Tag: Def Jam

Jay-Z Buys Out Def Jam Contract

jay-z-tao-night-club

Jay-Z has officially parted ways with Def Jam. It was confirmed by MTV.com that Hip-Hop superstar Jay-Z has finally bought out the rest of his contract with Def Jam Recordings for $5 million. The rapper announced the news Thursday afternoon, with no real reasoning behind it.

We can probably suspect that Jay-Z would rather continue to pursue music under the Live Nation branch. Last Spring, Jay signed a deal with Live Nation for future albums, tours and sign new artists under his label Roc Nation for a reported $150 million.

Jay-Z released a statement about his time over at Def Jam saying,“I can honestly say, working with Doug Morris and L.A. Reid has been a unique and fulfilling experience, and I respect them immensely,” Hov told RapRadar. “I’ve been in the family for almost my entire career. Doug and I spoke directly and had one of the most unique ‘negotiations’ ever.”

Jay-Z & Stargate Launch New Label & Publishing Company

Jay-Z and songwriter/producer Stargate have partnered up together to launch a new record label and music publishing company under Jay-Z’s Roc Nation venture with Live Nation.

The record label and publishing company will “find new talent and develop artists through mutually beneficial global partnerships which include music distribution, publishing, touring and merchandising.”

Stargate will be on working on upcoming albums from Lindsay Lohan, Beyonce, Monica, R. Kelly and Keyshia Cole. As for Jay-Z, his new album, “Blueprint 3,” is expected before year’s end. “Blueprint 3” will be his last album under his Def Jam contract, after that his Live Nation deal begins.

Career Moves: Camron’ Sells Juelz Santana To Def Jam

Miss Info recently got a chance to speak with Camron’. Word is that Killa Cam sold Juelz Santana’s contract to Def Jam for 2 Million. Here’s what Juelz had to say, “I have no hard feeling for Cam, after all, he did give me a chance!!! But I will say this I was loyal to him and he took advantage.” Juelz also stated, “I have a joint venture with Def Jam, a 50/50 deal…Yeah, it’s a new boss in town. Album is called Born to Lose, Built to Win!!!! (The rise of the skullgang). So just prepare for the future”

I personally think this was a great move for Juelz. I consider Juelz, mainstream well, that’s if he wanted to be. I felt that being on Dipset with Camron’ defiantly put him on a standstill. I understand Juelz was loyal during that whole beef situation and I respect the fact that he chose to remain loyal but sometimes you got to focus on that paper.  

Dipset just suddenly lost popularity..BTW Who else is even left in Dipset? What are your thoughts about it?

Video: LL Cool J Clothing Line Deal Worth $150 Milli


LL talks with Steph Lova of Power 105.1. In the interview LL talks about his time at Def Jam and how things have changed over at Def Jam and also speaks on his clothing line deal which could be worth 150 Million.

Career Moves: Nas Partners With FILA

Nas has inked a one year partnership with clothing brand FILA. Nas’s part of the deal involves him wearing Fila products and co-create a clothing line that will be based from fashions of the late ’80s. FILA will return Nas the favor by giving him financial support for upcoming print and TV ad campaign as well as his upcoming tour for his album which is currently untitled but is set to hit stores July 15 on Def Jam.

Fila’s president John Epstein told Billboard . “It was a natural match. One of my executives spotted Nas shopping in our Manhattan store and struck up a conversation with him,” Epstein says. “Nas isn’t interested in selling out. He’s interested in being true, and that fits with our brand.”