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March 29, 2024

News: Jay-Z Signs Canadian Rapper BELLY to Roc Nation

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Jay-Z has signed Canadian rapper Belly to his Roc Nation imprint. The rapper has worked with Snoop Dogg, Scarface, Fabolous releasing The Revolution LP in 2007. He also formed a close friendship with The Weeknd, joining the XO imprint soon after. Belly also co-wrote six songs off The Weeknd’s The Beauty Behind the Madness LP, including the smash-hits ‘The Hills, ‘Often,’ and ‘Earned It.’

Now, the 31-year old rapper is looking to take his place in the music industry as an artist and recently spoke with Billboard about the new label deal. To read the full interview head over to Billboard.

Billboard: Congrats on the Roc Nation deal. How did that come together?
Belly: It’s exciting stuff. I want to say it was just a complete focus on my craft and my music and I put together a project that I felt like was representative of me as an artist. And I think I just got the right ears with it to the point where Jay Z was interested and heard it and invited me over. And we had a conversation and that was that, you know? A man’s handshake, that’s all it takes sometimes.

Billboard: Your first album came out in 2007 and got you a lot of critical acclaim and success in Canada. What was that experience like for you?
Belly: I mean, it was amazing. At that point, Canada was — and still is — a pretty important part of my career and who I am. And to be accepted at home first was always my goal. I always wanted to be a household name where I’m from before I went out to the world and gave the world my craft, you know?

Billboard: What did you learn along the way that made you feel like, now it’s time to kick start things all over again?
Belly: I can’t say it was one thing, per se, it was more of a feeling. I just had a feeling that I was ready to make this music again and give the world what I wanted to give them. I felt more like they were ready to accept me and accept what I had to bring at this point. It was more of a feeling; I had a feeling it was time again. That’s usually how I go about things, with my gut feeling — no pun intended.

Billboard: When did you meet The Weeknd?
Belly: We met years ago, man, just organically, really. We met, he came by my house through a mutual friend and we’ve been homies ever since. This is really a real organic relationship. As an amazing of an artist as everybody knows he is and as great of a musician as he is, I think a lot of people don’t realize how great of a person he is. And I think that’s really what made me and him click, is that as a human being he’s one of the coolest, most down-to-earth guys that I know, and that made me click with him for that reason.

Billboard: How did you get down with XO?
Belly: It’s a family thing, man; we all know each other and respect each other, respect each other’s movements, respect each other’s art. You know, everybody in the immediate circle I have the utmost respect for. Everybody really is talented and one of the greatest at what they do. It’s not just a bunch of guys that are just there standing around — everybody’s bringing something to the table. It’s beautiful to watch.