What is the name of the record label that Jay-Z co-founded?

Jay-Z co-founded the record label Roc-A-Fella Records. He launched it in 1995 with Damon Dash and Kareem “Biggs” Burke after major labels initially declined to sign him.

The label gave Jay-Z a way to release his debut album, Reasonable Doubt, in 1996. Although Priority Records distributed the album, Roc-A-Fella established Jay-Z as both an artist and an independent music entrepreneur. Its name and diamond-shaped logo became closely associated with his rise in hip-hop.

Roc-A-Fella later signed or helped develop artists including Kanye West, Beanie Sigel, Cam’ron and Freeway. Jay-Z eventually became president of Def Jam Recordings, a separate and much larger label, which is why the two names are sometimes confused. He also founded Roc Nation in 2008, another distinct entertainment company that expanded into artist management, publishing, sports and other media.