Desiree Perez is at the head of Roc Nation, the entertainment powerhouse founded by the legendary Jay-Z. As CEO since 2019, she manages the company’s multiple interests, including music, sports, publishing, philanthropy and social impact initiatives.
Perez’s collaboration with Jay-Z spans more than a quarter of a century, during which she was instrumental in implementing strategic business decisions. Notably, she played a significant role in the founding of Tidal, the music streaming service that Jay-Z bought in 2015, and was the driving force behind its growth.
Her influence extends beyond the corporate sphere into social reforms. As a board member of the Reform Alliance, which seeks to transform the probation and parole systems, Perez works with influencers like Jay-Z and Meek Mill to advocate for criminal justice reform.
The news of Perez’s presidential pardon of Donald Trump in January 2021 captured the public’s attention. The pardon was linked to her past involvement in a drug conspiracy in the 1990s, an offense for which she served nine months in prison and co-operated with police. Following the pardon, Perez expressed her gratitude and increased commitment to her social justice advocacy.
Born into a Cuban family steeped in musical tradition, Perez grew up in New York City surrounded by the rhythms of salsa, with her father playing alongside legends such as Celia Cruz and Tito Puente, and her mother gracing the stages of nightclubs and hotels as a singer. This environment undoubtedly shaped Perez’s early passion for music and business.
Her journey into the music industry began with roles as a promoter and booking agent, which eventually led to her meeting Jay-Z through her then-husband, Juan Perez, in the mid-1990s. This meeting marked the beginning of a professional relationship that would lead her to the position of executive assistant and eventually become Jay-Z’s main collaborator.
Perez’s business acumen has been instrumental in negotiating high-stakes deals, including Live Nation’s $200 million partnership with Roc Nation and the sale of a stake in Tidal to Sprint for $200 million. Her leadership at Roc Nation has been marked by her ability to identify and nurture new talent, as well as expanding the company’s global reach.
Her achievements have not gone unnoticed, with prestigious accolades such as the Billboard Women in Music Executive of the Year Award and the Music Biz Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award cementing her status as one of the most influential women in the music industry.
On the personal front, Perez is married to Juan Perez, a major figure in the entertainment industry and president of Roc Nation Sports. Together, they share a strong marriage of more than two decades and have raised four children while maintaining a deep commitment to their Catholic faith and privacy.
Juan Perez, a Harlem native who once worked as a bouncer and bodyguard, now manages the careers of elite athletes and has orchestrated some of the most lucrative sports contracts in recent history. His success story is marked by his rise from challenging beginnings and characterized by his dedication and passion for luxury collectibles.
Desiree and Juan Perez’s life together, away from the public eye, is rooted in New Jersey, where they focus on their family life and spiritual beliefs, rarely making their personal information public.