While sales figures for their marquee artists Jay-Z and Kanye West speak for themselves, Def Jam is looking for different ways to make sure other acts on Roc-A-Fella also enjoy success. Beanie Sigel spoke to Billboard about the past, present and future of “The Roc,” as well as finding a new direction for his upcoming album.
“I told the producers, ‘Don’t make a track for me,'” says Beans when referring to his upcoming album The Solution. “[I told them] to make something I wouldn’t do–something you’d want to hear me on.” When Sigel’s album is released on Dec. 11 fans will find collaborations with R. Kelly and the production team Dre & Vidal, who have previously done tracks with Jill Scott and Ludacris, among others.
“Roc-A-Fella dropped the ball with my last album,” says Beans. “I shot seven videos. Did you see any of them?” At press time, 2005’s The B. Coming has sold 419,000 copies. After spending almost a year in jail on weapons charges for parts of 2004 and 2005, Beans says he thought about joining Damon Dash Music Group. “Money was promised to me that didn’t pan out,” he says. “So I had to back away.”
Sigel will continue to release “webisodes” from his mini-series via YouTube up until the album’s release. Beanie’s manager, Mark Byers, also reports that Beans may join Kanye West and R. Kelly for spot dates on their current tours.
