Jay-Z wants you to take a peek behind the scenes of the HEART OF THE CITY Tour. See exclusive pictures of Jay-Z and his fans! Also while your there, register for the limited edition Pre-Order of the Rocawear Premium Collection.

Visit jayztourdiary.rocawear.com

Jay-Z talks about the HEART OF THE CITY tour with Mary J. Blige..... Check out the video below:

Hurry up and Enter, contest ends on Tuesday, April 22nd.

If you missed Jay-Z's appearance and performance with Mary J. Blige on The Late Show with David Letterman, check it out below now.

The latest video from Kanye West's GRADUATION album - "Homecoming" is now playing on www.rocafella.com.

Kanye West - "Homecoming" Video

Do you like the video?  Leave A Comment!

The HEART OF THE CITY tour makes a stop at The Late Show with David Letterman tomorrow April 4th.  You won't want to miss Jay-Z & Mary J. Blige on the couch with David, and a performance of "Can't Knock The Hustle."

Tune in tomorrow night at 11:30 p.m., EST on CBS

Don't miss Kanye West ft. Chris Martin's "Homecoming" as the New Joint of the day on BET's 106 & Park at 6:00pm!!

Pre-Sale tickets with excellent seat locations for the May 8th date at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT and the May 1st date at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, NY are now available via the Jay-Z Fan Community.

Tickets will be available until Friday March 28th at 5pm.  Get them while you can!

GET TICKETS

Pre-Sale tickets with excellent seat locations for the May 3rd date at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ are now available via the Jay-Z Fan Community.  GET TICKETS

Tickets will be available until Friday March 21st at 5pm.  Get them while you can!
 
 
Added bonuses:
 
- The first 10 purchasers in each market will win an autographed copy of "American Gangster."
 
- After you purchase your ticket you'll have the opportunity to tell Jay-Z what songs you want to hear.  The most requested song in each market will be added to Jay's set-list.
 
- Connect with other Jay-Z fans in the exclusive pre-sale purchaser fan-community.
 
- Save up to 50% off the regular service fee!

More dates have been confirmed for Jay-Z's HEART OF THE CITY Tour.  See dates below:

4/23 – Pepsi Arena – Denver
5/3 – Boardwalk Hall – Atlantic City
5/9 – Bell Centre – Montréal
5/8 – Mohegan Sun – Uncasville

Purchase Tickets HERE.

Check out these latest updates on Kanye West's Blog.

- CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY - SNEAKEROLOGY 101 CLASS -

- FREEZE FRAME PERFORMANCE ART IN GRAND CENTRAL STATION, NYC -

- Y-3 2008 SPRING FOOTWEAR COLLECTION -

- MCLAREN TRUCK...SORT OF.... -

- CLASSIC MATERIAL: DIGABLE PLANETS - "NICKEL BAG OF FUNK" -

- MILKY WAY GALAXY 3D MODEL -

Check out this brand new audio "You're Welcome" from Jay-Z featuring Mary J. Blige & Swizz Beatz.  Be sure to get your tickets for Jay-Z's HEART OF THE CITY tour this spring.

Jay-Z - "You're Welcome" feat. Mary J. Blige & Swizz Beatz

Due to the extremely high interest in the first two Heart of the City dates at Madison Square Garden, a third date has been added for Friday May 2nd.
 
The fan pre-sale for this date will begin tomorrow morning at 10am.  Tuesday March 4th @ 10am.

GET TICKETS

Check out this fan video of "Stronger" from Kanye West's GRADUATION album - using HANDS!

Get your tickets for Jay-Z's HEART OF THE CITY tour in Phoenix, Arizona on March 3rd.  GET TICKETS

4-15-08 US Airways Center Phoenix, AZ
 
Exclusive fan pre-sale begins Monday March 3rd at 10am Local Venue Time.

Jay-Z’s “I Know” is the New Joint tonight on BET’s 106 & Park at 6:00 p.m., EST.

TUNE IN!!!

Due to an overwhelming demand from the pre-sale of Jay-Z's HEART OF THE CITY tour, a second show at Madison Square Garden on 5/7/08 has been added!!!  The exclusive fan pre-sale begins tomorrow at 10am EST. 
 
Tickets sold out for the 1st show, so don’t sleep on the pre-sale this time!
 
Get Your Tickets HERE!

In lieu of Jay-Z & Mary J. Blige's upcoming HEART OF THE CITY Tour, check out this classic footage of Jay-Z & Mary J. Blige performing "Song Cry" at Madison Square Garden for the "Fade To Black" tour.

Make sure you catch the video for "I Know" from Jay-Z's AMERICAN GANGSTER album, which features a special cameo. Can you tell us who is featured in the video?  LEAVE A COMMENT!

Jay-Z "I Know" Video

AMERICAN GANGSTER In Stores Now!

Check out the following updates on Kanye West's BLOG:

• A Baby wearing GRADUATION Glasses
• Brick & Lace "Love Is Wicked" Music Video 
• Pentagram Architects Home Theatre System
• Check out the Bookshelf Staircase
• New Pierre Hardy Sneakers 

Check out Kanye's blog for these new stories!

Round 3 of the exclusive fan pre-sale begins Monday February 25th at 10am Local Venue time. 

GET TICKETS HERE

Added bonus:
·  The first 10 purchasers in each market will win an autographed copy of "American Gangster."
 
The delayed pre-sale for the 4-19-08 Las Vegas-MGM Grand show will finally begin on Monday.
 
Added bonus:
·  After you purchase your ticket you'll have the opportunity to tell Jay-Z what songs you want to hear.  The most requested song in each market will be added to Jay's set-list.  To find out what songs are being added to the set, visit the tour facebook page HERE.
 
In addition the highly anticipated home-coming show at Madison Square Garden has been announced and will also go on-sale Monday.  If it’s anything like Jay-Z’s last MSG show it will SELL-OUT very quickly. Click HERE.
 
“You gotta pardon Jay, for selling out the Garden in a day I'm like a young Marvin in his hey”
 
Make sure you take advantage of this advance opportunity to get your tickets before they’re gone. 

GET TICKETS 

Full list of dates for Monday’s pre-sale:
 
Mon Mar 24   Orlando, FL          Amway Arena
Fri Apr 18       Irvine, CA     Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
Sat Apr 19     Las Vegas, NV     MGM Grand Garden Arena
Fri Apr 25      Detroit, MI               Palace at Auburn Hills
Tue May 06   New York, NY        Madison Square Garden

Added Bonus:    
·   Save up to 50% off the regular service fee!

Check out the following updates on Kanye West's BLOG:

• Black Moon - "I Got Ch Open" Video
• Mos Def's "Ghetto Rock" Video
• The Morgan Life Concept Car
• New Frank Villa Tourbillon Timepiece

Check out Kanye's blog for these new stories!

KANYE WEST 'GLOW IN THE DARK TOUR' WITH RIHANNA, N.E.R.D. & LUPE FIASCO
 
Date                 City                             Venue                         
April   16          Seattle, WA                  Key Arena
          18           Sacramento, CA         ARCO Arena
          19           San Jose, CA                HP Pavilion
          20           San Diego, CA              Sports Arena
          21           Los Angeles, CA           Nokia Theatre
          22           Los Angeles, CA         Nokia Theatre
          25           * Las Vegas, NV          Red Rocks Casino Resort
          26           * Albuquerque, NM       Journal Pavilion
          27           Denver, CO                  Pepsi Center
          29           Oklahoma City, OK       Ford Center
          30           Austin, TX                    Frank Irwin Center
 
May    1            Dallas, TX      Superpages.com Center
          2            Houston, TX     Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
          4            Atlanta, GA     Gwinette Arena
          5            Tampa, FL       Ford Amphitheatre
          6            Miami, FL       American Airlines Arena
          8            Charlotte, NC      Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
          9            Raleigh, NC        Walnut Creek Amphitheatre
          10           Washington, DC       Nissan Pavilion
          11           Virginia Beach, VA     Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
          13           **New York, NY       Madison Square Garden
          15           Boston, MA         Tweeter Center
          16           Hartford, CT         North East Dodge Music Center
          17           Philadelphia, PA         Susquehana Bank Center
          18           Scranton, PA          Toyota Pavilion
          20           Montreal, Que.       Bell Centre
          21           Toronto, Ont.         Molson Centre
          22           Detroit, MI            Palace
          23           Chicago, IL          United Center
          24           Minneapolis, MN   Target Center
          27           Saskatoon, Sask.  Credit Union Centre
          29           Edmonton, Alb.    Rexall Palace
          30           Calgary, Alb.     Saddledome
 
                        * indicates dates do not include Rihanna.
                        **dates subject to change

Pre-sales for the following shows END on Friday February 15th at 5pm. Make sure you get your tickets while they are available.  Remember, no password is required for this pre-sale. Click HERE
 
Sat Mar 22         Miami, FL    American Airlines Arena
Wed Mar 26       Baltimore, MD   1st Mariner Arena
Thu Mar 27        Uniondale, NY    Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Fri Mar 28           East Rutherford, NJ  Izod Center
Sun Mar 30        Philadelphia, PA   Wachovia Center
Wed Apr 02       Toronto, ON   AirCanada Centre
Thu Apr 03         Boston, MA    TD Banknorth Garden
Sat Apr 05          Greensboro, NC  Greensboro Coliseum
Sun Apr 06        Washington, DC  Verizon Center
Thu Apr 17         Los Angeles, CA   Hollywood Bowl

 
Pre-sales BEGIN for the following dates on Monday February 18th at 10 am local venue time:

Tue Apr 08             Atlanta, GA      Philips Arena
Wed Apr 09            New Orleans, LA   New Orleans Arena
Sat Apr 12              Dallas, TX    Superpages.com Center
Sat Apr 19              Las Vegas, NV   MGM Grand Garden Arena
Sun Apr 20             Oakland, CA    Oracle Arena
Sat Apr 26              Chicago, IL    United Center

 
Click Here for tickets.

Don't forget about the added bonuses of the pre-sale:

Added bonuses:
·        The first 10 purchasers in each market will win an autographed copy of "American Gangster."
·        After you purchase your ticket you'll have the opportunity to tell Jay-Z what songs you want to hear.  The most requested song in each market will be added to Jay's set-list.
·        Connect with other Jay-Z fans in the exclusive pre-sale purchaser fan-community.
·        Save up to 50% off the regular service fee!

Kanye West GLOW IN THE DARK Tour tickets are now on sale at Ticketmaster.  Get your tickets for one of the summers hottest tours that will feature Rihanna, Lupe Fiasco & N.E.R.D. on select dates.

GET TICKETS HERE

Check out the brand new "Flashing Lights" video from superstar Kanye West right here on www.rocafella.com.

Kanye West - "Flashing Lights" Video

GRADUATION In Stores Now!!!

Check out this brilliant performance of "Stronger" by Kanye West at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards, followed by a tribute to his mother the late Dr. Donda West.

Kanye West & Jay-Z were both winners at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards.  Kanye West took home trophies in the following categories:

Best Rap Album- Graduation
Best Rap Song- Good Life
Best Rap Solo Performance- Stronger
Best Rap Performance By A Duo or Group- Southside w/Common

Jay-Z won a Grammy for his collaboration with Rihanna for the #1 single "Umbrella."

Congratulations to Kanye West & Jay-Z!!!

Kanye West & Jay-Z were both winners at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards.  Kanye West took home trophies in the following categories:

Best Rap Album- Graduation
Best Rap Song- Good Life
Best Rap Solo Performance- Stronger
Best Rap Performance By A Duo or Group- Southside w/Common

Jay-Z won a Grammy for his collaboration with Rihanna for the #1 single "Umbrella."

Congratulations to Kanye West & Jay-Z!!!

By now you've probably heard about the upcoming Heart of the City tour with Jay-Z and Mary J Blige.  The tour begins on March 22nd, and travels all over the country until the end of April.

"The [songs] we're playing are the soundtracks to people's lives," Jay-Z said in a statement. "We've poured our hearts out many a night in the studio and look forward to going one step further onstage."

To make sure Jay-Z's fans don't miss out on seeing this once of a lifetime performance we've set up a special pre-sale just for you!

Pre-Sale tickets for many of the dates will be available Monday February 11th @ 10am local venue time.  Click Here to get your tickets. The pre-sale is the only way you can get tickets in the "Gold Circle" section right in front of the stage.   You'll also have the option to purchase the best seat locations in other sections if you prefer.

Added bonuses:

·        The first 10 purchasers in each market will win an autographed copy of "American Gangster."

·        After you purchase your ticket you'll have the opportunity to tell Jay-Z what songs you want to hear.  The most requested song in each market will be added to Jay's set-list.

·        Connect with other Jay-Z fans in the exclusive pre-sale purchaser fan-community.

·        Save up to 50% off the regular service fee!

Pre-sale tickets are available for a very limited time, so make sure you pick yours up now.

PURCHASE TICKETS

Dates:

Sat Mar 22

Miami, FL    American Airlines Arena

Wed Mar 26

Baltimore, MD    1st Mariner Arena

Thu Mar 27

Uniondale, NY    Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum

Fri Mar 28

East Rutherford, NJ    Izod Center

Sun Mar 30

Philadelphia, PA    Wachovia Center

Wed Apr 02

Toronto, ON    AirCanada Centre

Thu Apr 03

Boston, MA    TD Banknorth Garden

Sat Apr 05

Greensboro, NC    Greensboro Coliseum

Sun Apr 06

Washington, DC    Verizon Center

Tue Apr 08

Atlanta, GA    Philips Arena

Wed Apr 09

New Orleans, LA    New Orleans Arena

Thu Apr 10

Houston, TX    Toyota Center

Sat Apr 12

Dallas, TX    Superpages.com Center

Tue Apr 15

Anaheim, CA    Honda Center

Thu Apr 17

Los Angeles, CA   Hollywood Bowl

Sat Apr 19

Las Vegas, NV     MGM Grand Garden Arena

Sun Apr 20

Oakland, CA    Oracle Arena

Jay-Z’s spring tour with Mary J Blige begins on March 22nd in Miami. Tickets for this tour will be in high demand and will most likely sell out very quickly.

To make sure Jay-Z’s biggest fans don’t miss out he’s set up an exclusive pre-sale just for the fans.  Tickets are available to the public on February 16th, but the fan pre-sale will begin on Monday February 11th at 10am local venue time.  You’ll be sure to get the best seats available….a week before the general public…and the service charge will almost always be lower.

Look out for an email in the coming days for more information about how to get your tickets and where.

Dates:

Sat Mar 22

Miami, FL    American Airlines Arena

Wed Mar 26

Baltimore, MD    1st Mariner Arena

Thu Mar 27

Uniondale, NY    Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum

Fri Mar 28

East Rutherford, NJ    Izod Center

Sun Mar 30

Philadelphia, PA    Wachovia Center

Wed Apr 02

Toronto, ON    AirCanada Centre

Thu Apr 03

Boston, MA    TD Banknorth Garden

Sat Apr 05

Greensboro, NC    Greensboro Coliseum

Sun Apr 06

Washington, DC    Verizon Center

Tue Apr 08

Atlanta, GA    Philips Arena

Wed Apr 09

New Orleans, LA    New Orleans Arena

Thu Apr 10

Houston, TX    Toyota Center

Sat Apr 12

Dallas, TX    Superpages.com Center

Tue Apr 15

Anaheim, CA    Honda Center

Thu Apr 17

Los Angeles, CA   Hollywood Bowl

Sat Apr 19

Las Vegas, NV     MGM Grand Garden Arena

Sun Apr 20

Oakland, CA    Oracle Arena

Wildstyles Promotions Presents
Freeway / Peedi Peedi
And special guests

Sat March 22
Doors open at 7PM

Tickets: $33-$35
Available at www.hob.com and www.ticketmaster.com

House of blues
Showboat casino
801 boardwalk
Atlantic city, NJ 08401
609 236 BLUE

18+ with I'd

Check out these sample book pages from Kanye West's "Thank You And You're Welcome" Book.

Click Here

Jay-Z will join Neil Diamond in headlining this years Glastonbury Festival which takes place in June.  Tickets go on sale April 6th!

Read More

Kanye West is putting together the US leg of his highly successful Glow In The Dark tour which will also feature Rihanna, N.E.R.D, and Lupe Fiasco.  Keep checking www.rocafella.com for official tour dates.

Check out the latest ad campaign for Rocawear I WILL NOT LOSE!

Jay-Z plays Connect 4 game with rapper Consequence.  Watch the video below.

Freeway ft. Rick Ross’ “Lights Get Low” video will be the New Joint of the day on BET’s 106 & Park at 6:00pm!!

Check out this Bill Gates spoof video of what his last day would be like at Microsoft. Jay-Z makes a cameo appearance in the studio with Bill Gates.

Check It Out HERE!

Kanye West has just shot the video for "Flashing Lights" off the GRADUATION Album.  Get some info on the video, and check out this exclusive video still by clicking HERE.

GRADUATION In Stores Now!

Jay-Z launched his brand new 40/40 Club at The Palazzo in Las Vegas this New Year.  The $20 Million Dollar facility is breathing new life into the Las Vegas strip.  Check out this feature from "In Business: Las Vegas" HERE

Beanie Sigel recently recorded an anti-violence public service announcement that will air on Philadelphia's Fox 29 channel.  Watch the P.S.A. below, and enter the "Children Are The Future" essay contest where you could win $5000 and a Apple iMac from Beanie Sigel.

ENTER CONTEST

For the release of his new album Beanie Sigel will rely on the music and message of "The Solution", an album that promises to be the solution for what hip-hop is missing.  “The Solution” clearly addresses the problems: poverty, boredom, imitators, poor education, lack of activities for youth; and their repercussions.   Starting on Dec 11th Beans invites his fans to be a part of "The Solution" with him as he hits the streets of Philadelphia.   Let him know what you are doing to improve conditions in the city and receive up to $500 in cash and prizes. 

Check out Beanie Sigel at the following locations:

Monday, Dec 17
4:00pm     Sounds of Upper Darby (64 S. 69th St)
5:00pm     Sneakervilla (4 South 52nd St) - PERFORMANCE

Tuesday, Dec 18
3:00pm     Sneakervilla (333 Market St Harrisburg, PA)
6:00pm     Sneakervilla (704 West Marshall St) Norristown
6:30pm     Sounds of Norristown (14 W. Main St)

Wednesday, Dec 19
4:00pm     Sneakervilla (5700 Germantown Ave @ Chelten)
6:00pm     Sneakervilla (520 North Broad St @ Olney)
6:30pm     City Sound (3643 Germantown Ave)

Thursday, Dec 20
4:00pm     Sneakervilla (605 N. Market St) Wilmington, DE

Monday, Dec 24
3:00pm     School of Hard Knocks Barbershop (1106 Chestnut St)
4:00pm     Armand's Records (1108 Chestnut St)
5:00pm     Sounds of Market (15 S. 11th St)

Be a part of "The Solution"!

Beanie Sigel can't afford to take the route of most rappers and create beef to hype the release of his new album, "I'm a grown man with children and a family".  Instead he will simply rely on "The Solution", his powerful new release that promises to be the solution for what hip-hop is missing.  The new album clearly addresses the problems: poverty, bordem, imitators, poor education, lack of activities for youth; and their repercussions.  Starting on Dec 11th he invites fans to be a part of "The Solution" with him as he hits the streets of Philadelphia.  Let him know what you are doing to improve conditions in the city and recieve up to $500 in cash and prizes.  Beanie Sigel will be at the following locations:

Dec 11
4pm - Music Box Records
6pm - Phenomenal Records

Dec 16
3pm - FYE in the Gallery
4:30pm - FYE at 24th Street
Sneakervilla - Germantown & Chelten

Dec 18
Sneakervilla - Harrisburg, PA (Coat Drive)

Stream THE SOLUTION Album

Enter "Children Are The Future" Scholarship Contest

Buy THE SOLUTION (Explicit) Album

Buy THE SOLUTION (Edited) Album

Buy THE SOLUTION (Vinyl) Album

Jay-Z assumes "Total Control" over AT&T blue room radio bringing you his latest masterpiece "American Gangster". Log on to attblueroom.com/music, click on the AT&T blue room radio "listen live" button, then choose "ROCK" or "HITS" on the navigation bar this Saturday 12/15 as Jay-Z takes you through the entire American Gangster album!

Jay-Z discusses Def Jam Records' 26 Grammy Nominations, and speaks on his Def Jam contract that expires at the end of this year.

Jay-Z "Checking in with Jay-Z" Feature

JAY-Z ADDED TO NEW YEAR’S WEEKEND LINE UP

Live at the Pearl at the Palms December 29

Las Vegas, Nev. – December 10, 2007 – Just when you thought New Year’s Eve couldn’t get any bigger. Music mogul Jay-Z will perform one of the year’s biggest shows inside the Pearl at the Palms Casino resort on Saturday, December 29, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. 

Born Shawn Carter, Jay-Z has solidified himself as an entrepreneur, performer, trendsetter, spokesman and philanthropist. Throughout his career, Jay-Z has opened doors for anyone with talent and determination, all while setting the pace in the world of music and fashion. With the formation of his own record company, Roc-A-Fella Records, and the subsequent release of his 1996 album Reasonable Doubt, Jay-Z has cemented his reputation as one of the most formidable icons in entertainment. 

In the past seven years Jay-Z has released eight consecutive multi-platinum albums. Since 1996, Jay-Z has earned multiple Grammy, American Music, MTV Music Video, Soul Train and Billboard Awards. He is the first hip-hop artist to release an MTV unplugged album, to appear on 60 Minutes or to have a live Showtime televised concert. Jay-Z adds the Vegas stop to the already successful tour in support of his latest album American Gangster (2007).

Presented by Andrew Hewitt and Live Nation, tickets for Jay-Z are $128.00, $178.00 and $228 plus any additional service fees and go on-sale Saturday, December 15, 2007, at noon. Please visit any Ticketmaster location, call 702-474-4000 or visit www.ticketmaster.com to purchase tickets. The Pearl Box Office is open from noon – 7 p.m. daily. Doors will open at 7:00 p.m. and show time is 8:00 p.m. The Pearl is home to the Miller Lite concert series; for more information on upcoming concerts, please call 702-942-6888.

About The Pearl:
The Pearl is Las Vegas’ premier concert theater boasting accommodations for up to 2,500 ticket holders. Featuring a stage just four feet from the floor and the farthest seating area being a mere 120 feet from the stage, The Pearl offers the utmost in intimate viewing of your favorite acts. Private and semi-private skyboxes are located on each side of the venue offering private bars, lounges and restrooms. The Pearl is a marvel of modern technology using only top quality sound and video equipment throughout. Hard wired to The Studio at The Palms, The Pearl allows artists to create a cost-effective live album with efficiency and without additional venue set-up. For more information, please visit www.palms.com.

Beanie Sigel takes you on an exclusive personal journey and updates you on his personal life and career since being released from prison, resigning to Roc A Fella Records, and working on the most personal album of his career.

Hear from some of his closest friends on how they feel the last 3 years and the experience of making this album has changed him.   Beanie Sigel has been THE TRUTH, THE REASON, THE B COMING now, he's THE SOLUTION!

Show airs tonight on BET @ 7:30 p.m. EST!

Stream THE SOLUTION Album NOW!

The new album from Beanie Sigel THE SOLUTION is In Stores NOW!  Listen and Purchase the new album HERE.

On October 2nd, veteran music journalist Michael A. Gonzales met with Jay-Z to discuss life, hip-hop and American Gangster for the cover of the second-annual 20 Interviews issue of STOP SMILING magazine. Below are excerpts from that interview.

ON RACISM IN GANGSTER MOVIES
 
SS: Black people love Italian gangster movies, but many of these films are blatant in their racism. One of the very first words Jack Nicholson says in Martin Scorsese’s The Departed is ‘niggers.’ Why are people willing to overlook this?
 
JZ: There are certain things the audience hooks on to. Yes, the character might be racist, but he’s still against the odds as he struggles against the world. However brief his rein might be, he’s living the good life and that’s what Black kids hone in on. They don’t pay attention to the racism, because racism is everywhere. We’ve learned to look past that.
 
SS: What about the word using the word ‘nigger’ in rhymes?
 
JZ: For me, it’s all about the intention. I could call you an ‘apple tree,’ but if I say it with venom and hate, that is what it’s about. It’s not the word that has the power, it’s the person. All of this came about because the Imus discussion turned into a hip-hop discussion.
 
Imus couldn’t name three rappers; well, maybe he could, but he couldn’t name their songs. Imus doesn’t listen to rap, so he’s not influenced by it. He didn’t get that from us. I missed the point the discussion stopped being about Imus.
 
 
ON VIOLENCE IN FILMS
 
SS: Do you think violent films or songs have an affect on teens?
 
JZ: The world wants to think that that people are drawn to violence, but when you live in the ghetto you see violence all the time, so that’s not the real excitement. If they want to see violence, all they have to do is go home. A lot of kids have never been out of their own neighborhoods, so they go to see movies where guys have big houses and is traveling around the world.
 
ON THE DECLINE OF NYC HIP-HOP
 
SS: Listening to the American Gangster, I kept thinking that this is also a great New York City album. Do you think the city has fallen off in terms of rap music?
 
JZ: Of course, but it was bound to happen, because we were spoiled. Not only did we own rap music since its inception, we also invented it. But, like anything else if you take it for granted, it will leave you. It will absolutely go to where the freshness is. New York started making robotic records. Down south, rap music is a celebration. They put their heart and soul into it.
 
 
ON FRANK LUCAS
 
SS: Why do you think people romanticize guys like Frank Lucas?
 
JZ: You know, there’s this hope that we can make it out of bad situations and become important, maybe live like rock stars. For many of us, society is oppressive—our schools are the worse, our roads are the worse. So, when somebody goes against that oppression, it’s impressive.
 
ON DEALING DRUGS
 
SS: It’s common knowledge that you dealt drugs when you were younger.
 
JZ: I’m not condoning it, but everyone chooses their path. I make no apologies for the path that I chose. People think that kids who become drug dealers are monsters. They’re not monsters, they’re just regular kids who are pushed up against the odds; and the odds keep putting the lights out on their hopes.
 
Look at the staggering number of Black and Latino youth who go to prison. That alone has to do something to your self-esteem, and that affects the entire community. Kids understand the dangers of dealing drugs or being a gangster, but often it’s better than what they already have in their lives. In their minds, even danger is better than that.
 
It’s very sad, and what’s sadder is there are some people in the hood who are very intelligent, but they have no outlets. It kind of makes you think that keeping poor people down was done by design; these areas haven’t gotten so out of hand by mistake.
 
SS: How were you able to choose a different path?
 
JZ: I guess because I was able to look towards the future. Most people wake-up and just deal with today. I realized that I couldn’t keep doing the same things and not have something bad happen to me. I knew I was going to go to jail or I was going to die. If you keep rolling the dice for ten years, it’s bound to catch-up to you.
 
I also realized that I had a remarkable talent and I was letting it go to waste. I didn’t have one foot in rap and the other in the drug game, I literally changed my life. You just can’t hold on to the branches like Donkey Kong.
 
ON RAP CENSORSHIP
 
SS: It doesn’t seem fair that Martin Scorsese or Denzel Washington are considered true artists when they portray gangsters, but if you or one of your contemporaries talks about street life then you’re dealing with Bill O’Reilly, Oparh Winfrey, Stanly Crouch and congressional hearings?
 
JZ: Of course, there is an imbalance, but I understand where it comes from. In hip-hop, the whole ‘keep it real’ has become more than a phrase. Scorsese and Denzel are not tied to the films they make, so people see the separation between art and life. Unfortunately, they don’t see that separation between Shawn Carter and Jay-Z. As far as they’re concerned, everything I talk about is happening for real. To them, at no point is it entertainment.
 
Rappers in general THEY ARE the guys telling their story. To me, real is just the basis for a great fantasy. Not everything I say in a song is true. I’ll take a small thing from life and build upon it, and usually it becomes a fantastic story.
 
SS: The song ‘Ignorant Shit’ touches on this subject. There are more curses and crime in a Tarantino movie, but nobody is dragging him off to a congressional hearing.
 
JZ: If rappers stop cursing tomorrow, is that going to fix the ghetto or the fact that our schools are fucked-up and the living-conditions are terrible. You can’t tell me not to say nigger or shit, that’s ridiculous to me. Is that really the problem? Are you serious?
 
Some people don’t understand the things people who live in these urban areas see in one day; and, that’s every single day.
 
ON CRACK & THE ‘80s
 
SS: On American Gangster, you talk about coming of age in the 1980s. Talk a little bit how being a gangster during Frank Lucas’ rein changed once crack was introduced to the hood.
 
JZ: Being a gangster changed from being a gentlemen’s game to a vicious young man’s game. In the ‘80s, there were no more rules—teenagers had automatic weapons, the money was bigger and it just got out of control. There was no hiding it, no shame. There wasn’t even shame from the addicts. People were just standing around smoking crack outside like it was normal; that’s not normal. People in those communities just lost control.
 
SS: And, some of those same communities in Harlem, the Lower East Side and Brooklyn are now the biggest gentrified neighborhoods in New York City.
 
JZ: Wherever there is anarchy, there is also opportunity; where there is chaos, there is opportunity. Look at DUMBO (in Brooklyn), right around the corner from the projects. That neighborhood was bleak back in the day.
 
SS: Being a businessman, do you see much of gangster aesthetics in music or sports?
 
JZ: It’s worse in business, because there is no fear of retribution. If somebody fucks me on a deal, then later I’ll fuck them on a deal. But, other than that, nothing happens. On the streets, you have to have integrity or you won’t be there long. You can’t give your word and then do the opposite. In business, people just run all over each other; it’s unpoliced.

KANYE WEST DOMINATES GRAMMY SEASON AGAIN WITH 8 NOMINATIONS INCLUDING ‘ALBUM OF THE YEAR’ FOR DOUBLE-PLATINUM GRADUATION
 
West Leads All Nominees; Nods include Album Of The Year, Best Rap Album, Rap Solo Performance for "Stronger," and Best Rap Song for both “Good Life” and “Can’t Tell Me Nothin’”
 
Follows successful Grammy track records of 2005’s Late Registration and 2004 solo debut, The College Dropout – as career total reaches 25 Grammy nominations
 
 
Dec. 5, 2007 – New York, NY)  6-time Grammy Award-winning Roc-A-Fella recording artist and GQ magazine Man Of The Year Kanye West – who wrapped up the U.K. leg this week of a world tour that brings him to Nigeria for concerts next weekend – dominated today’s nomination announcements for the 50th annual Grammy Awards, as his current double-platinum album GRADUATION (released September 11th) generated a league-leading seven nominations – bringing his career total to a phenomenal 25 Grammy nominations. 
 
            The complete list of Kanye’s 2007 Grammy Award nominations includes:
            * 1 – Album Of The Year for Graduation
            * 2 – Best Rap Album for Graduation
            * 3 – Best Rap Solo Performance for “Stronger”
            * 4 – Best Rap Song for “Good Life”
            * 5 – Best Rap Song for “Can’t Tell Me Nothin’”
            * 6 – Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for “Good Life”
            * 7 – Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for “Southside”
            * 8 – Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for “Better Than I’ve Ever Been”
 
The nominations were announced this morning at The Music Box in Hollywood.  This year’s historic Grammy Awards will be held on February 10th, 2008 at The Staples Center in Los Angeles and will again be broad­cast in High Definition TV and 5.1 Surround Sound on the CBS television network (and around the world), 8:00-11:30 p.m. (EST/PST). 
 
This showering of recognition for GRADUATION follows the rigorous pace set by Kanye’s first two landmark #1 albums, 2005’s Late Registration (which generated 10 Grammy nominations) and his solo debut of 2004, The College Dropout (8 nominations).  Together, they went on to win a total a 6 Grammy Awards, including consecutive wins for Best Rap Album of 2004 and 2005, and Best Rap Song of 2004 (“Jesus Walks”) and 2005 (“Diamonds From Sierra Leone”).
 
It was a release-week duel that attratced more public attention than the Thrilla in Manila, documented on a memorable Rolling Stone cover (which gave GRADUATION a 4½ó review).  Kanye knocked out of the competition when his album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and R&B/Hip Hop album charts, on first week sales of 956,936 units.  It marked the biggest Soundscan debut by any album since Kanye’s own Late Registration two years before – and biggest debut in Island Def Jam history.
 
GRADUATION – which also entered the national charts at #1 in the U.K, Japan and Canada – also established a new one-week digital sales record on the Internet, where it logged more than 132,000 album downloads, eclipsing Maroon 5’s previous record of 102,000 earlier in 2007.

GRADUATION, Kanye’s second consecutive #1 pop album and third consecutive #1 R&B album, contained the hottest single of the summer, “Stronger,” which hit #1 across-the-board on the Hot 100, Pop 100, and Digital Song charts, and rose to #3 on the Hot Rap Tracks side.  It followed-up the album’s first single pick, the Top 10 Rap track “Can’t Tell Me Nothing.”  The third single, “Good Life” (featuring T-Pain), reached #1 Rap, #3 R&B, #4 Digital, and Top 10 on the Hot 100. 
 
GRADUATION followed-up Late Registration (released August 2005), which entered the chart at #1 with the biggest first-week sales debut in Def Jam Recordings’ history – more than 860,000 copies.  Rolling Stone went on to rank Late Registration the #1 Album Of the Year, and it later generated Grammy awards for Best Rap Album, Best Rap Solo Performance for “Gold Digger,” and Best Rap Song for “Diamonds From Sierra Leone.” 
 
Kanye West released his stunning solo debut album The College Dropout in February 2004.  It sold over 2 million copies, was named #1 Album Of the Year by Rolling Stone, The Village Voice, and Spin magazine, and became an instant classic.  It generated Grammy Awards as Best Rap Album, Best Rap Song for “Jesus Walks,” and Best R&B Song for “You Don't Know My Name.”  Kanye stole the Grammy Awards broadcast that year with his impassioned performance of “Jesus Walks,” and a show-stopping acceptance speech that brought the Staples Center crowd in Los Angeles to its feet for an unforgettable ovation.

Jay-Z came out Sunday night at Kanye West's "Glow In The Dark" tour stop in Manchester, England to perform "Encore." 

See footage from the performance below.

EURWEB

Jay-Z came out Sunday night at Kanye West's "Glow In The Dark" tour stop in Manchester, England to perform "Encore." 

See footage from the performance below.

EURWEB

Check out the brand new album from Beanie Sigel, THE SOLUTION only @ www.rocafella.com.  THE SOLUTION features "All The Above" with R.Kelly, "Go Low" featuring Rock City, and "What They Gonna Say To Me."

Leave a comment, and let Beanie Sigel & Roc-A-Fella know if you like the album.

Stream- THE SOLUTION Album

Enter the Beanie Sigel "Children Are The Future" Scholarship Contest

Beanie Sigel & Roc-A-Fella Records present the "Children Are The Future" Scholarship Contest.  You could win a $5000 scholarship and Apple iMac computer.

Click HERE to Enter and for more Details!

Pre-Order THE SOLUTION CD (Explicit)

Pre-Order THE SOLUTION CD (Edited)

Pre-Order THE SOLUTION CD (Vinyl)

Don't Miss Beanie Sigel On Fuse's "The Sauce" tonight starting at 6:00 p.m.,EST!

Preview THE SOLUTION In Stores December 11th!

TAMPA, FL - November 27, 2007 - Kanye West and Robert Craig "Evel" Knievel have amicably resolved and dismissed the case, entitled Knievel and K and K Promotions, Inc. v. West, Roc-A-Fella Records, LLC, Chris Milk and AOL LLC, in connection with West's "Touch the Sky" video from his multi platinum, Grammy Award-winning 2005 album, Late Registration. West and Knievel recently met at Knievel's home in Tampa, Florida to lay the matter to rest, as pictured here.

On December 11th, the long awaited album from Roc-A-Fella's Beanie Sigel hits stores.  The album has something for everyone from the club friendly single "All The Above" featuring R.Kelly to the gritty street single "What They Gonna Say To Me."

Preview THE SOLUTION Now

Check out Jay-Z's TRL Newspiece today at 4:14pm today!!!

MTV
Tues 11/27- 8:50am

MTV2
Mon 11/26- 8:30pm, 10:30pm
Tues 11/27- 8:30am, 5:30pm

MTVU
Mon 11/26- 8:45pm, 10:45pm
Tues 11/27- 12:45am, 2:45am, 4:45am, 6:45am, 8:45am, 11:45am, 1:45pm, 3:45pm, 6:45pm

Check out exclusive footage of Jay-Z at the Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC for his AMERICAN GANGSTER concert tour courtesy of MSN.

Jay-Z AMERICAN GANGSTER Tour Footage

Purchase AMERICAN GANGSTER

Jay-Z will release the a capella version to his critically acclaimed AMERICAN GANGSTER album on his birthday, December 4th!  Be on the look out for that CD!!!

Check out the commercial spot for Roc-A-Fella recording artist Freeway's FREE AT LAST album that Hits Stores on November 20th!

GO GET IT!

Freeway Commercial Spot

BUY FREE AT LAST (Explicit) CD

BUY FREE AT LAST (Edited) CD

BUY FREE AT LAS Vinyl

Listen to the FREE AT LAST Album one day before it hits stores tomorrow November 20th.  The new album features production by Dame Grease, Chad West, Don Cannon, and Needlz. 

A solid body of work executive produced by Jay-Z and 50 Cent, the album has something for everyone from street records to club bangers.  Be sure to check out the hit singles "Lights Get Low," "It's Over," and "Still Got Love."

Freeway & Roc-A-Fella Records present FREE AT LAST (First Listen)

Purchase FREE AT LAST Here

Catch Freeway on BET's Rap City, today at 5:00 p.m, EST. You know Free is going to tear the booth down, so don't miss it!!!

The New Album FREE AT LAST In Stores TUESDAY NOVEMBER 20TH!

Jay-Z, who just released his 10th #1 album with AMERICAN GANGSTER is featured on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine this month.  Be sure to pick up this issue with the God MC.

AMERICAN GANGSTER In Stores Now

JADAKISS RELEASES HIS FIRST ALBUM IN FOUR YEARS, DUE IN 2008

(November 15, 2007 – New York, NY)  In an historic move, New York-based rapper Jadakiss has been signed to Roc-A-Fella/Ruff Ryders.  The announcement was made by Shawn ‘Jay-Z’ Carter, President and CEO, Def Jam Recordings.  Ruff Ryders is co-owned by brothers Darrin (‘Dee’) Dean and Joaquin (‘Waah’) Dean.

Jadakiss’ new album, a collaboration between Ruff Ryders and Roc-A-Fella,  is due in ‘08 and follows the the million-selling Kiss Of Death (June 2004, on Ruff Ryders/Interscope), which entered the Soundscan chart at #1 upon its release.  The album spun off three top-charted rap/R&B/pop crossover hits: “Time’s Up” (featuring Nate Dogg), “Why” (featuring Anthony Hamilton), and “U Make Me Wanna” (with Mariah Carey).

Jada’s previous album, his platinum solo debut Kiss tha Game Goodbye was released August 2001, after he had spent about nearly a decade as a member of the legendary rap group The Lox.  Kiss tha Game Goodbye, containing the singles “Knock Yourself Out,” “We Gonna Make It,” and “Put Ya Hands Up,” rose to #2/R&B and #5/pop, and went on to sell more than three million copies worldwide.

Don't miss the Freeway Online Chat TODAY at 4:30 p.m.  Ask Freeway questions about his new album FREE AT LAST In Stores Tuesday, November 20th!!!

YOU MUST BE A REGISTERED ROC-A-FELLA USER TO PARTICIPATE IN CHAT

REGISTER NOW

Be here at 4:30 p.m.,EST TODAY for the Freeway Online Chat!!!

Enter Chat by clicking "CHAT" Icon from Roc-A-Fella Homepage

JAY-Z SCORES HIS 10TH #1 DEBUT WITH “AMERICAN GANGSTER”

AMERICAN GANGSTER BECOMES JAY-Z’S SECOND #1 IN LESS THAN 12 MONTHS

5 - CITY AMERICAN GANGSTER TOUR RECEIVES RAVE REVIEWS

FANS CAN ACCESS NEW YORK CITY’S HAMMERSTEIN PERFORMANCE FOR FREE VIA MSN’S “MUSIC IN CONCERT” SERIES

(New York, NY, Wednesday, November 14, 2007): Today, JAY-Z and his newest album, AMERICAN GANGSTER, have claimed a rightful place in history, capturing the # 1 slot on the Top 200 Billboard charts, selling 424,000 copies.  AMERICAN GANGSTER is JAY-Z’s 10th release to debut in the top position, tying him with Elvis Presley for most chart topping debuts. This new album is his second #1 debut in less than 12 months following the release on 2006’s Kingdom Come, which sold over 680,000 units in its first week.

"It’s a true testament to JAY-Z’s greatness to create this amazing conceptual body of work clearly not intended to be measured by commercial standards; yet he still achieves this monumental and historic accomplishment of his 10th #1 and tying Elvis." said Antonio 'L.A.' Reid, Chairman, Island Def Jam Music Group.

Hailed by both fans and critics, AMERICAN GANGSTER, is JAY-Z’s first conceptual work of art.  Separate from the official motion picture soundtrack, this collection of all-new original material is a musical journey and lyrical interpretation of snapshots from the #1 motion picture drama American Gangster.

Always setting the bar higher for all who come after him, JAY-Z’s 5 city whirlwind tour has received rave reviews and closed at the legendary Apollo Theater last night.  Fans not lucky enough to attend these intimate performances, all cities sold out in less than one minute, may experience the New York City, Hammerstein Ballroom performance on MSN’s Control Room.

Control Room and MSN are proud to present an exclusive online broadcast of Jay-Z’s sold-out live performance from New York’s Hammerstein Theatre via MSN’s Music In Concert” series Fans can access the concert for free at http://music.msn.com/jayz the week of November 19th.

PRAISE FOR AMERICAN GANGSTER TOUR

Dynastic succession, cutthroat competition, brand reinforcement: these were a few of the items on Jay-Z's agenda at the Hammerstein Ballroom on Sunday night. Of course he covered this ground with exultant style, surrounding himself with constituents, protégés and even a notable rival. Fittingly for any hip-hop mogul, and especially for this one, the show felt scrappy as well as spectacular.  - NY TIMES

"What Jay-Z does is put together a flawless experience -- not a mere concert. He's far beyond that. The rapper-mogul puts on a call-and-response show that leaves his parishioners sated..... His mission was to remind people that whatever happens -- Kanye vs. 50 Cent, whatever -- there's only one rapper to be reckoned with."  - Chicago Tribune

“The rapper tore through hit after hit with ferocious energy, running some together in powerful medleys…interjecting rapid-fire freestyles in between.” – Chicago Sun Times

“Jay-Z’s steady vocals were wisely pushed front and center in the mix. And he delivered certain couplets and a few full stanzas a cappella, in a near whisper, which drew the audience in closer.” – Washington Post

FREE AT LAST Hits stores next Tuesday, but while you wait, check out these 3 brand new tracks from the album.

Leave a comment, and let Free know what you think.

Freeway- "Still Got Love"

Freeway- "It's Over"

Freeway- "Lights Get Low"

FREE AT LAST In Stores November 20th!

Pre-Order the brand new album from Freeway, FREE AT LAST.  The album hits stores on November 20th, and features the hit single "Roc-A-Fella Billionaires" with Jay-Z.

Don't miss Freeway's Online Chat here at www.rocafella.com November 16th @ 4:30 p.m., EST!

Pre-Order FREE AT LAST (Explicit) Album

Pre-Order FREE AT LAST (Edited) Album

Pre-Order FREE AT LAST (Vinyl) Album

Meet Rocafella/Def Jam Recording artist Freeway between 4:00-6:00 PM on Tuesday, November 20th at Phenonmenal Records in Philadelphia, PA located at 1432 Cecil B. Moore Ave.  Freeway will be signing copies of his newest CD "FREE AT LAST" only at Phenomenal Records.  That's Freeway, live at Phenomenal Records this Tuesday, November 20th at 4:00.

Phenomenal Records
1432 Cecil B. Moore Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19121
Call 215-763-3606 for more details!

Be sure to log on to www.rocafella.com on November 16th at 4:30 p.m.,EST for the Freeway FREE AT LAST Online Chat!

Check out Jay-Z's appearance on Charlie Rose to support his new album AMERICAN GANGSTER In Stores Now.

Great Interview with the GOD MC!  The complete show will air at the following times:

11:00 PM  New York /WNET,
                   Wash.,DC /WETA,
                   San Diego /KPBS,
                   Denver /KRMA

11:30 PM: Los Angeles /KCET  

12:00 AM: Boston /WGBH
                   Philadelphia /WHYY
                   San Francisco /KQED

Purchase Jay-Z AMERICAN GANGSTER

Stream Jay-Z AMERICAN GANGSTER

Leave your questions for Roc-A-Fella recording artist Freeway for his FREE AT LAST Online Chat.  Ask Freeway questions about his new album, or just get to know the Philly MC better on Friday, November 16th. 

Keep checking www.rocafella.com for more Details!!!

FREE AT LAST In Stores November 20th!

Check out the second video from Jay-Z's classic album AMERICAN GANGSTER, "Roc Boys (And The Winner Is...)." 

The video features cameos from Mariah Carey, Diddy, Nas, Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Memphis Bleek and a host of other celebrities.  SEE IT NOW only @ www.rocafella.com

Jay-Z - "Roc Boys (And The Winner Is...)"

Buy Jay-Z AMERICAN GANGSTER Album

Listen to Jay-Z AMERICAN GANGSTER Album