Music entrepreneur Gee Roberson has announced the formation of his own, new record label called Blueprint Group.
Roberson, who is currently the Chairman of Geffen Records, will transition out of the role, to run his own company.
In addition to being a full-service record label, Blueprint Group offers managerial and artistic development.
Roberson will put his time running Geffen Records to good use.
“I’m very happy about the knowledge and experience I gained at Geffen that will be very useful going forward in the future,” Roberson said. “Now it’s time to go back to my roots, that entrepreneurial spirit, wrap my arms around my own label and fold it into Interscope Geffen A&M. Based on the relationship I already have with Jimmy [Iovine] and everyone at the label, this is a very natural move that’s filled with synergies.”
Blueprint Group already has signed new acts on the roster, including rapper/producer Hitboy and critically acclaimed Chicago rappers LEP Bogus Boys.
The artists should benefit from Roberson’s deep rolodex, thanks to the success of his two previous companies, Rock Tha World, which managed Kanye West and Hip-Hop Since 1978, which merged with Cortez Bryant’s Bryant Management.
That company, now called Blueprint Group, counts Drake, Lil Wayne, T.I. and Nicki Minaj as artists on the roster.
Roberson and will Cortez Bryant remain co-CEOs of Blueprint Group, while Interscope Geffen A&M will handle the marketing and distribution of the label.
“Gee has an extraordinary entrepreneurial instinct and that spirit has always been an important part of our company,” said Interscope head Jimmy Iovine. “John [Janick, Interscope COO] and I are thrilled at the opportunity to partner with Gee on his latest venture.”