An Insider's History of The Iconic Roc-A-Fella Chain

Complex News speaks with former Roc-a-Fella employee aka Everyday Struggle's Wayno, about how one gets bestowed a Roc chain. Here's a look at some of the most prominent people to be given a chain and some history on why it means so much to receive one.
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COMPLEX is a community of creators and curators, armed with the Internet, committed to surfacing and sharing the voices and conversations that define our new America. Our videos exemplify convergence culture, exploring topics that include music, sneakers, style, sports and pop culture through original shows and Complex News segments. Featuring your favorite celebrities, authoritative commentary, and a unique voice, our videos make culture pop.

[@justaction]

It’s always good when Natasha blesses us.

[@yusufmac5397]

justaction Alex hugens*

[@attisdriver2388]

No is always good when black women bless us with their presence duh

[@Jamesgalc-gs8wu]

​@@attisdriver2388 there's more than that in the world

[@paytonmoran5533]

they gave twista a chian too

[@carboy101]

I'm glad it's still around and still exclusive. Some things need to be earned.

[@cliftonyoung7838]

You get the chain cuz of loyalty not because you made a hit

[@luciousmontgomery1045]

I had a roc chain.. got it off canal street in NY 10 dollars they threw a du-rag in too😂💯

[@starburyt7344]

I got mine on Flatbush 😁

[@Radii15]

🤣😂🤣 so much for that legendary chain

[@streetwearchef5854]

lmaoo word and they had the spreewell rims chain and bricksquad chains

[@rayw4564]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@johnwilliams983]

🤣

[@JFairclothTV]

“Roc-A-Fella y’all” 🎶🍾

[@_unclecharles_]

so wayno basically gave the backstory on how Hov ran with Chris whisper flow

[@larrisamitchell9780]

Wow thats what i was thinking

[@brickcity1711]

@@larrisamitchell9780Facts

[@Jamesgalc-gs8wu]

I always heard that but no specific songs where he copied the style

[@davidfinley8777]

This video had the potential to be so much better, just a 2 min interview with the insider and another 5 minutes of Natasha telling us stories we already heard.

[@Inspirmentalist]

Damn man I want a rocafella chain now too lol.

[@rejectSocietyTV]

Y’all forgot that Curren$y got a Roc Chain too... from Dame.

[@SDPTheGhost]

RejectSocietyTV I hope to get a Jet Life chain from him one day

[@landerlahtinen6390]

@@SDPTheGhost stfu

[@markvee4746]

black men building with each other brings tears to my eyes.

[@mybiznizisbangingdooog7481]

Building what 😢

[@CarlosMorales-nr2rg]

Gay

[@BigDapPacino]

From 98 to 03...they owned the Rap game on the East Coast...I wanted that medallian with the yellow gold cuban link and those custom Air Force 1's...I still want them damn shoes , though!

[@dipsetny9291]

Roc-A-Fella had the game on lock during that time frame. No rap company was doing their type of numbers besides Cash Money and yet they still wasn’t fucking with Roc-A-Fella.

[@tyriqkhalil]

Much respect. Keep it up Complex. This what we need to see

[@retroesso]

I was at that show in Chicago when Ye got that chain! It was 9/07/2002!!!

[@JustYohannes]

Legendary record label and chain.

[@shawnwilliam1802]

Greatest chain in the game

[@ONYEEWEJ]

It's the ROC!

[@2twelvez]

Cesar Castillo delete this, pitch the idea to someone who can make that happen so you can get a check off your idea bro

[@ONYEEWEJ]

@@2twelvez good point! Appreciate that bruh!

[@2twelvez]

Cesar Castillo no doubt brodi! Good luck with that & much blessings 🙏🏽

[@dlowheim]

Aaliyah had one.. but nobody said a word...

[@mccolycoken]

Facts

[@SimilakChild]

Tru Life got the best Rocafella chain, all them other dudes got that plain gold with diamonds in it.

[@bigbrooklynite7058]

Forreal tho you ain't lying, I remember seeing Tru Life shit in person, them diamonds was hitting DIFFERENT he had the globe joint shit was fire.

[@SWAMPLIFETERRY]

Everybody wanted the roc chain

[@Radii15]

I didnt

[@HOTHEAD11234]

Radii15 cause you a mook

[@drayhudson3776]

Nah real G's wanted the QB chain

[@mccolycoken]

@@drayhudson3776 that's a Hood you can't just have a chain of place you're not from

[@mccolycoken]

That and The Diplomats peice

[@mccolycoken]

I was and still am the Biggest Roc fan til this day

[@MarcLondonTV]

yall forgot he gave one to Fab too!

[@bushdid-du9pw]

I missed the whole Roc-A-Fella era, and there any none good documentarys about the label, so would be great if Complex did the first!

[@ByRaymondFerguson]

bushdid911 had to be there

[@RedRanger_]

Yo Gotti and Fab have Roc chains..

[@ninadganore]

It's awesome that j cole has the best version of the chain.

[@tomascarona6778]

Nah the best version is the presidential chain. Rose gold with black diamonds. Only Jay, Biggs, Dame and later Kanye have it that I know of.

[@jasonlancaster3281]

That's Jay's trash

[@Roy_MO]

@@tomascarona6778 Jay gave cole the original he use to wear

[@tomascarona6778]

@@Roy_MO Yes it was a regular Roc chain, not the presidential. That one hov still has as far as im aware

[@pdswrld5200]

@@Roy_MO isn't Jay Cole from the west coast?

[@SuperSouthside18]

Sean Evans clapping them cheeks

[@CiaobellaAmour]

🤦🏽😂😳

[@CEE80]

wtf is Sean Evans?

[@kk-sr1wl]

No limit and cash money chain was something also in the south

[@YoungRippa17]

Dnt forget meek got 1 now💯 jay made dreamchasers more than a movement

[@justindeale9185]

It’s losing its prestige...everyone is getting one

[@TheRealGGGio]

Meek and Fabolous✅

[@elmascavidal1797]

That TS chain was nothing to sneeze at.. 🤔💭💭💭 just saying 👐🏼

[@kevinmichael6719]

I want a TS chain.

[@AlbAlbz]

Still it is the Deathrow chain above all.

[@d.felixphoto2260]

Not as much history tho

[@elmascavidal1797]

D. Felix Photo very true

[@mccolycoken]

Diplomats

[@dylo9631]

4:23 to 4:40 she deadass did a verse.

[@gangstaarmy6969]

8 BARS WIT RYMES

[@hendrixlynch5918]

I think they meant Pendant!

[@SeptienPatterson]

Jermaine Cole getting the chain off the first album? Platinum

[@pedrogates3189]

Dame n hov breaking up was like watching my two favorite uncles beefing lol

[@LittySmitty]

Dame knew Kanye was dope!!!

[@Cedricjrlitnow]

When we united we get a whole bunch more money!

[@Hugo_Tate]

2:01 freeway rockin that 5 pound bluetooth harddd lmao

[@damienmarquisarcher2]

The Roc Chain Is Like The Olde English 40oz Bottle in Early 90's The Menace To Society, Boyz In The Hood, and Dont Be A Menace To Society While Drinking Your Juice In The Hood Era, Which Has Been Passed Around. Just Like How The Olde English 40oz in The Brown Glass Bottle Used To Be A Classic,It Has Been Changed To A Plastic Bottle And They Added Two More Ounces To Compensate For The P.R. Failure That It Has Created. Just Like The Glass Bottle Olde English 40oz Was A Classic The Mid 1990's Roc Chain Was Held In That Same Standard. By Both Products Being Oversaturated,Both The Olde English 40oz oops. .I Meant The Olde English 42oz Plastic Bottle and The Jay Z : "This Is My Last Roc Chain I Think I For Sure This Time." Roc-A-Fella Chain Fell Off. Sad. -DamienMarquis

[@kva5004]

You're bugging on this one. The Roc chain still holds cultural value, and you still can't just get one. I mean you can have one made just like anyone can have a copy made of something but the stories behind you getting the chain is the priceless moment of it all. In 50-100 years, them chains could be worth millions as memorabilia or collectibles. the 3 founder's chains, the 3 executive chains with the black diamond, the rose gold and the older versions. All of them represent a specific status and timeframe in the crew. As they age and become collectibles, they can be dated to when they were given out, and who they belonged to specifically. Like Cole's chain, probably will never be sold because it's Jay's chain. It's obviously going to be one of the most sought after Roc Chains.

[@matthewmann8969]

Only artists that sold loads on Rocafella were Jay, Kanye, And Twista

[@Bxwaveprince]

Fab got his not too long ago also....within the past year

[@HEYSERG]

I think it was before that. Maybe in 2017

[@Bxwaveprince]

@@HEYSERG you are correct...i Just checked his IG... the chaining was November 2017... sharp guy

[@HEYSERG]

I don't even know how I remember that 😂

[@tpecanadaoldchannel5298]

Imma wear Kanye's Roc A Fella chain someday

[@MicJonez219]

Ya'll missed the fact that Dame gave one to Curren$y back in 2010 when he had DD172. Or the fac that Nore allegedly threw his in the trash.

[@ArtisanWindchimes]

Nore wouldn't do that. And I think Curren$y had a Dame Dash Music Group chain

[@MicJonez219]

you gotta do ya Googles, Curren$y had a Roc Chain & Nore said it in a XXL Magazine interview.

[@ArtisanWindchimes]

@@MicJonez219 Nore wild

[@lordg3803]

DA$H got one also.

[@flanzjones]

Was gonna say the same shit cuz

[@samuraijack10]

Ahh yess, a historical video of the passing of a chain that went from one greasy neck to another greasy neck

[@bluemartinez_]

LMAOOOOO

[@tramarparker7725]

That cost probably more than u made ya whole life lol

[@bonymac23]

She didnt mention fabolous....but he has one as well

[@Mo1683]

How? Fab was signed to DJ Clue's Desert Storm, he had a Tornado emblem chain

[@hustlemarsalis2679]

Mo Hazzam fab got one and so does yo gotti

[@Mo1683]

@@hustlemarsalis2679 Yeah you're right. I found yesterday. I just assumed 'cause to me. it always seemed the two always low key threw lil' subliminal jabs at each other thru records.

[@DOKKKSTRANGE]

Y'all could have put a State Property member up there instead of Big Sean.

[@DOKKKSTRANGE]

@@budasthegreat6950 Oschino not State Prop...

[@Hugo_Tate]

6:39 lmao jay tellin everyone that it's his last chain

[@pdswrld5200]

I'm Mexican and someday I will earn mines ❤️✌🏼Roc-A-Familia

[@dionthomas2969]

Top 5 Label chains 1.Nolimit records 2.CashMoney records 3.S.O.D.M.G 4.Dipset 5. NBA YB chain /G-unit chain/Death Row

[@dionw1644]

Griselda is up there now

[@therlbred850]

Meek got a roc chain💯🏆

[@HEYSERG]

I love that chain

[@shannonsuo6970]

Aaliyah's chain

[@vvshoodlum4219]

"Ok i 'm reloaded "

[@summerhousesully5533]

Do this video again

[@TheJoshua9965]

Dame Dash gave Twista a chain back in 2003. Dame wanted to sign Twista to the Roc real bad but it never happened.

[@christopherayettey4390]

It was bleek not dame

[@elmascavidal1797]

Twista currently works in Wrigley Field as a beer bender

[@christopherayettey4390]

@@elmascavidal1797 lmaooo

[@jesuslivesinmeful]

@@elmascavidal1797 actually twists makes pretty good money

[@BruceWayne_87]

All i can say is..everyone on the list deserves that roc chain aside from that DJ khaled.

[@firebars3182]

False! Khaled definitely deserved it

[@Franknitti-wk1tu]

Best chain in hiphop history

[@47tunes23]

Get it together, I rock hoes, you rock fellas 🤣

[@RedRanger_]

47Tunes is it oochie Wally or is it one mic? 🤔

[@47tunes23]

Red Ranger tf you talkin about

[@thepza2821]

Red Ranger ether

[@ArtisanWindchimes]

2 of them shits was doo

[@yodotmega6380]

I still wanna earn one.

[@YoungRippa17]

I remember when cole got his just cause that was the same day I found out j cole was the lost verse to a star is born

[@illuminatigbeats1397]

lost? he was on the album when it released? is there another verse ?

[@robertherred9770]

Yoo Gotti got a Roc chain also

[@theybuggin8640]

And meek

[@jaegood]

Fab got one

[@branonbrown8617]

Damon Natasha looks like a young jlo

[@jasonlancaster3281]

Jay passed his old shit down

[@gabrielrangel5701]

Natasha, tell Sean to gift you Hot Ones chain, diamond chicken wing on it baby girl.

[@Mandontworkdonteat]

Most iconic chain

[@wesleysimon955]

That picture with jay and Beyonce kissing jay wasn't looking to engaged with the kiss. I don't know his body language was off as if he was pulling back a bit. Is it because the rumors saying Beyonce breathe stink? I'm just saying if I'm wrong correct me.

[@ElBrillante4]

7:18 @nickiminaj on Twitter 🤔

[@seanjohnson7000]

It's the roc

[@starburyt7344]

The super for my building has a Roc chain...saw him rocking it just last night while trying to figure out why there was no power

[@qlinkuser4651]

In getting a Attacked over here phisically By Erin Zamora

[@bbe388]

Get Wayno a chain,he earned it!

[@ajantsmith6139]

Khaled has one. Whatever value it had is long gone.

[@joshingram071]

Not everyone under Rocnation has one. Fab, Meek, Yo Gotti, J. Cole, Khaled, & Big Sean do at the moment. Considering the all star lineup over there that's under their management. Some like Fat Joe, LOX, TI, & Jeezy most likely turned down getting a chain cuz of their legendary statuses & crews that they built or still associated w (I.e Fat Joe w TS or the lox 25 yr relationship w Ruff Ryders).

[@216zayOfficial]

Everything is losing luster from culture vultures....THE REAL WILL ALWAYS BE RECOGNIZED WITHOUT STRUGGLE. HIGHLY INFLUENCED BY THE ROC🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@dangelobrown3927]

Bruh they got their label name off of a white Jewish family, please don’t talk about culture Vulture

[@tybeentrill3748]

1:12 Inspiring.

[@kizking9930]

The roc was hot in the game

[@billionsafteryourmother6970]

Finally news I guess

[@ArtisanWindchimes]

Best Rocafella artists 1 Jay-Z 2 Cam'Ron 3 Beanie Sigel 4 Kanye West 5 State Property (Freeway and Peedi) 6 Dipset (Juelz and Jim Jones) 7 Just Blaze 8 Twista 9 ODB 10 MOP 11 Memphis Bleek 12 J Cole 13 Big Sean 14 DJ Clue 15 Nore, Joe Budden, Graf(I think they signed toward the end) 16 Everybody managed by Roc Nation from Meek Mill, The Lox, Fat Joe, Fabolous, TI

[@RedRanger_]

Artisan Windchimes Cam’ron over Beans?? Kanye over Freeway?? Gtfoh

[@ArtisanWindchimes]

@@RedRanger_ Cam and Beans pretty even. You can give the edge lyrically to Beans. Beans got 2 classic albums The Truth and the B Coming. Cam got 3 classic albums SDE, Come Home With Me and Purple Haze. That's why I gave the edge to Cam plus he became a bigger artist. I don't like Kanye as a rapper but he has a huge fan base

[@brandonsegura123]

Artisan Windchimes what fucking planet are you living on buddy? Meek Mill last? Cam over Ye? Big Sean and Cole in last. Like wtf are you judging this from? Cus if it’s from bars then you were seriously on something when you made this list.

[@thepza2821]

brandon segura you think ye can out bar cam? 😂

[@ArtisanWindchimes]

@@brandonsegura123 Anybody from Rocafella era automatically goes ahead of Roc Nation. Rocafella was a moment in time. J Cole and Big Sean not part of the Dynasty. And Cam ahead of Kanye to me lyrically, style, I like his albums better, flow, delivery. Only reason Kanye so high on the list is because he a legendary producer that contributed to a lot of Roc albums.

[@qlinkuser4651]

My name is Jessica Evangelina Flores

[@mlombardo126]

Yo gotti got one too

[@mrq.1236]

Is this Complex or Genius?

[@bravoanane]

Wayno is Styles P’s son lol

[@willpastatus]

Peedi Crack, Oschino, Sparks???? Smh

[@criprecords7940]

CRIP RECORDS' CHIEF EXECUTIVE,FOUNDER AND RECORDING ARTIST: CLAUDE TREY EVANS, III .

[@jereznorwood7269]

Everybody copied Dipset chain tho

[@qlinkuser4651]

Live oak Texas

[@YoungRippa17]

Meek got 1 too

[@kk-sr1wl]

Jayz carried the ROC

[@Demsky83]

Only icons were apart of the label? Amil was an icon what about Rell? These Rose colored lenses dont fit well.

[@Firmfiasco]

So this is whole story about Wayne O? Lol must be a slow news day lmao

[@kincamell2]

Heavy.

[@marquesmorgan7297]

Craziest roster

[@jaxj9813]

So is tru life chain real or it might be oh juan

[@jermainenorthern26]

When i say where jaymac go and cars floow its not a messing up the place s i go thik you

[@jaimevalenzuela8699]

Green corona @5:35

[@livefree5874]

Corona Virus @The Air

[@michaelblizz]

Does anyone have one? Please contact me. Thank you 🙏🏽

[@BethalMiles]

Y’all here after the documentary too huh 😂

[@qlinkuser4651]

Brandi Lizet Gray

[@bgdoz6657]

Facts

[@yashs9345]

People. We got Natasha on screen