Kareem 'Biggs' Burke Net Worth

What is Kareem 'Biggs' Burke's Net Worth?

Kareem 'Biggs' Burke is an American rap mogul with a net worth of $1.5 million. He is best known for co-founding Roc-A-Fella Records and Rocawear clothing with Jay-Z and Damon Dash. Originally an independent outlet, Roc-A-Fella Records represented major artists like The Notorious B.I.G., Camp Lo, Da Ranjahz, Sauce Money, Jaz-O, and Memphis Bleek. Jay-Z eventually bought out Damon and Kareem from Rocawear before it was acquired in 2007 for $204 million. Damon claimed they were offered $450 million by Tommy Hilfiger, which could have given him $40 million.

Roc-A-Fella Records was a 50/50 partnership with Def Jam almost from the beginning, eventually selling the remaining 50% to Def Jam under Universal Music. After the sale, Damon Dash and Kareem Burke founded their own label, while Jay-Z became the President of Def Jam.

After Roc-A-Fella, Burke joined Damon Dash to launch Dame Dash Music. Roc-A-Fella Records currently operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group and is distributed by Island Def Jam Motown Music Group. Burke continued with Dame Dash until Roc-A-Fella's sale. He ventured into other areas, co-directing and executive-producing the documentary film It's a Hard Truth, Ain't It, featuring 13 incarcerated men studying filmmaking as part of their prison therapy.

Early Life

Kareem Burke was born on January 19, 1974, in Harlem, New York City. He has many siblings, including Brian, Robert, Kyambo, and Jamil.

Roc-A-Fella Records

In 1995, Kareem Burke co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records with Jay-Z and Damon Dash. Damon approached Burke to be an angel investor, and Burke contributed $16,000 in startup capital. This money was used to film Jay-Z's music video for 'In My Lifetime' on a yacht in St. Thomas.

The company was initially founded to distribute Jay-Z's debut album Reasonable Doubt after major labels rejected him. Released in 1996, the album helped Jay-Z establish himself in the hip hop world. Producers DJ Clark Kent, DJ Ski, and rappers Sauce Money, Memphis Bleek, and Jaz-O soon joined the roster. In 1997, Roc-A-Fella Records entered a 50/50 partnership with Def Jam Recordings, leading to Jay-Z's sophomore album In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 and other successful releases like Hard Knock Life.

In the new millennium, the label succeeded with artists like Beanie Sigel and DJ Clue, with their albums cracking the Billboard 200 top five. Additional hits included Cam'ron's Come Home with Me, Freeway's Philadelphia Freeway, and Kanye West's The College Dropout. West continued to release top albums under Roc-A-Fella. By 2004, Def Jam Recordings fully acquired Roc-A-Fella. A couple of years later, Burke sold his shares and left the music industry.

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Circle of Success

Returning to the industry in 2019, Burke launched his own management company, Circle of Success. His first client was rapper and songwriter Saint Jhn.

Imprisonment

In 2012, Burke was sentenced to five years in prison for conspiring to distribute over 100 kilos of marijuana. He was also ordered to forfeit his New Jersey home, BMW, and $15,000 in cash. Burke was released from prison in late 2015.

Television Films

Beyond music, Burke has been involved in television films related to prison life. He co-directed and executive-produced the 2018 documentary It's a Hard Truth, Ain't It, featuring incarcerated men at Pendleton Correctional Facility in Indiana, who earned directing credits alongside Burke. He also executive-produced the TV film O.G., starring Jeffrey Wright, which premiered in 2018 and aired on HBO in 2019. O.G. portrays a man reentering society after 26 years in prison.