Logo: Roc Nation, Public domain

Roc Nation

Entertainment company covering music, management, publishing and sports.

EntertainmentMusicTalent managementSports agencyPublishing

Active^{Source [3]}^{Source [9]}Last verified Oct 2, 2026

About Roc Nation

Roc Nation is an entertainment company founded in 2008 by Jay-Z. It works with recording artists, producers and songwriters and provides artist management, music publishing, touring, production and brand development, with a roster that has included Rihanna and J. Cole.^{Source [5]}

It began as a joint venture with Live Nation within a roughly $150 million, 10-year deal. Its label signed a worldwide distribution partnership with Universal Music Group in 2013, and the same year it launched Roc Nation Sports, which represents athletes across the NFL, NBA, MLB and global soccer.^{Source [1]}^{Source [6]}^{Source [7]}^{Source [5]}

Since August 2019 Roc Nation has worked with the NFL on live entertainment, including the Super Bowl halftime show, and on the league's Inspire Change program. Its social justice arm, Team Roc, and the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports and Entertainment at Long Island University in Brooklyn extend its work into advocacy and education.^{Source [8]}^{Source [4]}^{Source [5]}

Desiree Perez is chief executive and Jay-Z is chairman. Block's 2026 proxy statement describes Carter as Roc Nation's co-founder and majority owner.^{Source [4]}^{Source [3]}

What happened

Formed in 2008 as a joint venture between Jay-Z and Live Nation as part of a roughly $150 million, 10-year deal. It runs a record label, artist and athlete management, publishing and events. Block's 2026 proxy describes Carter as its co-founder and majority owner.^{Source [1]}^{Source [2]}^{Source [3]}^{Source [9]}

Timeline

2020-08Announced the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports and Entertainment with Long Island University, enrolling from fall 2021.^{Source [5]}
2019-08Signed a partnership with the NFL for live entertainment and the Inspire Change program.^{Source [8]}
2013-04Launched Roc Nation Sports after Jay-Z sold his Brooklyn Nets stake; early clients included Robinson Cano and Victor Cruz.^{Source [7]}
2013-04Signed a worldwide distribution partnership with Universal Music Group.^{Source [6]}
2008Formed as a joint venture between Jay-Z and Live Nation within a roughly $150 million, 10-year deal.^{Source [1]}^{Source [2]}

Products and brands

Roc Nation (record label): Label releasing music through a worldwide Universal Music Group distribution partnership.^{Source [6]}
Artist management: Management for recording artists, producers and songwriters.^{Source [5]}
Music publishing: Publishing for songwriters and producers.^{Source [5]}
Roc Nation Sports: Athlete representation across the NFL, NBA, MLB and global soccer, founded in 2013.^{Source [5]}^{Source [7]}
NFL entertainment partnership: Advises the NFL on live music including the Super Bowl halftime show.^{Source [8]}
Team Roc: Social justice and community impact division.^{Source [4]}
Roc Nation School of Music, Sports and Entertainment: Degree programs at Long Island University in Brooklyn, with scholarships for 25 percent of students.^{Source [5]}

How it makes money: Earns fees and revenue shares from artist and athlete management, music publishing, recorded music, touring, production, brand development and corporate partnerships such as the NFL agreement.^{Source [5]}^{Source [8]}

Leadership

Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter	Chairman^{Source [4]}
Desiree Perez	CEO^{Source [4]}^{Source [9]}	Since 2019
Jay Brown	Vice Chairman^{Source [4]}
Juan Perez	President, Roc Nation Sports^{Source [4]}
Tyran "Ty Ty" Smith	President of A&R^{Source [4]}

People on Founded, and where they went next

1 person on record, connected to 5 other companies.

Person	Here	Also built
Jay-Z	Co-founder and majority owner, Chairman2008 to now	TIDAL2015 to nowAcquiredArmand de Brignac2014 to nowActiveD'USSE2012 to nowAcquiredRocawear1999AcquiredRoc-A-Fella Records1994 to 2004Acquired

Sources

Jay-Z Close to $150 Million Deal with Live Nation, CNBC (AP), 2008-04-03. Accessed Sep 28, 2026.
Live Nation clinches deal with Jay-Z, The Hollywood Reporter, 2008-04. Accessed Sep 28, 2026.
Block, Inc. Proxy Statement (Form DEF 14A), Block, Inc. (SEC EDGAR), 2026-04-24. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Desiree Perez, Team Roc (Roc Nation LLC). Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Roc Nation And Long Island University Establish Roc Nation School Of Music, Sports & Entertainment, Roc Nation and LIU via PR Newswire, 2020-08-04. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Jay-Z's Roc Nation Joins Forces with Universal Music Group, Exclaim!, 2013-04-08. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Jay-Z on the Nets: 'My job as an owner is over', CBS Sports, 2013-04-19. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
NFL and Jay-Z's Roc Nation join forces for entertainment and social activism, CBS News, 2019-08-13. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Roc Nation, Wikipedia. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.

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