To me it was inevitable the Roc would break up. But if they didn't where would they be today as a team and the individual members? Personally I can't even picture a dude like Dame in the circles Jay be in. In a god way though. Dame too real. Don't get enough credit.
💎The Roc owes a lot of their success to Just Blaze. Dude was making beats and engineering entire albums consistently and making tracks for EA Sports🔥💯‼️
Just Blaze was partly responsible for the Rocafella sound....but he was not engineering albums, everyone had a job and Just was a super producer. That was Young Guru's job as he was "chief engineer", same was hip-hop was A&R for the Roc. And there were other engineers too, Guru was just the main engineer for all the prpjects and he's still Roc Nation main engineer today.
Jay and bleek were more like family, their relationship goes all the way back to marcy, their families were friends, they ate at each houses, so their friendship is genuine, it was deeper than business
you got blame jerry Krause for breaking up the bulls atleast let them defend their title but I was watching an interview with sauce money he said he didn't see rocafella lasting
What you said about “changing clothes” is so real. I’ve tried to help family members and give them some corporate game, but they want to “keep it real” and think that mindset is going to get them some where. When they end up exactly where they started, they want to look at you as if it’s your fault. FOH!!
I know what you are talking about. I see it all the time here in the hood. That mentality is garbage. Keeping it real is for suckers. That version of keeping it real. The real version of it is when you know how to adapt but you remain true to yourself and never giving up your principles. That's keeping it real. Not doing it to uphold some image for people that could care less if you make it or not
@@handsomedubbledee right look at Eminem, imagine him still acting like a trailer trash white boy and was still complaining about his upbringings to this day I'm a black man but eventually you gotta rise up out that mindset The reason Jay-Z still is relevant is because he left that life literally and lyrically Both biggie and pac was the same and had they'd live they'd be where Jay Z is Back in the mid 90s your first album was the Genesis of who you were and how got to your hero's journey Then afterwards is your socalled "journey into the abyss" (your block boys who won't change causing your career damage) Then finally it's your "slaying the dragon" (waking away from your old block boys) arc It's from "the hero of a 1000s faces" by Joseph Campbell This is a book I know Jay-Z acknowledged he read and I suggest anyone getting in the entertainment business to read
Beans was too street that's the problem it's a good thing but a bad at the same time you gotta know how to balance especially during business atmosphere
@@martyrx3436 I'm saying fam it's good that he has a street mentality cuz cats ain't fighting fair nowadays and at least he has credibility plus he raps so he has stories to back it up plus in state property he played his part proper thats what I mean he is lyrical could have dropped more gems since he had bars for days but was too street he could toned it down a notch
Dame was a "car salesman" not a "Fortune 500 CEO". He was very flashy and persuasive and Jay needed that to get the industry to buy into him. That was the whole reason Roc-A-Fella even existed. Once they achieved that goal, it was OVER! Everyone made their money, scored the victory and it was time to separate.
They can blame Jay all they want but 93% of them messed up their careers and blew through budgets, and advances and never expected to do anything more than bullshit and party
Bleek was riding Jay’s coattails, Beans was sent to prison, & Freeway took a 4 year hiatus to change his religion and deal with personal issues. They all had the tools but they screwed themselves over.
Jay got to a point in his life were he got tried of Damon's abrasive, loud, obnoxious, annoying & irritating personality and wanted to doing things on his on anyway. Jay wasn't going to allow anyone from stoping his continual progressiveness and mega success in the entertainment inindustry.& in his personal life.
when rocafella started signing well known street dudes Jay seen the writing on the wall because he was already hot I’m sure the feds was watching at that time. Jay started seeing the record label hustling backwards. Pay attention to murder inc, when certain people come around you gotta move around because they to hot.
Bro you be SPITTIN!!! I must say I agree with everything you said. Specifically the dead weight because the artists were too busy having one foot in mainstream and one foot in the streets.
Being born and raised in NYC and live through this in my elementary and high school years was epic...and then tragedy struck. Probably the best run ever. Better than even Death Row.
Better than death row ? How ? No way lol im from Marcy during the late 80s all the 90s n to the mid 2000s but nope jays best album vol 3 sold 5 mil but no way can it compete with any of pacs albums plus Doggystyle n chronic rocafella ruff riders n Murda inc all those new York labels of the late 90s early 2000s was trying to be what death row was n couldn't dubacate it I'm sorry fam
@@willholmes1690, that's where you fucked up. Beans, Young Gunz, Bleek and to put them over the top...THE DIPS. You're looking at sales. I'm looking at what came out top to bottom. You act like you don't rememeber when the ROC went up to Hot 97 and tore shit down better than G-Unit both times. How many albums did Dre put out on Death Row? How many albums did Snoop puu out on Death Row? How many albums did Pac put out on Death Row? Then you could the multiple albums HOV put out on Roc-A-Fella by himself and add up the sales. Then Beans went platinum and so did the Dips?
How long was Jay Z was supposed to keep carrying them? How long was Jay Z required to hold dead weight? They all cofounded a company and made millions. Maybe they cleaned up some drug money. I think a decade together was enough time. Jay Z wasn't required to let them eat off his talent til he died
JC, bro some people might get mad. Tough pills are hard to swallow and getting mad won’t fix nothing. Fixing it fixes something. Great breakdown as always.
Jay said it himself "you can bullshit with rap if you want". The man gave the foresight on so many songs, had people had that same foresight I wouldn't say Roc would still be around, but maybe Roc Nation would have Dame somewhere in there.
Freeway-gold Young gunz-gold Cam-ron-platinum Beanie sigel-2 gold albums and one platinum Memphis bleek- 2 gold albums Dipset first album went gold Juelze went gold Dj clue went platinum twice State property went gold Noreaga was already established when he signed to the roc Mop was already established Big l passed before his deal went through Juelz Santana went gold The roc had a strong movement before the break up Before the break up O and sparks was supposed to release and album Rell was too And peddi crakk Heck young chris was due for a solo album But that break up messed up everything
After 2005 owning a record label isn't lucrative no more due too declining cd sales. Then came in ringtone rap and the next gen of subpar rappers. On top of that all his artist time came and went except for Kayne West. Who got big on his own. It's not a reason to keep owning a record label so you cash out and go into other businesses.
Yeah, and also it wasn't lucrative to own a hip hop clothing line after like 2006 either, as the new generation of rappers preferred alternative or high end wear rather than streetwear, hence why TIs extremely underrated clothing line Akoo didn't blow as it should. A shame in my opinion as these clothing lines made us stand out from everyone else.
Your 3rd point is literally what Dame was talking back in the day why they hated him. He wanted to keep it in the culture not the culture vultures. Dame not perfect but his message you can’t say was bad
There’s no money in it long-term. The joke is that black people will bootleg your material before paying a higher price to support you. Black people make you known, white people make you rich. Same song, different verse.
True. But Dame is a natural entrepreneur like me. Jay is a businessman. Entrepreneurs are usually much more broker than businessmen. Entrepreneurs tend to think about ownership and all that stuff. Businessmen don't get too attached to Any business. They build it up to sell it for multimillions or billions later. Rinse n repeat. Thats Jay's formula. So it is what it is
(1) all of Dames personal assistants (Ashley, beth) *Dame interns at ROC-A-WEAR & ROC-A-FELLA we're white as well .how can you be about the culture while only hiring white people and using black people to make money (2)dame NEVER cares about "culture" he only cares about Dame which is why dame ran to *Iceberg jeans(white people)- *Kept pictures of white men in his office -*Roc A Fella is the roc and Good Fellas Combined which were white men in the Mob. *Dame promoted alcohol, drugs and S3X to blk ppl because we kept buying that street mess. We were buying the image that these were black men from the streets tryna make it and dame knew that which is why he kept pushing madness towards us. 🤦🏾♂️ (4)dame kids not even black , so he being inspired by white people, keeps running towards white people, PAYING white people and his own personal life is surrounded by non black kids. Much respect for him starting the company and being the muscle to help break open the door. That's extremely hard and rare , he deserves his respect for that. But, please don't put him in some pedestal based on lies.
You're wrong because dame wanted the money for himself and he wanted to keep squeezing money out of blk ppl because we were the main consumers of hip hop . If a white company offered dame 100 million to sell his company he would do it. How do I know? Because when hayz sold ROC-A-WEAR for like $100 million, dame was mad he missed out on like $20 million, he did NOT care that Jay sold it to a white company
I hate to be messy but Damon started dating Aaliyah after Jay had been on a couple of dates with her ..and the fact Damon Dash basically cancelled Jay Z's Carter Faculty label side project but greenlighted his own Team Roc sports agency under the company umbrella was a issue...he did not want Jay Z to sign the Ranjaz or Geda K from Brooklyn but Dash brought in Cam and Dip Set from Harlem..where he is from...making Cam Vice President under him while Jay was vacationing with Beyonce...Lyor Cohen and Kevin Liles who were running Def Jam at the time...had arguments with Dame and sometimes Dame was on point about protecting the brand because they wanted to basically have Jay Z as their artist ...and make more decisions regarding his career...they as well as Steve Stoute were trying to make side deals with Jay Z...notice Jay only played a same part when Dame started making movies like "Paper Soldiers" and "Paid in Full" compared to " Streets Are Watching" and "Backstage" where he was basically the main focus...Sauce Money and Lupe Fiasco both had chances to join the Roc but they saw cracks in the diamond before a lot of other people!
The Roc was so aspirational back in the day. I miss those times. Also, the homie Clout Cancun has a DOPE four part series on the Roc. Definitely check it out for an amazing deep dive!
Jay is a businessman. I believe Dame like me is a natural entrepreneur. Us entrepreneurs tend to always think about ownership and shit like that. We tend to also be much poorer than the businessman. The businessman like Jay...is very smart. He doesn't let himself get too attached to Any business. He builds that business up....and sell it a few years later...and does that to every business he's attached too. He takes a million dollar business and turns it into a multimillion dollar deals 3-5 years later...with multiple businesses. Rinse and repeat. While us entrepreneurs stay broke waiting for our business to creep up slowly but surely. SMH! So I'm trying to think more like a businessman and less like an entrepreneur. Of course keep my entrepreneur mind...but try to incorporate some business-minded tactics in some of my business dealings.
Stunted growth..."don't be afraid to speak the truth" John 8:32! Continue to walk in your integrity! Most of the things you bring out is true! I remember these artists coming up. Your videos give "constructive criticism" on their Stunted growth 👏. We need that "ruff ryder" video or the artists from that group. Thanks
The accuracy in Stunt #2 is amazing cause that's when Roc-A-Fella started to dip for me when they were randomly signing artists that really weren't going to blow on the record and the label already peaked. Jay-Z was opposite of Diddy with Bad Boy his artists could've been a big as Jay but "too much dead weight" is 🎯 cause alot of them didn't have to drive or the ethic to become a boss like Jay-Z wanted to and did. That was the beginning of the end.
That’s why Kanye is still relevant and a billionaire today, because out of all the Roc-A-Fella artists, he was basically the only one who had that drive.
All of those stunts were accurate especially Stunt #2. I remember at a time they brought ODB (in which they had a chance to do something with but didn't), MOP and Nicole Wray. And I knew that all the bad fits and dead weight were going to be an issue down the road.
*were* ,not we're (we are) and you forgot to mention Twista because he was supposed to be signed to Roc-A-Fella, but Atlantic Records kept that from happening.
Dame was signing everybody cuz Hov was "retiring". He was the only one going platinum and bringing in real money so i guess Dame figured he'd sign some ppl who already had a name and since they were on the hottest label it would breathe new life into them and help boost their sells. In hindsight now it makes more sense why he bought Cam in and after he went platinum Dame was ready to give him that VP position.
Jay wanted to do his own thang anyway and once Liar I mean Lyor Cohen got in the mix it was a rap literally but everything happens for a reason is what I believe anyway!
JayZ just knew he was going to be stuck in place if he continued to stay with the clown shit. Even these days the thing that's changed the most about dame is his level of success....
@@tonytheunderdogg9702 nah rich is rich and dame is rich period! He’s got art studios, compounds, networks, licensing deals, owns master recordings, and othe lucrative businesses dame is far from broke
Bro. Thank you for this excellent work of breaking down the rise and fall of the best hip hop group. I've watched you great basketball players break down, love your work. Continue success.
Hey JZ Stunted Growth love ❤ this channel always look forward to a new episodes when it drops. This is the best SG ever because you nailed this situation on the head, Jay-Z had the clarity to see where he could go/grow with his career as a Blackman,Rapper, and a Business man 👨💼 he showed by example and only a few others studied the blueprint and became successful as a boss that answer to no one but themselves. He can't bring the hood to the boardroom and still be successful and taken serious by these other white business man that own and operate some of the biggest brands and businesses in the 🌎. Us as Blackppl always want the free hookup like this at McDonald's wanting extra food, and shit don't work like that in real-life so he did what he had to do.
GREAT video! You seem poised to do Stunted Growth on entrepreneurs/business in general. StuntedGrowthBusiness could be something in the future. Been rocking with you for a couple years, btw. Keep it going!
Forgot to mention the homie Kanye. I know he had college dropout towards the end of the roc-a-fella run but he was the only standout mainstream wise like Jay.
Bleek could be one hit away his whole career. As long as I'm alive he's a millionaire, and even if I die he's in my will somewhere - Jay-Z. Jay never cut bleek off
The real reason they broke up was because Dame, J Prince and others were trying to set up a black owned distribution label but Jay-z told the powers that be about it and they stopped the deal from going through.
You you actually believe that don't you you actually believe what you just said there's absolutely no proof in what you just said you just made that up actually I heard that rumor before but it's foolishness pure nonsense they broke up because Jay z outgrew dame
All facts!!!!!! . These cats really think that the streets love you, lol . Jay had the mindset a long time ago to get in, and get out. So to all you cats that think he was wrong, Get some grown up about yourselves!!!!! Period
Him, The DOC, No Limit Records, 50 Cent (for a rapper as impactful as he was, his time in the spotlight was roughly equal to Ja Rule's), Kelis, Wale and Ras Kass.
Dames biggest flaw is not being able to read the temperature in the room. Where my late 30s early 40s people at. Roc a Fella split was 100% because damn not only sign cam but made him the president. Jay played it cool and never made a huge fuss about it. He even did a song with cam 😂 then cut Dame out of everything. 2 more for cam taking over the ROC. I never forget telling my homie at the time who was a big dipset fan that Jayz was going to get rid of Dame. I was a teenager at the time and I understood this. This had nothing to do with money and everything to do with Betrayal.
This was a great UA-cam video but it reminds me of one thing how we let hip-hop slide between our fingers like sand we all should be eating off hip-hop but we are not
One more thing: You could probably do an episode on Boosie & Webbie. In fact, I'm urging you to do that. So much of the same dynamics you describe are at play in their relationship. I remember the Vlad interview where Boosie respectfully said that he & Webbie are on "different grinds. "
Nah, their growth wasn’t stunted. What had happened was going to happen and should have happened. In life, you’re gonna have to evolve or remain stagnant.
I’ll never forget when Jay-Z got some award in Philly and Freeway had to stand WAY off to the side when the pictures were being taken because of his criminal past…couldn’t be in the picture with Jay…no, sir. LOL>
How do you know that's the reason why freeway was standing way up to the side you don't know that to be true that he stood up to the side because of his criminal past I don't even believe that listen all of the guys that were signed the Rockefeller have the ability to do whatever it is they need to do for their careers if they're doing something or not doing something that's up to them cream always rises to the top you see Kanye Kanye's doing what he needs to do those other guys are doing whatever they're doing facts
I heard Jay was only supposed to be one album and done…i believe that the late success of reasonable doubt kinda fueled Jay to prove a point to the industry that got him caught up in the whirlwind of success and wanted to become the best rapper alive…i believe Dame was the alpha of the group and saw Jay as a tool to become the biggest executive of all time…. On one side of the coin they all played there position to the tee but they all couldn’t be there greatest self together so the split was inevitable 🤷🏾♂️…. Dope vid salute to the R.O.C we will never see another label like it 🫡‼️
That was the Priority deal..,but it was successful and the Island Def Jam deal was lucrative...that was for 3 albums...In My Lifetime Vol I, Volume II : The Hard Knock Life, and Volume 3 : The Life & Times of Shawn Carter...the roster grew and Jay Z was Mike Jordan of the franchise...so the Roc went on a another championship run ...the Blueprint, Roc La Familia, The Blueprint Part 2, and the Black Album...etc...Jay was tired of being a artist, he wanted to do A& R too!
Thank you for making this video. I’ve been able to see things from a different perspective and remain objective. Jay Z had a goal and vision in mind. No disrespect to Dame and the other parties involved, but their vision wasn’t the same. Success is a universal word but it is still subjective to the individual. After reading 50 cent’s book Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter. I see this differently. RIP Jam master J (he remained in the same area and was murdered by his own people). The same people he was loyal but they were no longer loyal to him because of his success. Sometimes you have to choose to eat and or be eaten. Jay Z chose to eat. 🤷🏿♀️
Jay Z low-key is conscious rap...you're not listening to the game. Just bc it doesn't have a jazz sample and boom bap ...but like Jay said "Do y'all listen to music or do ya'll just skim through it)...maybe 444 is the album for you
Your absolutely right about everything you said especially, everyone wasn't built to go. Beanie Sigel, Memphis Bleek, Oscino and Sparks, Peedi Crack, and Sauce Money we're too street to change. Jay Saw that.
Reasonable Doubt didn't make Jay Z a household name. It wasn't until Hard Knock Life until Jay received mega success. Before then he was known but not a Megastar.
To me it was inevitable the Roc would break up. But if they didn't where would they be today as a team and the individual members? Personally I can't even picture a dude like Dame in the circles Jay be in. In a god way though. Dame too real. Don't get enough credit.
Can we get The Pharcyde or No Limit Records?
So So Def?
Run-DMC
Cash money
Will Smith
MC Hammer
💎The Roc owes a lot of their success to Just Blaze. Dude was making beats and engineering entire albums consistently and making tracks for EA Sports🔥💯‼️
Especially Cam'ron.
There's talented producers all over the 🌎. Roc a Fella gave him an opportunity just like they did for Kanye. Gotta pay respect to the label 1st. ✌️
This is facts. Just blaze carried roc on his Back for a while
@@Scoobinho11I'm pretty sure justblaze got paid well he's smart!
Just Blaze was partly responsible for the Rocafella sound....but he was not engineering albums, everyone had a job and Just was a super producer.
That was Young Guru's job as he was "chief engineer", same was hip-hop was A&R for the Roc.
And there were other engineers too, Guru was just the main engineer for all the prpjects and he's still Roc Nation main engineer today.
Memphis Bleek always played his part, stayed in his lane and understood where he fit. Loyal to the end.
Jay and bleek were more like family, their relationship goes all the way back to marcy, their families were friends, they ate at each houses, so their friendship is genuine, it was deeper than business
@Veezo Uptown
2 Gold plaques.
The original Roc will go down in Hip-Hop history as one of the best record labels back when labels meant alot in the business.
Death Row had way more talent. Snoop Dogg, 2pac, Dr.Dre, Nate Dogg, and Dogg Pound
@whatwouldezrado
Suge "Fake Blood" knight was WAAAAAY more stupid than Shawn "I'm focus" Carter
@@whatwouldezrado I would say Death Row,LaFace, Rap a lot,Cash Money,No Limit,and The Roc are the top labels of the 90's to the early 2000's.
Facts. To me the best hip hop label ever.
As a kid I was so naïve to think that shit would last forever🤦🏾♂️🥴
Facts I thought the same thing
That was all of us.
U not the only one
Lookin back. Foolish to think alotta shit was 😭😂
Nothing lasts forever.
Next to the Chicago Bulls dynasty, Roc-a-fella records breaking up was hard for me to endure.
you got blame jerry Krause for breaking up the bulls atleast let them defend their title but I was watching an interview with sauce money he said he didn't see rocafella lasting
What you said about “changing clothes” is so real. I’ve tried to help family members and give them some corporate game, but they want to “keep it real” and think that mindset is going to get them some where. When they end up exactly where they started, they want to look at you as if it’s your fault. FOH!!
You gotta grow up and switch it up. The bag and security is worth it. Nobody cares about keeping it real. Dead weight is a burden.
@@dcoldestjenkins5868 swears in life you can’t help everybody
I know what you are talking about. I see it all the time here in the hood. That mentality is garbage. Keeping it real is for suckers. That version of keeping it real. The real version of it is when you know how to adapt but you remain true to yourself and never giving up your principles. That's keeping it real. Not doing it to uphold some image for people that could care less if you make it or not
Something I know all too well!
@@handsomedubbledee right look at Eminem, imagine him still acting like a trailer trash white boy and was still complaining about his upbringings to this day
I'm a black man but eventually you gotta rise up out that mindset
The reason Jay-Z still is relevant is because he left that life literally and lyrically
Both biggie and pac was the same and had they'd live they'd be where Jay Z is
Back in the mid 90s your first album was the Genesis of who you were and how got to your hero's journey
Then afterwards is your socalled "journey into the abyss" (your block boys who won't change causing your career damage)
Then finally it's your "slaying the dragon" (waking away from your old block boys) arc
It's from "the hero of a 1000s faces" by Joseph Campbell
This is a book I know Jay-Z acknowledged he read and I suggest anyone getting in the entertainment business to read
🎶Dame made millions, Ye made millions, Just made millions, Biggs made millions, Cam made millions, Beans will tell you if he wasn't in his feelings.🎶
Beans was too street that's the problem it's a good thing but a bad at the same time you gotta know how to balance especially during business atmosphere
@@Jac735 That’s not a good thing lol…
@@martyrx3436 I'm saying fam it's good that he has a street mentality cuz cats ain't fighting fair nowadays and at least he has credibility plus he raps so he has stories to back it up plus in state property he played his part proper thats what I mean he is lyrical could have dropped more gems since he had bars for days but was too street he could toned it down a notch
As far as Jay it was about self preservation. He aspirations for more and everyone around Rocafella did not fit his vision.
Dame was a "car salesman" not a "Fortune 500 CEO". He was very flashy and persuasive and Jay needed that to get the industry to buy into him. That was the whole reason Roc-A-Fella even existed. Once they achieved that goal, it was OVER! Everyone made their money, scored the victory and it was time to separate.
They can blame Jay all they want but 93% of them messed up their careers and blew through budgets, and advances and never expected to do anything more than bullshit and party
Bleek was riding Jay’s coattails, Beans was sent to prison, & Freeway took a 4 year hiatus to change his religion and deal with personal issues. They all had the tools but they screwed themselves over.
Jay got to a point in his life were he got tried of Damon's abrasive, loud, obnoxious, annoying & irritating personality and wanted to doing things on his on anyway. Jay wasn't going to allow anyone from stoping his continual progressiveness and mega success in the entertainment inindustry.& in his personal life.
Been watching your videos for a few months, and in my opinion this is one of your best stunted growth video so far 🙏🏽🔥💪🏽
The Joe Budden was one best videos. It was so well structured.
Roc A Fella’s prime run was like 90s Bulls, 00s Lakers and nowadays Warriors wrapped in 1 I pray to God we all get a documentary one day.
_”I’m not a businessman, I’m a BUSINESS, MAN!”_ *-Jay Hova*
when rocafella started signing well known street dudes Jay seen the writing on the wall because he was already hot I’m sure the feds was watching at that time. Jay started seeing the record label hustling backwards. Pay attention to murder inc, when certain people come around you gotta move around because they to hot.
Murder inc was getting extorted lol, big difference
You should do Killer Mike next. One of the most underrated lyricists to come out of the south that didn’t get the solo success he deserved.
Right when he was about to (RAP music) he had run the jewels.
Bro you be SPITTIN!!! I must say I agree with everything you said. Specifically the dead weight because the artists were too busy having one foot in mainstream and one foot in the streets.
That last part is a HUGE reason things went south!
@@Shalice14 yeah a lot of them got in legal trouble. Beans was the prime example of that.
@@SJtrey
Exactly.
Being born and raised in NYC and live through this in my elementary and high school years was epic...and then tragedy struck. Probably the best run ever. Better than even Death Row.
Better than death row ? How ? No way lol im from Marcy during the late 80s all the 90s n to the mid 2000s but nope jays best album vol 3 sold 5 mil but no way can it compete with any of pacs albums plus Doggystyle n chronic rocafella ruff riders n Murda inc all those new York labels of the late 90s early 2000s was trying to be what death row was n couldn't dubacate it I'm sorry fam
@@willholmes1690, that's where you fucked up. Beans, Young Gunz, Bleek and to put them over the top...THE DIPS. You're looking at sales. I'm looking at what came out top to bottom. You act like you don't rememeber when the ROC went up to Hot 97 and tore shit down better than G-Unit both times. How many albums did Dre put out on Death Row? How many albums did Snoop puu out on Death Row? How many albums did Pac put out on Death Row? Then you could the multiple albums HOV put out on Roc-A-Fella by himself and add up the sales. Then Beans went platinum and so did the Dips?
I get it you love your New York music but be realistic
Roc wasn't fuckin with Death Row. 2Pac, Dr.Dre, Snoop. Then Nate Dogg, Kurupt, Daz, Rage, RBX
Death Row paved the way
How long was Jay Z was supposed to keep carrying them? How long was Jay Z required to hold dead weight? They all cofounded a company and made millions. Maybe they cleaned up some drug money. I think a decade together was enough time. Jay Z wasn't required to let them eat off his talent til he died
Same thing with 50 and g unit
Exactly.
Jay did say we all should be each others crutches.
@@slimeballmk6656 ummm but the others could rap. Especially Lloyd and The Game. I just heard Lloyd was lazy I think
@@TheMzshaw my point Lloyd was mad talented but lazy and didn’t want to be a superstar and game was a nut job lol fif had his work cut out for him
This was one of your best analysis.
JC, bro some people might get mad. Tough pills are hard to swallow and getting mad won’t fix nothing. Fixing it fixes something. Great breakdown as always.
He really did air out Dipset and others lol. But as you said fixing things is what fixes things.
Jay said it himself "you can bullshit with rap if you want". The man gave the foresight on so many songs, had people had that same foresight I wouldn't say Roc would still be around, but maybe Roc Nation would have Dame somewhere in there.
You should do a episode on T.I. and the P.S.C. Pimp Squad Click. This was a great episode
This is 1 of the deepest & realest Stunted Growth music u have done. Salute my G
Honestly I think you should do one on R. Kelly. I can't think of too many people with a greater fall from grace than him.
Dame wanted the limelight and wanted to be known. Also burning bridges by screaming and being disrespectful is no way to handle business.
Exactly exactly
Rocafella died that was the end of his chapter and that's the guy you chose to name your company after. It was enivitable that the roc died.
lol...
U should do one on Souls of Mischief
The fact that Jay-z and Kanye came from Roc a fella makes them the best rap label of all time
Crazy when you think about it
Been waiting on this bro we never truly got a concrete story as to why but I’m glad we get to hear it from your perspective as to why.
I’m glad somebody is honest enough to admit that Roc had a lot of one hit wonders and dead weight
That's pure cap bruh
Like most of the acts went gold or better
Freeway-gold
Young gunz-gold
Cam-ron-platinum
Beanie sigel-2 gold albums and one platinum
Memphis bleek- 2 gold albums
Dipset first album went gold
Juelze went gold
Dj clue went platinum twice
State property went gold
Noreaga was already established when he signed to the roc
Mop was already established
Big l passed before his deal went through
Juelz Santana went gold
The roc had a strong movement before the break up
Before the break up
O and sparks was supposed to release and album
Rell was too
And peddi crakk
Heck young chris was due for a solo album
But that break up messed up everything
Lmao absolutely! Most of them were Jay's handpicked artists. He hated Cam'ron because he went platinum with his own formula.
@@deanbenford7363 no he didn't nigga went platinum with jays own sound and producers and didn't go platinum after that
After 2005 owning a record label isn't lucrative no more due too declining cd sales. Then came in ringtone rap and the next gen of subpar rappers. On top of that all his artist time came and went except for Kayne West. Who got big on his own. It's not a reason to keep owning a record label so you cash out and go into other businesses.
Warner Bros Atlantic Universal etc are still making music...Dame should have moved in to being a recording company.
Yeah, and also it wasn't lucrative to own a hip hop clothing line after like 2006 either, as the new generation of rappers preferred alternative or high end wear rather than streetwear, hence why TIs extremely underrated clothing line Akoo didn't blow as it should. A shame in my opinion as these clothing lines made us stand out from everyone else.
@@joebrat6809 It will come back like everything else
@@919ENTERTAINMENTLLC i hope so too we need it for the culture
That stuff you said about black owned labels was some real shii fr 💯
Your 3rd point is literally what Dame was talking back in the day why they hated him. He wanted to keep it in the culture not the culture vultures. Dame not perfect but his message you can’t say was bad
There’s no money in it long-term. The joke is that black people will bootleg your material before paying a higher price to support you. Black people make you known, white people make you rich. Same song, different verse.
True. But Dame is a natural entrepreneur like me. Jay is a businessman. Entrepreneurs are usually much more broker than businessmen.
Entrepreneurs tend to think about ownership and all that stuff. Businessmen don't get too attached to Any business. They build it up to sell it for multimillions or billions later. Rinse n repeat. Thats Jay's formula. So it is what it is
And don’t forget the same people offered wouldn’t trying give j a deal at first
(1) all of Dames personal assistants (Ashley, beth)
*Dame interns at ROC-A-WEAR & ROC-A-FELLA we're white as well
.how can you be about the culture while only hiring white people and using black people to make money
(2)dame NEVER cares about "culture" he only cares about Dame which is why dame ran to *Iceberg jeans(white people)- *Kept pictures of white men in his office -*Roc A Fella is the roc and Good Fellas Combined which were white men in the Mob.
*Dame promoted alcohol, drugs and S3X to blk ppl because we kept buying that street mess. We were buying the image that these were black men from the streets tryna make it and dame knew that which is why he kept pushing madness towards us. 🤦🏾♂️
(4)dame kids not even black , so he being inspired by white people, keeps running towards white people, PAYING white people and his own personal life is surrounded by non black kids.
Much respect for him starting the company and being the muscle to help break open the door. That's extremely hard and rare , he deserves his respect for that. But, please don't put him in some pedestal based on lies.
You're wrong because dame wanted the money for himself and he wanted to keep squeezing money out of blk ppl because we were the main consumers of hip hop .
If a white company offered dame 100 million to sell his company he would do it.
How do I know?
Because when hayz sold ROC-A-WEAR for like $100 million, dame was mad he missed out on like $20 million, he did NOT care that Jay sold it to a white company
I hate to be messy but Damon started dating Aaliyah after Jay had been on a couple of dates with her ..and the fact Damon Dash basically cancelled Jay Z's Carter Faculty label side project but greenlighted his own Team Roc sports agency under the company umbrella was a issue...he did not want Jay Z to sign the Ranjaz or Geda K from Brooklyn but Dash brought in Cam and Dip Set from Harlem..where he is from...making Cam Vice President under him while Jay was vacationing with Beyonce...Lyor Cohen and Kevin Liles who were running Def Jam at the time...had arguments with Dame and sometimes Dame was on point about protecting the brand because they wanted to basically have Jay Z as their artist ...and make more decisions regarding his career...they as well as Steve Stoute were trying to make side deals with Jay Z...notice Jay only played a same part when Dame started making movies like "Paper Soldiers" and "Paid in Full" compared to " Streets Are Watching" and "Backstage" where he was basically the main focus...Sauce Money and Lupe Fiasco both had chances to join the Roc but they saw cracks in the diamond before a lot of other people!
The Roc was so aspirational back in the day. I miss those times.
Also, the homie Clout Cancun has a DOPE four part series on the Roc. Definitely check it out for an amazing deep dive!
Great Video I Grew Up In The Roc A Fella Era Always Wanted Someone Break Down The Reason Why The Label Broke Up
Wow. Very Dope video. It was deep but you made alot of points. Keep up the good work and appreciate it.
Jay is a businessman. I believe Dame like me is a natural entrepreneur. Us entrepreneurs tend to always think about ownership and shit like that. We tend to also be much poorer than the businessman.
The businessman like Jay...is very smart. He doesn't let himself get too attached to Any business. He builds that business up....and sell it a few years later...and does that to every business he's attached too. He takes a million dollar business and turns it into a multimillion dollar deals 3-5 years later...with multiple businesses. Rinse and repeat. While us entrepreneurs stay broke waiting for our business to creep up slowly but surely. SMH!
So I'm trying to think more like a businessman and less like an entrepreneur. Of course keep my entrepreneur mind...but try to incorporate some business-minded tactics in some of my business dealings.
I like how you broke that down! Got me over here thinking 🤣☺️ Thank you!
One of your best yet, thank you 💯💯
Stunted growth..."don't be afraid to speak the truth" John 8:32! Continue to walk in your integrity! Most of the things you bring out is true! I remember these artists coming up. Your videos give "constructive criticism" on their Stunted growth 👏. We need that "ruff ryder" video or the artists from that group. Thanks
The accuracy in Stunt #2 is amazing cause that's when Roc-A-Fella started to dip for me when they were randomly signing artists that really weren't going to blow on the record and the label already peaked. Jay-Z was opposite of Diddy with Bad Boy his artists could've been a big as Jay but "too much dead weight" is 🎯 cause alot of them didn't have to drive or the ethic to become a boss like Jay-Z wanted to and did. That was the beginning of the end.
I don't think any artist on Roc-A- Fella could have been as big as Jay except for Kanye.
That’s why Kanye is still relevant and a billionaire today, because out of all the Roc-A-Fella artists, he was basically the only one who had that drive.
@@akeme25 Most definitely he was hungry and had the drive like Jay to become his own boss and not just there for the ride.
Damn! This might be the best Stunted Growth episode because #3 is accurate AFFFFF.
Can you do a ruff ryders? Or drag-on? Eve?
Ali Talks Music just did a Drag-On vid
All of those stunts were accurate especially Stunt #2. I remember at a time they brought ODB (in which they had a chance to do something with but didn't), MOP and Nicole Wray. And I knew that all the bad fits and dead weight were going to be an issue down the road.
*were* ,not we're (we are) and you forgot to mention Twista because he was supposed to be signed to Roc-A-Fella, but Atlantic Records kept that from happening.
Dame was signing everybody cuz Hov was "retiring". He was the only one going platinum and bringing in real money so i guess Dame figured he'd sign some ppl who already had a name and since they were on the hottest label it would breathe new life into them and help boost their sells. In hindsight now it makes more sense why he bought Cam in and after he went platinum Dame was ready to give him that VP position.
Jay wanted to do his own thang anyway and once Liar I mean Lyor Cohen got in the mix it was a rap literally but everything happens for a reason is what I believe anyway!
JayZ just knew he was going to be stuck in place if he continued to stay with the clown shit. Even these days the thing that's changed the most about dame is his level of success....
DAM❗️This was a 🔥🔥Episode!!!! Love Your Work 😎👍🏽👍🏽
Can you do a video on t-pain he had so many hits of the 2000s
Roc-A-Fella was the East Coast equivalent of Death Row Records & Dame's power trippin' (like Suge) led to dey demise.
Dame still free and still Rich not the same
@@retroesso I see ur point however $50k ain't rich (compared to wat he used to have)
@@bruceking7416 please don’t believe celebrity networth they aren’t accurate at all
@@retroesso I would say Dame dash is rich broke. Rich to normal regular folks & broke to rich wealthy folks.
@@tonytheunderdogg9702 nah rich is rich and dame is rich period! He’s got art studios, compounds, networks, licensing deals, owns master recordings, and othe lucrative businesses dame is far from broke
Bro. Thank you for this excellent work of breaking down the rise and fall of the best hip hop group. I've watched you great basketball players break down, love your work. Continue success.
Hey man, you think it’s possible to do one of D12 or of someone obscure like Redman?
Hey JZ Stunted Growth love ❤ this channel always look forward to a new episodes when it drops. This is the best SG ever because you nailed this situation on the head, Jay-Z had the clarity to see where he could go/grow with his career as a Blackman,Rapper, and a Business man 👨💼 he showed by example and only a few others studied the blueprint and became successful as a boss that answer to no one but themselves. He can't bring the hood to the boardroom and still be successful and taken serious by these other white business man that own and operate some of the biggest brands and businesses in the 🌎. Us as Blackppl always want the free hookup like this at McDonald's wanting extra food, and shit don't work like that in real-life so he did what he had to do.
GREAT video! You seem poised to do Stunted Growth on entrepreneurs/business in general. StuntedGrowthBusiness could be something in the future. Been rocking with you for a couple years, btw. Keep it going!
I knew it was over when the Dipset drama popped off
Forgot to mention the homie Kanye. I know he had college dropout towards the end of the roc-a-fella run but he was the only standout mainstream wise like Jay.
Please do Duck Down and Bootcamp Click, Smiff and Wesson
they still around.. rock got a album out now smiff an wesson dropped last yr but i get where u comin from
Rest in Paradise, Sean Price.
@@workdirty1 what about Buckshot? He should get 1
@@glynch8093 i agree ..he still do shows but I haven't heard nothin new by him alone ..he was on Diamond D album last yr.
Damn!!! Accurate!!! I love it bro!! 🎯🎯🎯💯💯💯💯
Bleek could be one hit away his whole career. As long as I'm alive he's a millionaire, and even if I die he's in my will somewhere - Jay-Z.
Jay never cut bleek off
Next story should be on Nelly (& A.I. for basketball)
The real reason they broke up was because Dame, J Prince and others were trying to set up a black owned distribution label but Jay-z told the powers that be about it and they stopped the deal from going through.
You you actually believe that don't you you actually believe what you just said there's absolutely no proof in what you just said you just made that up actually I heard that rumor before but it's foolishness pure nonsense they broke up because Jay z outgrew dame
Noone mention thst but it was part of the problem
Business is business. Never get emotional about anything.
People will turn on someone quick.
All facts!!!!!! . These cats really think that the streets love you, lol . Jay had the mindset a long time ago to get in, and get out. So to all you cats that think he was wrong, Get some grown up about yourselves!!!!! Period
I be trying to think about who you haven’t done. It’s crazy how you always find one. Have you done one on YoungBloodZ??
Great video as always! Can please do Mac from no limits record! His career was definitely robbed from him!
Should do Slick Rick next
Him, The DOC, No Limit Records, 50 Cent (for a rapper as impactful as he was, his time in the spotlight was roughly equal to Ja Rule's), Kelis, Wale and Ras Kass.
Still the greatest Hip Hop label imo
Very interesting video.
Dames biggest flaw is not being able to read the temperature in the room.
Where my late 30s early 40s people at. Roc a Fella split was 100% because damn not only sign cam but made him the president.
Jay played it cool and never made a huge fuss about it. He even did a song with cam 😂 then cut Dame out of everything.
2 more for cam taking over the ROC. I never forget telling my homie at the time who was a big dipset fan that Jayz was going to get rid of Dame. I was a teenager at the time and I understood this.
This had nothing to do with money and everything to do with Betrayal.
The Jay hatas and Dame stans don't wanna hear this 💯
You should do a video on the rapper dolla
This was a great UA-cam video but it reminds me of one thing how we let hip-hop slide between our fingers like sand we all should be eating off hip-hop but we are not
We've witness a dynasty like no other and one of the greatest hip hop labels ever, cool video SGM, One
I agree with the video but no one has ever heard of Memphis bleek saying anything bad about Jay z. Neither has freeway .
One more thing: You could probably do an episode on Boosie & Webbie. In fact, I'm urging you to do that. So much of the same dynamics you describe are at play in their relationship. I remember the Vlad interview where Boosie respectfully said that he & Webbie are on "different grinds. "
#3 you really did it with this right here “it’s all me not us”
Nah, their growth wasn’t stunted. What had happened was going to happen and should have happened. In life, you’re gonna have to evolve or remain stagnant.
Rap-a-Lot didn't sell..and I don't see Top Dog or QC..selling....
Aside from Geto Boys and Scarface.
Can You Do Video On Hurricane Chris, Dru Hill , 3LW Or Lucy Pearl
What about the stunted growth of St Lunatics?
I wanna see STATE PROPERTY pleeeeessee!!!!
I’ll never forget when Jay-Z got some award in Philly and Freeway had to stand WAY off to the side when the pictures were being taken because of his criminal past…couldn’t be in the picture with Jay…no, sir. LOL>
How do you know that's the reason why freeway was standing way up to the side you don't know that to be true that he stood up to the side because of his criminal past I don't even believe that listen all of the guys that were signed the Rockefeller have the ability to do whatever it is they need to do for their careers if they're doing something or not doing something that's up to them cream always rises to the top you see Kanye Kanye's doing what he needs to do those other guys are doing whatever they're doing facts
I really like this channel
1. Jay’s ego
2. Dame’s ego
3. Lyor’s influence
Do a Stunted Growth for the legendary west coast, Movie actor, and pimp my ride host Xzibit. His must was a really good musician.
What was that guy shaving on Dame's head
I heard Jay was only supposed to be one album and done…i believe that the late success of reasonable doubt kinda fueled Jay to prove a point to the industry that got him caught up in the whirlwind of success and wanted to become the best rapper alive…i believe Dame was the alpha of the group and saw Jay as a tool to become the biggest executive of all time…. On one side of the coin they all played there position to the tee but they all couldn’t be there greatest self together so the split was inevitable 🤷🏾♂️…. Dope vid salute to the R.O.C we will never see another label like it 🫡‼️
You heard right it’s said in the intro
That was the Priority deal..,but it was successful and the Island Def Jam deal was lucrative...that was for 3 albums...In My Lifetime Vol I, Volume II : The Hard Knock Life, and Volume 3 : The Life & Times of Shawn Carter...the roster grew and Jay Z was Mike Jordan of the franchise...so the Roc went on a another championship run ...the Blueprint, Roc La Familia, The Blueprint Part 2, and the Black Album...etc...Jay was tired of being a artist, he wanted to do A& R too!
@@BigDapPacino I agree but I don’t think he intended to go on this long of a run 🤷🏾♂️
@@retroesso facts
Thank you for making this video. I’ve been able to see things from a different perspective and remain objective. Jay Z had a goal and vision in mind. No disrespect to Dame and the other parties involved, but their vision wasn’t the same.
Success is a universal word but it is still subjective to the individual.
After reading 50 cent’s book Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter. I see this differently.
RIP Jam master J (he remained in the same area and was murdered by his own people). The same people he was loyal but they were no longer loyal to him because of his success.
Sometimes you have to choose to eat and or be eaten. Jay Z chose to eat. 🤷🏿♀️
We need a Black Rob Stunt Growth.
Nas buried them all with Ether.
I think the best stunted growths are the 1s where there aren't 1000 other videos or documentaries on a particular artist or label
Never really cared for Jay-Z because I was more in to conscious rap. But your points are valid 💯
Jay Z low-key is conscious rap...you're not listening to the game. Just bc it doesn't have a jazz sample and boom bap ...but like Jay said "Do y'all listen to music or do ya'll just skim through it)...maybe 444 is the album for you
Reasonable Doubt is a street conscious album to me. Even songs like Minority Report show Jay's conscious capabilities
I'm sorry.. is your name Jz sgm?... or is it JC... I never really hear it correctly
Rawkus Records next please
Dipset was producing
Your absolutely right about everything you said especially, everyone wasn't built to go. Beanie Sigel, Memphis Bleek, Oscino and Sparks, Peedi Crack, and Sauce Money we're too street to change. Jay Saw that.
Wow bro, that last part was too real.
Roc a fella just might have had the best roster of all time think about and give me your opinion please
Cam,Kanye,Jay, State property, Dip set,Twista, Christian full of smoke, ECT oh yeah Young Gunn's
You should do a stunted growth on Suave House Records next.
Surprised it's only 12 minutes I feel like there's alot of details in the break up.
Reasonable Doubt didn't make Jay Z a household name. It wasn't until Hard Knock Life until Jay received mega success. Before then he was known but not a Megastar.