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Jay-Z confirms Def Jam departure
By CMU Editorial | Published on Friday 22 May 2009
Jay-Z has confirmed he has parted company from Def Jam, the Universal division which he headed up as President for a while, and which he has still been officially signed to since stepping down from his exec role there in order to develop a new business venture with live music conglom Live Nation.
It’s thought Jay had one more album to deliver under his existing Universal contract, but he successfully bought himself out of that commitment (some gossipers say by handing over millions of dollars) so that he can release his next album via his new JV label with Live Nation, the previously reported Roc Nation.
Speaking to RapRadar.com, Jay said he was parting company with Def Jam on good terms, thanking his former executive colleagues at the label. He said he was leaving the Universal division after enjoying “a unique and fulfilling experience” with them.
