JAY-Z is granting the wish of another young adult who’s looking to continue their path to higher learning at the Roc Nation School of Music at Long Island University (LIU).
The student, Samantha Samaka, announced on Twitter recently that she’s received a $40,000 scholarship to attend the school, which had apparently been her dream. Samaka thanked Hov and his wife, Beyoncé, for the kind gesture while celebrating being the first Black woman from Toronto, Canada to enroll.
“THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MY TUITION BEING PAID,” she tweeted. “I LOVE @BEYONCE & JAY Z! HONORED TO BE THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN FROM TORONTO TO BE ACCEPTED INTO JAY Z’S SCHOOL OF MUSIC.”
According to her acceptance letter, Samaka — an aspiring singer and rapper — will be taking courses in the university’s Vocal Performance BM program in the Spring 2023 semester. She also received the $10,000 Excellence Award from the Roc Nation School
Live the LIU experience with over 280,000 alumni worldwide, in-demand majors, access to prominent internship placements and successful careers,” Samaka’s acceptance letter read. “Shark Nation has over 30 Division I teams, state-of-the-art exercise and e-sports facilities, access to CEOs and leaders in industries, and a vibrant campus life filled with opportunities to expand your social and professional networks.”
JAY-Z joined forces with LIU in April 2020 to open the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment. The school is located in Brooklyn, New York, and gives students an opportunity to pursue undergraduate degree programs in music technology, entrepreneurship, sports management and more.
This partnership, envisioned alongside LIU President Dr. Cline, is a true investment in our community and young people in Brooklyn, in New York City and beyond,” Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez said in a statement about the partnership with LIU.
She added: “We’re excited that the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment will provide unique insight, knowledge, and experiences for students and introduce the world to the next generation of unmatched talent.”
The school has been growing exponentially, with several big-name celebrities in the entertainment industry joining the staff. The latest addition was JAY-Z’s longtime engineer Young Guru, who serves as director of the Music Technology, Entrepreneurship and Production program
