Mon 30 Nov 2009
Jay-Z talks his “billion dollar company” with WWD
Posted by Mikey Fresh under Fashion , Quotes[54] Comments
Mikey: Womens Wear Daily got a chance to talk with Shawn Carter on the upstarts of Rocawear, it’s growth, and the future of the brand. Many may think Hov isn’t as involved with the company as he once was, however the mogul still has big aspirations for Rocawear.
“Dame did a great job when he was here,” Carter said. “I just feel that I have a different way of running things, which I think is working out well. I let people make mistakes, and push them to be creative. I let a design team design. When they feel good about something they have created, it makes them want to do more. It makes them want to do their best. People are happy here. I’m not a controlling manager and I have a great team that makes me confident that things can run well when I’m on the road, and I’m proud of that.”
“So, in April 2007, he agreed to partner with Iconix Brand Group, which acquired the Rocawear brand for $204 million in cash. In the deal, Neil Cole, Iconix’s ceo, became Carter’s partner and in turn, Carter was going to help Cole with future Iconix deals.”
“I got to know Neil, and we now have the same mission: Our goal is to make Rocawear a $1 billion company,” he said. “It may take us more time than we would like since the economy is in the shape that it’s in, but I’m confident that we will get there.”
One of his biggest mistakes? “We really should have done some Rihanna Rocawear umbrellas when that song became a hit. We could have made a load of money on those. I’m still kicking myself.”
November 30th, 2009 at 11:37 am
sorry but rocawear is played out
November 30th, 2009 at 11:41 am
Jay has done extremely well for himself.
Jay, 50, Diddy…
the business moves they’ve made are brilliant. Anyone who owns a brand / hustles (i.e not on someones payroll) can learn from these dudes.
November 30th, 2009 at 11:55 am
Beanie Sigel take note.
November 30th, 2009 at 11:59 am
Is that an IWC big pilot watch he’s wearing? Fuking love that watch…
November 30th, 2009 at 11:59 am
Iconix Brand Group has some nice brands under their house
November 30th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
JAY saide dame did a great job
thing 1st in years have seen such postive thing about dame out jay’s lips
maybe there hope of peace one day
lol
November 30th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
just because you dont wear it doesnt mean its played out. Once this tight clothes fad goes away rocawear will be just fine
November 30th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Co-sign
November 30th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
No my friend…rocawear is definitely played lol
tight clothes fad or not..rocawear is the new karl kani
November 30th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
nigga u sound dumb
but sounding dumb is whats new for this generation
November 30th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
This is where the conversation needs to be in hip-hop on working on our “Russell” not exercising our block bully and flavored water muscles. “Men lie, women lie, numbers don’t.” Haters, take off those damn skinny jeans they’ve got you so confused that you can’t even recognize trendsetting over fashion fads. I thought it shows class and growth to give Dame kudos for doing an initial good job. That’s how grown men handle their business, not jump from plantations and dry snitch like Beenie D*ck Arnold. Beans you’re still giving us gas. LOL
November 30th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Dude check the Black Enterprise Top 100 lists for the last 10 years. Karl Kani always pulls in hundred of million of dollars each year. Just because a brand is not the flavor of the day, or the choice apparrel of the local drug dealer doesn’t mean that company is not pulling in major money each year.
November 30th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
GOOD LOOKING JAY. I WENT TO SOME STORES IN FORDHAM THIS WEEKEND AND ROCAWEAR HAS REALLY IMPROVED REALLY WELL COS I HAD SOME JEANS AND JACKETS AND IS PRETTY AMAZING.
THANKS TO HOV
November 30th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
No he too busy blaming others for his failure.. the lox got messed up worst the was mad at diddy but they didnt cry like beans
November 30th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Jay’s a media pro.He can drop an interview like this, speak solely in business terms and it’s good. It’s a sound professional approach. BUT, I won’t sit here and say anything about Jay beyond those business statements I just made.
To reach the top it’s very difficult to not crush a few grapes and clearly Jay’z has made a lot of wine on his rise to the top.Some of it was bo competitive sport and over were a lil more shady.
He’s Yin & Yang.He’s always been the great opportunist and chameleon. Not mad at all….but not fooled either.
November 30th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
TIGHT CLOTHES……..aaaaarggh!
November 30th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Jadakiss was on hot 97 telling diddy to watch for falling fridges. . I call that crying, no?
November 30th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
they cried too
they had the whole free the LOX t-shirts and all that
there LOX album on ruff ryders was full of diddy disses
what they realized was the complaining and bitching and moaning solves NOTHING
it wasnt until nothing came from it did they (jada) start having talks with diddy did that issue get squashed.
and the kicker………..
the lox got a one album deal with diddy.
beans need to stop the boo hoos already
November 30th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
S-Dot don’t get it twisted, there’s nothing wrong with “working on our Russell”. Lets be clear about the history of Russell, dude didn’t enter HipHop as an artist, his plan was to be a mogul (HNIC) and thats it.
Jay on the other hand is trying to be the Indian and the Chief. One minute he calling people out and the next he claiming he too corporate to respond. One Minute he claiming he ‘So Brooklyn’ then the next minute hes too hip for Marcy on some “Tribeca (right next to Dinero)”
November 30th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
it sound like the hate towards jay come from his accomplishments.
if jay was still a rap artist, signed to a label, getting jerked by his rec company, is 40 still trying to drop albums to fullfill there contract with there label
then what will we call or be saying about jay?
to me THATS a loser. just like a 40 year old still on the corner selling hand to hand.
people is quick to throw out jay is shady or is a shady business man cause the OTHER guy fucked up.
sigel said in his own interviews that dame was the reason for the end of roc a fella
and dame was fucking with the monies……….sigel said that
all them other guys like dehaven and jazo story done been told twice and after hearing THEM you still think its jays fault? if jay is 40 and to old to rap
so that makes dehaven and jazo what then? too old to be complaining right?
i dunno, it just dnt make sense to me
November 30th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Quit it – Beans aint blaming no one. If your so called man just got up and left with just a lil memo – wouldnt u think wtf?
Beans a real nigga – he actually didnt tell the industry for some time. Look at the time he aint tell no one what was going on. Even when jay said to a interviewer that he actually spoke to him about his mom grand mom passing.
LOOK when it comes to real nigga rap, alot of yall comments dont matter. Its not some ok let me hear your view about it thing. Only real niqqa or real bytches can answer it.
Jay aint send beans to 5th cus in all honesty a old man hates to see a young man get the early worm.
I aint need to talk anymore
theirs pros on cons on both parts – but jays far more outweighs beans
November 30th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Rocawear needs to become more of a general trend. Forget all the hip hop inspired styles, make things u can wear at work, dress down fridays I ain’t talking about jeans and hoodies more like button ups, slacks, vneck or crew merino sweaters, and change the embellum. Keep it discreet but noticeable. Those big R’S make it look juvenile and unclassy.
About the umbrella situation I was wondering why they never even pushed the umbrellas when the song was out. to late….
He gave Dame respect. Someday we can see these two again on a video and seeing dame with his dice roll….
November 30th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Jay-Z proved to be a great business man. Dame should have continued his business ventures. Jay-Z SHOULD BRING IN DAME TO RUN HIS ROCNATION ARTIST…. Not that he needs him ayways THEY FINE WITHOUT HIM. JUST suggestion…
November 30th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
THE DIFFERENCE IS THAT JAY-Z’S THE BOSS, OWNER AND DAME WOULD JUST GO IN AS AN EMPLOYEE…..NO OWNERSHIP ENTITLEMENT….
November 30th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
I think the reality is a somewhere in the grey area. Neither Jay nor Dame was completely clean in the Rocafella dealings. I just think was in a better position, as the actual talent, to capitalize. LL is 40 and just complete his obligation so nothing is wrong with that either IF you did you work and properly handled your finances.
I do agree that many people don’t know how to react to the success of someone that they see certain parallels with.
I don’t believe in being “too old to rap”….at least not in terms of skill.Now your subject matter can change but can 40 yr old eyes and words relate to 18 yr minds? We’ll see.
November 30th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
u goddamn right
November 30th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
“It’s something I really believe in and something I want to protect.” excerpt from Womens Wear Daily…
Alex Bize, Norton Cher…I thought they got bought out for the $204? I thought Jay got dips in the $204 EBITDA, with a potential of $35 mil in stock options if Rocawear met certain parameters in 3-5 years? Could it be that S. pulled a Bruce Ratner, sold 80%, of the team(Rocawear) and 40% of the Arena(Licensing Rights), so in essence Jay is the minority of the group? all for $204 EBITDA, and then he had to break off Norton and Alex….wow, Russell looked out for Homie, with industry expertise and capital to fund the projectile…..
haa…
Jay, you the man, still CCO…I wonder if you should decide to acquire new “businesses that you wish to protect”, would it be under this new Iconix umbrella…Neil Cole got it in with The MARC ECKO GROUP, after CIT f^cked up, all because Mr.Ecko was overleveraged…Maintain proper liquidity in oppurtunal times and maybe something megalomanical comes out.
haa.
Jay…DO IT FOR BROOKNAM….
B.I.G FUTURES.
November 30th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
I wear Rocawear still, and I know bunch of people (ladies and dudes) who wear it still…I dunno what these haters are talkin about?
November 30th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Dame will start embezzling again
November 30th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
S7, so you’re saying that the next-generation can’t progress to the next-level of hip-hop? An artist can’t be a mogul? That sounds like some slavery mentality right there. In the corporate world of REAL business you pick winnable battles. If you have a venture worth that kind of skrilla you don’t put it at risk for a disgruntled employee. Think of it like McDonald’s (Roc-a-Fella) v. Burger King (G-Unit), they both sell hamburgers and even though Calvin (Beans) might quit one franchise, he’s just a worker that will go to work for another. Respect Jay’s business acumen and stop getting caught up in he say/she say girl talk, everybody has haters and the moment you don’t it’s because you’re not worth hating. First chance I get, I’m moving to “Tribeca” too and I’m from the bottom, so WHUT!!!!
November 30th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
there’s no denying carl williams makes money
but karl kani the brand is played, as is rocawear.
when is the last time you went in a store and saw karl kani? better yet, when is the last time you went in a store and bought some karl kani? lol
November 30th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
ok Lox did cry a bit but they thank diddy for letting them out and said he didnt have too cause a contract i a contract…
beans aint a real nigga who told you that?Who lied to you.. DO you know when beans what lock that time ask your self what year it was ? Ok now if you dont remember that ask what year did he and jada had the beef….of speaking of that didnt he say he did it for Jay..the whole beef thing? then turned around and say he didnt to estabish State Prop. (lmao)
A real nigga would do this on wax its a stunt 1st you saying its him talking to his brother and If any nigga diss jay its a rap. then 50 a nigga that been dissing jay side ways also put a backing battery and now its “put foot to neck”? now “balls to on your face” lmao WWF…..
Also they way he said it he felt like him and jay relationship messed up after the court shit but he still jocking the nigga longgggg after and did songs with the nigga after..
list to what he saying …. it dont make sense.. He saying Dame was “literally” raping him and stop his money on some real dirty shit. BUT not one dissing DAME why cause he broke and not relevent… ok 2 points he made Jay not vouching and Jay not letting go and at the end its business …and he dont have to do neither but what dame did is snake but who he going after. Ya’ll just hate Jay so much ya’ll dont read this…
Thats you brother right” Go to the station and say YO im putting you on blast cause i didnt hear from you hit me up i need to speak to you ,, instead of a record to show you its about music .,,,
And If 50 was signing beans he would of been put Jay on the spot like he did with Puff for Mase,. 50 was just using this as a last resort for this album he knew was gonna flop from jump.. he had 1 major single out and everything else wasnt buzzing …he talked about more other artis than the album.. ge did every show you name and have a movie with the album and a promo with his fragrance .. everyone album leaks ,,this album was just not good ..how mush song can ya’ll tell me about that album thats is buzzing except have a baby…
Lets see what he does now….whats his next move when jay dont answer cause its dry now he gonna Fade to black cause even 50 saying less and less about it,,, Why he didnt say he left Bangum smurf in jail ? see people see what they wanna see hear what they wanna hear
November 30th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
both isnt completely clean, true indeed, jay even said that on lost ones.
but (and i shoulda made myself clear) when it comes to the list of people that jay “shitted” on to get to the top, why is dame mentioned?
jazo is mentioned………why? wasnt jazo on jay 1st album? wasnt he in jay videos? wasnt he on the single for vol 2?
so why is jazo still being mention
what im saying is when it comes to the “shady” part the names dont add up
the dude calvin klein said in his DVD that jay gave him some bread (he aint mention numbers but it was rumored a mill) when he got home and he felt akon cause akon gave him a job and jay just gave him money.
so why is he mentioned.
the sigel shit…….lets keep it a hunit
sigel been down with the roc over 10 years. i remember beans and bleek was supposed to come out with a calabo album.
there wasnt a RAPPER out during that time who was in a position like sigel (if im wrong then point it out)
and the rappers that IS in his position, if they fucked up like he did then the blame will be on that rapper…….correct?
if not give me an example where a rapper (and his crew) fucked up his shit and started blaming the other man?
beanie and state prop situation
is no different then
cam and dip set
wayne and young money
50 and g-unit
em and d-12
TI and his grand hustle crew
so do em blame dre
or should fif blame em
or wayne blame bird man or TI i guess would blame atlantic or whoever his rec comp is if there crew lose momentum? if ur a boss (like people like to scream) then ur ALWAYS posed to put the blame on yourself………right?
November 30th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
@night fall
i forgot bout this one
“I don’t believe in being “too old to rap”….at least not in terms of skill.Now your subject matter can change but can 40 yr old eyes and words relate to 18 yr minds? We’ll see.”
yes it can. back in the day the youth got they knowledge from they elders
somewhere we lost that, and thats why u got old fools.
when u talk street shit
the older heads skooled the younger heads
if we talking bout females
the older guy skooled the young guy bout girls (a movie ref bronx tale)
sports the more experience………….well hell u get the point
so yes
November 30th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
i see rocawear in macys and always walk by it to the champion hoodys isle/corner. the shit is ugly i dont no who would wear it. buy polo its 10 bucks more jay z dont wear it, only in the ads cause he’s getting paid.
November 30th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
I just hope this influences younger people to start becoming owners rather than consumers.
November 30th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Im glad JAY is focused on real business and not the kiddy nonsense 50 and BEANS been dishing out. I neva thought rocawear was played out, i still see a huge number of peepo still rocking the line, i also see the cologne is doing fairly well, point blank JAY is doing what most men should do as they keep getting older and thats business not childs play.
50 was a inspiration but all his kiddy play has hurt him more ways then 1. im quite sure he wishes he can talk in the aspect of gunit clothing being a billion dollar company but he folded.
Big up to JAY ignoring idiots and showing us “real men” how to handle igorant situations on a daily basis: YOU IGNORE THEM AND STAY COMPLETELY FOCUS
EMPIRE STATE OF MIND–4real
November 30th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
S7 … Note. ” Im from the hood stupid, i ain’t dumb”.
November 30th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Check out r.kelly talking about his album coming out tomorrow!
http://tinyurl.com/yzdks39
November 30th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
what I’m saying is play your position. Russell was able to accomplish everything he did because he focused on making his brand stand out from the rest. He wasn’t distracted by making an album, battling/beefing with this and that rapper, expected to show up at every concert/tour event, etc. I really thought Jay was retiring, and given 100% to his other ventures, but thats not what happened. Now he playing the fence, one minute he’s an emcee the next he’s a mogul. He can go in the booth spit a couple subliminal verses and the next minute he on some I’m too corporate too respond back.
I’m not even going to get into the beans situation. If you understood my comment I was referring to Jay being the president of Def Jam, countless artist got the shaft from dude ’cause he was too busy worrying about his album sales.
Nothing to do with slavery, unless your implying slaves can eventually become slave masters, while still being slaves themselves.
November 30th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
Familiarity breeds contempt.
Heavy is the head that wears the crown.Jay-z is now Hip Hop Royalty.Nobody has ever reigned at the top of the genre for this long,with so much financial clout.Add ‘queen’Bey to the equation Jay becomes a big fish to fry for the media, peers& haters alike.
Irrespective of what jay does(good or bad)his dominance/success will always breed envy& hate from others.
December 1st, 2009 at 1:44 am
agreed yo! real talk i just had this convo with my cuzins over thnxgiv wknd…i’z like how is roc STILL cakin? i see NO1 in it…except country ass niggaz n off da boat niggaz (which by the way are my relation, west indians)!
or the actual african selling it to you from his stand! JAY barely rocks the shit so i know i gotta point here…as does homie above me…o but jay was right bout the failed rihanna move…dayum son, he still woulda been spending that cake…oh yea n lmfao @ homie riding for Kani, lol dude ur reaching! HARD! whether he’s caking or not, the brand is ass and you know it! i cant stop laughing at that one bro!
December 1st, 2009 at 4:41 am
Rocawear = clothing line with masonic symbols printed all over
that’s all it is
http://justgetthere.us/blog/uploads/rocawear-symbolism.jpg
http://media.photobucket.com/image/rocawear%20craft/EndoftheAeon/rocawearsymbolism04ac7.jpg
December 1st, 2009 at 5:35 am
It is played out. I can’t judge by the numbers. I can only judge by what I see w/ my own two eyes. Besides JZ can only blame himself for that. Confusing his Stans about how to dress. Anybody pay attention to his last album? A confused fashion mess.
December 1st, 2009 at 12:05 pm
It’s good to see that people are moving away from the groupism that afflicts many of the hip-hop generation these days being obsessed with the ringtone artist of the moment. As a culture, I’ve personally bore witness to this “fad” that was in the parks become a global marketplace. I’m proud to see artists transition to being business leaders in an era where uneducated, talented folks are stupidly signing 360 deals. This is truly what the “Empire State of Mind” is about, OWNERSHIP!!!
December 1st, 2009 at 6:09 pm
IS OFFICIAL, 50 CENT SECOND WEEK NUMBERS LOOKS TERRIBLE 59,717, BIGGEST FLOP IN HIPHOP HISTORY IS NEVER GONNA GO GOLD.
LINKS: http://WWW.HITSDAILYDOUBLE.COM
MEN LIE, WOMEN LIE, NUMBERS DON’T = GENIUS JAY-Z
December 1st, 2009 at 7:27 pm
~~~~~~THE ART OF JAYZ~~~~~~Business acumen skillsPosted by JAY Z
1. ignoring idiots keeps your “A” game tight
2. subliminals are for intelligent people, non educated people resort to namecalling
3.short speeches at award shows grabs eveyone’s attention
4. explaining quickly about someone’s lack of business skills pushes them over the edge
5. i dont need a book about laws and degrees, i am law and degrees
6. focusing on business ventures from the past and still keeping them relevant
7. just mention not being scared of a person and that person looses all momentum
8. web sites are not needed for controversy but extreme networking and business
9. find a female who is near or on your level
10. laugh at your enemies in your spare time, like before you rest your head.
December 1st, 2009 at 9:16 pm
IS OFFICIAL, THE BIGGEST FLOP IN RAP HISTORY BISD(BEFORE I SUCK DICK) BY URS TRULY CURTIS JACKSON FLOPPED IN SECOND WEEK WITH 59K. BISD IS NEVER GONNA GO GOLD.
MEN LIE, WOMEN LIE, NUMBERS DON’T
JAY-Z GENIUS
December 1st, 2009 at 9:16 pm
co-sign that
December 2nd, 2009 at 5:01 am
I want to Stan for attention
December 2nd, 2009 at 5:48 pm
GOODLOOKING MKE
December 2nd, 2009 at 7:05 pm
With all this Jay-Z praise, you would have thought he was the greatest thing since sliced bread.
And yes, RocaWear is played out. Last time it was remotely hot was the Dynasty era. By the time he got the deal to sell it in Macy’s, cats were already getting clowned for rockin those shitty S.Dots. I was too busy coppin Dunks to notice.
December 3rd, 2009 at 12:39 pm
You are the “hater” that Jay raps about. What are you doing with your life besides knockin’ his hu$stle (I mean Russell)? For someone that has nothing but venom to spray you sure are well-informed about his business. Sounds like you’ve let Beans give you gas too. “Men lie, women lie, numbers don’t”
April 6th, 2010 at 11:50 am
hi just wanna know if we can have a business deal with jay z.am in kenya