Looks like Jigga is officially done at Def Jam. It was announced today that starting January 1st, he will no longer serve at the label President:
“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have served as President of such a culturally-defining label as Def Jam over the last three years,” Jay-Z said in a statement. “During that time, I’ve had the pleasure of working with many of the world’s most dynamic artists and many of the most dedicated and talented executives in the music business today, including Antonio “L.A.” Reid. But now it’s time for me to take on new challenges.”
Jay-Z, born Shawn Carter, took over as President of Def Jam in 2005. Under his guidance, the rapper signed his former rival Nas to Def Jam and oversaw the release of hit records by Kanye West, Rihanna and Ne-Yo.
Island Def Jam Music Group Chairman Antonio “L.A.” Reid said that Jay-Z felt it was time to take on “different challenges in his life.”
Jay-Z will continue running and recording for his Roc-A-Fella imprint, which is distributed by the Island Def Jam Music Group. The mogul is rumored to be making a transition to the urban division of Sony Records with Rick Rubin. Full article
Meanwhile, keep checking in to see photos of Jay Z when he opens his new 40/40 club in Vegas on New Years Eve, with Beyonce.
Good luck to him.
Going on to bigger and better things…if thats possible! what else is left for him to conquer?
Wow , well more power to you Jigga God Bless
It was only a matter of time…..He can officially say he has done it all. Go Jigga!!!
Good for you Jay, you did your time. I feel something HUGE on the horizon, in both his personal and professional life.
NOOO!
You know, i didn’t want to speculate, but i have a feeling there’s more to why he quit that job. More than just him wanting to have a real impact on the way the business operates, more than the paycheck, more than him having already made history by being the first rapper to ascend that high…i think he has personal shit planned for the majority of the year that would have suffered if he were needed in an office for a 9 to 5. I think he might have reasons to want a lot of the next year ‘off’. Not just for the AG Tour he wants to do, but to enjoy life and be with family. Take steps to do different things. I don’t think leaving Def Jam was a hard decision for him to make. I think he liked the job, sure, but at the end of the day? After 3 years in? And at 38? I think there’s something else he wants out of life entirely. And now he has the free time to do it. One more record to go. One more tour. Then he can go turn into what it is he really wants to be. 6 letter word, starts with an “F”.
I dig it.
I don’t think it has to do with people tripping on his job performance. I don’t even think he was unhappy with the job. I think he felt he’s made an impact and done as much as he was given the room to do at Def Jam.
Truthfully? I think he’s setting himself up so that he can devote major time to his family. I think a lot of the next year will be spent building that foundation. He’s got his brand safely anchored: Rocawear ain’t goin nowhere, nor is the 40/40 franchise. He’s set. Money rolls in regardless. He’s respected. He’s revered. I think the next logical progression is for the man that’s extremely happy professionally….to be happy personally. On a family level. You can’t get those years back. You have to take advantage of them. Spending time with the ones who love you. that means ALL of the ones who love you, not just the ones with inked up fingers.
Good Jay! You served your time and now your on to bigger and better things like you said. I see BIG things in the future for him professionally and personally, watch and see.
Now lets see who LL and some of the other artist blame for their albums flopping.
LOVE&PEACE.
who cares…
blah
Good, skip rocks bitch! You werent doing anything put promoting your own ass as LL put it….He used that label to “up” himself….and Rhi and Neyo, but i have my suspicions why…won’t go into that now. There’s no way Def Jam can justify paying you what they were paying you, with all them fucked up cd’s you were putting out…you got too comfortable being “jayz” that you were slipping bad…I for one have not been impressed with his “commercialism” since taking the position as president. The label used up so much money promoting your bullshit cd that did very “mediocre” for jayz, or anyone in his realm…..
I for one am glad, and i hope whoever takes the seat thinks about all the artists signed to the label and give everyone equal shine, and i hope they are not as self serving as you were.
Now go take advantage of sony until they tire of your fake ass and realize you are a self serving fraud, and boot your ass. Good luck being dominating and self serving in your next venture….i doubt if you need the luck doing so though you’ve gotten so good at it.
Well say it ain’t so i saw this coming a long time ago.
http://www.whatsthe411.net/
now watch him and beyonce are gonna run columbia together, this was just all part of the plan for them two to take over
I *heart* me some HOV! Good Gawd I do!!! LOL
I knew he was going to resign, but then again didnt we all? I think his next move is going to involves his Mrs. (Bee). And for those that dont know Rick Rubin has been in the game since day one literally. He started Def Jam w/Russell Simmons back in the day. So for Jay to be making moves with him…….how could that not be anything less then genius!
He has truly conquered just about everything……
As he says “Word to my mama we livin’!” LOL
Ok.
Okay no one cares about Jay and his over priced 40/40 club, it was time for him to step down, I don’t see passion from this man, I see an ego…give it to someone who deserves it.
Who didn’t see this coming?
LMAO @ Jscene!!!
ok.
GOOD!!!!!!
He did not do much for the company anyway. And please believe this choice was not all his. They most likely told him people who were investing in the company were not satisfied with the job he was doing. Stick to what you are good at Jay because it is not being a President. Good job on trying to conquer new aspects of the business but some people are just not made to play every position.
he ain’t done yet though…he’s probably making room for his new label to begin……i’m so jealous that people can just quit their jobs and live it up without no worries…..must be nice **as i take these customers complaints on christmas eve**
I am personally glad he left and is moving on to bigger and better things. He gave that company FREE publicity and all they did was disrespect him. now that he’s resigned, every hip hop artist on that label should be pushing triple plat since they blame him and nobody else for their troubles. let’s see who they decide to attack now.
also to note name a more successful urban label in the last 3 years since Jay Z has been president, none. not only did the label get 26 grammy nods, but their sells collectively have been the best this year than any other urban label. ppl can hate on the man all u want but u are wasting time
I am a Jay z stan and I am sure he will be ok he has tons of ventures. I don’t think he will go to Sony. I wish him well ’08 means a fresh start ppl can say what they want but he did so much for the rap game.
L’chayim!
Oh please…….LL and Method Man wasnt selling before Jay-Z took over and they wont be selling after him leaving. Its time people realize Hip-Hop isnt the hottest genre anymore. Timbaland said it himself……if you think your going to survive on just hip-hop these days you got another thing coming, cause its slowly but surely falling. Probably why he ventured out worked with artists like Justin T. and Nelly Furtado.
LET SEE WHO THEY USE AS A SCAPEGOAT NEXT TIME ONCE THESE WHINNING RAPPERS DONT SELL……………..AGAIN.
Looks like he has big plans for the new year.
i dont think he knew just how hard it was to run a label besides all the other stuff he had goin on, he cant devote enough time to that
HE’s taking the CEO job at SONY!!!
jscene pretty much summed it up.
i see def jam gettin much better by him leavin.
NOOOO!! I love Jay-Z so much. He’s the best rapper alive hate it or love it, HE IS!! And I know he knows what he’s doing but I Love him where he is right now. But I hope everythang works out for my baby boy.MUAH, Jay-Z Mii Baby.
Also it is interesting in seeing is if Def Jam paid him to let Rhianna, Ne-Yo, Rick Ross, and Chrisette Michelle stay. If you remember, when he signed to President of Def Jam he contract stated that any artists that he has influence in signing he keeps and takes with him when he leaves. So this will be VERY INTERESTING…given the fact that those are Def Jam’s heavy hitters with the exception of Jay and Kanye (but their signed to Roc-A-Fella).
Also what would be interesting is see the next bricks that are thrown up from traditional artist on D.J. such as LL, Meth, and Redman. Anyone remember their last albums PRE-JAY being President.?………………………………………………………………………… Exactly!!! I mean, I love MEth and Red…but didnt really have a banger THAT SOLD since Doc 2000 and Meth and had a strong album THAT SOLD since his first joint. But hey maybe they will come out the gate with WONDERFUL PROMO and GO PLATINUM…… ::dumbfounded face::: Yea..ok….
Jay Z has gave Def Jam so much free publicity and made it the most successful urban label since he has been prez
Hov is the man, so it’s all good!
Merry Christmas CL and CL readers!!!!!!!!!
merry christmas cl..
This is a Merry Dipset Christmas indeed!
I hate Jay-Z I could careless that he resigned, maybe its a good thing
, he acts like he some legend, Jay-Z = Camel Shit.
@8baller
You cowardly negro, you talkin to me? Boy if it wasn’t Christmas i would blast your ass! Your stan ass always talk stupid when it comes to jayz; you have absolutely no objectivity when it comes to him, you are so far up jayz ass, tell me, how many teeth he got, start counting from the back of his mouth, right where your head is at.
LL was right on to blame Def Jam for not MARKETING his last cd; the public, not the label should decide what’s trash, and how can we decide, when they pick and choose who get’s promoted and who don’t, and I’M WILLING TO BET YOU’RE SPEAKING ON LL’S CD, BUT YOUR STAN ASS PROBABLY NEVER HEARD THE CD….bottom line is, under jayz’s reign, some were heavily promoted and some were sort of promoted, and some weren’t promoted at all….i mean damn, i didn’t even know LL had a cd out, until he complained of it not being promoted…so the public didn’t decide it wasn’t a good HIP HOP cd, how could we if we don’t hear the songs dummie?……..LL is a HIP HOP King, a legend, and he deserved more respect than that….bottom line is, jayz won’t promote those who he competes with….Kanye promoted his damn self, thank you….He and 50, as juvenile as it might have seemed, came up with a brilliant plan of a competition; they are not real enemies, but this was a marketing stragedy to worked out really well. Jayz is a jealous ass bitch, and i believe he was jealous of Ye, and Kanye looks up to him so much, it’s hard to keep hating someone that loves you….Kanye is wayyyyyy more creative than jayz, with his thieving ass, stealing lyrics behind, can ever take credit for.
Funny how jayz, even though he wasn’t allowed to play the main character in American Gangster, nor do the “official” soundtrack for the movie, still promoted his self along with the movie, claiming to be “inspired by the film”, cause he knew the movie would hit big, naming his cd after the damn movie (this was clear promotional scheme by him that did not pan out)…..they let him do it cause he was so bummed they choose denzel over him to play the character, that they let his ass get away with that shit, but had that been anyone else, they would have still been in court on that shit right now.
Bottom line, jayz has been slipping for a while…his work is mediocre…sure some like it, his core fans, and good and fine….but even the label expressed their dislike for the album and demanded he go back to the table with it, scrap it, and start again.
Please, jayz was just defeated with this cd, and he doesn’t accept defeat well…..def jam was unhappy with him, people were laid off, cause they did not recoup the monies to promote that cd……
I’m not sorry to see jayz go at all…….
i hear he was takin money from the little guys, and dey got laid off. if it so be, thank goodness he done. but im not sure, im just sayin
oh yea. and MERRY CHRISTMAS 2 ALL!!!
JayZ has just recently invested money in luxury chain hotels. Excellent move. When your protege is a billionaire like Bob Johnson, you’re going to imitate who you keep close company with. I aint mad at their hustle. I think JayZ is realizing he’s getting old and is planning to retire for real with Beyonce and start the family with her. If you think about it, Bey has tons of endorsements and did the world tour all for a reason. She probably will retire too by the time she’s 30.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good nite.
@33 u are nothing more than the average Jay Z hater spewing your opinions as facts, attacking his character as if u know him personally. You are not saying anything more than “I dont like Jay Z” “I think he is jealous of whoever”, “he is scum”, “he can not rap”, blah blah. There has not been one thing you have stated that was the truth all rumors and your opinion. The facts are under Jay Z reign Def Jam became the most successful urban label, that got 26 grammy nods this year, and he (Jay Z) has just released (AG) which was overwhelmingly liked and supported by real critics.
The point is Jay Z has left Def Jam in a way better position than what he inherited from it 3 years ago.
I think he wants to do the family thing. Him and Beyonce are becoming more and more public, and even though she is supposed to be coming out with an album by summer, I don’ think that is her main focus. I imagine she’s tired after tour, album promo, endorsements, etc non stop. They aren’t working themselves into the ground like Mariah did, but they probaly are ready for things outside of entertainment.
As for people blaming sales of LL, Method Man, etc on Jay, they weren’t selling before he was there. You can’t put out millions on someone who is barely making you profit, especially when record sales are so unpredictable. If no one has noticed, you can count on 1 hand the hip hop artist who consistanly go multi platinum (Kanye, 50, Jay , Ludacris), but even theie last projects are below their usual #s.
@ jscene
UH WE DON’T BELIEVE YOU,YOU NEED MORE PEOPLE. YOU SOUND TO PRESSED,GET A LIFE!
JSCENE has become a the laughing stock of Concrete Loop. It has become obvious to everyone who you hate(Beyonce and Jay-Z). Next time do a better job of masking it and you wont come off as delusional sweetpea. You say I stan for these people but I didnt need to write a term paper like you did about.
Who is the real stan………………..hmmmm hmmmmm.
P.S. I love the attention you give me………..I will send a autograph in the mail. Till next time boo. Merry X-Mas.
@38 meka
And you are nothing more than a mindless, brainless ass kisser; that nigga was not doing shit but promoting himself, his jumpoff, and i don’t want to say about neyo…if you don’t like my OPINION, then you could keep it moving…i never stated them as facts anyway, anything said on here, unless you are jayz himself or a rep from Def Jam, is a fuckin opinion, including what you had to say, and including whether or not he left Def Jam in a better place….that bitch was getting ready to be fired, resignation is what people do when they are not living up to the hype and it’s a way to save face before the company fires your ass.
and you said his cd was “overwhelming liked”, overwhelming liked is what alicia’s cd is, overwhelmingly liked is selling millions in a short period of time……
i’m not surprised some people wrote “good things” about his cd, that’s cause he’s jayz, and he has ass kisser, go figure……who have no objectivity, imagine that……
I dont hear anyone stark raving about that cd, and when i heard it, i heard mediocrity at it’s best. Get real, this nigga been falling short and costing def jam tons of money, first of all his pay, for which he does absolutely nothing for but yell “it’s hov” on a track, and secondly, the cost he uses to promote himself and his cds……it’s just not panning out….the cost to keep him is wayyy more than def jam NOW REALIZES he is worth…people are good at many things, some are good at most things, but rarely is a person good at everything……jayz falls short, and he fell short with def jam in my opinion for many reasons, it’s my opinion, deal with it.
The bottom line is, you have YOUR OPINION, and i have mine…..skip your happy ass back to the pallet you’ve made for yourself, where you kneal down to kiss jayz’s ass…i refuse to give him credit where there is none due. I give him much credit for rocawear, and anywhere else I FEEL he’s successful in…..but with Def Jam, he’s get a “hell no.”
And next time you sneaky bitch, talk shit before i say goodnight….thought i had left ha….sneaky bitches, i hate em.
8baller
You are a lame, cowardly, pathetic ass liar, and you are the laughing stock, it’s obvious you are a jayz beyonce stan bitch with no objectivity, but an incredible amount of hate for anyone else mentioned in their posts; only different between me and you and i have convictions to state what i really feel; you bitch, ride the fence, pretending, and “wool covering” lame idiot……you are a joke on here, cause if you have no objectivity, your opinion is shit; no more than a schoolyard “take-a-side”, i would count the ways, but it’s christmas, i refuse to internet fight on this day,
so feel free you cowardly punk, take as many gut punches when i leave as possible you lame fat cock-eyed wench…
I’m not even a jay-z fan but its so sad some of the hatred some people have towards somebody they neva meet. I’m working towards my goal and I’m not worried about the white man trying to hold me back, I’m more concerned with the hate in some of some of my people
Thank God. It’s about time so we can start getting some good artist back on the Def Jam label.
I feel this is a good move for him,honestly i don’t think he was into being president. You can’t head a record label and then want to be an artist in my eyes,it conflicts with each other. I wish him luck in his other endeavors though,
Well now that he is gone i wonder who everyone is going to blame for there bad sales b/c correct me if im wrong it was LL who went and spoke out in front of congress or something like that a few years ago tryin to convince them to enforce tougher punishment on ppl who download saying he have seen a significant drop in his album sales ….be honest you don’t know a good 20 ppl that purchased his last 3 albums honestly….
Congrats to HOV i love to see black people making moves it makes me want to scream loud I’m black and im proud
I believe it’s true that JayZ was about to be fired or “laid -off” by Def Jam, so resigning was a better look.
At Def Jam, I really did not see any of the other rapper artists promoted like JayZ’s CD’s. Just like P-Diddy, JayZ appeared to promote himself mostly, and then his pop artists- basically the younger artists who appealed to the younger audience.
JayZ knows his days are numbered in cranking out raps because he’s old. People arent interested in his stuff as much anymore. Do you know of any rappers in their 40′s who are a real hit these days? The other older rap artists appeared to have been ignored- no promos for their CDs. He obviously hogged all the rap sales for himself, and when things did not pan out, heads went to rolling- people lost their jobs because of it. It’s a shame, because JayZ still left with millions (he aint hurting), while the other people left with nothing but memories.
People need to realize that you can bust your butt and make all the money in the world, but when you die, you can not take any of it with you. People need to learn to enjoy the simpler things in life and stay in touch with God.
wow
@ #48, that was the most sensible comment i’ve seen tonight. Thanks for the even semi-intelligent comment.
Merry Christmas, CL
Okay now he can go make babies?
LMAO && CRYING AT THESE COMMENTS.
JSCENE BE FOREAL MAN, YOU DON’T NEED TO BE WRITING FUCKIN ESSAY’S SAY YA PEACE BITCH, && BOUNCE. IT AINT THAT SERIOUS.
AS FOR JAY…HE HAS BIGGER && BETTER THINGS IN STORE FOR HIMSELF, && LIKE YALL SAID, STARTING A FAMILY W/ THE BEAUTIFUL && WONDERFULLY TALENTED BEYONCE IS NOT A BAD LOOK…………SHYT EVERYBODY ELSE IS PREGNANT ..LMFAOOOOOO
That CHICK Jscene or whatever her name is goes HARD…shit its kinda SAD in a way though but she kinda funny though!
Who is that chick? Hope she isnt grown with kids getting all hyped up over BULLSHIT like she has a final exam over this ISH…?
AWW WASNT BEE THE CUTEST THING….
http://www.strangecelebri.../content/item/118179.html
&& YES SHE DOES HAVE HAIR, SO FUCK WHAT YALL THINK..LMFAOO
#19
I so agree. I can’t believe so few people agree with you… It’s the ageold “resign with integrity” thing rather than being “let go.” Business…they do this all the time…they even go as far as giving celebrations and banquets for individuals they KNOW they’re pushing out. I can’t believe so many of you didn’t think that, immediately, when you read this. I did.
Anyway, he probably will go to another company but like his stint with Def Jam it will be a capitalistic move by the co…Sony will bring him in because he is, himself, ceaseless promotion: the #1 rapper working at your label. And…there’s other stuff..why people would tend toward the artists and projects he heads…don’t feel like spelling it out…but my point is, ultimately, that he was probably pushed out…maybe Sony is in a better position or willing to take the risk for a bit of the publicity that comes with offering Jay Z a job. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that he seems so vocal and proactive about voicing his blueprints for future campaigns, lately. He’s trying to persuade you that nobody ever lost faith in him.
If you ask me, J is the one running Beyonce’s career, not Matthew Knowles! I mean, who else on Knowles’ label has blown up? NOBODY! Kelly couldn’t get a break if she tried. Solange left the label because she realized she wasn’t getting anywhere. If Matthew had all these skillz to be negotiating all these deals, somebody else would be benefiting from it.
Jayz needs to realize that he cant be “a jack of all trades”. He has so many businesses- he can not do it all. Something will go lacking. The recent modest record sales for Jayz I’m sure was a cold slap in the face and a reality check- his material aint banging anymore- it’s time to pass the torch and do something else. We all face the same eventuality- we will all get old.
What’s hot today, can become yesterdays news real quick. He should be grateful for having a successful 16 year rap career and call it quits before he starts to embarrass himself and look like a real fool as his record sales steadily hit all time lows. Let it go before it’s too late J.
CHEERS
I cant sleep so I’m blogging til I wear myself out. But #57, I agree with you. Sunshine Anderson, (she made Heard it All Before”) released a CD last year, but you’d never know because she was not promoted at all. It’s seems like all the other artists on the label with Beyonce just dont stand a chance because the record label has seemingly poured all its interests into Beyonce. Is she beautiful and talented? Yes she is, but the other artists are too, and some them even better.
When your’e up against an artist whose Daddy, husband (JayZ), and record execs are behind you only and want to see you shine only (due to how much revenue you’re bringing into their pockets), the other artists might as well forget about it- they will never get a fair shot until either Bey leaves or they leave. If I were those other artists, I would try to grab at those endorsements Bey has been getting and be aggressive like a pit bull to get what I want.