Hip-Hop Wired » roc nation

Jay-Z To Score Annie Remake Starring Willow Smith

Latifah Muhammad — Thu, 24 May 2012 22:59:02 +0000

Her Roc Nation debut may be on hold (for now?) but Willow Smith is still making moves. The singer will star in a remake of Annie, scored by none other than Jay-Z.

Bust Magazine is reporting that Hov will write new music for the film's soundtrack. The project will also mark a family venture for the newly bald 11-year-old phenom, since her father will produce the flick. Of course Jay's ties to Annie go back over a decade. In 1998, he sampled “It's Hard Knock Life” from the musical, and earned himself a Grammy nod in the Best Rap Solo Performance category.

Since signing to Roc Nation last year, Willow has dropped two singles “Whip My Hair,” and “Fireball.”

Jay-Z Explains Why He Signed Rita Ora [VIDEO]

Latifah Muhammad — Fri, 18 May 2012 19:19:35 +0000

Jay-Z's stamp of approval goes a long way in music, and while his newest protégé, Rita Ora, has yet to officially blow up the Roc Nation head has faith in her abilities. In an interview with VEVO Lift, Hov explained why he drafted the “R.I.P.” singer to the RN team. “You can see the potential,” he said. “When she enters a room it changes and that presence you can't duplicate that, especially at a young age. It was just infectious to me, like 'man she loves this' she's driven in that way.”

Since signing the blonde beauty, Jay has been in promotion mode for his own projects, but still finds time to plug Ora's new music. In February he stopped by New York City's Z100 to preview her “Party And Bullshyte” single to execs at the station who immediately threw the record on air. "This is all very spontaneous for us, we just came to see some great friends over here, and play some music," he said."They liked what they heard and said 'let's just throw it on the air,' which is great.

Ora's has gotten a healthy amount of buzz for both her music and personal life. She has yet to announce a release date for her debut, but with Jay at the helm, she can't lose.

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Photo: The Hollywood Reporter

Jay-Z Says Jay Electronica's Album Is "Scary Good" [VIDEO]

Kazeem Famuyide (@RealLifeKaz) — Tue, 15 May 2012 20:40:24 +0000

The mythical album of Jay Electronica's is apparently completed and has been heard by real human ears. Those ears happen to belong to Jay-Z and he says that as a lyricist he's almost "scary good." Wow.

Let's hope this isn't another rap fairy tale. Hit the jump to see Hov talk to our boy Rob Markman about Act 2: The Patents Of Nobility.

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Photo: MTV News

Jay-Z To Headline Budweiser Made In America Festival, Says Event Will "Make History"

Latifah Muhammad — Mon, 14 May 2012 16:11:35 +0000

The secret behind Jay-Z's press conference in Philly this morning is finally out. Hov addressed the public Monday (May 14), in which he not only announced that he would headline the two-day event over Labor Day weekend, but proclaimed that the concert will be historic. "This Labor Day, we will not only make history but we're benefiting a great organization," Jay said. "Budweiser Made in America will encompass every genre of music, creating and showcasing the only genre that matters, 'great music.' Budweiser and Live Nation are going to produce an amazing two days of performances, and it's great to partner with United Way again to support all of the positive work they do in the community."

Tickets for the Live Nation event, to be held September 1st and 2nd at the Ben Franklin Parkway in Fairmount Park, go on sale Wednesday, May 23. Tickets retail for $99, but Budweiser fans will get first dibs at pre-sale tickets available May 22, by liking the company's Facebook page. While there are nearly 30 slots available, Jay failed to reveal which acts would be joining him. Given the location, many speculate that the performance may mark a reconciliation with Beanie Sigel, but we'll just have to wait and see.

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Photo: AP

Rita Ora Talks “How We Do (Party)” & Rocks Coogi Sweaters

Alvin aqua Blanco — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:16:48 +0000

Rita Ora is primed for success thanks to a Jay-Z co-sign, good looks and a hit single, "How We Do (Party)," that happens to sample to the Notorious B.I.G. Our peeps over at Style Blazer caught up with the British songstress and spoke on a number of topics including when she feels the most beautiful, In-N-Out burgers and why she happened to be rocking a Coogi sweater when performing at NYC's S.O.B.'s.

"To me, fashion is another art form," Ora told Style Blazer. "I love to have style in everything I do, in my music and my clothes. And when I wore that Coogi sweater it was just in the moment, and the influence from “Party and BullShyte” was definitely from [Notorious] B.I.G."

Read the rest of the interview over at Style Blazer.

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Photo: Roc Nation

Jay-Z Launches Empire Facebook Application

Latifah Muhammad — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 23:00:10 +0000

Hov wants everyone to have a shot at success. Known for a host of business ventures, Jay is stepping further into the digital game with the launch of his new Facebook application, Empire. Although currently in beta form, the game will allow players to "live the dream" and mirror his climb from former drug dealer to hip-hop mogul.

For now, players are allowed to sign up to view a sample of the game. "EMPIRE takes you on a journey from the streets of Marcy Housing in Brooklyn to the hotspots of the rich and famous: from hustler, to entrepreneur, to business mogul. But don't forget friends and family, or your karma will suffer," reads the game description.

Over the years, Jay has become legendary for making money outside of music, which has helped him etch out a permanent spot on Forbes' annual lists. This year, Brooklyn's finest came in second to Diddy, bringing in $460 million on the list of Wealthiest Hip-Hop Artists. His Rocawear brand also recently inked a partnership deal with the New York Yankees for the 2012 season.

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Photo: BET

J.Cole Talks About Life At St. John's With FUSE [VIDEO]

Kazeem Famuyide (@RealLifeKaz) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 17:14:40 +0000

J. Cole's been relatively quiet, but he is hitting the road on the Campus Consciousness tour with Big K.R.I.T. In this video with FUSE, the Carolina kid talks about being a huge fan of K.R.I.T. and how life was like on campus at St. John's Universtiy back in the day. Hit the jump to check it all out.
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Rita Ora - "How We Do (Party)" [VIDEO]

Kazeem Famuyide (@RealLifeKaz) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:32:04 +0000

Roc Nation's Rita Ora cuts a rug in the video for her new single "How We Do (Party)." The beautiful songstress under Hov's umbrella is really starting to build momentum and it looks like they might strike while the iron's hot with a debut album in the summer. Check the video after the jump.

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Photo: VEVO

J. Cole - "Sideline Story" [VIDEO]

Kazeem Famuyide (@RealLifeKaz) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:28:07 +0000

One of the groovier tunes on J.Cole's debut album, is his title track "Sideline Story." Directed by Axel Laramee and Adam Roy, the clip documents Cole's international 2011 tour, capturing the song's straightforward production and lyrics, representing the journey Cole has taken with the release of his first album and setting the stage for his follow up album.

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Photo: Life and Times

Jay Electronica - "Dear Moleskine" [LISTEN/DOWNLOAD]

Alvin aqua Blanco — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 22:48:58 +0000

The full CDQ version of Jay Electronica's "Dear Moleskine" is finally here. The melancholy but kicking track is produced by one Just Blaze and paired with yesterday's release of the album's artwork, it seems like Act II - The Patents of Nobility may really be dropping sometime in the near future after all. It's still unicorn status until we get a bar code (no Illuminati), though.

Listen and download "Dear Moleskine," whose teaser video was released over two years ago, below. Spotted at 2DopeBoyz.

Download Here.

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Photo: FWMJ