Jay-Z & Roc Nation Sign Publishing Deal With Warner/Chappell Music

Jay-Z and his Roc Nation company have signed worldwide publishing administration deals with Warner/Chappell Music. 

The agreement gives the publisher rights to Jay-Z’s music dating back to 2008 — which would include The Blueprint 3 and Watch the Throne — as well as all Hov’s future work, effective immediately, while most of the rest of his catalog will transfer to Warner/Chappell by the end of the year.

“The real meaning of success is being in the position to work with an individual you consider a friend,” said Jay in a statement. “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.”

A separate deal will put the past and future catalogs of Roc Nation’s stable of artists on the publisher’s roster immediately, including songwriters Philip Lawrence (Bruno Mars, Flo Rida, Cee-Lo Green), S1 (Kanye West, Beyonce, 50 Cent), Carmen Key (Flo Rida, David Guetta), and British singer Rita Ora, among others.

“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,” said Platt, currently president, creative at Warner/Chappell after serving at EMI Music Publishing for many years. “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. I couldn’t be happier to continue my relationships with Jay and Roc Nation and build on our partnerships at Warner/Chappell.”