Jay-Z and Roc Nation Partner With Random House to Launch Roc Lit 101

Random House has just announced that it has launched a new publishing imprint with Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter‘s Roc Nation.

The new imprint, Roc Lit 101, will be devoted to publishing books that will intensify the intersection of entertainment and genre-defying literature, which will include innovative work from some of the biggest artists and writers of our time. The books will cover a wide range of subjects like music, sports, pop culture, activism, and art. Roc Lit 101 will be in the hands of Chris Jackson, publisher and editor-in-chief of One World books, and Jana Fleishman, EVP of Roc Nation.

“The goal of Roc Lit 101 is to provide a creative outlet for acclaimed wordsmiths and artists to share their visions with new audiences,” said Fleishman in a written statement. “There are so many untold stories and we consider it a true privilege to be able to amplify diverse voices while exploring the uncharted worlds that are about to open to us.”

Jackson said, “Our aspiration for the imprint is to create books that draw from the best of pop culture—its most imaginative and talented storytellers, innovators, and literary chroniclers—to create beautifully written and produced works that will entertain and enthrall readers, but also illuminate critical issues. But the partnership isn’t just about the books – it’s also about audiences: we want to find new voices and new stories, but also new readers.”

The expected launch for the first project for Roc Lit 101 will take place in Summer 2021 with TILL THE END, a book by former New York Yankee, CC Sabathia. The memoir of baseball, family, fame, addiction, and recovery, written with Chris Smith. Esteemed journalist Danyel Smith will also be releasing SHINE BRIGHT, a brilliant weave of memoir, criticism, and biography that tells the story of black women in music as the foundational story of American pop.

In the future, other expected titles will include fantastical illustrated fiction from artists like Lil Uzi Vert; personal narratives from the likes of Meek Mill and his story of criminal justice and survival; coming-of-age memoirs from storytellers like Fat Joe and Yo Gotti; illustrated books and cookbooks; books for children and books that defy genre altogether.