Roc-A-Fella And Def Jam Still Partners
Posted by Mitch Michaels on 01.31.2008
Beanie Sigel, Kanye, Freeway and others still with Def Jam, but for how long?
Contrary to online rumors, Def Jam has not dropped the entire Roc-A-Fella Records roster. Roc-A-Fella artists include Kanye West, Freeway, Beanie Sigel, Tru Life, DJ Clue, Memphis Bleek, Young Gunz and Hector Bambino.
According to Beanie Sigel's manager, "Beans and Freeway didn't get dropped. I just got off the phone with L.A. Reid talking about the next video for ‘Rain' featuring Raheem DeVaughn that we're about to release. We're relaunching Beanie's project and releasing a ‘Rain' remix with State Property."
Roc-A-Fella's cohesiveness and brand strength waned after its leaders Jay-Z, Damon Dash and Kareem Burke parted ways in 2004. Since then, Roc-A-Fella artists haven't received the same attention as Def Jam stars like Ne-Yo and Rihanna, says an insider.
Close Jay-Z friends, A&R SVP Jay Brown and A&R VP Tyran "Ty Ty" Smith, tendered their resignations this month. However, the rest of Def Jam's A&R department is intact.
Still, an insider hints at problems. "I don't think there's going to be a Roc-A-Fella anymore. I do think each artist will have to go to the new people in charge and have a meeting separately. But the Roc artists aren't going to roll over and die."
