Apple starting record label with Jay-z and Beyonce?
We’re working hard to confirm this right now, but several sources seem to be pointing towards the same exciting piece of news: Rapper Jay-Z and and singer Beyonce are in talks with Apple to establish a record label. The rumors place the deal as either close to closed or already executed, with an impending announcement on the horizon. Jay-Z, Beyonce, and Matthew Knowles (Beyonce’s father) will chair the label. If true, this could bring unprecedented power, legitimacy, and experience to Apple’s music division. Whoa! While we would love to believe the hype, the rumor is a bit dubious. Jay-Z is currently the CEO of Def Jam records, arguable the biggest urban music label in the world. Would he leave this position of power and prestige? We’re not sure, but we’d like to think so. Odds are that this new label, if it comes to fruition, would be a formidable force in pressuring the industry as a whole to change their entire business model from one based primarily on physical distribution to one with a significant emphasis on electronic sales. Could this be the push that the industry needs, or is this Apple getting a bit ahead of themselves and biting off more than they can chew? We’ll wait for official confirmation before taking this too far, but it’s never too early for speculation, right?
UPDATE: Straight from Def Jam and Beyonce’s label Music World Entertainment, we’re gonna’ have to smash this rumor and put it to rest for now. A source directly involved with both parties who wished to stay anonymous told us, "This is the first I’ve ever heard of any of this" and "for the time being this is a rumor." There ya’ have it — smashed!
No way!!!!!!! Wow!
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hmm dont know about this. but if this is true. then yes this will for sure change the way the industry pushes the music indeed. lol they barely caught on to the ringtone hustle!
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What about the Beatles’ Apple Records?
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Can’t Knock the Hustle! Get em’ Jay!
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This seems too far fetched yet so possible that it would be hard not to believe. Would he leave of course money is the things that make the world go round, will he leave very hard to say he has an established name making him an easy target if he (the model) fails. This is going to be a waiting game for both the consumer as well as the industry.
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probably the most far fetched rumor ive heard in a looong time.
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Jayonce and Jobs in bed together? Sounds like an extremely risky business prop, but at the same time Jobs likes to be known as a risk-taker. And it could mean bucks if it pans out…
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I’m selling my apple stock asap!
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Didn’t Apple get sued a few years back from a (UK I think) record company named Apple? About Apple seeling music under the same name and they came into an agreement that Apple would not be allowed to sell musix under its own label? Correct me if am wrong…
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apple settled that suit with apple corps about 6 months ago. The result is that they could do this if they wanted. This seems however a real long shot.
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A+ for apple good thinking too, if universal don’t wanna deal with apple, what best to do than grab jay-Z, CEO of def jam, which is owned by universal and start the best label out there, thats a good start on the music industry side, dont be fooled dej jam is really big, an jay-z is a genius his one of the few that has built a empire out of nothing
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this is a rumor that’s been floating on gossip sites, Allhiphop.com d listed and a hot mess come to mind, for close to two months now. it would be a logistical legal nightmare. jay still has to honor the last few months on his “president” contract PLUS he still has album commitments (2 left I think), and beyonce still ha sony commitments. considering the slump in the music industry, they’ll ask for a ridiculous amount for compensation. it’s an old rumor and chances are matthew knowles put fire under it again.
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Yay! More fake news…
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Hmmmmm,
“This is the first I’ve ever heard of any of this” and “for the time being this is a rumor.” There ya’ have it — smashed!
But they specifically said “for the time being - this is a rumor”. Why would they add that statement??? I have to wonder if there is an effort under way?? Smashed? I don’t think so.
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ok great so remove the post since it is bs.
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makes me wonder. . .or laugh I say. . .
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IMO, not that I like or dislike either of them or their associates, but the attendant costs to running a label as opposed to possible earnings is so much of a loser that there’s little value proposition in such a venture; especially where Apple shareholders are concerned. The only way to make a little money in the music industry is to start out with a lot of money. However, if a company could be created to act as an aggregator of content (of all musical genres) free and clear of all label contractual relationship, this might be interesting. The problem with the entire music industry’s current management is that they’re all personality and no principle and it’s filled with the music industy’s current management.
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Rubbish.
I have no problem believing that Beyonce and Jay-Z might be considering starting their own label. I do have an issue with Apple getting involved in it as anything more than a distributor.
The “Meetings” going on would probably be about distributing music from the label–the same kind of meetings that go on between Apple and Universal, Sony, CBS, etc. etc.
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as i understand, apple corp (the record company) have had a conflict with apple inc in the past, and the only way to sort out was for apple to not enter the record business. apple inc last came across this problem, when they opened the itunes music store. thus why apple corp would not sell any of their records on the store, such as the beatles. this means that apple corp would not let apple inc start their own record business, although apple inc always get their own way. if this rumour is true, how could it become fact?
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