Former Roc-A-Fella Artist ‘Rebel’ Addresses Jay-Z Theft

Rebel’s longstanding anger at Jay for stealing his sign and running with it without so much a sign of gratitude or acknowledgment. An anger that has only intensified over the years as his diamond sign has taken on a life of its own.

Former Roc-A-Fella Artist REBEL Finally Addresses The Theft of His Diamond Sign By Jay-Z

New York, NY (March 2007) — Formerly signed to Roc-a-Fella Records as a member of the group Diamonds in da Ruff, REBEL is now an unsigned solo artist writing the next chapter in his life.

Since breaking away from The Roc in 2001, REBEL has formulated his own movement (S.I.B Entertainment) and established himself as a unparalleled solo artist who is a deadly combination of talent, experience, business savvy, self-confidence and an intense drive that is fueled by his deep love for the music.

REBEL’s music isn’t image driven but rather a mirror of his life, so the result is material that is riddled with complexity and unpredictability. He freely gives an honest look into his real person and takes you on a easily visualized journey that chronicles his life’s ups and downs, allowing people on all levels to see a bit of themselves in his words.

REBEL knows he comes from a unique position in rap. He has the experience of a seasoned artist without any stigma of failure. His start in the game wasn’t unsuccessful, he simply never released an album, and his fans have never stopped checking for him. Grateful for that fact, REBEL has spent the last 3 years giving his loyal fans, as well as his new fan base, exactly what they want. Hot music that is coupled with a level of integrity that the game is sorely missing.

Never one for theatrics, REBEL has always wanted people to know him for his music and respect him for his ideas and honest personality; not for some fabricated beef or purchased DJ cosign or manufactured image. It was that desire to stand on his music alone that has keep REBEL silent on the true lineage of the diamond sign for all these years. He didn’t want his speaking up to look like some kind of tactic. And he didn’t want his music to be overshadowed by controversy.

Having said that, many will ask why speak up now? Given the recent attacks on Jay-Z is it opportunity? Strategic timing? A cry for attention?

Truth is, it’s a collection of things. Most notably:

– REBEL’s longstanding anger at Jay for stealing his sign and running with it without so much a sign of gratitude or acknowledgment. An anger that has only intensified over the years as his diamond sign has taken on a life of its own.

– The realization that staying silent wasn’t being true to his person. He has always been honest, almost to a fault. Keeping quiet just to avoid ruffling feathers or slightly shifting the attention from his music to himself doesn’t jive with who he is. He realized he’s been voicing his frustration at the game’s reluctance to take a risk and stop being so safe and that was exactly what he was doing.