It didn't take Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, a famous rapper and entrepreneur, very long to elevate his clothing line into the mega-brand it is today. Utilizing his musical notoriety and the urban influence of his label, Roc-A-Fella Records, the Rocawear clothing line was born in 1999. Appealing to the urban customer, Rocawear soon blossomed into a premier lifestyle brand.

Today, Rocawear is owned by Iconix Brand Group; however, Jay-Z continues to oversee the marketing, licensing, and product development of the company. A smart decision on their part, Jay-Z's cool, urban influence has built a brand that has tremendous sales of over $700 million a year. Sometimes called THE ROC, Rocawear has also evolved from a men's sportswear brand into a huge clothing company. Through business savvy licensing agreements, Rocawear has partnered on lines for children, juniors, socks, handbags, belts, headwear, jewelry, footwear, and much more.

Without a question, Rocawear's innovative use of fabrics and designs, have made them a force to be reckoned with. Since launching over a decade ago, consumers and fashion leaders often refer to THE ROC as a dynasty. By expanding to the UK, Japan, Canada, Europe, Korea, Middle East, and Russia, Rocawear doesn't just make trends nowadays, but creates them. Their success, however, would not exist if it weren't for their superior marketing skills. By utilizing several media outlets and running a department store with a specialized feel, Rocawear is one brand that will definitely stand the test of time.