![CNN’s Van Jones Signs With Roc Nation](http://townsquare.media/site/812/files/2017/05/GettyImages-656930586.jpg?w=630&h=420&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=980&q=75)
CNN’s Van Jones Signs With Roc Nation
Jay Z is racking up quite a roster under his Roc Nation management firm, and he's just recruited a powerful voice to join the team. CNN host Van Jones announced he has signed a management deal with Hov's imprint, as he will use the platform to build his activist mission.
According to the Washington Post, Jones, who is the host of The Messy Truth on CNN, is hoping the Roc Nation signing will boost his work for green initiatives, help get the youth involved in the tech sector and train prison inmates in media skills. Currently, he works hard to help young people from marginalized backgrounds find employment in the tech field, and wants to reform the nation's prison system. You may recognize him for his appearances providing commentary in recent documentaries, including 13th, as well as Time: The Kalief Browder Story.
Jones currently hosts The Messy Truth on the network, and was previously an Obama environmental adviser. He was forced to resign after receiving pressure from Republicans due to his controversial statement on the September 11 terrorist attacks. Although he is outspoken on his activism initiatives, he recently garnered negative commentary after he praised Donald Trump for saluting the widow of a Navy SEAL during a speech before Congress back in February.
The specifics of the management deal aren't yet clear, but with the activism work that Hov is doing behind the scenes, we know this is a major step in the right direction.
9 Rappers Who Served in the Military
More From XXL
![Hip-Hop Lyrics That Surprisingly Aged Well](http://townsquare.media/site/812/files/2024/07/attachment-Jay-Z-Lyrics-Aged-Well.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Hip-Hop Artists Who’ve Gone Diamond](http://townsquare.media/site/812/files/2019/09/attachment-diamond-rappers-eminem-drake-tupac-shakur-50-cent.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![This Is Every Hip-Hop Song and Album That Has Gone Diamond in Music History](http://townsquare.media/site/812/files/2024/07/attachment-eminem-drake-jay-z-tupac-shakur.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Lupe Fiasco Suggests Drake Buy Dame Dash’s One-Third Share of Jay-Z’s Reasonable Doubt Album](http://townsquare.media/site/812/files/2024/07/attachment-Lupe-Fiasco-Dame-Dash-Drake-Reasonable-Doubt-Album.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Royce 5’9″ Responds to Rumors that Eminem Dissed Jay-Z on ‘Tobey’](http://townsquare.media/site/812/files/2024/07/attachment-royce-da-59-eminem-jay-z.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Shaq Officially Releases First-Ever Jay-Z and Nas Collab Recorded 28 Years Ago](http://townsquare.media/site/812/files/2024/06/attachment-Shaq-Jay-Z-Nas.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![45 Hip-Hop-Inspired Jeopardy! Clues Featuring Your Favorite Rappers](http://townsquare.media/site/812/files/2016/04/attachment-drake-eminem-lil-wayne.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Here Are 26 Rappers’ Most Expensive Purchases Over the Years](http://townsquare.media/site/812/files/2023/12/attachment-lil-uzi-vert-drake-rick-ross-travis-scott-jay-z.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Incredibly Expensive Gifts Rappers Have Bought Each Other](http://townsquare.media/site/812/files/2020/09/attachment-rapper-expensive-gifts-2023.jpg?w=980&q=75)