Tag Archives: Jay-Z
Jay-Z creates Roc Nation Sports
Jay Z is expanding his influence from music and fashion into professional sport. Yesterday, the rapper and record mogul announced the creation of Roc Nation Sports, an agency for athletes such as baseball star Robinson Canó.
Canó’s contract is the first home run for Jay-Z’s new company, created with Roc Nation president Juan Perez and in partnership with Creative Artists Agency, a top talent shop. The New York Yankees’ second baseman is in the final season of a $57m (£38m) deal, and was previously represented by super-agent Scott Boras. When ESPN contacted Boras yesterday, he indicated that his former client hadn’t told him about the news. “I don’t want to comment, other than to say I haven’t spoken to [Canó],” Boras said. “I hope to.”
In recent years, Jay-Z’s sporting affairs have gone a lot further than raps about Freddy Adu and Michael Jordan. In 2004, he bought into the New Jersey Nets, a basketball team that has since become the Brooklyn Nets, and although the rapper’s stake is reportedly only about 0.07%, he has more or less become the face of the franchise. Now, Jay-Z is allegedly planning to become a certified sports agent, working with baseball players and eventually in basketball and American football. “Because of my love of sports, it was a natural progression to form a company where we can help top athletes in various sports the same way we have been helping artists in the music industry for years,” he said in a statement.
Although Jay-Z is still a long way from being hip-hop’s Jerry Maguire, the rapper’s new enterprise has lots of help. Canó will be represented at Roc Nation Sports by a team of agents borrowed from Creative Artists Agency, which already works with stars such as Buster Posey, Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham.
Until now, the most notorious crossover of hip-hop and sports agency was No Limit Sports, launched by rapper Master P. As a rep for NFL running back Ricky Williams, Master P inked a contract that is considered one of the worst sport deals of all time: Williams only ever received $3.8m of a purported $68.4m contract. Master P is no longer active as a sports agent.
In addition to brushing up on his sport-contract legalese, Jay-Z is reportedly finishing work on the soundtrack for Baz Luhrmann’s upcoming Great Gatsby movie. While Craig Armstrong composed the score, Jigga is the executive producer; he has apparently collaborated with the Bullitts’ Jeymes Samuel as well as DJ Kid Koala. This week, E! News reported that Jay-Z’s wife, Beyoncé, will contribute a cover of Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black, recorded with Outkast rapper André 3000.
Grammy Winners List: Gotye, Miguel, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Drake & More Win At 2013 Awards
LOS ANGELES — Winners in selected major categories at the 55th annual Grammy Awards announced Sunday during the pre-telecast ceremony at the Nokia Theatre:
_ Pop/duo group performance: “Somebody That I Used to Know,” Gotye featuring Kimbra.
_ Traditional pop vocal album: “Kisses on the Bottom,” Paul McCartney.
_ Rap performance: “N(asterisk)(asterisk)(asterisk)(asterisk)s in Paris,” Jay-Z, Kanye West.
_ Rap song: “N(asterisk)(asterisk)(asterisk)(asterisk)s in Paris,” Shawn Carter, Mike Dean, Chauncey Hollis, Kanye West.
_ Rap album: “Take Care,” Drake.
_ R&B performance: “Climax,” Usher.
_ Traditional R&B performance: “Love on Top,” Beyonce.
_ R&B song: “Adorn,” Miguel Pimentel.
_ R&B album: “Black Radio,” Robert Glasper Experiment.
_ Rock song: “Lonely Boy,” The Black Keys.
_ Rock album: “El Camino,” The Black Keys.
_ Hard rock/metal performance: “Love Bites (So Do I),” Halestorm.
_ Alternative music album: “Making Mirrors,” Gotye.
_ Dance recording: “Bangarang,” Skrillex featuring Sirah.
_ Dance/electronica album: “Bangarang,” Skrillex.
_ Latin pop album: “MTV Unplugged Deluxe Edition,” Juanes.
_ Latin rock, urban or alternative album: “Imaginares,” Quetzal.
_ Latin jazz album: “Ritmo!,” The Clare Fisher Latin Jazz Big Band.
_ Tropical Latin album: “Retro,” Marlow Rosado Y La Riquena.
_ Country duo/group performance: “Pontoon,” Little Big Town.
_ Country song: “Blown Away,” Josh Kear, Chris Tompkins.
_ Gospel song: “Go Get It,” Mary Mary.
_ Gospel album: “Gravity,” Leerae.
_ Blues album: “Locked Down,” Dr. John.
_ Folk album: “The Goat Rodeo Sessions,” Yo-Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile.
_ Americana album: “Slipstream,” Bonnie Raitt.
_ Bluegrass album: “Nobody Knows You,” Steep Canyon Rangers.
_ Reggae album: “Rebirth,” Jimmy Cliff.
_ World music album: “The Living Room Sessions Part 1,” Ravi Shankar.
_ Children’s album: “Can You Canoe?,” The Okee Dokee Brothers.
_ Spoken word album: “Society’s Child: My Autobiography,” Janis Ian.
_ Comedy album: “Blow Your Pants Off,” Jimmy Fallon.
_ New age album: “Echoes of Love,” Omar Akram.
_ Jazz vocal album: “Radio Music Society,” Esperanza Spalding.
_ Jazz instrumental album: “Unity Band,” Pat Metheny Unity Band.
_ Large jazz ensemble album: “Dear Diz (Every Day I Think of You),” Arturo Sandoval.
_ Pop instrumental album: “Impressions,” Chris Botti.
_ Compilation soundtrack album: “Midnight in Paris,” various artists.
_ Score soundtrack album: “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross.
_ Song written for visual media: “Safe & Sound” (From “The Hunger Games”), Taylor Swift, John Paul White, Joy Williams.
_ Musical theater album: “Once: A New Musical,” Steve Kazee, Cristin Milioti.
_ Producer of the year, classical: Blanton Alspaugh.
_ Producer of the year, non-classical: Dan Auerbach.
_ Instrumental composition: “Mozart Goes Dancing,” Chick Corea.
_ Orchestral performance: “Adams: Harmonielehre & Short Ride in a Fast Machine,” Michael Tilson Thomas (San Francisco Symphony).
_ Opera recording: “Wagner, Der Ring des Nibelungen,” James Levine and Fabio Luisi.
_ Choral performance: “Life & Breath: Choral Works by Rene Clausen,” Charles Bruffy.
_ Short-form music video: “We Found Love,” Rihanna featuring Calvin Harris.
_ Long-form music video: “Big Easy Express,” Mumford & Sons.
_ Historical album: “The Smile Sessions” (Deluxe Box Set), Alan Boyd, Mark Linett, Brian Wilson, Dennis Wolfe.
Beanie Sigel Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison
from TMZ
Rapper Beanie Sigel has been sentenced to spend two years behind bars for stiffing the IRS out of more than $700k in back taxes.
Sigel — who’s worked with some of the biggest names in rap including Jay-Z and Snoop — had previously pled guilty to not filing federal tax returns for the years 2003, 2004 and 2005.
During today’s sentencing hearing in U.S District Court in Philadelphia … Beanie told the judge he accepts “total responsibility” … but griped about family members who allegedly spent him dry while he was serving time for drug and gun crimes back in 2004 and 2005.
“I haven’t been able to get my career back on track since” … Sigel told the court.
Beanie has until Sept. 12 to surrender to authorities to begin his sentence.
Hiphop on Trial: HipHop doesn’t enhance society, it degrades it
On Tuesday 26th June 2012, Hiphop was put on trial. The charge? That it degrades society rather than enhances it. An Intelligence Squared debate on rap, involving everyone from Jesse Jackson and Q-Tip to PJ O’Rourke and Emily Maitlis, was more baffling than anything else.
1,600 or so people descended on the Barbican in London for what was hailed as “the first-ever global debate on hip-hop”. Arranged by Google and Intelligence Squared – bespoke organisers of online conferences who recently staged something similar on the War on Drugs – it was like a cross between Question Time and a show trial, with advocates and speakers for and against the motion: “Hip-Hop Doesn’t Enhance Society, It Degrades It.”
There was even a live online vote, with statistics presented on giant screens and references to “swings” like a hip-hop version of Peter Snow on election night. To add to the gravitas of it all, we had BBC Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis chairing the debate, and speakers ranging from the Jesse Jackson and Shaun Bailey – a special adviser to David Cameron on youth, crime and welfare issues – to rapper KRS-One and poet Benjamin Zephaniah, as well as a host of academics. There were even satellite link-ups with, among others, Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest and satirist PJ O’Rourke. Mystifyingly, Jemima Khan was our web-host.
Check out the full debate below and let us know what you think
The Hidden Truth About Hip-Hop Conspiracy Theories
The hip-hop blogosphere has been throwing fits over an anonymous letter entitled “The Secret Meeting that Changed Rap Music and Destroyed a Generation” and only Jay Smooth can see the secret order behind this shadowy intrigue.
Music by Sabzi of Common Market
Beyonce named the world’s most beautiful woman
Motherhood looks good on you, Beyonce! Especially in the eyes of People magazine, which named the entertainment dynamo its world’s most beautiful woman for 2012.
“I feel more beautiful than I’ve ever felt because I’ve given birth,” she told the mag. “I have never felt so connected, never felt like I had such a purpose on this earth, never so proud of myself.” Blue Ivy Carter, her baby girl with hubby Jay-Z, was born Jan. 7.
Part of that purpose? Changing diapers, which apparently is also quite beautiful at Casa de Carter — enough that Beyonce expressed “love” for the task.
Sofia Vergara, Charlize Theron, Lily Collins, Madeleine Stowe, Christina Hendricks, Michelle Williams, Paula Patton, Miranda Lambert and Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, are featured on the list as well. And, of course, there are some beautiful men, among them David Beckham, Blake Shelton, Ashton Kutcher and last year’s sexiest man alive, Bradley Cooper.
In case you were worried about 30-year-old Bey getting a big head about it all, never fear. “Being named the world’s most beautiful woman is really hard to say,” she revealed in behind-the-scenes video from her cover shoot. “It’s overwhelming. It makes me feel very crunchy, and that means embarrassed.” The 16-time Grammy winner says getting this recognition after giving birth makes it even better.
Kanye West’s new track and Kardashian rumors
Kanye West has changed the title of his controversial new song following a backlash from the manufacturer of the drug it’s named after, who slammed the rapper for inappropriately cribbing their product’s name.
Henceforth, West would like you to know that you should call the track “Way Too Cold.”
The song is now available on itunes
Meanwhile, Ye has been on the defense that he ever called Kim Kardashian his Beyonce. Ouch, something about that just seems so…. shallow.
Oprah Is Not The Godmother
Blue Ivy Carter really is going to live her best life.
On Wednesday and Thursday, another rumor about Beyonce and Jay-Z’s infant daughter blazed the web: That the couple chose pal Oprah Winfrey to be Blue’s godmother.
When asked by Us Weekly about the story, a rep for Beyonce declined to comment. But Winfrey’s BFF Gayle King finally cleared things up Friday morning on CBS’ “The Early Show.”
“It’s absolutely not true that she’s the godmother,” King said. “She’s friends with them, of course, and likes them both very much. She’s working on sending them a baby gift. She hasn’t even had time to send a baby gift because she’s been away.”
She added, “Let me just say, if [that report is] true, it is news to her. It is news to her. You know, she was heading to South Africa when the baby was born.”
Before King debunked the story, Kathy Griffin joked about Beyonce’s famous pals. “R u fing kidding me??? Oprah is Blue Ivy’s godmother???” the comedienne tweeted Thursday. “Gwyneth must b PISSED.”
Beyonce, 30, and Jay-Z, 42, are close pals with Gwyneth Paltrow (she was among the first to tweet about Blue’s birth) and well as Winfrey, 57.
Hip-hop gossip site MediaTakeOut first reported the supposed news, adding that Jay-Z’s BFF Tyran “Ty Ty” Smith was named godfather.
Blue Ivy was born in New York on Jan. 7. “She is so beautiful,” Beyonce’s Destiny’s Child bandmate Kelly Rowland recently gushed. The first-time mom has yet to emerge in public since giving birth.
Beyonce’s Parents, Matthew and Tina Knowles, Finalize Divorce
Beyonce is still crazy in love with hubby Jay-Z, but her parents’ romance is officially over.
Matthew and Tina Knowles’ divorce was finalized last month in a Texas court, according to documents obtained by TMZ. Tina, 57, filed for divorce from manager Matthew, 60, in 2009.
According to TMZ, Tina declared the marriage fell apart because of “discord or conflict of personalities” that “prevents any reasonable expectation of reconciliation.”
According to E! News, which also confirmed the story, the divorce was finalized on Nov. 11, with both a judgment agreed upon and an order signed.
The duo married in 1980 and are parents to Beyonce, 30, and Solange, 25. Solange has a 7-year-old son, Julez, and Beyonce and Jay-Z are expecting a daughter in early 2012.
Tina works as a stylist and co-created the House of Dereon clothing label with Beyonce. Matthew served as the manager of Destiny’s Child and then Beyonce’s manager until March, when the father and daughter ended their professional relationship.
Kanye West invites world leaders to his funeral
Kanye West’s biggest idol is Kanye West- and recently, he took some time to consider who exactly should be at his hero’s funeral, if that time should even come.
In a sound bite on VOYR (an ‘access-all’, behind-the-scenes website for Kanye and Jay-Z’s ‘Watch the Throne’ tour), Kanye says:
“I was just thinking about my funeral and stuff a couple days ago and thinking who would be at my funeral.
“People who I want to be in the funeral. I wanna have world leaders that were, like, affected, that said, you know, ‘Kanye gave me my shot here.’ Or ‘he pushed me,’ or ‘he told me to believe in myself,’ or ‘when I saw this, it made me feel like that.’
“I wanna affect people like that when I, like, pass away.”
Strange that it’s not an Earth holiday on that holy day, but we’re guessing secretly Kanye even doubts such a time will even come.
