NEWS: Jay-Z Signs Willow Smith To ROC Nation

Willow Smith has definitely caught the attention of music mogul Jay-Z as according to Ryan Seacrest, the 9 year-old is now signed to ROC Nation.

It helps that her mother and father are good friends with Jay-Z, but the kid is actually talented, just like the rest of her family. We have a mini Rihanna in the making!

We wonder whether Willow will get to collaborate with her idol Rihanna?

If you haven't heard Willow's new track 'Whip My Hair', listen now - it's hot!


Source: Hip Hop Chronicle

NEWS: Tinchy Stryder Goes Into Business With Jay-Z

Yes, that's right! Jay-Z's love for the UK has got even bigger after he closed a business deal with Tinchy Stryder's management company, TakeOver.

Jay's Roc Nation has signed TakeOver to create Takeover Roc Nation. They will release records with Sony Music and tickets with Live Nation.

Congrats to Tinchy and TakeOver.

NEW MUSIC VIDEO: Drake - 'Over'

Finally the music video for Drake's 'Over' has been released. Roc Nation's Rita Ora stars in the music video.

'Over' is released on May 17th.

We think this video is much better than Kanye's effort for Drake's 'Best I Ever Had'.

What do you think of the video?

J Cole About To Hit The Road

RocNation protege and the next big thing in Hip hop, J Cole, is about to embark on  a US college tour. J Cole, who's impeccable rapping skills caught the attention of his now mentor, Jay-Z, is taking his talent on the road and will undoubtedly create an even bigger hype in the process. Back in late December 09, SocialWriters mentioned Mr Cole as one to watch out for and with his tour on the way, it will no be long until he crosses the pond. 

Though he is yet to release an album, rumour has it that his debut album will be released some time this summer. Finger crossed!

RVB

RUMOUR: Jay-Z To Sign Keisha Buchanan To Roc Nation?

Rumours are swirling that Keisha Buchanan is in talks with Jay-Z's Roc Nation label to be their latest signing......

They definitely hit it off at Jay-Z's BRITS afterparty in February at Merah, and a source told The Mirror: "Jay is serious about getting her on board."

I knew something like this was coming! I was always convinced that Keisha was the main reason why Jay-Z signed the Sugababes to Roc Nation.

If this turns out to be true, it will be yet another blow to the Sugababes, who are rumoured to have been dropped from Roc Nation, after poor sales of their latest album, 'Sweet 7'.......can someone say karma?

Those who laugh last laugh the longest!

NEWS: Sugababes To Be Dropped From Roc Nation?

Rumour has it that the Sugababes, have been dropped from Roc Nation. The trio were scooped up by Jay Z's record label last year and their not so successful seventh studio album, entitled 'Sweet 7', was set to be their official US release on the label.

After the dismissal of original member Keisha Buchanan and countless album pushbacks, the groups disappointing number 14 ranking in the charts, may have been the final straw for Jay's Roc Nation. As if things couldn’t get any worse for the girls, this weeks mid week report have revealed that the 'unlucky seven' album, is now firmly sitting at the number 36 spot.


If it is true, the news will not come as a surprise; following the groups recent bad luck in the charts, it was only a matter of time until Roc Nation took action. The future of Sugbabes is looking bleaker by the second. However; one word springs to mind, karma!

Source: Punchbowl Blog
RVB

NEWS: The Ting Tings Have Been Signed By Roc Nation

Seems like Jay-Z really likes the UK as he's snapped up another British act, The Ting Tings.

The Tings Tings are set to work on their second album after being signed by Roc Nation apparently. It is said that Jay-Z wants to lend his production skills to their new album.

There hs been no official confirmation from the Manchester-born band.

Concert Review: Jay-Z at the Roundhouse, Camden

It was Jay-Z mania in Camden last night as lucky ticket holders for his sold out show at the Roundhouse, queued to watch the record-breaking rapper perform. ROC signs were being thrown up in the air in the queue by Rocawear wearing ladies, whilst BluePrint3 flags and billboards were waved about outside the music venue.

With no supporting acts, the crowd, which I must say was a very multi-cultural one - mainly full of people I don't expect were fans of the Jigga man before Glastonbury or his collaborations with other music acts such as Coldplay, Linkin' Park, Rihanna and Kanye West - waited for nearly two and a half hours before Jay-Z appeared on stage. Normally when waiting hours for an act, the crowd normally becomes restless....well not in this instance!

Ten minutes before Jay-Z was to appear on stage, a countdown timer appeared on the huge screen followed by a deafening cheer by the crowd. As the timer got to 0:10, the crowd started to countdown the beginning of the show, which kind of reminded me of New Years Eve, and at 0:00 the live band dropped the beat for 'Death Of Autotune' and HOVA himself appeared. The hyped crowed rocked their heads to the beat whilst throwing up the diamond ROC sign rapping along with Jay to the beat.

"Ya'll are pretty quick with your fingers.....I heard this show sold out in two and a half seconds!" Jay-Z said to the frenzied crowd, which lead to everyone in the building chanting 'HOVA! HOVA!'. With hype man Memphis Bleek, Jay rocked the Roundhouse dropping classsic hits one after the other such as 'Heart Of The City', 'ROC Boys', 'I Just Wanna Love U' and 'Jigga What, Jigga Who'. He even had the crowd singing along to the Oasis classic 'Wonderwall'!

The New York rapper also dropped his #1 UK single, 'Run This Town' sans Rihanna and Kanye, and also the best track (in my opinion) on BluePrint3, 'Empire State Of Mind', which sounded great even without Alicia Keys' soulful voice, which was replaced by an unknown singer who graced the stage with Jay. I think Jay should've performed a few more tracks from the album, especially 'Thank You', but I guess he wants to save all of that for his world tour, which he'll emabark upon after a few more single releases from BluePrint3.

Not many rappers can work a stage, but I must say Jay definitely doesn't fall into that category. I was fully entertained. All in all the concert was great, mind you I wouldn't expect anything else from somebody at the top; top of the album charts, top of the singles chart and top of the list as one of the G.O.A.Ts

Jay-Z Finally Gets A UK #1 Single

Mr Carter has finally scored himself a #1 single in the UK with the track 'Run This Town', featuring Rihanna and Kanye West.....and it's about time and all!!

'Run This Town' was in heavy competition with the Sugababes' 'Get Sexy', who are also signed to Roc Nation. At the beginning of the week Sugababes were leading the way in the sales, but Mr Carter ended the intense competiton by beating the English babes, who are #2 in the UK charts.

Well done ROC Nation!!

Let's see if Jay-Z can hold the #1 spot for album sales when BP3 is released on the 14th September in the UK.

Jay-Z Pushes The Release Date Of BP3 Forward?

According to Billboard, date changes on Amazon.com, Rhapsody.com and WEA’s distribution Web site indicate that the album will drop on September 8th and not 11th, which was the original date.

There has been no confirmation from Roc Nation or Atlantic Records representatives or from Jay-Z yet.


Source: The HipHop Chronicle

Camel Got The Hump

Yesterday Jay Z flew into the UK for a press trip and was meant to have an album listening event last night, for his up-coming album, Blue Print 3, for urban press - that got cancelled yesterday.

SocialWriters have learned that when Jigga flew into London yesterday he was not a happy man. Why you ask? Because attendees of the event were Twittering and Facebooking away letting the whole world know about the event, which Jay wasn't happy about. He ven had some A-star celebrities asking to come to this event, like it was a big party, after thy found out about it on Twitter. The Camel didn't want all the fuss so he cancelled the album listening event.

Do you think Jay was over-reacting by making such a decision?

After all, press were not told to keep this info embargoed.....

Jay-Z Teams Up With Atlantic

Yesterday I told you how Jay is thinking about inking a deal with Atlantic in regards to his own record label. Today I have new news on another matter with Jay and Atlantic:

Jay-Z will be releasing his up-coming album, Blueprint 3, on Roc Nation, but with the marketing and promotional help from Atlantic Records.

The news broke out yesterday on Twitter. Click here to read more