Jay-Z co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records with Damon Dash and Kareem “Biggs” Burke. The label began in 1994 as an independent outlet for Jay-Z’s music after major labels passed on him.
The company’s first major release was Jay-Z’s debut album, Reasonable Doubt, issued in 1996 through a joint arrangement with Priority Records. Roc-A-Fella later became a major force in hip-hop, signing or releasing music by artists including Kanye West, Memphis Bleek, Beanie Sigel and the Diplomats.
A common mix-up is confusing founders with important Roc-A-Fella artists. Beanie Sigel and Cam’ron were associated with the label, but neither co-founded it. Nas also had no founding role. Jay-Z’s birth name is Shawn Carter, so sources may list the founder as Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter rather than simply Jay-Z.
The label’s partnership with Def Jam expanded in the late 1990s, and Jay-Z later became Def Jam’s president. Roc-A-Fella was ultimately dissolved after ownership changes in the 2000s.