z is now ready.Jay-Z is currently working with Kanye West on their

Birdman confirms Maybach Music deal

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterWhile Cash Money Records does not receive the radio play they received in the late 1990s, they are still one of hip hop's hottest labels. In 2005, a subsidiary label, Young Money, was launched by longtime artist, Lil Wayne.Young Money Entertainment has gone from being the side project from Lil Wayne to being the hottest movement in rap. Drake and

Drake addresses Roc Nation rumors

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterLast year, Drake became one of the biggest rappers in the game, waving his Young Money flag high. The Toronto rapper has been recording his second album over the past few months. He is preparing to dominate the game one more time. This time around, he and Lil Wayne will share the spotlight.On Friday, there were rumors of Drake wanting to leave his

Will Jay-Z remain in the Office?

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterIn 2003, Jay-Z "retired" from hip hop because he felt he had done all he could as a rapper. Jay-Z moved on to become the head of Def Jam. Many assumed he had the highest possible position in rap music. When he gave this up in 2007 to return to rap, many questioned his motives.In 2006, Jay-Z "saved" hip hop with his Kingdom Come album, which was

Wale talks new Mayach Music deal and Roc Nation

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterWhen he was working on his first album, Jay-Z announced Wale's debut album was the first release under Roc Nation. It was soon revealed Roc Nation was handling all of the management for Wale. The album was released through Interscope Records.Wale built his buzz up for most of 2010. His new lyrics spread all over the hip hop world. Still, 2010 was the

Rick Ross causes a Bidding War with Major Executives

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterIn 2005, Rick Ross was picked up by Jay-Z and signed to a lucrative deal with Def Jam. Before his days with Def Jam, Ross was signed to Slip-N-Slide Records. After doing two albums with them, Jay-Z moved him off the label and over to Def Jam, solely.Around this time, Rick Ross also established his own record label, named Maybach Music. The label's

J. Cole pressured by possible Jay-Z collaboration

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterAfter over a year's worth of delays, J. Cole may finally be ready to release his debut album. J. Cole became a local celebrity in Fayetteville, NC, when Jay-Z recruited him to become the first artist on Roc Nation. At the time, many people assumed his album would come in 2009.Despite not releasing an album in 2009, J. Cole had tremendous success on

J. Cole is motivated by Drake, Nicki Minaj, and Wiz Khalifa's success

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterIn 2008, Jay-Z made a power move when he left Def Jam to form a new super-label, Roc Nation. He surprised the world when he signed Fayetteville, NC rapper, J. Cole, and made him the focal point of the label. Many expected him to fill the label up with established stars.Early on, it appeared as if J. Cole was going to be on the fast track to success.

Young Chris talks Leaving Roc-A-Fella and Rico Love deal

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterBefore Jay-Z left Roc-A-Fella Records, he had plans of making Young Chris the next face of the label. Chris had been signed with the Roc for four years at the time. But, he was only one half of the duo, Young Gunz. The duo had one hit, "Can't Stop/Won't Stop," and they were forgotten.However, on the mixtape scene, Young Chris shined and Jay-Z was

J. Cole talks Nas encounter

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterEver since he entered the game, J. Cole has received multiple comparisons to Nas. Last summer, the Roc Nation star admitted he looked up to Nas. Recently, J. Cole opened up about the first time he met his idol.J. Cole said the comparisons to Nas never felt right to him. He feels he has to do plenty of growing before he is on that level. It was not

Dead Prez turns down Roc Nation

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterJay-Z has spent most of his time since The Blueprint 3 building his Roc Nation label. He was initially promoting J. Cole, but he soon added Willow Smith to the label. Soon after landing the young Smith, she posted a hit. While she was making hits, Jay-Z was signing Jay Electronica to Roc Nation.Ever since he left Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam to create Roc

J. Cole to release Roc Nation debut

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterEver since he signed with Roc Nation, the hip hop media has been pitting J. Cole against Drake. When Jay-Z launched his new company, he chose J. Cole as the first artist. This puts all kinds of pressure on new artists, as J. Cole. But, he promised to live up to the pressure.In 2009, J. Cole was supposed to make the jump from being a mixtape rapper to

Jay-Z is Bigger than Hip Hop with Roc Nation

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterJay-Z will be the first to tell you, his dream was bigger than becoming a big-time rapper. Ten years ago, Jay-Z made history when he crossed the $100 million mark. At the time, Jay-Z was the only rapper to have so much money. What began as a simple rap career had expanded into clothing, films, and record labels.Then, most would have said Jay-Z had

Jay-Z speaks on Illuminati Rumors, Beyonce, and Roc Nation

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterEver since he crossed the $100 million mark, Jay-Z has become the target of jokes and rumors. For the past few years, there have been rumors of him being a part of Illuminati, a devil worshiping cult. If he is not being tied to the cult, he has gotten Beyonce pregnant. Jay-Z addressed all of this earlier today.Sitting down with Tim Westwood, promoting

Shyne prepares "Gangland" album on Def Jam

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterThings are finally coming together for Shyne, as he is preparing to release his first album since 2004. Titled Gangland, the album is his first release as a free man. Shyne began his career in the late 1990s on Bad Boy Records.Upon being released from prison, in 2009, a small bidding war ensued over Shyne. Rumors pointed him to Roc Nation and to

J. Cole lands Trey Songz collaboration

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterIn 2008, when he was hand-picked by Jay-Z as the first artist on Roc Nation, J. Cole was excited. After Jay-Z finished his business with Def Jam, J. Cole was sure he would be recording his album. However, things did not work out that way.Instead, J. Cole found himself helping Jay-Z with his comeback, The Blueprint 3. The album went on to become the

Rick Ross preparing Maybach Music compilation album

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterNot even a month after Rick Ross pulled off his major distribution deal with Warner Bros. Records and he is already working on the next project. Only days into the New Year, Rick Ross announced the title of his fifth album, God Forgives, I Don't. Days later, he added several artists to the Maybach Music roster.With Rick Ross' growing popularity and