MUMBAI: Jay-Z’s entertainment company Roc Nation have partnered with Universal Music Group (UMG).

As part of the worlwide agreement, forthcoming albums from Jay-Z, Rihanna and many others will be released through UMG worldwide. This five year deal will allow Roc Nation to continue as an independent label company. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. 

UMG chairman & CEO Lucian Grainge made the announcement. He said, "In just five years, Roc Nation has established itself as one of the most successful brands in music with a reputation for developing some of today?s most influential and popular talent.  Not only does this agreement provide a dynamic platform for Roc Nation's exciting emerging artists, it extends our relationship with the extraordinary Rihanna and represents a homecoming for Jay Z- a brilliant artist and entrepreneur, who has been a creative cornerstone of our company. All of us at UMG are thrilled that Jay and Roc Nation chose UMG as theirpartners, knowing we will support their artists with a level of resources,expertise and passion that is simply unmatched in the industry."

Under the new deal, Jay-Z will bring his Roc Nation artists like Calvin Harris, Hugo, J.Cole, Rita Ora, Willow Smith, Alexis Jordan, Bridget Kelly, Jay Electronica and K Koke under UMG. In a press statement, Jay-Z said, “This agreement presents a unique opportunity for Roc Nation’s artists-being able to continue to operate as an independent label with the strength, power and reach of the best major. I look forward to a long and prosperous collaboration with UMG. It feels good to be home.”

Founded in April 2008, Roc Nation is an American entertainment company founded by Jay-Z. Multiplatinum rapper had previously served as president of Def Jam Records, also part of Universal, from 2004 to 2009, during which he signed Rihanna.

Earlier there were reports that Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group had tried to partner with Roc Nation.

Roc Nation had also ventured into sports business this April. Last year, Roc Nation has expanded aggressively by managing artistes like Rihanna, Santigold, Melanie Fiona, Wale and Mark Ronson, signed management deals with hitmaker Timbaland, Shakira, Kylie Minoge, MIA and LA trio Haim.