Jay Z And Roc Nation Enter Into Global Music Publishing Administration Agreements With Warner/Chappell Music

Legendary Star and Renowned Entertainment Company Join Forces with Award-Winning Music Publisher

Warner/Chappell Music, the music publishing arm of Warner Music Group, today announced that it has entered into global music publishing administration agreements with 17-time GRAMMY® winner and multi-million-selling superstar Shawn “JAY Z” Carter, and the music publishing roster of entertainment company, Roc Nation, which is home to some of the world’s top songwriters, artists and producers.

Effective immediately, Warner/Chappell will administer all of JAY Z’s future works, alongside his catalog dating back to 2008, including No. 1 albums The Blueprint 3 and Watch the Throne, and worldwide hit singles such as “Empire State of Mind,” “Run This Town,” “Forever Young,” “N****s In Paris,” which won the 2013 GRAMMY® for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance and “No Church In The Wild,” which won the 2013 GRAMMY® for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. By the end of 2013, the majority of JAY Z’s songwriting catalog from the beginning of his career will also be administered by Warner/Chappell, including landmark albums such as The Blueprint, Vol. 2…Hard Knock Life, The Black Album, and classic tracks including “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem),” “Big Pimpin’,” “Can I Get A...” and “Dirt Off Your Shoulders"

Under a separate agreement, which is also effective immediately, Warner/Chappell will administer Roc Nation’s entire music publishing repertoire, both past and future works. Roc Nation’s songwriting roster includes Philip Lawrence (co-writer of B.o.B.’s “Nothin’ On You,” Bruno Mars’ “Just The Way You Are,” “Grenade,” “Lazy Song” and “Locked Out of Heaven,” Cee-Lo Green’s “F**k You,” Flo Rida’s “Right Round,” and Travy McCoy’s “Billionaire”); S1 (co-writer of Kanye West’s “Power”, Beyoncé’s “Best Thing I Never Had” and 50 Cent’s “My Life” feat. Eminem and Adam Levine; Carmen Key (co-writer of Flo Rida’s “Club Can’t Handle Me” and David Guetta’s “Pandemonium”); and Rita Ora (the British singer-songwriter with the most number-one singles on the UK Singles Chart in 2012), among many others.

Shawn “JAY Z” Carter said “The real meaning of success is being in the position to work with an individual you consider a friend. Jon Platt is such a person. He’s a man of extraordinary character as well as a remarkably talented executive with an ear for music and an eye for talent. It’s great to watch him grow to be one the best in the business.”

Jon Platt, President, Creative – North America, Warner/Chappell Music said “I first partnered with JAY in 1996, and it’s been thrilling to work with my friend over the past 16 years as he’s grown into one of the world’s best songwriters and become a global icon. He consistently breaks new ground, producing an incredible body of work that will be enjoyed by generations of fans to come. At the same time, Roc Nation is one of the most dynamic and influential music companies around. It is home to an extraordinary collection of hit-makers, who are writing and producing many of today’s most popular songs and collaborating with the world’s most successful artists.”

He added “I couldn’t be happier to continue my relationships with JAY and Roc Nation and build on our partnerships at Warner/Chappell. We have the global expertise and resources to deliver new opportunities for their amazing catalogs, while helping them reach new heights of success around the world.”

Since releasing his debut record in 1996, JAY Z has become a music legend, having sold more than 50 million records worldwide, and earning a spot on the Billboard 200 Albums of the Year Chart 11 of the past 13 years. 2009 saw the release of JAY Z’s album The Blueprint 3, making it his 11th to reach No. 1, surpassing Elvis Presley’s record for the most number one albums by a solo artist. In 2011, JAY Z released Watch the Throne—a collaboration with Kanye West—marking his 12th US No. 1 album. Last year, JAY Z was involved in five hit singles including the platinum-selling “Clique” with Kanye West and Big Sean, and the Gold-selling Rihanna track “Talk That Talk.” This year, he has already been featured on Justin Timberlake’s much-anticipated new single “Suit & Tie.” JAY Z is also renowned for his live shows, playing to massive audiences around the world, including a sold-out eight show run for the opening of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, headlining and curating the Made In America Festival and headlining the UK’s Glastonbury Festival.

Alongside his career as an artist, JAY Z is a hugely successful entrepreneur and entertainment executive. Founder and chairman of clothing brand Rocawear, he is also co-owner of the Brooklyn Nets and sports bar chain The 40/40 Club, as well as co-founder of Translation Advertising. Beginning in 2005, he spent three successful years as President and CEO of Def Jam Recordings, where he fostered the careers of international stars Rihanna, Ne-Yo and Kanye West. In 2008, JAY Z launched Roc Nation in partnership with Live Nation. Since then Roc Nation has grown into a fully functioning entertainment company, including artist management; music publishing; touring & merchandising; and a music label. The Shawn Carter Foundation was started in 2003 to help individuals facing socio-economic hardships further their education at institutions of higher learning.

Roc Nation songwriters and producers that will be administered by Warner/Chappell also include: up-and-coming pop singer J Angel, who has co-written for Demi Lovato, Ja Rule, and Jennifer Lopez; Jahlil Beats, who has produced tracks for Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, and Meek Mill; Dave McCracken, who has produced songs for Ian Brown of The Stone Roses, Shakira, John Legend and Matisyahu; R&B singer Bridget Kelly; Alexis Jordan who has collaborated with Sean Paul; Ben Harrison, who has produced tracks for Rihanna and Tinie Tempah; Chase J, who has co-written songs for Ne-Yo and Menudo; Clay Morrison, who has co-written for Sean Paul, Chipmunk’s Transition, and Starboy Nathan; Davaughn, who has co-written for B.o.B., Bow Wow, Nicki Minaj; Deputy, who has produced tracks for Flo Rida, French Montana and Wale; Jon Mills, who has co-written for Conor Maynard and Nicola Roberts; Kes, who has co-written for Diddy and Timbaland; up-and-coming singer-songwriter Kirby Lauryen; Lab Ox, who has produced tracks for 50 Cent and Drake; Dutch electronic trio Noisia; and up-and-coming Swedish producer Stress.

About Roc Nation

Roc Nation is a fully functioning entertainment company, including artist, songwriter, producer and engineer management; music publishing; touring & merchandising; film & television; new business ventures; and a music label. Artists signed to Roc Nation partake in full-rights deals, which are all encompassing and include ticket sales, record sales and all forms of endorsements. Roc Nation is also a successful creative consulting firm on several projects, which include multi-platinum artists in all genres of music.

About Warner/Chappell Music

Warner/Chappell Music is WMG’s award-winning global music publishing company. The Warner/Chappell Music catalog includes standards such as “Happy Birthday To You,” “Rhapsody in Blue,” “Winter Wonderland,” as well as the music of Eric Clapton, Green Day, Katy Perry, Led Zeppelin, Lil Wayne, Madonna, Nickelback, Paramore, Red Hot Chili Peppers, T.I., Timbaland, fun. and others. Warner/Chappell Music is a leader in creating innovative strategies for marketing and promoting its songwriters and their music. The company’s extensive catalog makes it a natural first stop for A&R executives and record producers, feature film and television production companies, advertising agencies and brands, video game and new media companies, and others looking to record or license some of the world’s greatest music.

Source: Warner/Chappell Music