Gee Starts Own Label

GEE WHIZ: Gee Roberson will leave as Chairman of Geffen Records to found his own full-service record company, Blueprint, to be distributed by Interscope Geffen A&M, it was announced by label Chairman/CEO Jimmy Iovine and President/COO John Janick. "I'm very happy about the knowledge and experience I gained at Geffen that will be very useful going forward in the future," said Roberson. Several artists on the Geffen roster are expected to join Roberson at the New York City-based label, including rapper/producer Hit-Boy and Chicago hardcore rappers LEP Bogus Boys. Roberson began his music industry career at Jay-Z’s Roc-a-Fella Records, where he rose to SVP A&R. He later moved to Atlantic Records in the same position as head of the label's urban music division. In 1998, he co-founded the management company Rock Da World, signing Kanye West as its first artist. In 2004, the company changed its name to Hip Hop Since 1978. Six years later, Hip Hop Since 1978 merged with Bryant Management, which boasted Lil Wayne, Drake, Nicki Minaj and T.I., among its clients. Roberson and Cortez Bryant remain co-CEOs of the resulting company, the Blueprint Group. Roberson has executive produced Lil Wayne's Tha Carter IV, Jay-Z and Kanye West's Watch the Throne, Drake's Take Care and Nicki Minaj's Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. (12/21p)