Kyambo “Hip Hop” Joshua sits with DJ Vlad to revisit Kanye West’s move from producer to Roc-A-Fella artist, disputing the idea that Dame Dash was the driving force behind the deal.
Joshua explains how Kanye’s early work came through Hip Hop Since 1978, why labels hesitated over the “producer-rapper” stigma, and how demos featuring “Jesus Walks” and “Hey Mama” helped shape the vision for *The College Dropout*, *Late Registration*, *Graduation* and *Good Ass Job*. He also recalls seeing Tupac: Resurrection with Kanye, the creation of “Bonnie & Clyde” for Jay-Z, and how “Through the Wire,” “Slow Jamz” with Twista, and “All Falls Down” pushed Kanye into the mainstream. The conversation also touches Atlantic, Def Jam, The Blueprint, The Black Album, Common, John McNeely, Westwood, and the unsolved killing of Joshua’s brother Bob, referenced by Jay-Z on “Lucifer.”
Joshua explains how Hip Hop Since 1978 evolved from a production company into a label force, while also revealing why he left Roc-A-Fella after years of A&R work on Jay-Z albums, including *The Black Album*. Joshua breaks down his view of the Jay-Z and Dame Dash split, pointing to Jay’s reserved leadership style, Dame’s aggressive role as Roc-A-Fella’s public face, growing business divisions, Rocawear, Def Jam politics, and Jay’s desire to operate as his own entity. He also discusses Atlantic’s interest, Steve Stoute tensions, Def Jam buying Roc-A-Fella, Jay-Z receiving his masters, and why Dame Dash Music Group struggled after the breakup.