Jay-Z has a habit of making business moves that seem a little strange at first, then end up making a whole lot of sense. And dollars.
There was Tidal, which everyone thought was a mistake until it ended up being worth $600 million.
There’s the VC firm, and the start-up platform, both of which, admittedly, the jury is still out on.
And then there's the management company, which, after being embroiled in lawsuits, came out on top.
And that today, is set to rise to new heights with the signing of Van Jones.
That’s right, CNN staple, New York Times bestseller, and coiner of the term “whitelash,” is now represented by Roc Nation exclusively, according to a Roc Nation news release.
Jones worked for Obama as an environmental advisor, having done similar work for the Clinton Global Initiative. He was pressed to leave the White House, however, after it was alleged that he’d once signed a petition stating that President Bush willfully allowed the September 11 attacks to happen.
Still, as you know, his star has been rising of late, particularly due to his commentary on the Trump administration.
On the signing of Jones, Jay-Z said, “Van’s immense capacity for empathy builds bridges. He inspires dialogue and only through conversation and active listening, can true change occur. Roc Nation is honored to support and amplify every initiative.”
For his part, Jones was equally pleased. “Roc Nation stands for excellence, innovation and impact, and I am proud to join the family. To make positive change in today’s world, we must close the gaps that exist between artists and activists … cultural leaders and political leaders … taste-makers and changemakers. This partnership opens up the opportunity to do that on a global scale. It's a bold, unprecedented move. And I'm both humbled and excited by the possibilities.”
Neither party has announced what’s first under the new management, but with a non-profit portfolio that includes several green initiatives and tech outreach programs, one can certainly see a synergy between Jones’ skillset and the new VC firm.
Too, Jones is set to release his third book this fall; so perhaps we can expect to see a speaking tour or even dramatic readings before Kanye concerts.