Lil' Kim explains turning Roc Nation down

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterBefore igniting her feud with Nicki Minaj, Lil' Kim was close to signing with Roc Nation. Throughout her career, Kim has worked closely with Jay-Z. The two have become good friends over the years and Jay-Z wanted her services. Many websites reported the deal being close to done.However, when asked about Roc Nation, Lil' Kim said she had not signed

Rick Ross talks Warner Bros. deal

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterRick Ross surprised many of his hip hop mogul friends, when he decided to establish a deal with Warner Bros. Records. Jay-Z helped Rick Ross get signed to Def Jam. Birdman has been a frequent collaborator. Diddy has taken Ross under his wing in recent years.Last year, Rick Ross' stock rose very high. Many feel he was the top rapper, aside from Eminem

Rick Ross signs Pill to Maybach Music

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterIt took four years for Rick Ross to become the face of Def Jam. He also became one of rap's biggest names in the process. Outside of simply rapping, Rick Ross has become a major executive in the music industry. In 2008, he launched his Maybach Music label and has signed several artists to the label.Last fall, Ross spoke of possibly signing Wale. Last

Will Rick Ross follow in Jay-Z and Diddy's footsteps?

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterRick Ross pulled off a boss move when he landed an exclusive deal with Warner Bros. Records. When he first came into the game, Rick Ross was nothing more than a rapper. Jay-Z helped him land a lucrative deal with Def Jam, while he was CEO.While Jay-Z would soon step down from his executive role at Def Jam, he and Ross bonded. The two recorded together

Rick Ross sets up shop with Warner Bros. Records

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterRecently, there were rumors about where Rick Ross would be going. Following the release of Teflon Don, Ross was a free agent. But, he also has a growing record label he is looking out for. Due to his popularity, everyone began making offers to the boss.Jay-Z helped Rick Ross break into the game when he made him a part of Def Jam. Soon, DJ Khaled, a

Jay-Z wins Grammy for "Empire State of Mind"

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterBy 2009, Jay-Z had accomplished almost everything a rapper would hope to when they enter the game. He had built two successful record labels, been the CEO of Def Jam, and had released ten number one albums. Still, Jay-Z had yet to release a number one single.Many people considered The Blueprint 3 to be Jay-Z's most-creative album of his career. Some

Will Jay-Z remain in the Office?

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterIn 2003, Jay-Z "retired" from hip hop because he felt he had done all he could as a rapper. Jay-Z moved on to become the head of Def Jam. Many assumed he had the highest possible position in rap music. When he gave this up in 2007 to return to rap, many questioned his motives.In 2006, Jay-Z "saved" hip hop with his Kingdom Come album, which was

Damon Dash discusses his Evolution

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterEarly in the days of Roc-A-Fella, Damon "Dame" Dash was considered the brains of the operation. Jay-Z, on the other hand, was considered as the face. There was a time when Dame Dash was hailed as the second coming of Russell Simmons.In the middle of their dominance, all of this ended. Jay-Z was named the CEO of Def Jam and Damon Dash was without the

Nas working on "Stillmatic" sequel

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterTen years ago, fans and critics agreed Nas' career was pretty much over. Two years had passed since he released two lackluster albums and his most notable song was a collaboration. Adding insult to injury, his rival, Jay-Z, was becoming a rap icon. When Jay-Z called Nas out by name during the 2001 Summer Jam, it was universally agreed that Nas was

Rick Ross causes a Bidding War with Major Executives

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterIn 2005, Rick Ross was picked up by Jay-Z and signed to a lucrative deal with Def Jam. Before his days with Def Jam, Ross was signed to Slip-N-Slide Records. After doing two albums with them, Jay-Z moved him off the label and over to Def Jam, solely.Around this time, Rick Ross also established his own record label, named Maybach Music. The label's

Redman disses Def Jam and labels them Followers

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterFor as long as he has been in the game, Redman has been a part of the legendary Def Jam label. But, in recent years, that has not been much to brag about. The label has lost three label bosses in a row and the heavy-hitters are on the way out. As a label founded on rap, their biggest artists are Rihanna and Ne-Yo.Because of this change of focus, Nas,

Big Sean's debut album delayed until June

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterIn June 2010, G.O.O.D. Music announced Big Sean would release his debut album in September 2010. Big Sean has been on the underground scene for the past few years. His debut album has been the center of discussion for some time.Initially, Big Sean's debut album was delayed for Kid Cudi. Cudi, the breakout G.O.O.D. artist of 2009, was trying to

Jadakiss discusses Sheek Louch's album cover

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterAs Sheek Louch prepares to release his first album with Def Jam, he is running into a bit of trouble. The cover for his Donnie G album shows him as half human and half gorilla. Because of this image, there is a lot of criticism aimed at Sheek.Sheek's L.O.X. groupmate and Def Jam label-mate, Jadakiss has jumped to his defense. Jadakiss has spent his

Simon Cowell says Nicki Minaj will have a "Phenominal" year

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterSimon Cowell has been in the middle of the hip hop news because of his new show, "The X Factor." Already, the former judge on "American Idol" has made waves. L.A. Reid, the longtime executive of Def Jam, left his position to be a judge on the new show.Rumors suggested Young Money rapstress, Nicki Minaj, would also join the show. Following days of

Kanye West announces New Album in Summer 2011

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterEver since he returned from his hiatus, Kanye West has been working overtime. First, he released My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and announced Watch the Throne with Jay-Z. With the Jay-Z album coming in a little over a month, Kanye West is making even more plans.Following the release of Watch the Throne, Kanye West will begin filming the video for "

Big Boi discusses Def Jam and Second Album

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterAfter years of being with Outkast, Big Boi tried embarking on a solo career for the second time in 2009. He tried to release his debut solo album through Jive Records, but they blocked the release. Big Boi signed a solo contract with Def Jam later in the year.Last year, Big Boi released his debut album, Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty.

Shawnna talks DTP exit

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterLast year, Shawnna abruptly left Ludacris and DTP Records. The duo were in the middle of recording the Battle of the Sexes album and Ludacris ended up turning the album into his next solo release. It appeared as if Shawnna left for no reason and Ludacris felt betrayed by her. Now, one year later, Shawnna states her piece.Shawnna says she left for

Nas shelves "Lost Tapes 2" and Focuses on New Album

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterFollowing the release of Distant Relatives with Damian Marley, Nas informed fans he would release The Lost Tapes 2. In 2002, Nas released an album of songs that did not make his Stillmatic album and it was met with positive reviews. Nas decided he would release music left off Untitled and the Damian Marley album.Because Nas has not done as well as

Jay-Z is Bigger than Hip Hop with Roc Nation

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterJay-Z will be the first to tell you, his dream was bigger than becoming a big-time rapper. Ten years ago, Jay-Z made history when he crossed the $100 million mark. At the time, Jay-Z was the only rapper to have so much money. What began as a simple rap career had expanded into clothing, films, and record labels.Then, most would have said Jay-Z had

Shyne prepares "Gangland" album on Def Jam

By The Hip Hop WriterHip Hop Vibe Staff WriterThings are finally coming together for Shyne, as he is preparing to release his first album since 2004. Titled Gangland, the album is his first release as a free man. Shyne began his career in the late 1990s on Bad Boy Records.Upon being released from prison, in 2009, a small bidding war ensued over Shyne. Rumors pointed him to Roc Nation and to