Jay-Z Covers TIME Magazine

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Jay-Z graced the cover of TIME magazine’s The 100 Most Influential People In The World issue.

Jay Z embodies so much of what makes New York New York. A kid from a tough neighborhood who grows up in public housing, overcomes lots of bad influences on the street, never lets go of his dream, makes it to the top — and then keeps going, pursuing new outlets for his creativity and ambition. When no one would sign him to a record contract, he created his own label and built a music empire — before going on to design clothing lines, open sports bars and, most recently, represent professional athletes. He’s an artist-entrepreneur who stands at the center of culture and commerce in 21st century America, and his influence stretches across races, religions and regions. He’s never forgotten his roots — “Empire State of Mind” was a love song to our city — and as a co-owner of the NBA Nets, he helped bring a major league sports team back to Brooklyn, not far from his old neighborhood. In nearly everything he’s tried, he’s found success. (He even put a ring on Beyoncé.) And in doing so, he’s proved that the American Dream is alive and well.

Bloomberg is the 108th mayor of New York City

[TIME]

President Obama Himself Addresses Jay-Z & Beyoncé Cuba Trip (Video)

President Obama set the record straight on the TODAY show, when asked if he had given Jay-Z and Beyonce clearance on their trip to Cuba.

“I wasn’t familiar that they were taking the trip. My understanding is, I think they went through a group that organizes these educational trips down to Cuba. This is not something the White House was involved with. We’ve got better things to do.”

2013 Made In America Festival Lineup (News)

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The lineup is HUGE!

Jay-Z and Budweiser’s Made In America Festival will return with more big names in 2013. Beyonce and Nince Inch Nails will headline the two-day concert, which also boasts Black Hippy (Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, Ab-Soul and Jay Rock), A$AP Rocky, Miguel, 2 Chainz, Wiz Khalifa, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Solange and Public Enemy, among many more. It all goes down Labor Day Weekend on Saturday, Aug. 31 and Sunday, Sep. 1 at the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, PA.

Another Day, Another Deal: Jay-Z & Roc Nation Sign With UMG

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I imagine this is how it works. Jay-Z gets a massages, makes millions. Jay-Z enjoys a Cuban cigar in Cuba, creates a multiyear, worldwide partnership with Universal Music Group. It’s all pretty simple.

Not.

Jay-Z, a man of many hats, and Roc Nation announced today that they’ve entered a multiyear partnership with the largest music company, Universal Music Group. In the partnership, the Roc Nation music label will able to operate as it’s own label inside UMG.

“This agreement presents a unique opportunity for Roc Nation’s artists — being able to continue to operate as an independent label with the strength, power and reach of the best major,” said Hov in a statement.

Just last week, Roc Nation hit headlines with the arrival of their sports agency, Roc Nation Sports, after signing their first client, New York Yankees’ Robinson Cano. What’s next up Hov’s sleeve? The Great Gatsby soundtrack.

[LA Times]

Jay-Z Launches Roc Nation Sports (News)

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Jay-Z announced today that he partnered up with CAA to Launch Roc Nation Sports! This is huge!

Roc Nation, an entertainment company founded by Shawn Carter, also known as Jay-Z, announced Tuesday that it is getting into the sports representation business through a partnership with Creative Artists Agency (CAA). This arm of CAA will be known as Roc Nation Sports, which simultaneously announced that its first sports client is Cano.

“At this point in my career, I am ready to take a more active role in my endeavors on and off the field,” Cano said in a statement. “I am confident that the pairing of Roc Nation Sports and CAA Sports will be essential in helping me accomplish my short- and long-term goals. I am making this important decision now so I can keep my focus on helping the Yankees succeed in 2013, while minimizing any distractions for me and my teammates.”

[RR]

Richest Rappers in 2013, According To Forbes (News)

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Hey rappers! If you strive to be rich, wealthy, ballin’ and have your pockets full of cheddah then just know you’re gonna have to wear your business cap to hit those eight figures. Everyone on the list may have started their career by making music but the non-musical ventures are the ones that catapulted the following rappers onto Forbes’ list: Five of Hip-Hop’s Wealthiest Artists 2013. Peep the list after the jump.

Continue reading Richest Rappers in 2013, According To Forbes (News)

Kendrick Lamar Hears Jay-Z’s ‘Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe’ Verse For The First Time (Video)

During a late night studio session in the Big Apple for ScHoolboy Q’s Oxymoron, TDE CEO TopDawg surprised Kendrick Lamar with a Jay-Z verse for his GKMC single “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe.” Watch Kendrick’s reaction in the clip above.