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Dame Dash may have passed on a million-dollar opportunity, according to rapper Cam’ron. On a recent episode of his talk show, “Talk with Flee,” on Revolt, Cam’ron criticized Dame Dash following his appearance on “The Breakfast Club,” and reportedly accused him of “mixing the truth with the lies.” Cam’ron said Dame Dash rejected a $1 million offer from him and fellow rapper Mase to purchase his 33.3% stake in Roc-A-Fella Records after rapper NBA YoungBoy allegedly offered $2 million, Complex reports. “I’ve never known Dame to be a liar, but the way he was mixing the truth with the lies? Bro, that was really, really disappointing,” Cam’ron said, per Complex. “For instance, just one of the scenarios: He was like, ‘Yo, Cam and Mase, they didn’t really want to buy my third of Roc-A-Fella; they were just doing that to tease [Jay-Z].’” As previously reported by AFROTECH™, Dame Dash had to sell his Roc-A-Fella stake in 2024 to settle an $800,000 judgment stemming from a copyright and...
Roc Nation’s proposal for a casino has been denied. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, SL Green, and Caesars Entertainment had plans to bid for a casino, called Caesars Palace Times Square, which has been met with controversy. The casino was projected to bring over 130 million visitors annually and promote “economic opportunity.” Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez even told iHeartRadio that New Yorkers would be given a chance to invest in the casino. “There’s a program that we’ve partnered with where if you wanted to invest $500 into the casino deal, you’re going to be able to get into this fund,” Perez said, according to iHeartRadio. “You’re going to be part of a fund that is invested in the casino, which is unusual. It’s not something that normally happens, but it’s something that we’re providing so that the community or anyone in New York City can be part of.” Deadline reports that the Community Advisory Committee denied the casino proposal in a 4-2 vote. The green...
New Yorkers will have the opportunity to invest in plans for a new casino. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Jay-Z’s Roc Nation partnered with SL Green and Caesars Entertainment to place a bid to open Caesars Palace Times Square, a gaming facility that is projected to attract over 130 million visitors annually. Since a gaming license is necessary to get project plans in motion, the group has been waiting for that crucial approval for the past five years, iHeartRadio reports. “There’s no better partner than JAY-Z and Roc Nation to help Caesars Palace Times Square ensure that Times Square remains a global entertainment hub and an economic engine for New York,” Marc Holliday, chairman and CEO of SL Green, said at the time, according to a press release. “Together, we will bring the nearly 130 million annual pedestrians a stronger and more exciting Times Square to visit, reunifying the bow tie around a new set of innovative programming that will appeal to New Yorkers and tourists.”...
Hit-Boy is officially a free man! As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Hit-Boy, born Chauncey Alexander Hollis Jr., secured a deal with Universal Music Group in 2007 that included a $50,000 check. Due to his upbringing, which included having a father who was in prison for most of his life and a teen mother who did not have steady financial means, the music opportunity appeared to be a redemption arc. “I never really had the sh-t I wanted. I always had what I needed, you know what I mean? Something to eat, place to stay, but I wanted more for myself,” Hit-Boy explained on “The Shop” podcast. “So, you know, just like, I took that opportunity and didn’t know, didn’t have the guidance, didn’t have those figures around me to tell me like, ‘Nah, they got you locked in this for a long time.’” The deal with Universal Music Group was “the worst publishing contract” that Hit-Boy’s lawyers had ever seen. However, it appears Hit-Boy can finally run his victory lap thanks to the help of Jay-Z and...
This Black-owned restaurant received a stamp of approval from Jay-Z and Beyoncé! Taste Kitchen + Bar Downtown Houston’s Taste Kitchen + Bar is a beloved Southern comfort and brunch restaurant owned by University of Houston alum Chef Don Bowie. Its current location is situated in downtown at 420 Main St. and opened in 2022. Customers can line up as early as 8 a.m. for brunch items that include peach cobbler waffles, steak and eggs, and elevated grits. Also featured on its menu is smothered chicken, greens, candied yams, jerk lamb chops paired with smoked gouda mac and cheese, cajun or smothered fries, and also various cocktails desserts. “At Taste, we don’t just serve food—we serve soul,” Bowie told Houston Style Magazine. “Each dish tells a story rooted in tradition, culture, and celebration.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Taste Kitchen + Bar (@tastekitchenbar) Taste Kitchen + Bar has seen an influx of customers over the years, but over the weekend, Bowie received...
Memphis Bleek’s trust in Jay-Z led him to turn down a five-figure signing bonus. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, Memphis Bleek splashed onto the music scene by being featured on the “Coming of Age” track of Jay-Z’s “Reasonable Doubt” album. He later became the first artist signed to Jay-Z’s label, Roc-A-Fella Records. The pair had also grown up together in the Marcy Projects of Brooklyn, NY. “He really grew up with me, on the third floor of the same building in the same project,” Jay-Z said recently on Power 105.1 with DJ Envy. During an interview with “The Breakfast Club,” Memphis Bleek was asked by co-host Jess Hilarious, born Jessica Robin Moore, about his dynamic with Jay-Z and if he believes his fate would have been different if he had signed with another label. Memphis Bleek eventually parted ways with Roc-A-Fella Records, and while Jay-Z went on to launch Roc Nation, Memphis Bleek admits he likely wouldn’t have become a bigger artist — or reached where he is today — even if...
Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” proved to be good business for Chicago, IL, locals. The entertainer who won Best Country Album at the 2025 Grammy Awards for “Cowboy Carter” is currently touring its tunes with a stop in the Windy City. According to USA Today, the three planned concerts took place on May 15–18 at Soldier Field . View this post on Instagram A post shared by Beyoncé (@beyonce) The tour brought great momentum for the city and was beneficial to several Black-owned businesses, including Bronzeville Soul. The restaurant first benefited from the Carter family in 2023. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Hip-Hop mogul Jay-Z had been in the area to celebrate his wife Beyoncé’s second night of her “Renaissance World Tour,” which was also held at Soldier Field. The soul food restaurant had been “up and down” for nearly a year before Jay-Z’s visit, but it was able to gain new momentum afterward. “The element of that surprise was huge. It was overwhelming,” Bronzeville Soul Co-Owner Mario...
A group of students claims a New York school backed by Jay-Z underdelivered on its promise. According to the Gothamist, a group of students is alleging that the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment at Long Island University (LIU) Brooklyn overpromised on financial awards to fund their eduction. Several offer letters the students have received from the school describe incentives such as a “full-tuition scholarship” and “financial grants” that would allow them “to graduate without debt.” However, the letters did not mention that the financial awards would not cover housing costs or certain academic fees, which can add up to more than $22,000 per year. “I am pleased to share that you have been awarded a Hope full-tuition scholarship… This scholarship, combined with financial grants will allow you to graduate without debt. As a Hope scholar, you don’t have to worry about tuition charges,” an email from the school’s academic adviser read. One student, Justice Stephenson,...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. President Donald Trum p, who was once a cryptocurrency skeptic, has now yielded to many of the industry’s demands, such as easing federal regulations and oversight. From appointing cryptocurrency advocate and former Securities and Exchange Commissioner Paul Atkins to reprise his old role, to launching his own meme coin, Trump has chosen to embrace cryptocurrency . A few years ago, cryptocurrency was touted as the new form of currency. We wouldn’t be using archaic financial currency and stick to this revolutionized way of transactions. Although some people have made a lot of money off of crypto, its intended use as a decentralized banking system hasn’t been realized. Cryptocurrency is still very new, so new that engaging in it feels comparable to gambling. Trump lifting regulations to give cryptocurrency his blessing bodes well for the industry. A day after announcing Paul Atkins as his pick, the...
Jay-Z will be launching a groundbreaking partnership, marking a first in the United States. Billboard reports that Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, a full-service entertainment company, has partnered with South Korean fintech company Musicow to introduce “the first Music Equity Service Provider in the United States.” This will give U.S.-based music fans a rare opportunity to obtain partial ownership of songs created by their favorite artists, while also earning a share of the revenue generated from sales. This will be made possible by giving artists the ability to fractionalize their royalty revenue and sell shares of their tracks to individual investors, creating an all-around win for everyone involved. “The music industry is evolving into a shared ecosystem where fans and creators can earn together,” Roc Nation Vice Chairman Jay Brown said in an interview with Billboard. “Our mission is not only to support and empower artists by providing the tools and services they need to build a better...
New beginnings are on the horizon for Jay-Z’s Marcy Venture Partners. Founded in 2018 by Jay-Z, Jay Brown (former CEO of Roc Nation), and Larry Marcus (managing director at Walden VC), the venture capital firm invests in media, technology, products, and services that are culturally relevant and push boundaries, according to its LinkedIn profile. Its portfolio includes at least 24 companies, such as: Wheels (electric transportation company) Hungry Marketplace (food tech company) Savage X Fenty (lingerie brand) Spatial LABS (sLABS) (tech incubator) Madison Reed (beauty brand) Partake Foods (allergy-friendly food company) “Aligning with Marcy Venture Partners assists with our vision for elevating the youth as it relates to access and a means to true technological empowerment. The lasting impact of this relationship is not simply defined by the work we’re doing now, but by the immeasurable impact for generations of creators to come,” said Spatial LABS Founder Iddris Sandu at the time....
Jay-Z is reportedly no longer affiliated with The Parent Company, which suffered significant revenue losses starting in 2022. In 2020, the rap mogul, born Shawn Carter, launched his luxury cannabis brand Monogram under The Parent Company, where he served as chief visionary officer, mentions Lawyer Monthly. Its flagship product, the OG Handrolls, was priced at $50, with the full lineup of strains primarily available at eight California-based dispensaries, including Caliva, Coastal, and Zen Garden, as well as an Arizona dispensary called Ponderosa. However, since then there appears to be trouble in paradise for both Monogram and The Parent Company. S FGATE mentions Monogram’s pricing did not fair well for cannabis consumers, especially since its products were marketed as high-end and premium. “Like many other things we’ve seen in cannabis surrounding rappers, the hype hasn’t met the reality. Monogram was supposed to be an ultra-premium product, and I don’t know anyone who tried it and...
A new financial education program is making its way to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with the help of Jay-Z. According to a news release shared with AFROTECH™, the Shawn Carter Foundation, with support from Toyota Motor North America, is launching the Champions for Financial Legacy (CFFL) program in time for Spring 2025. To start, the program will benefit students at Lincoln University, Norfolk State University, and Virginia State University, offering a financial curriculum structured around real-world applications. “We are excited to see our partnership with the Shawn Carter Foundation evolve to include this innovative initiative,” said Monica Womack, general manager of diversity & inclusion and community engagement at Toyota, per the release. “One that not only provides resources to HBCU students but also reaches the heart of the community, through advocacy for financial literacy.” The curriculum, developed in collaboration with the Coalition for Equity and...
Beyoncé is seeking to gain the trademark of her firstborn. Back in 2012, Beyoncé’ had made an effort to secure the trademark through BGK Trademark Holdings LLC. Jay-Z shared his thoughts on the matter in a conversation with Vanity Fair in 2013. “People wanted to make products based on our child’s name, and you don’t want anybody trying to benefit off your baby’s name. It wasn’t for us to do anything; as you see, we haven’t done anything,” Jay-Z told the outlet. “First of all, it’s a child, and it bothers me when there’s no [boundaries]. I come from the streets, and even in the most atrocious sh-t we were doing, we had lines: no kids, no mothers — there was respect there. But [now] there’s no boundaries. For somebody to say, ‘This person had a kid — I’m gonna make a f-ckin’ stroller with that kid’s name.’ It’s, like, where’s the humanity?” In the years that followed, Beyoncé and her team had ongoing issues with a lifestyle event planner, Veronica Morales, as she used Blue Ivy in her...
REFORM Alliance and Jay-Z’s Roc Nation joined forces Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, by hosting a job fair in Richmond, VA, that connected over 2,000 job seekers with more than 1,500 open positions. The free event focused on removing employment barriers for individuals impacted by the criminal justice system , particularly those on probation or parole, according to a press release. Participants had access to a diverse range of 36 employers, including major national brands like Amazon, Starbucks, and Foot Locker , alongside local businesses from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. The job fair also featured numerous state and local government agencies, such as the Virginia Department of Corrections, the Virginia Department of Transportation, Virginia State University, and the City of Richmond. Jessica S., who was recently released from incarceration, interviewed with both Amazon and Foot Locker and received invitations for second-round interviews. “It’s been a struggle to find work...
