NEW YORK (CelebrityAccess)—Roc Nation has announced the merger of its Roc Nation Label and Equity Distribution (EQ) divisions, creating ROC Nation Distribution, a new platform designed to cater to artists’ needs, interests, and focus.
According to the official release, “By merging these divisions, blending the business and recreating the formula, ROC Nation Distribution will sign up any artist at any time to allow creatives to avail themselves of technology, music business expertise, and freedom. ROC Nation Distribution is a hybrid offering a unique blend of services. Artists who partner with ROC Nation Distribution are independent, retain ownership of their masters, and maintain creative control of their art. Artists also receive data analytics from a proprietary dashboard and have the ability to opt into various services across the company. We will sign all artists in all genres around the world.”
The release adds, “Roc Nation was founded with an independent spirit and an artist-first mentality. The formation of ROC Nation Distribution is a natural transition in the music space. The mission is to support and empower independent artists while providing them the tools and services to distribute their music. All artists signed to Roc Nation Label will join and benefit from the new ROC Nation Distribution structure.”
Equity Distribution, established in 2019 under the leadership of president Krystian Santini, has worked with independent artists who wish to retain ownership of their masters. The platform offers a range of services, including in-house marketing and publishing administration. Notable collaborations include work with artists like Mach-Hommy and Tinashe and bringing Jay-Z’s 1996 debut album Reasonable Doubt to streaming services in 2019.
Billboard reports that as part of the merger, Shari Bryant has stepped down as co-president of Roc Nation’s record label.
Bryant shared her farewell on Instagram, reflecting on her journey with Roc Nation. “From where it started (sitting in my cubicle @ Rocafella Records), to ending my 5-year tenure as Co-President of RocNation Label. It’s bittersweet, but as I often say, you have to Do It Scared. Onward and upward, and as always…More To Come,” she wrote.
