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.
#120
The funny thing is that, while everyone else is clearly speculating, applying common sense (this is a market economy, you know…it’s quite transparent, that way) YOU are the only one who has come into this thing wearing your certainty like mail lol You’re asserting that anyone who dares speculate MUST be a professional/insider lol… Now, don’t you see the astounding presumptuousness in that???
@ # 121.. Your exactly right in that the vast majority of everyone who has commented in this thread has done so based on sheer speculation and assumption. As far as people applying common sense is concerned, well that’s only relevant depending on who you ask. Not all sense is common and not everything common is sensible. As for me, based on all the posts I’ve read, in my opinion there’s hardly a handful of people who have an actual understanding on various aspects of the music industry such as the current market. If so, they wouldn’t've made some of the types of comments they’ve made. There is a profound difference in fact and opinion and that difference is where speculation rears it’s ugly head.
My statements have nothing to do with my being presumptuous. More so that they are riddled with sarcasim directed at those who are making blanket statments about various issues when these statements stem primarily from assumption and speculation. We all speculate and assume things from time to time. However until there is evidence that our speculations and assumptions are true, then they are just that, specualtions and assumptions. The majority of the time, people make assumptions based on their opinions. If you feel compelled to state your opionion or share your idea as to why something is, then state is as so. “I think the reason why……” Don’t sit & and make blanket statements without providing factual evidence.
In hind site, I don’t even know why I’ve wasted my time repsonding to this thread (not your post specfically but everything as a whole) from the inception because this will continue to happen. People are going to do & say whatever they want regardless. I’ve realized this for a long time. Maybe one day I won’t feel compelled to respond.
#122
It’s a given, articulated or otherwise, that when someone comments on this blog she is giving her own opinion. I disagree with you and I must reiterate: you’re being presumptuous.
CJG,
you need to get your facts str8. Jay didnt sign Nas nor did he bring nas to Def Jam.
LA Reid approached Nas about coming to Def Jam. LA Reid and Nas worked out Nas’s deal with Def Jam.
Jay didnt have anything to do with Nas
@ #122 And I’ll reiterate, I am not being presumptuous. That’s your ..assumption.. I’ve stated what I’ve stated & you’ve expressed your ..opinion.. about what I’ve stated. Going back and forth isn’t going to change what I’ve stated nor your opinion on what I’ve stated. So I’m not going to further this conversation.
Wow…*snifs* What’s with all the hatred?
Seriously. I’ve been a Def Jam fan since Public Enemy, not just Public Enemy, DMX, Jay-Z, LL Cool J, Beastie Boys, Run DMC, Meth, Red,…damn near everyone on the label was allstars to me. Truth be told? Hip hop has been in one of those Bush-Era recessions for a while now. Jay-Z is not a truly tested label exec. I think even he knew that, what he is good at is acknowledging talent. Rihanna sold herself, she’s easily packaged in the pop circles. Neyo? Not far off, he’s R&B, but he can crossover pop quite easily. Kanye West? He doesn’t trust anyone else to handle his marketing, same with Jay-Z. Why is it so hard to understand that these are the most successful people on the label?
These are the only people you brought up that did well under Jay, you forget about Young Jeezy and Rick Ross? Rick Ross never broke through the glass ceiling at Slip N’ Slide until Jay brought him over, now he’s more pop than Trick Daddy, and he was the label’s cash cow.
Now I’m a Method Man fan and I’m a LL fan. Honestly the first single from both artists were lukewarm. That’s not Jay’s fault. That was the label’s decision to put those out as lead singles. They may have faired better as follow-up singles, but they went the pop route and the albums didn’t catch flames.
In the record industry, you pump money into slot machines that have great dividends and ride the wave. If you’re not getting a return on your investment, you cut your losses and invest in the ones that will (Rihanna, NeYo, Mariah Carey, etc.) So I can’t blame Jay for the sinking careers of Meth and Jay. Truthfully Tical 2000 didn’t sell well pre-J. LL went on this whole tangent working with J-Lo and he wonders why the streets don’t respect him anymore. He hasn’t been on since Mr. Smith.
Hate fuels the powerful. Respect the international hustle. You don’t see anyone blaming Kevin Lyles or Lyor Cohen or L.A. Reid? riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.
Way to bounce Jay. It ain’t worth it.