Roc-A-Fella Records

Roc-A-Fella Records was an American record label and music management company founded in 1994 by record executives and entrepreneurs Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Damon Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke. The label has signed many popular artists such as Kanye West, Memphis Bleek, Jadakiss, DJ Clue, State Property, and The Diplomats. The label was previously dissolving, with it officially ending in 2013.

History w/Kanye West

Kanye West began his career as a producer in Chicago, eventually gaining recognition for his soulful, sample-heavy beats. He moved to New York and started producing for Roc-A-Fella artists, most notably contributing to Jay-Z’s iconic album The Blueprint in 2001, which helped put West in the mainstream. Despite his production success, Kanye wanted to rap, but Roc-A-Fella and other labels were uncertain to sign him as an artist, viewing him as just a producer. He famously walked into Roc-A-Fella’s offices and played his demo “All Falls Down” for staffers, who ignored him. This moment was captured in the documentary Jeen-Yuhs.

Finally, Roc-A-Fella co-founder Damon Dash signed him in 2002, contradicting Jay-Z's opinion. At a Jay-Z concert in Chicago, Dash placed the Roc-A-Fella chain around Kanye’s neck, symbolizing his induction into the label, this was put in the music video to West's first single "Through The Wire".

West recount's his story with Roc-A-Fella Records in his song "Last Call".

Projects released under Roc-A-Fella

• Akademiks (Jeanius Level Musik) (2002)
• Get Well Soon... (2002)
• I'm Good... (2003)
• Akademiks (Jeanius Level Musik Vol. 2) (2003)
• The College Dropout (2004)
• Late Registration (2005)
• Graduation (2007)
• 808s & Heartbreak (2008)
• VH1 Storytellers (2010)
• My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010)
• Watch The Throne (with Jay-Z) (2011)
• Yeezus (2013)