Jay-Z's negotiation with Sony Music Entertainment on him joining Epic Records, the sister company of Beyonce Knowles' label Columbia Records, is almost finalized, sources say.
- May 28, 2009
AceShowbiz - Hot on the heels of his departure from Def Jam, Jay-Z reportedly has had a conversation with Sony Music Entertainment about the possibility of him joining Epic Records, which is the sister company of his wife Beyonce Knowles' label, Columbia Records. The negotiation between the two parties "is 95|percent| complete", according to Billboard sources.
"He definitely didn't want to release his album via Def Jam," says another insider. "And given his close relationship with [Columbia Records Co-Chairman] Rick Rubin, it comes as no surprise that he'd make the switch."
Despite the fact that Beyonce is signed to Columbia, the sources insist Jay-Z will not become his wife's labelmate. "It will be a distribution deal, sort of like Star Trak is distributed by Interscope, and it will be on the Epic side, not Columbia," so the sources state.
The rumor of the nearly-finalized negotiation between Jay-Z and Sony's camps emerges after Sony CEO Howard Stringer and Jay-Z's Roc Nation partner Jay Brown were spotted having a meeting in Los Angeles and New York earlier this week. Official announcement is expected to be made soon.
If the speculation is indeed proven true, the deal Between Jay-Z and Sony Music Entertainment will allow Roc Nation materials, including the rapper's upcoming studio album "Blueprint III", to be released through Epic Records.
The third installment of Blueprint album series, "Blueprint III" itself will be produced by Kanye West, who recently revealed that no Auto-Tune is used in the new effort. It is aimed to follow up its predecessors "The Blueprint" (2001) and "The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse" (2002).
