Roc-A-Fella Records is a record label founded by Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Damon "Dame" Dash, and Kareem "Biggs" Burke. The label's title refers to American oil magnate and businessman John D. Rockefeller. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed by The Island Def Jam Music Group.

The foundation of the label occurred in 1996, beginning as an independent outlet for rapper Jay-Z's first album. After being turned down by several major labels, Carter, Dash and Burke started their own label through Priority Records, using money from the music videos provided by Payday Records due to their singles only deal. Though Reasonable Doubt didn't immediately attain commercial success, it spawned several hits, a close relationship with The Notorious B.I.G. and procured him a reputation in the hip-hop community. Starting out as Roc-A-Fella's only artist, Jay-Z was supported by Biggie producer DJ Clark Kent and DJ Ski, who was then working with Camp Lo; affiliated rappers included duo Da Ranjahz, Sauce Money, Jaz-O, and a young Memphis Bleek, though only Bleek would eventually sign with the label. According to Dame, the label had intended on releasing Nas' group The Firm, but the deal fell through:

Lyor Cohen (Hebrew: ליאור כהן‎; born October 3, 1959) is the North American Chairman and CEO of Recorded Music for Warner Music Group (WMG). He has been a pioneer in the development of hip hop music and influential in the development of hip hop music acts, including Beastie Boys, Foxy Brown, LL Cool J, Jam Master Jay, Nas, Run-D.M.C. and others.^{[citation needed]}

In addition, he has done various promotional work on behalf of rock musician Jon Bon Jovi and the heavy metal band Slayer, pop music singer Mariah Carey and hip hop artists Sean Combs and Jay-Z.

Cohen joined the company shortly after Time Warner's sale of WMG to an investor group led by Edgar Bronfman, Jr.. Prior to his current role with Warner Music, he worked with The Island Def Jam Music Group, where he led the growth of its roster of artists and record labels, including Def Jam Recordings, Island Records, Roc-A-Fella Records, and Lost Highway Records. At WMG, in 2007, his division brought the company its highest U.S. album share in a decade and was credited with delivering the "most improved performance of a major music company" by the New York Post. As head of WMG's recorded music division, Cohen has helped to transform the company's talent relationships by expanding the number of services it offers the artists on its roster and establishing a standardized, company-wide "360 deal."

Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2011.He has sold approximately 50 million albums worldwide, while receiving fourteen Grammy Awards for his musical work, and numerous additional nominations. He is consistently ranked as one of the greatest rappers of all-time. He was ranked #1 by MTV in their list of The Greatest MCs of All-Time in 2006. Two of his albums, Reasonable Doubt (1996) and The Blueprint (2001) are considered landmarks in the genre with both of them being ranked in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. Blender included the former on their 500 CDs You Must Own Before You Die.

Jay-Z co-owns the 40/40 Club, is part-owner of the NBA's Brooklyn Nets and is also the creator of the line Rocawear. He is the former CEO of Def Jam Recordings, one of the three founders of Roc-A-Fella Records, and the founder of Roc Nation. As an artist, he holds the record for most number one albums by a solo artist on the Billboard 200 with eleven. Jay-Z also has had four number ones on the Billboard Hot 100, one as lead artist.