Jay-Z launching record label with Apple
This one’s been floating around like a hot air balloon, but we’ve just about confirmed it. For those that don’t know, Jay-Z left Def Jam as President last month, and everyone’s been talking about where he’s heading. While this might be one of his many other venutures, we just heard that Jay-Z is launching a record label with Apple. No, Beyonce will not be formally attached. This is from a high-up person attached to Jay (no, not who you’re thinking), and it’s said to be a go! Jay is supposedly totally into the business model, and really wants this to happen. Hey, Apple! Send us some MacWorld passes, and we’ll cut down on the leaks, ‘kay?
Good move for him.
It would be polar, either great or damaging. Look at what Jermaine Dupri said about Apple and selling “chapters of a cd” (referencing the fact that you would never sell chapters of a book seperately)… I figured something was going on when it was stated that Jigga did not want his album on iTunes… It would’ve been too obvious!!!
bg… reporting a lil too close to home, no?
then again…we love this shit! hahahha
i hope that this is true!
and im sure that the artists
that sing with this record
will get more money
per song than if they were not part of it
i expect that when their contracts end
that many artists will join this label
as im sure that a main source of
revenue for most artists is itunes
cant wait til the 15th!
I doubt that Jay-Z’s multi-million endorsement deal with Hewlett-Packard would allow him to run a label for Apple.
Besides, It was jay himself who refused to have “American Gangster” on the iTS, so him suddenly being picked to run a possible Apple label (Apple doesn’t need to be a label to thrive in the music business, as they’ve proven time and time again) doesn’t make sense.
I think the chances of Apple scooping up what’s left of Warner Music Group are much higher than Jay-Z running an Apple-owned record company.
Seems as though 2008 is the year of taste not being accounted for.
If this is true it will be a kick in the gut for the record industry and it will be interesting to see what happens afterwards..
Whomever sent this to you, BGR, must’ve had a lobotomy. Apple Corps, the Beatles’ company, has an agreement since 1991 with Apple Inc. that Apple Inc. can never get into the music industry. They tried to sue Apple Inc. over iTunes, but the judge ruled in Apple Inc.’s favor. If Apple Inc. were to start a record label, that would be crossing the lines of their agreement.
Does this mean a jay-z ipod touch like U2 did a couple years ago with the 4th gen ipods?
Strange. Jay-Z released his latest album on Amazon’s music store, but not on iTunes. Perhaps that was a bargaining move.
BG when you see this:
MMM
@Charles…. Apple owns all Apple trademarks now. Apple Inc. and Apple Records entered into an agreement…. $$. Everything is lining up now.
Gzero, the HP deal is just to endorse and supply. Theirs always an out for the artists.
Charles, that deal you quoted is dead. They renegotiated when they settled the lawsuit out of court. The new terms of apple corps. vs. apple inc are not known.
This means that Apple will now start owning content. There’s no reason they couldn’t finance movies or their own TV network either.
File this in the yagottabekidding department. Apple has enough problems with the major labels as it is, and becoming direct competitors would be extremely unwise.
This post is superb linkbait however.
It will happen, if you are up on all technology its really simple, although complex, if he does it, you rearrange exclusive albums where you can only download the complete album but its a set price. Most of your biggest artist are in contracts that were signed 2-4 years ago, none of them had digital music in their contracts so that leaves no body but the record labels making money. 2010 50-70% of cds will no longer be pressed, 2012, 50% of music sales will be digital. Just as CDs replaced Vinyl, MP3s will replace CDs. There is a reason that iPod touch has a wifi connection because now you dont even have to go home and download the music and sync it with your computer, you can do it all from the touch of your phone. You save about $500k, not having to print, ship, sale and pay retail. So the same album that an artist would sale for $15.99 and only make .16 per album, he can now sale it digital .50 a song and walk away with .25 a song. Then you have more unique views on websites and iTunes, so your online advertising becomes more valuable. Just like MSN Videos, between your downloads you will start to see commercials running while you download music. And Charles as others have stated Apple Inc, the music label can NEVER go to court again with Steve Jobs, that was a part of the settlement, which is why he opened his iPhone keynote with the Beatles music. Come on the man made company call “Sosumi” say it real slow… so sue me!!! Come on Jay-Z got hotels coming, why not.
This rumor is old it was out like a year ago that this was supposedly going to happen and I believe just as much now as I did then. Total bunk!
that would be sick if he got that tattoo on his head for real…. then again, a little nerdy, BUT ITS OK!
I didn’t read the comments so I apologize in advance if someone already brought this up:
Why would JAY-Z want to work for anyone but himself at this point? I mean it’s just not in his interests on any level unless he has major ownership and control. He has hundreds of millions of dollars.
A previous poster suggested Apple “scoop up” Warner (or any existing Music Co). Why would Apple want to enter into an outmoded business model. Existing contracts would be a hindrance. What if Apple started a streaming video channel containing music promos, videos and other content, all tied to iTMS. Then it would be MTV of 1980’s and have the nesssecary promotions channel to be a record company.
American Gangster was not on i tunes because he wated everyone to have the whole album of the concept….american gangster was a conncept album he didn’t want anyone missing out on the storytelling concept when you are able to buy songs on the album indivudally onn i tunes….on the move i believe if this is true its a very good move for the music busiess…its obvious that the music industry is in need of s change vbecause of the lack of album sales…go jay!
Wow.. I fux with it… they say great minds think alike…
Steve Jobs and Jay?? sheesh….
Such a good look in ‘08
Jay has too much going for him to sign over to Apple. He still has a contract for another album as an artist at Def Jam. Not saying this would be a bad move, think the music industry needs something like this, I just don’t think it will be with Jay. They need someone in it for the long term and Jay likes to job hop and do Jay. We’ll see though.
I think that it would be a great move for Jay. In response to Woknad. True Jay-Z has hundreds of millions in the bank, but Jobs has billions. Coupled with that, Jobs doesn’t impressed me as one of those stuffed shirt types (at other record label powerhouses). Jay shouldn’t let that glass ceiling get in the way. Real talk. If this goes down it would be crazy. I just wonder if there is any truth to this rumor what the terms and conditions are in his contract. It would be even crazier of Jobs brought out Jay at the Apple Conference on the 14th!
If it is true I think it will be a great move… We’ll see whatever Jay does im sure the AIM is to make history with out a reason of doubt. Three dots for the continum