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Artist News Education & Events
Jay-Z’s Roc Nation to open its first university
By Andy Malt | Published on Friday 7 August 2020
It’s hard to think of areas of the music business where Jay-Z doesn’t operate. And before you start totting that list up in your head, just let me tell you that you can no longer include music education on it. The rapper has announced that he’s opening his own university – the Roc Nation School Of Music, Sports & Entertainment.
A partnership with the Long Island University in Brooklyn, the school will offer undergraduate degrees in music, music technology, entrepreneurship and production, and sports management. Roc Nation says that 25% of its students will be given full scholarships, allowing them to graduate with no debt. And as well as academic study, all students will be placed in “immersive internships” in order to enter the job market with real-world experience.
“Pursuing higher education is an investment in one’s future”, says Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez. “This partnership, envisioned alongside LIU President Dr Cline, is a true investment in our community and young people in Brooklyn, in New York City and beyond. We’re excited that the Roc Nation School Of Music, Sports & Entertainment will provide unique insight, knowledge, and experiences for students and introduce the world to the next generation of unmatched talent”.
The there mentioned Dr Kimberly Cline adds: “Our proximity in and around New York City’s epicentre of music and sports clearly positions us to offer unparalleled experiential learning and access to professional opportunities that will launch students to success. We look forward to joining with Roc Nation to offer an unprecedented educational resource that opens up the entertainment and sports world to a new and eager generation”.
In the announcement, Roc Nation also says that it will consider opening more schools in future. First it needs to get this one up and running though. Applications for entry in September 2021 will open later this year.
