Dead Prez on Declining Roc Nation and Staying Independent
Over the past few years, Jay-Z has made significant strides in building his Roc Nation label. As a result, it has quickly become a major player in the music industry. Since releasing The Blueprint 3, Jay-Z has been actively recruiting talent, signing groundbreaking artists like J. Cole, Willow Smith, and Jay Electronica to his Roc Nation imprint. However, while the label continues to expand, not everyone is lining up to join the team.
One of the most recent names connected with Roc Nation is the politically charged hip-hop duo, Dead Prez. For months, rumors swirled on message boards that the duo, consisting of stic.man and M-1, was in talks to sign with the label. However, M-1 recently confirmed that while the group respects Jay-Z and the work he’s doing, Dead Prez has opted to remain independent.
In an interview with VIBE, M-1 opened up about the duo’s decision to stay true to their independent roots, explaining that while there were initial talks with Roc Nation, they ultimately decided not to sign.
The Reason Behind Dead Prez’s Decision to Stay Independent
M-1 made it clear that their choice wasn’t a matter of rejecting Roc Nation or Jay-Z himself, but rather a commitment to maintaining creative and operational freedom. “We respect Jay, but we are not signing to Roc Nation,” M-1 said, clarifying the situation. “I’m a fan of what Roc Nation has been doing. I’m a fan of Jay-Z’s music, and more than that, I’m a fan of his mind…the way that he has positioned himself to make great moves in this business.”
Despite their admiration for Jay-Z’s business acumen, Dead Prez is determined to protect their independence and avoid being absorbed into the structure of a major label. “I’m not one to think that our independence can be usurped by this great hype and potentially great machine that Jay is putting together,” M-1 added. Thus, emphasizing how important autonomy is for the group.
Since their breakout in 2000 with Let’s Get Free, Dead Prez has been known for their socially conscious lyrics and commitment to speaking truth to power. The duo’s sharp commentary on systemic injustice and their willingness to stay outside the mainstream industry has earned them a loyal fan base. Signing with a major label could risk compromising the message and control they’ve built over two decades in the industry.
Roc Nation’s Growth and Dead Prez’s Perspective
There’s no denying that Roc Nation has emerged as a formidable entity in the industry. With Jay-Z’s leadership and vision, the label has positioned itself as a major competitor to other big names like Young Money. Roc Nation continues to add talent across genres, with a focus on developing artists who push creative boundaries. However, this doesn’t mean every artist wants to be part of such a machine.
M-1 acknowledged the rise of Roc Nation and its growing influence in the industry but explained why Dead Prez believes they can collaborate with Roc Nation artists without having to sign away their freedom. “I see that [Roc Nation] is building themselves to be a formidable opponent to the Young Money’s and other labels,” he said. “But I believe that we can take advantage of working with artists like Jay and Jay Electronica without giving up our rights to being whoever we want to be independently—which is really important to us right now.”
A Legacy of Collaboration and Activism
Dead Prez’s decision to remain independent is in line with their long history of maintaining control over their message and creative process. Since their debut album, Let’s Get Free, they have been outspoken advocates for political change. As a result, addressing issues like systemic racism, economic inequality, and the failures of the education system. This social consciousness has made them a staple in underground hip-hop, while also allowing them to collaborate with high-profile artists like Kanye West, Jay-Z, and Outlawz.
Despite declining the Roc Nation deal, Dead Prez has expressed an interest in continuing to work with artists from the label. They collaborated with Jay-Z on the remix of their song “Hell Yeah (Pimp the System),” and M-1 made it clear that more collaborations could be on the horizon.
What’s Next for Dead Prez?
As Dead Prez looks forward to 2011, fans can expect new music from the duo. According to M-1, Dead Prez has just finished work on their latest project, Information Age. The album promises to continue the duo’s tradition of blending socially conscious messages with raw, street-honed beats.
In addition to their own music, Dead Prez is branching out creatively by working with new collaborators. M-1 revealed that they have been working on new material with British artist M.I.A., whose unique style and politically charged music align with Dead Prez’s mission. “We’re taking our time because we want to make the best impression,” M-1 said of their upcoming projects.
For Dead Prez, staying independent allows them to continue on their own terms while still collaborating with major artists and labels when it aligns with their vision. The decision to remain outside Roc Nation speaks to their commitment to authenticity and creative control—a stance that has defined their career for over a decade.
A Message of Self-Sufficiency
Ultimately, Dead Prez’s choice to remain independent is a reflection of their core values. The group has always preached self-sufficiency, whether through their lyrics or their approach to the business side of the industry. By staying true to themselves, they continue to set an example for other artists who may feel pressured to sign with major labels in order to achieve mainstream success.
Dead Prez’s continued evolution proves that it’s possible to maintain integrity while navigating an industry that often rewards conformity. As they move forward with new music and collaborations, fans can rest assured that Dead Prez will remain a voice for independence and empowerment in hip-hop.
So, in short, Dead Prez has opted against signing with Roc Nation, despite having love for Jay-Z, and his movement.
