Roc-A-Fella Remaining At Def Jam ... For Now

[Elano]

Contrary to online rumors, Def Jam has not dropped the entire Roc-A-Fella Records roster, Billboard.com has learned. Roc-A-Fella artists include Kanye West, Freeway, Beanie Sigel, Tru Life, DJ Clue, Memphis Bleek, Young Gunz and Hector Bambino.

"Beans and Freeway didn't get dropped," says Beanie Sigel's manager, Mark Byers. "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 re-launching 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.

Jay-Z's inner camp, including 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, things are tenuous for hip-hop at the company.

"I don't think there's going to be a Roc-A-Fella anymore," says the insider. "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."

Sources say that it's unclear whether Roc-A-Fella artist Peedi Peedi has been dropped but the word is that he hasn't. Meanwhile, the entire State Property camp, including Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Oschino and Sparks, the Young Gunz and Peedi Peedi, are preparing a new group album to be released this summer. The State Property album will most likely be released via Def Jam.

Def Jam was unavailable for comment at deadline.

[MontrealCity's Most]

To me The Roc has been on life support ever snce Dame and Jay broke up and Jay retired.

I thought that in 08 they woudlc ome back strong with the 07 releases of Kanye, Jigga, Beanie and freeway but with Jigga leaving def jam i dont see it happening.

[J.D. Wykid, Esq.]

"I don't think there's going to be a Roc-A-Fella anymore," says the insider. "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."

memphis bleek needs to "roll over and die"...the motherfucker will NEVER blow up, and he couldnt make a good song to save his life.

he must be sucking the right people off, or someone owes him big time, otherwise theres no way he would last on a major for this long.

[Invincible]

"I don't think there's going to be a Roc-A-Fella anymore," says the insider. "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."

memphis bleek needs to "roll over and die"...the motherfucker will NEVER blow up, and he couldnt make a good song to save his life.

he must be sucking the right people off, or someone owes him big time, otherwise theres no way he would last on a major for this long.

I dunno about the die bit, but you are right about everything else.

[Sikotic™]

I said it before and I'll say it again, if your name ain't Kanye or Jay-Z, you ain't putting shit out on the Roc. At least Dame gave cats a chance.

[J.D. Wykid, Esq.]

"I don't think there's going to be a Roc-A-Fella anymore," says the insider. "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."

memphis bleek needs to "roll over and die"...the motherfucker will NEVER blow up, and he couldnt make a good song to save his life.

he must be sucking the right people off, or someone owes him big time, otherwise theres no way he would last on a major for this long.

I dunno about the die bit, but you are right about everything else.

i dont mean literal death, i was just using the phrase that the "insider" gave...i wouldnt wish death on someone just cause they suck at hip hop 

[Invincible]

"I don't think there's going to be a Roc-A-Fella anymore," says the insider. "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."

memphis bleek needs to "roll over and die"...the motherfucker will NEVER blow up, and he couldnt make a good song to save his life.

he must be sucking the right people off, or someone owes him big time, otherwise theres no way he would last on a major for this long.

I dunno about the die bit, but you are right about everything else.

i dont mean literal death, i was just using the phrase that the "insider" gave...i wouldnt wish death on someone just cause they suck at hip hop 

I know. Your quote did make me chuckle.

[R1ZE]

bleeks made alot of good songs... hop off his nuts and give 534 (the album) a download.

he kills freeway

[Invincible]

bleeks made alot of good songs... hop off his nuts and give 534 (the album) a download.

he kills freeway

Both are pretty weak IMO.