Roc Nation Sports President OG Juan Perez and his wife, Roc Nation and Tidal COO Desiree Perez, have had quite the year. From OG Juan and Jay’s epic bar tab heard round the world, to Desiree’s surprise saving of Jay’s Made in America Festival in Philadelphia, the couple is in the spotlight more than ever. And as Jay & Bey finish up their On the Run II world tour, word of the Roc Nation couple continues to spread as they feature heavily in Jay’s music on the latest album and over the years. Here’s a look at the couple behind Jay & Bey – the ever-present pillars of the Roc Nation empire, the constant members of the small, mighty HOVA circle of influence. The pair was in the news for feats big and small, and the world was introduced to Jay’s best friends and righthand folks…2018 held some big moments for OG Juan and Desiree Perez:
OG Juan & the 100K Bar Tab
Coming on the scene in a major way in February 2018, OG Juan was thrust into the spotlight as his 50th birthday celebration with the Roc Nation family made headline news. The Roc Nation Sports President celebrated his bday along with wife, Desiree, JAY-Z and the Roc Nation fam in style. Page Six reported Jay shelled out $13,000 for dinner at Zuma in NYC’s Midtown, spent $9,000 on a round of drinks at Inwood hotspot Made in Mexico and then famously treated the small crew and other bar-goers to over $90,000 of champagne at NYC nightclub Playroom. The group ordered 40 bottles of Ace of Spades Champagne – a luxury brand of bubbles owned by Jay (and lining his own pockets, presumably). The server at Playroom was in shock at the tip alone (over $11,000) and posted the bill to Snapchat where it immediately caused a sensation and went viral.
After the incident, JAY-Z featured a verse on DJ Khaled’s spring release, “Top Off,” where HOVA took the opportunity to confirm the news but set the record straight: “Dujac by the mag, that’s how we do wine / $91,000 for a wine bill / Keep it real with you, that was Juan’s bill.” So, in confirming the guys did ball out on OG Juan’s bday as reported, Jay also casually drops the fact that he didn’t even pick up the bill – Juan did. This completely transforms the narrative and takes Jay’s signature swagger to the next level. In the world of mega-stars like JAY-Z and Beyoncé, a high-priced tab isn’t necessarily news, but Jay knowingly takes this up a notch, as an “unknown” – someone like OG Juan who is relatively unknown to the public – foots that bill, confirming not only OG Juan’s baller status, success and affluence, but by default also cementing Jay’s. In the Roc Nation world, “Juan’s bill” is an extension of Jay’s own wealth, and in “keep[ing] it real,” Jay lets the whole world know that not only could he buy anything he ever wanted, but his friends and fam are also insanely rich and successful – the notion at the heart of Jay’s entire philosophy with the Roc Nation family: “We measure success by how many people successful next to you,” he raps on The Carters’ “Boss.”
Desiree Perez & the Future of Made in America
In July 2018, Desiree Perez made big news as she flexed her executive muscle and saved the future of Philadelphia’s beloved Made in America festival. The annual music fest founded by Jay in 2012, MIA pops off on the city’s legendary Benjamin Franklin Parkway for two days over Labor Day weekend. This year, in an embarrassing public misunderstanding between Philadelphia city officials and the festival’s creators and promoters, the mayor’s office prematurely released a statement revealing to Roc Nation (and the public) that 2018 would be the last year for the festival in the Parkway – a weird eviction notice for Jay and Dez.
Confused and demanding answers, Jay penned an impassioned open letter for the Philadelphia Inquirer, expressing his frustration with the announcement’s content and timing. Jay took the time to defend the festival along with the cultural and economic impact it’s had for the city of Philadelphia since its inception. In closing the letter, Jay revealed that the mayor’s decision was never discussed with the Roc Nation team or anyone who handles the festival, but left the plea with a hope for resolution. Holding true to her reputation as a staunch negotiator, Roc Nation righthand woman Desiree Perez jumped into action – travelling to Philadelphia to meet the mayor and find the best solution for all involved. After days of negotiations between Desiree and the city, the Roc Nation COO described the entire ordeal as an “unfortunate misunderstanding,” and in a final act of reciprocation, Mayor Jim Kenney declared, “we are happy to announce the Made in America festival will continue at the heart of the Philadelphia, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for many years to come.” After a “candid and constructive discussion with the Mayor,” said Perez, “we are confident any miscommunication is corrected, and we are proactively addressing any concerns.”
EVERYTHING IS LOVE & On the Run II
The numbers for JAY-Z and Beyoncé’s four-month-long world tour are in, and the stats are quite impressive, even for this power couple. The blowout On the Run II show reportedly grossed upwards of $254 million in its 48-date tour for the joint collaboration EVERYTHING IS LOVE featuring the newly introduced The Carters – the moniker for the husband and wife duo. Launched in Cardiff, Wales on June 6, OTRII rolled through Europe for 18 shows before crossing the Atlantic for another 30 shows in North America, wrapping the event at Seattle’s CenturyLink field on October 4.
As Roc Nation execs – both in their own right – OG Juan and Desiree Perez have a long and storied history throughout Jay’s career in music, and EVERYTHING IS LOVE is certainly no different. The couple is featured on the sixth track, one of the hits from the album, titled “Friends.” In the somber-steady rap beat, The Carters go through a list of their top people, their “closer than kin” friends who have always held it down. Among these, you’ll find OG Juan and Desiree sitting amongst a short list of family when the verse hits Jay’s shout out:
My friends, real friends, better than your friends, yeah
That’s how we keep popping out that Benz, yeah
For friends, real friends, better than your friends, yeah
That’s them, that’s them, they know all my business
…
Ty-Ty there, E there, Breezy there, Juan there
High here, Chaka there, Law there, they all here, ah yeah
Dez there, Kawanna here, shit feel like nirvana here
In listing out these nine names, Jay has given us a glimpse into Roc Nation – the brand he’s built over the last two decades from the start of Roc-A-Fella Records in ’95 through the inception of the full Roc Nation empire introduced in 2008. The entertainment company is full-service, housing a record label, talent agency, touring and concert production company, music, film, and television production company as well as a music publishing house; and it is owned, operated and run by Jay and his closest confidants. It’s heaviest hitters – the Presidents, execs and COOs – are made up of Jay’s closest crew, the Roc Nation family listed in “Friends.” This list, a collection of extended family and Roc Nation affiliate
Des, points to the people closest to Jay for decades. Instead of name-dropping celeb acquaintances, Jay makes it clear who the real friends are.
“Ty Ty there,” Tyran “Ty Ty” Smith – Cofounder & Executive, Roc Nation
True HOVA fans will recognize this name immediately – Ty Ty has been in Jay’s lyrics for decades. Childhood friends, Jay and Ty Ty grew up in NY and went together started the Roc Nation empire in 2008. JAY-Z’s ’95 debut album Reasonable Doubt set in motion what Jay would continue for decades – keeping his people close: “drinkin’ Mai Tais with Ty Ty,” and cleverly bringing that line full circle in the 2009 hit anthem “Empire State of Mind” from Blueprint 3: “And I brought my boys with me, say what up to Ty Ty / Still sippin’ Mai Tais, sitting courtside / Knicks and Nets give me high fives…” Using these riffs in “Empire” on sports to shout out his closest homies, Jay also mentions best bud, Roc Nation Sport President OG Juan Perez, who Jay says he “made hot,” and says you can find them hanging at a Yankees game.
“E there,” Emory “Vegas” Jones – Executive, Roc Apparel Group
Another lifelong friend who Jay has kept close – Emory Jones, “E” in “Friends.” Jay has been telling Emory’s story for more than two decades: as kids running the Brooklyn streets and selling drugs, Emory was arrested in the year 2000, sentenced on charges for drug trafficking, and Jay often talks about how he could have just as easily been destined to repeat the same fate. In 2016 years, Jay wrote the judge for Emory’s sentencing with a plea for release upon terms of employment with Roc Apparel Group, which was granted.
“Breezy there,” Jay “Breezy” Brown – Cofounder & CEO, Roc Nation
Running the Roc Nation empire with JAY-Z, Jay Brown rounds out the “BIG 3” executives that top the Roc Nation pyramid along with Desiree Perez. Jay Brown, JAY-Z and Desiree Perez were listed on the 2018 Billboard Power 100 List this year. Jay also shouts out Brown’s wife Kawana Brown in the verse, “Kawana here,” marking the mention of a non-Roc employee, but family nonetheless.
“Juan there,” OG Juan Perez – President, Roc Nation Sports
A frequent mention in Jay’s tracks is best friend and Roc Nation Sports President, OG Juan Perez. Heavily in the music and production scene around Harlem in the 1990’s, OG Juan was introduced to JAY-Z in ‘96 through mutual friend and Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder Kareem “Biggs” Burke. The young company was a year old at the time, founded by JAY Z, Damon “Dame” Dash and “Biggs” Burke in 1995, operating under Def Jam Recordings and built to be the outlet for Jay’s debut album. Fast friends, OG Juan partnered with Jay in running music studios throughout the late-90’s and early ‘00s, notably the infamous Baseline Studio. The pair shared many business ventures through the years, including record label Roc-La-Familia and the NYC-turned-national sports club The 40/40 club. A love of sports and connection in the industry evolved into athletic management and grew into the branch of Roc Nation run by OG Juan, Roc Nation Sports.
“High here,” Briant “Beehigh” Biggs – Director of Mobile Strategies, Roc Nation
Jay revealed in his memoir Decoded that it was his cousin Beehigh who recognized his talent, encouraged him to hone it, and changed his life out of the drug game. Jay told this story in 2001’s Blueprint: “Bee-High hated the fact I put rap to the back / Money pouring in, clientele growing now / Birth of my first nephew, time to slow it down.” With Beehigh’s push and the birth of new family members, Jay started his path to stardom and the Roc Nation empire, bringing Biggs along for the ride, from artist management and various positions at Roc-a-Fella to his current gig as Director of Mobile Strategies at Roc Nation.
“Chaka there,” Chaka Pilgrim – President, Roc Nation Records
A close friend and ally to JAY-Z and Beyoncé, Chaka Pilgrim is an industry vet with an impressive resume, boasting titles at Roc-a-Fella Records, Island Def Jam, Atlantic Records and Virgin Records, to name a few. Pilgrim serves Jay as the Head of Film & TV for Shawn Carter Enterprises, is a Board Member of the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation, and serves as president to Roc Nation Records.
“Law there,” Lawrence “Law” Parker – A&R, Roc Nation
Lawrence Parker has worked with JAY-Z for years, serving as producer for many tracks on many albums. Law runs A&R for Roc Nation and holds down businesses in NOLA through fashion boutiques, music rep, management and music studios.
“Dez there,” Desiree Perez – Chief Operating Officer, Roc Nation; COO, Tidal
Wife to OG Juan and Billboard Industry Executives “Power Player,” Desiree Perez is widely credited as the master behind the Roc Nation’s biggest deals, investments and collaborations. The powerhouse behind a historic ten-year, $150 million touring deal made between JAY-Z and Live Nation in 2008, Dez is known in the industry for her strong hand and power at the negotiation table. Jay’s Tidal deal with Sprint in 2017 promoting Jay’s 4:44 garnered industry awe and accolade in its genius marketing and overall success. Desiree Perez was also behind negotiations for Beyoncé’s Formation tour and the Samsung deal for Rihanna’s ANTI Tour. In 2018, Desiree made headline news and set the industry abuzz with the swift action taken between Roc Nation and the city of Philadelphia in regard to Jay’s Made In America festival, whose future seemed unsure for a few days but was saved in the heat of the moment by Jay’s righthand woman.
With a history of keeping his friends close, Jay has rewarded the true “Friends” who have been by his side for decades. Hitting the road right before the release of The Carters’ album, Jay & Bey’s On the Run II tour put their own relationship and their closest friendships at center stage: Alex Stedman wrote in Variety, “While they play well together on stage, the most truly powerful moments tend to be when they narrate the issues of their marriages separately. Amid the hits and pyrotechnics, one of the most striking moments of the entire concert is when Beyonce, dressed in an elegant beige feathered dress, sits down in front of the audience to perform her 2006 version of “Resentment.” It’s a blistering reconciliation with the emotional carnage of being cheated on, and when Beyonce performed it on recent tours, it had a different resonance, like the pop star was working through her struggles with her husband in gut-wrenching fashion onstage. But when she performs it Saturday night, on the couple’s victory lap, it’s still passionate, but less mournful. Rather than working through it herself, she dedicates the song to anyone who’s been “lied to” or “had [their] heart broken,” helping them to make it through like she did.” Speaking to the sentiment of friendships throughout EVERYTHING IS LOVE, Pitchfork notes, “communal connections thread the album, coming to a head on the sinuous ‘FRIENDS’ which finds the Carters recognizing comrades … as the bedrock of their prosperity. When ‘did it on my own’ rhetoric is still the go-to for success stories, Jay and Beyoncé pausing to honor those in their orbit who ground them is as admirable as it is relatable.”
JAY-Z and Beyoncé’s megalithic On the Run II reported its final totals this week: the tour sold 2,169,050 tickets for an average of 55,617 per show, and each show’s average gross was well over $6.5 million. The biggest payday for the stars came from a two-night stint at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which grossed a whopping $14.1 million. The EVERYTHING IS LOVE album was the surprise of the summer – unveiled at the final London performance of their tour, the album was released with no prior announcement or promotion (in true Beyoncé style). While serving as a love letter between husband and wife, the album explores relationships of all kinds and rekindles the fire that has been highly reported and under pressure since the troubles and infidelities revealed in each of their last albums. Jay & Bey use their time in this album to overcome their struggles and loudly proclaim to the world that with love, anything is possible; with strong friends by your side, you can run an empire. “I don’t know what I would do without all of my crew,” sings Bey about the “no foes,” “ride-or-dies” crew that they’ve amassed over two+ decades in the industry. “They pray and pray for me,” says the singer, thanking her crew for their unselfish wishes, thanking the BFF’s for standing by their sides and never, ever letting them down – giving a nod to the folks behind the scenes like OG Juan and Desiree Perez.
