Topic summary
Roc-A-Fella
Extracted from the Wikipedia article Roc-A-Fella Records.
1994–2000: Formation and early years
Roc-A-Fella Records was founded in 1994. After Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter had been rejected by major record labels, it began as an independent outlet for the rapper's debut album. Carter, Damon Dash and Kareem Burke started the label through Priority Records, using finances from Payday Records due to their singles-only deal. The name "Roc-A-Fella" was conceived by rapper Tone Hooker as a double entendre for Rockefeller and a rapper dominating his opponent ("rocking a fella"). Though Reasonable Doubt (1996) didn't earn immediate commercial success, it spawned successful singles and earned Jay-Z regional popularity in hip hop. Starting out as Roc-A-Fella's only artist, Jay-Z was supported by the Notorious B.I.G.'s producer DJ Clark Kent and Camp Lo's producer DJ Ski; affiliated rappers, Sauce Money, Jaz-O, and a young Memphis Bleek, though only Memphis Bleek would eventually sign with the label in 1996. By this time, Roc-A-Fella's headquarters were located at 17 John Street in Lower Manhattan.