Two years ago, J Records founder Clive Davis donated $5 million to NYU to create The Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music at Tisch School of the Arts. This is the first undergraduate university program of its kind to focus on the artistic training of record producers and music executives. Students work in the recording studio and study the business and craft of music production and the history and culture of popular music. They can earn a BFA degree in Recorded Music.
Wednesday night the department hosted Roc-A-Fella Records’ 10th Anniversary Kick-Off. Nicole Wray and Rell performed, and Professor Jason King sat down for a one-on-one conversation with Dame Dash. King asked about everything from the status of his relationship with Jay-Z and opinion about the R. Kelly concert drama to the influence his mom had on him and the future of The Roc. Other Roc executives who later joined the Q&A session were Clark Kent, VP A&R, Roy Edmonson, VP Marketing for Roc Enterprises, John Bartleson, Director of New Media, Beth Melillo, Senior VP Dash Films.
The Roc Enterprises empire now has an estimated worth of $500 million. It includes Rocawear, Team Roc (a community outreach organization), State Property,Pro Keds Sneakers, Dash Films, America Magazine, Armadale Vodka and Rocbox, a digital music player.
