Rocawear Laid Off Half its Staff for ‘Economic’ Reasons

January 18th, 2012 - By Brande Victorian

Right as reports were swirling that Jay Z and Beyonce spent more than $1 million to buy out part of Lenox Hospital to give birth, and literally a day before Blue Ivy was born, the Jigga man’s company, Rocawear, laid off half of its staff.

“Economic reasons” were cited as the cause for letting go of 28 of the company’s 56 employees Jan. 6, according to the New York State Department of Labor. Could it be the investment in the flopped “Occupy All Streets” t-shirts they planned to sell for $22 a piece to remind people that “there is change to be made everywhere, not just on Wall Street,” dealt more than a blow to the company’s reputation? Critics were less than enthused when they found out Jay Z intended to keep 100 percent of the profits rather than donate them to the Occupy Wall Street movement. Ironically, the mogul who claimed to be down for the 99% ended up adding to their numbers in the end.

What do you think about this news in lieu of all Jay Z has spent on gifts, security, and preparations for Blue Ivy? Should his personal life be kept separate from his professional, or does this reflect poorly on him?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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  • promethean_dreams

    Really, so dude lays a bunch of people off and you find a picture of him looking clueless.  Let me guess Jay Z doesn’t get the middle class because he is clueless right.  Let your words speak for himself.  I don’t know why we assume these rich people who donate some of their money are saints.  The money they donate is chump change compared to how much they spend for luxury.  I am not mad at Jay Z at all.  I am mad at people looking for any reason to put celebrities on a pedestal just to tear them down.  He is a flawed human just like the rest of us. 

  • Think

    He sold his rights to the company a few years ago. He’s still a stakeholder and oversees marketing if I remember correctly.These type of executive cuts aren’t made by him anymore. I’m getting really tired of this site and it’s either lack of research or purposely misleading information. Get it together!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Alexandrea-Desteny-Gray-Corujo/1372317409 Alexandrea Desteny Gray-Corujo

    He sold Rocawear and no your child is your number one priority.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=8633338 Jessica Pharm

    Neither Jay Z nor Beyonce really stand for anything. 

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002118369491 Traceyann ImaSurvivor Lumsden

      God is not sleeping and the world is seeing through their bullcrap…no1 wears rocawear or house of dereon anymore…

  • Ms_Sunshine9898

    it should be, but it’s hypocritical. he is no different from the wall street bankers who take lavish vacations and spend millions on themselves and yet lay off employees claiming that the economy has got your company down yet you continue to indulge yourselves. that was real slick that move he pulled with the Occupy Wall Street movement, and it won’t be long before people grow tired of him and his wife for stunts like this. . . .

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002118369491 Traceyann ImaSurvivor Lumsden

      GROWING tired is an understatement

  • Abc

    Jay Z sold Rocawear in 2007 and has long stopped endorsing the company.

  • http://www.facebook.com/kevinferere Kevin Ferere

    It’s a simple executive decision based on financial fundamentals.  That doesn’t necessarily reflect poor character.  It more so reflects sharp business acumen.  It sad those folks are out of work, but I’m sure they saw it coming.

    • Ms_Sunshine9898

      would you say the same about people who lost their home and jobs during the economic collapse while their wealthy coporate bosses continued to live the good life inspiring the occupy wall street movement?

      • promethean_dreams

        If those same people adamantly supported a system that they knew cared nothing about them because, “it would never happen to me” then yes.  We need to get over this gushy love affair we have with capitalism.  It is not the be all end all.  It couldn’t care less about any of us.  That is not its goal.

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  • Guest

    One thing has nothing to do with the other.  The money he spent on his kid has no impact on his business dealings.  Celebrity clothing lines have booms and busts.  ROC-A-WEAR is played out.  
    That’s all…

  • Tangerine906

    It’s RocaWear