Before the Empire,
There Was the Journey.
An extraordinary firsthand account of friendship, loyalty, ambition, and survival that traces the formative years of Alfonso “Panama” Ramsey Johnson and Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter—before the fame, before the fortune, and before the rise of a global empire.
Expected publication date:
fall / winter 2026
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An extraordinary firsthand account of friendship, loyalty, ambition, and survival that traces the formative years of Alfonso “Panama” Ramsey Johnson and Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter—before the fame, before the fortune, and before the rise of a global empire.
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To indicate your interest in purchasing the very first edition of this publication, please leave your contact information here, along with any inquiries that you may have about the project. This is a fantastic, historical literary item to own, a great early holiday season gift to give, or an enthusiast collector’s item to cherish for years to come. A full feature film of the same title and topic is also in development, so please stay tuned. We thank you for your interest and look forward to facilitating your pre-order and order of ME & JAY-Z: The Adventure of Panama & Jay-Z – The Origin of The Roc Boy Clique.
about the book
The Untold Story within this Collaborative Memoir
It was an odyssey that forged a brotherhood.
A journey that took them from Brooklyn New York to New Jersey and then Maryland. In New Jersey they called them the Roc Boys. In Maryland they were called the New York Boys. A small cast of players that were thrust together into urban settings in order to perform their dedicated craft with precision. This, all in mind with just one end. To get that money¨. Within this very small efficient crew of less than five individuals, were a pair who developed a very special relationship.
About the Protagonist
Alfonso "Panama" Ramsey Johnson
Alfonso Ramsey Johnson was born in Colon, Republic of Panama, and at the age of seven, he was brought to Brooklyn, New York, where he and his family began a new life in the United States of America. Growing up in one of the world’s most diverse cities, Alfonso was shaped by an environment rich in multiculturalism, opportunity, and resilience.
Curious, confident, and adaptable from an early age, Alfonso embraced every experience life presented to him. Whether at home, in the classroom, or on the streets of Brooklyn, he learned quickly and developed the ability to connect with people from all walks of life. Balancing school, work, and part-time jobs, he also became familiar with the realities and challenges of street life.
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