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Apple & Jay-Z: the follow up

Now that you’ve heard the news, we thought it was time to break things down and add a little more of what we know. When we said Apple and Jay-Z were starting a record label, it doesn’t mean that Jay is running it. It just means they are doing it together. What we think will happen is Jay will be on as an "urban" artist, and Apple will go out and make similar deals with other rock and country artists. But Jay-Z has 2 albums left at Def Jam, right? Well, he’s going to develop and attract artists like he did at Def Jam as president. Jay has the power to get artists on the radio, get them media ops, etc. Having him on board for urban artists is the ultimate stamp of approval, and makes total sense. We see this working as a straight distribution model, with little, but some marketing support. I guess Ringles weren’t enough to satisfy the fans…

22 comment(s) for this post.

  1. On Jan 3, 2008 @ 11:38 am, Magoo Said:

    Hmmm…. A position as a “consultant” instead of actually having a position??? Maybe he’s doing Apple and Sony!!!

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  2. On Jan 3, 2008 @ 12:21 pm, Jas Said:

    and does anybody even care? hmm… Nope.

    So what? Report on technology, not hip-hop.

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  3. On Jan 3, 2008 @ 12:24 pm, Jake Said:

    um…. i care Jas! all i can say is that if this gives the artists more money than i hope that this is true! if not then i still hope its true because i love apple!

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  4. On Jan 3, 2008 @ 1:19 pm, jam Said:

    Jas-

    Of course people care, the future of music has been really unclear recently and this is finally something that could possibly be its future. It’s not just a report on hip hop, it’s a report on the future of music. Just because jay has been featured as the man to jump start this new way of selling music, doesn’t limit it to “hip hop” or “urban” music. It’s a new way for all music to be sold and distributed. The old label model is failing.

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  5. On Jan 3, 2008 @ 1:45 pm, Dtest54 Said:

    jas get a clue. people care.
    And I’m all for it if it allows more money into the artists pockets as opposed to the former labels. Also, better online distribution sounds good to me. Jay Z is not idiot, there’s some good profits in there for him.

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  6. On Jan 3, 2008 @ 2:00 pm, Who? Said:

    Yes, Jay-Z has had much success with the artists on Def Jam. Beanie Siegel, Memphis Bleek, etc. are all household names. Seriously, this guy can’t sell any records besides his own.

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  7. On Jan 3, 2008 @ 2:16 pm, bdizzlefizzle Said:

    Actually, I’d be REALLY surprised if Apple launched a label. Then they’d definitely be directly competing with Apple Corps, and I highly doubt they really want to deal with another lawsuit from Paul, Ringo and the estates of George and John (not to mention Yoko).

    I don’t see it. I see Jay launching his own label, and using Apple as an exclusive channel, but not launching a label with Apple.

    Let’s not forget that he just snubbed Apple with the release of his last album.

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  8. On Jan 3, 2008 @ 2:23 pm, tony montana Said:

    So. Who cares… They just want to make $$$ out of us… That’s always been their main goal

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  9. On Jan 3, 2008 @ 2:27 pm, Jas Said:

    haha, yeah, but I like checking BGR for techie reports, not for music/artist reports and info.

    Me get a clue, however will I get a clue?

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  10. On Jan 3, 2008 @ 3:11 pm, Sweets Said:

    “Yes, Jay-Z has had much success with the artists on Def Jam. Beanie Siegel, Memphis Bleek, etc. are all household names. Seriously, this guy can’t sell any records besides his own.”
    What? Do you KNOW whos on Def Jam?

    Ok, lets talk small guns.

    Chrisette Michelle.
    Young Jeezy.
    Tru Life.

    Lets talk medium guns (no hate ?uest, just yknow, numbers)

    The Roots.

    Lets talk big guns. Big numbers.

    Rihanna.
    Ne-Yo.
    Nas.
    Kanye West.

    Def Jam thrived under Jay.

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  11. On Jan 3, 2008 @ 3:34 pm, sDOT Said:

    jay has 1 album left on his deal with def jam, not 2.

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  12. On Jan 3, 2008 @ 4:52 pm, The Boy Genius Said:

    Actually, I believe it’s two. Another album, and a greatest hits album. My math might not be the greatest, but that equals two in my book.

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  13. On Jan 3, 2008 @ 4:55 pm, CNBC Said:

    They mentioned Boy Genius on CNBC last night in reference to this story. heres the clip. http://nahright.com/news/2008/01/03/video-cnbc-report-on-jay-zapple-partnership/

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  14. On Jan 3, 2008 @ 5:16 pm, Eric Said:

    Ya know, if you use the multiply mode, and rotate that Apple a little more to the right, it’ll look a lot more like a tattoo than a bad Photoshop job.

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  15. On Jan 3, 2008 @ 6:43 pm, Dtest54 Said:

    dizzlefizzle, they settled the deal with Apple Corp. that restriction is gone.

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  16. On Jan 3, 2008 @ 8:56 pm, kanebb Said:

    I’m need the haters to stop leaving comments on the article if you don’t like it don’t read it you make yourself look so stupid because you not only took the time to read something you don’t like but you commented on it its broke people like you who cause problems and I don’t want to see comments about your money because next to me your broke and people with money don’t hate period

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  17. On Jan 3, 2008 @ 10:18 pm, dan Said:

    jam the future of music distribution is unclear not the future of music itself… good artists’ musid will always be heard whether it be played to a crowd of 10, or sold to millions of people through itunes…

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  18. On Jan 4, 2008 @ 12:35 am, malcolm Said:

    Def Jam got 26 Grammy nominations which other urban label come close

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  19. On Jan 4, 2008 @ 12:00 pm, JetFly Said:

    Actually, Jayz is out of his contract, he had a 9 album deal which ended with the Black Album, hence the retirement talk. That’s why he dropped an album every year since he came out, so he can get out of his contract

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  20. On Jan 4, 2008 @ 2:18 pm, Reggie MIH Peters Said:

    It’s nice to see Apple trying to enter into the record business. But I don’t think Jay Z is the man to make it happen. Yes he is visible and can attract a lot of new talent, but he has’nt proven that he can develope them. It’s one thing to have people follow you because you are on top. But artist developement is a whole different animal. Jay Z has not proven to me that he can executive produce antything from scratch. Everything he touches is already packaged and ready to go. Real moguls make stars, not attract them. Apple might have been better off with a high profile producer as opposed to a high profile artist. Apple should learn from the Black-Phone train wreck.

    That’s just my opinion.

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  21. On Jan 4, 2008 @ 6:56 pm, CharlesA Said:

    Was Jay-Z the errand-boy character on Designing Women? I had forgoten about him…

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  22. On Jan 5, 2008 @ 5:23 am, Imahottguy Said:

    But I freakin’ hate Jay-Z. Nothing but an arrogant asshole. Arg! Why Apple, why?!?

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