Lenny S.
JAY-Z's Roc Nation Launches Roc Lit 101 Book Imprint
JAY-Z is getting in the literary business.
The hip-hop mogul and Roc Nation have partnered with Random House to form a new publishing imprint, Roc Lit 101.
According to The Associated Press, the venture will encompass “books at the dynamic intersection of entertainment and genre-defying literature.” The initial releases slated for next summer include Till the End, a memoir by former Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia, and Danyel Smith’s Shine Bright, a story of Black women in music.
Other future releases include a book by Meek Mill on “criminal justice and survival,” memoirs by Yo Gotti and Fat Joe, and a fantasy fiction book from Lil Uzi Vert, plus cookbooks and children’s stories.
Devoted to publishing books at the dynamic intersection of entertainment and genre-defying literature, Roc Lit 101 will feature creative work across a wide variety of interests. pic.twitter.com/Xdy0CgieQ9
— Roc Lit 101 (@roclit101) December 15, 2020
Roc Lit 101 will be led by Chris Jackson, the publisher and editor-in-chief of the Random House imprint One World, and Jana Fleishman, executive vice president of Roc Nation.
“Our aspiration for the imprint is to create books that draw from the best of pop culture — its most imaginative and talented storytellers, innovators, and literary chroniclers — to create beautifully written and produced works that will entertain and enthrall readers, but also illuminate critical issues,” Jackson said in a statement.
Fleishman added, “There are so many untold stories and we consider it a true privilege to be able to amplify diverse voices while exploring the uncharted worlds that are about to open to us.”
Random House declined comment when asked if JAY-Z or Beyoncé might publish through Roc Lit 101. The deal comes nearly a decade after JAY-Z released his memoir Decoded via One World.
This is the latest venture for JAY-Z, who recently launched his first cannabis line Monogram in partnership with California-based cannabis company Caliva.