Desiree Perez

Since 2009, Roc Nation’s Chief Executive Officer, Desiree Perez has been, besides Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter himself, the person most responsible for realizing his ultimate vision of creating a business empire that spreads far beyond its origins. In her time at the company, Roc Nation has grown beyond a record label, music publishing, and artist & sports management agency, to become a company that both engages and employs his community.

In addition to her involvement in all aspects of Mr. Carter’s music career, from platinum records to sold-out tours, Perez has had her hand in every significant deal the company has made in the past decade, including a groundbreaking deal with the NFL focused on entertainment and social justice, all while overseeing Roc Nation’s day-to-day operations.

Perez is responsible for a 10-year, $200 million worldwide touring deal between Mr. Carter and Live Nation, a decade after the two parties had inked a multi-million dollar 360-degree deal that included management, publishing, licensing and other outside investments. Her work led to a worldwide partnership with Universal Music Group, under which Roc Nation joined the Universal family, while still operating as a standalone label.

The company’s management arm boasts a roster of superstars including Mariah Carey and Rihanna, the latter of whom Perez negotiated multi-million sponsorship deals with Samsung and Puma. After helping to found Roc Nation Sports, Perez negotiated Kevin Durant’s groundbreaking endorsement deal with Nike—a whopping 10-year, $300 million dollar contract. This came only a short year after shepherding Robinson Cano’s 10-year, $240 million player contract with the Seattle Mariners. She continues to further help to expand Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter’s portfolio with the successful luxury liquor brands D’USSÉ Cognac and Armand de Brignac (Ace of Spades) champagne and clothing line, Paper Planes.

Her business acumen extends to negotiating the purchase of the streaming service TIDAL for $56 million and spearheading the deal to sell a 33% stake in the company to Sprint for $200 million.

In addition to building the business, Perez also leads Team Roc, Roc Nation’s philanthropic division. She fights tirelessly to tackle social injustices on a daily basis; whether it is helping families with legal aid to taking on Governors and prison systems. In February 2020, Perez led the team that assisted over 150 inmates to sue over barbaric conditions at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman. She was the driving force behind Meek Mill’s legal team to petition the courts to secure the rapper’s release from prison. Although she prefers to keep a low profile, Perez has worked tirelessly to bring attention to the subject of prison reform, which led to the formation of REFORM Alliance, an organization that fights for prison and probation reform.

The Bronx, NY native honed her skills through the nightlife and restaurant management ranks at several locations in NYC before co-founding the flagship 40/40 club located in Manhattan’s Flatiron District, of which she is part owner.

Through all initiatives and all her work, Perez allows the voiceless to have a voice and a platform from which to speak.