Jay-Z Buys Out Def Jam Contract

[Reventón Bogotá Rolla]

Word on the skreets is Jay bought the rights to that last album he owes Def Jam for 5 mil.

According to HitsDailyDouble’s Rumor Mill:

    ONE NATION UNDER JAY-Z: As Roc Nation, Jay-Z’s new home under the Live Nation umbrella, takes shape, the hip-hop superstar has reportedly bought back the last remaining record on his IDJ deal for what some say is a whopping $5 million, raising a number of intriguing questions. How does the album figure into the plans of Roc Nation’s brain trust, which also includes the A&R-savvy Jay Brown and Tata, as well as Jay-Z’s business manager John Menielly? How will it be marketed and distributed? Will Roc Nation employ a traditional distribution channel or take the LP direct to retail? Or alternatively, will the new company make it part of a rumored arrangement inside a major? Every one of the Big Four is reportedly eager to make such a deal. (5/20p)


They also had this little tidbit about the possible direction of Roc Nation, Hovie’s new label venture with Live Nation:

    RE-BIRTH OF A NATION: Roc Nation handles a sizable roster of emerging producers and songwriters, who can be plugged into recording projects in various combinations on a full-service basis. According to those in the know, Jay Brown, Roc Nation’s creative mastermind, envisions the company as ultimately bypassing outside entities altogether and doing everything in-house—signing acts, making records and distributing them in whatever way they see fit—a setup modeled on Berry Gordy’s original Motown. (5/20p)

I know what you’re thinking: 5 million is too much. Will Blueprint 3 even earn that much? Well, maybe not in retail sales, but I’m sure he’ll recoup on whatever tour he’s got up his sleeve. And if all else fails, I understand he has a money tree in his back yard.

I’m getting courted by the bosses, The Edgars And Doug Morris-es-es,
Jimmy I’s and Lyors-es
(c) Grammy Family freestyle on Flex

[KaiserSoze]

Wonder what it means. But yeah, 5 mil doesn't really matter to him.

[Reventón Bogotá Rolla]

Jay must feel real strong about BP3

[Reventón Bogotá Rolla]

    With rumors swirling around Jay’s Def Jam contract buyout, Hov exclusively spoke to Rap Radar to confirm the speculation.

    “I can honestly say, working with Doug Morris and LA Reid has been a unique and fulfilling experience and I respect them immensely.  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. Doug won the toss but, we both won in the end..

    I thank him for allowing me to be a completely independent artist. Not every artist can say they own or are given the opportunity to own all of their music.”

    YN: What is this coin toss about?

    Hov: That takes a phone conversation, I’ll save it for our interview… classic.

[TraceOneInfinite]

Jay-Z seems to be struggling a little bit trying to figure out a way to make money in this new market.  His old approach just isn't working.  The old approach being...

-Promote the hell out of your label
-Claim you have several great up and coming artists who will blow up
-Hint that you may or may not have another album coming out
-Build some hype by a major signing of someone like Nas
-Have all your artists drop albums, buy up 500,000 or so on the first week to boost opening week sales
-Have your artists fall short of projected sales figures

...then drop a Jay-Z comeback/retirement album to try to save the day.


^^^^that formula can't work forever can it?

[OG Hack Wilson]

aint no nigga like me

fuck gay z

he broke and i smoke daily

[Episcop Cruel Cvrle]

isnt he retired and decided to release american gangster cause he liked the film and make some money of it and go back to retardation sorry retirement?

guess not, THA CAMELFACE IS BACK!

[Action!]

Fuck ya'll haters.

Jay has been consistent since Blueprint.

[J$crILLa]

Fuck ya'll haters.

Jay has been consistent since Blueprint.

blueprint was his last decent album, since then all garbage

[dubsmith_nz]

Fuck ya'll haters.

Jay has been consistent since Blueprint.

blueprint was his last decent album, since then all garbage

Black Album was dope

[Roccy]

blueprint was good, black was half way decent but nothing compared to his others.

[Action!]

He's had:

Blueprint
Black Album
Kingdom Come
American Gangster

All exceptional releases.

The biggest disappointment was Blueprint 2.

[OG Hack Wilson]

Fuck ya'll haters.

Jay has been consistent since Blueprint.

consistant at bringing NOTHING TO THE TABLE

[Action!]

Except releasing quality music that shit on most rappers efforts and heavily influencing all these modern commercial stars from Game to Wayne to TI. 

Kindgom Come > Game's career

[Triple OG Rapsodie]

Fuck ya'll haters.

Jay has been consistent since Blueprint.

consistant at bringing NOTHING TO THE TABLE

Do you even have any of his albums?