Jay-Z is a free man.
Don’t get too excited, ladies. He and his fierce misses, Beyonce, are still an item, but he is free musically.
The hip-hop mogul has bought out the rest of his contract on Def Jam Records reportedly for an estimated $5 million clearing the way for him to make his next album, The Blueprint 3, on his own label, Roc Nation.
Def Jam — who Jay owed one more album — had been his music making home for over a decade.
He confirmed his departure with RapRadar.com Thursday (May 21).
“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,” he told the website.
“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.”
The Blueprint 3 has been in the works for over a year. No word on its release but Jay is said to be working with Kanye West and Timbaland among other producers for the set.
photo: wireimage
