Memphis Bleek Recalls Why He Turned Down A $75K Bonus From Capitol Records And Signed With Jay-Z
Memphis Bleek’s trust in Jay-Z led him to turn down a five-figure signing bonus.
As AFROTECH™ previously told you, Memphis Bleek splashed onto the music scene by being featured on the “Coming of Age” track of Jay-Z’s “Reasonable Doubt” album. He later became the first artist signed to Jay-Z’s label, Roc-A-Fella Records. The pair had also grown up together in the Marcy Projects of Brooklyn, NY.
“He really grew up with me, on the third floor of the same building in the same project,” Jay-Z said recently on Power 105.1 with DJ Envy.
During an interview with “The Breakfast Club,” Memphis Bleek was asked by co-host Jess Hilarious, born Jessica Robin Moore, about his dynamic with Jay-Z and if he believes his fate would have been different if he had signed with another label. Memphis Bleek eventually parted ways with Roc-A-Fella Records, and while Jay-Z went on to launch Roc Nation, Memphis Bleek admits he likely wouldn’t have become a bigger artist — or reached where he is today — even if he had played his cards differently.
“I probably wouldn’t be here,” Memphis Bleek mentioned on “The Breakfast Club.”
Memphis Bleek proved his loyalty and trust in Jay-Z even further, recalling a time when he rejected a deal with Capital Records that was accompanied by a $75,000 signing bonus.
