In 1994, Shawn Carter, also known as “Jay-Z,” founded Roc-A-Fella Records alongside Damon Dash and Kareem Burke for the rapper to release his debut album “Reasonable Doubt” after its rejection from major record labels.

While “Reasonable Doubt” didn’t gain much popularity, it did create popular singles which earned the rapper popularity in hip-hop.

After the release of Jay Z’s album, the label helped launch the careers for other artists such as Memphis Bleek, Beanie Siegel, and Kanye West. In 2004, West’s album, “The College Dropout”, became a huge commercial and critical success, selling Multi-Platinum RIAA certified sales.

In 1997, Jay-Z and his co-owners sold half of Roc-a-Fella to Def Jam for around 1.5 million. Then seven years later, in 2004, Def Jam bought the other half for about 10 million. During 2005, Jay-Z made a deal with Def Jam which granted him CEO status and allowed him to continue running Roc-a-Fella Records, even after handing Def Jam full ownership of the company. Carter omitted the two former partners from this deal.