Jay-Z and Stargate start new label

NEW YORK, Sept. 25 (UPI) -- Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter and the Norwegian production duo Stargate have announced the formation of StarRoc, a New York-based music label and publishing company.

Roc Nation, Jay-Z's official venture with Live Nation, has struck a global partnership deal with Stargate encompassing both a music label and publishing company, StarRoc Music Publishing. It is the first partnership for Roc Nation, Live Nation said.

"Stargate were like a secret weapon. We had great success with Rihanna and Ne-Yo. In only two years, they've generated 10 singles in the Top 10 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart and three of those singles hit the No. 1 position. This has been a rewarding partnership and it was time to take the creative venture to the next level," Jay-Z said in a statement.

"We've already had a lot of success together and look forward to building the new company," added Stargate. "Roc Nation and Live Nation are two of the most exciting companies in the music business today and we want to be part of that future."

Stargate has worked on the songs "Irreplaceable," "Take A Bow," "Closer" and "Unfaithful."