For the umpteenth week in a row, Jay-Z is making headlines as he seemingly has become one of the most talked about artists of 2013, still without a solo record on the year. Just a few days after news broke that New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano would sign a new management deal with Jay-Z’s newly formed Roc Nation Sports, Hov looks to be taking Roc Nation ‘back home’.
Over the weekend, Shawn Carter and Universal Music Group came to terms with each other to allow Roc Nation to operate under the UMG umbrella as a standalone label, effective now. This means a number of things for the two but most notably, forthcoming albums from Jay-Z, Rihanna, J. Cole, and a number of Roc Nation artists will be released through UMG worldwide.
“Not only does this agreement provide a dynamic platform for Roc Nation’s exciting emerging artists, it extends our relationship with the extraordinary Rihanna and represents a homecoming for JAY Z—a brilliant artist and entrepreneur, who has been a creative cornerstone of our company.” UMG Chairman and CEO, Lucian Grainge said.
Not only that, Life+Times also announced April 10th would be the day the 2013 Budweiser Made In America Festival lineup would be announced. Once again taking place at Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia over Labor Day Weekend (August 31 – September 1).
“We are looking forward to working with Lucian and the incredible team he’s assembled at Universal… This agreement presents a unique opportunity for Roc Nation’s artists—being able to continue to operate as an independent label with the strength, power and reach of the best major… It feels good to be home.” — Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter