FIRST JANET, THEN ME , NOW HOV

JD 53 Comments 0 likes

I BEEN KNOWING ABOUT THIS FOR ALONG TIME AND I WAS WAITING ON JAY TO LET THE WORLD KNOW. LIFERS WHAT’S YOUR TAKE ON THIS BEING ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN?

Now maybe we can get that Blueprint 3 album. Jay-Z has officially parted ways with his home for more than a decade, Def Jam. On Thursday morning (May 21), Hits Daily Double reported in its Rumor Mill section that Hov — who owed Def Jam one last album — bought himself out of his contract for $5 million.
On Thursday afternoon, Jay contacted RapRadar.comand confirmed his departure.
“I can honestly say, working with Doug Morris and L.A. Reid has been a unique and fulfilling experience, and I respect them immensely,” Hov told the Web site. “I’ve been in the family for almost my entire career. Doug and I spoke directly and had one of the most unique ‘negotiations’ ever.”
Jay said that negotiation included a coin toss. “Doug won the toss, but we both won in the end,” Jay said. “I thank him for allowing me to be a completely independent artist. Not every artist can say they own or are given the opportunity to own all of their music.”
Jay started his own record company, Roc Nation, and has been working on theBlueprint 3 with Kanye West since 2008. In February, Jay joked that he was too free in making his latest opus.
“If I don’t have any time constraints, I’ll mess around, I’ll never get it done,” he said. “I’ll be Axl Rose out here! It’ll be 12 years later, and we’ll be talking about Chinese Democracy. I really like the [time constraints]. But whatever happens, [the album] may turn out better, ’cause it’ll be done when it’s right.”

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  1. 1) I’m thinkin it must really be fucked up over there at Def Jam

    2) The music industry is about to drastically change…

    Let’s see how many people follow y’all steps…and who can survive after that. I can see it now…. At least 35 rappers are about to attempt the same boss move and we’ll never hear from them again….Where is the industry going???

  2. yeah man, Def Jam is not and will not ever be the same again. i was on the inside for a little while with an artist that shall remain nameless and they did him dirty. they werent creative at all and didnt have the right people up there A&Ring and getting great records. they basicall had a buncha non-hip hop knowledgeable people up there and that seems to still be the case. aside from LA, they dont have anybody up there making stamps in this culture and now RUSSEL is even suing them. its really sad and i think that the only reason that that labe still exists is because of the name. theyve had some success with jeezy and rihanna and even MC but there is no family atmosphere there. no creative juices whatsover. good for Jay that he got outta there but he had to pay 5 tickets. imagine the niggas on the shelf thats still up there. i was at target yesterday and red & meth got a new album out…who would even know that??? it sucks up there JD…well, you already know that…lol

  3. I don’t know the small details and I don’t have millions of dollars but I think it speaks volumes that someone would pay $5million to not work with a company rather than just stick around until the end of their contract. In my world, the only time that I’ve ever paid to get out of a contract was when I wasn’t happy with the service that I was receiving. For example, I broke my contract with Sprint so I could leave and go someplace else where I’d be more happy with the service. Do they really mean that he paid $5million out of his pocket or is that on paper only? Don’t know much about how the industry works but that’s a lot of money…

  4. Thers definately more to it than meets the eye, you & all these other high profile artists leavin including russell simmons suing def jam.. whatever it is they need to realize that they are headin in the wrong direction as a label..

  5. This news is very interesting. I think for veterans artist it is a Good look. Artist like who have sold millions for record companys and have large fan base like Hov, Janet ,Mariah etc can go indie because they have already built there track record! I think its sad that the music biz is the way it is now but change is Good! I think that most artist should have control of there masters especially if they have help contribute to the ARt. It sad that hov had to shell out 5 million to get out his contract but the freedom that he has now is priceless! Jus like janet say” im on my own I call my own shots”! Win or lose its all on the artist once they go indie!

  6. YO I REALLY DON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY ABOUT DEF JAM ANYMORE EITHER! I DO KNOW THEY ARE SCARED TO TAKE CHANCES FOR A FACT!! I THINK INTERSCOPE AND ATLANTIC ARE BECOMING WHAT DEF JAM USED TO BE YEARS AGO! I DON’T WON’T TO GO TOO FAR INTO CONTEXT, BUT DEF JAM REALLY NEEDS TO TIGHTEN UP!

    IT SHOULD BECOME A TIME WHEN THEY SHOULD ASK THEMSELVES, HOW IN THE FUCK DID WE LOSE IN TODAY’S TIME BEST ALL AROUND PRODUCER “JERMAINE DUPRI” AND HOW IN THE HELL DID WE LOSE “BUSINESS MOGUL & BEST RAPPER” JAY-Z??

    THEM NIGGAS SLIPPIN UP THERE IN NYC AT DEF JAM 4REAL. THEN THEIR A&R’S OUT HERE SCARED TO MAKE NEW MOVES BECAUSE THEY AREN’T ALL CONTRACTED!

    MAN THATS ENOUGH OF THEM LOL

    JD HOLLA AT YA BOY

    http://WWW.TWITTER.COM/ANRCHRIS

  7. From the outside looking in it always seemed like LA Reid was really respected in the game even though his game wasn’t the tightest. From my standpoint it always seemed like he was responsible for artist’s booms and then busts. i’m mainly thinking of toni braxton right now. and too it also seemed like he may not have been the best business man at a record company Arista and LaFace come to mind here.

    Granted all my facts and info may not be straight but it always seems the problem is specifically with him.

    As a Janet fan I watched and read listened to everything that happened from when she signed to when she left. From when they were all smiles on red carpets for Why Did I Get Married at the LA premier to when she did the blogger phone conference and was basically like her and the label didn’t see eye to eye after Feedback.

    To have an argument over Luv versus Rock With U and not try to salvage your investment of somebody you chased to be on your label seems kinda ill. that just doesn’t seem like good business.

    but then that’s just my opinion from the outside looking in.

    Even when you left JD i read what you posted on here about how they said you weren’t showing up to work and they were still paying you and then we see on LTL on youtube you working everyday with your fleet of artists that you went out and found when i think A&R isn’t really what you were hired to do as President of Urban i think.

    but you know i always say it like this somewhere between the two people’s sides is the complete and whole truth which no one will ever know.

  8. If Janet, JD, and Hov leave, then there are alot of problems within Def Jam. I will have to point the finger at the top, L.A. Reid, for not having the proper vision and staff to correct those issues.

  9. Hopefullly he can take Rijuanna Crisette and Kanye with him, but I doubt it. Those are the key money makers right? I had heard something about Jay and Bey joining forces to create their own media organization. Best wish to u all.

  10. speaking of Janets departure, it would be great if Janet did the same what Prince is doing. Just put music out herself. No boundries!!!!!!!!!!!!! Artistic Freedom.

  11. i think it about time ARTISTS become businessman and women….and stopping depending on a company that doesn’t care about building artist and maintaining longity.

    So many artist out here going broke because they fail to take business into there own hands. I hope everyone who thinking about leaving Def Jam or any other label doesn’t go off and think the pasture greener on the other side when it not. More and more artist need to gain Creative control of there music and all artist should own rights to there music.

    I hope you all “Janet,JD,HOV”…take matter into your own hands and make the album you alway wanted to make and have completed creative control while doing so.

    Once artist decide to go out there own it will take hardwork and more money out of there pocket to keep up with the level of promotions needed to sell records. Any other out there trying it out on there own need to find ways of connection with there fans…..and quick….

    MUSIC BUSINESS IS STEADLY CHANGING INTO A NEW ERA either you catch up or get lost in the transition. MY advice takes matter into your own hands…..stop being held back by people who don’t have the same dream or vision has you…..

    Also look for new way to promote your albums……what your currently doing is the best promotions possible letting people know your out there still making music…and see how it done…..

    JD your blog and youtube is the best thing….I seen in a minute from artist….I am sure other will follow suit…

  12. must be nice to be able to take your future in your own hands…im sure bp3 will be great.

    Def Jam has a star on their hands with Kristinia DeBarge and its really kinda nice to see. Other than that I dont really pay too much attention to Def Jam.

  13. I knew Def Jam was messing up when Janet was so enthusiastic about joining and that quickly changed..Janet must have really wanted to be rid of La Reid and Def Jam and i dont think they treated her right..Its sad when they promise u things (as they should because she’s an icon) and dont deliver..Janet should go the independent route..do her own thing..i know for sure being a member of her fan community that she definitely has the loyal fan base for it..Hova leaving is like the Nail in the coffin…Def Jam’s future doesnt look too bright!

  14. I hope MC-Mimi leaves too!

  15. Good for you all to be free to create and develop the music that you want. I also love that he bought his freedom and no one can say the he owes them. Doing what he had to do so that he can do what he wanted to what he did and I am proud to see him do it.

  16. Honestly, Janet wasn’t doing shit for Def Jam so her “departure” is understandable and I can say same for Hov. When was the last time he released an album? A label won’t keep an artist if all they’re doing is causing them to lose money. The motive is bring in money and keep us entertained. Def Jam sure don’t play LOL! I don’t blame them it’s kind of like keeping a lazy associate that doesn’t sell shit in a retail store. Not gonna happen! Hov knows what his doing though he has his own record label and he even went international on our ass and signed that popular UK girl group- Sugabees. Now time for him to sweet talk that untalented creature (Rihanna) on to his label. Since she’s the $$$ maker and all. But trust he ain’t missin a wink over this mess! Nigga may look stupid but he’s a smart business man 😉

    Now Janet take notes boo! I love you and I stan hard for you but your career is just going down a slippery slope! Just give the finger to record labels for good. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again– It’ pointless to be under a record label if you’ve been in the biz for 20+ years. Like someone else said do what Prince is doing! and please get in touch with technology! Your man JD is taking advantage of it and people that didn’t know him now know who he is and he has gained many fans in the process! Mariah has a twitter too! Now I’m no MC fan but she knows how to treat fans right! I’m just sayin’! Get it together 🙂

  17. Oooo he did it the right way! He left with a bang!!
    Loves it!

  18. WOW I thought the same thing Janet, JD, and Jay-Z something wrong these are huge important people what is going on Reid was respected but I feel he was using people and dont know how to run that company I liked when rusell was doing things. I also kinda agree with Ash on some things Janet should own her own music and do her own because Island/Def Jam seem like they just signing people and dont know what they doing

  19. Ash…… you need to get it together and quit speakng on topics you clearly know nothing about. Sit back and let the ADULTS handle thier business and go back to being the LAMB that you clearly are. As for the topic GOOD RIDDENS TO DEF JAM! LA is so full of it he always has been. He has ruined so many careers and he was trying to do Janet the same way but she is too defiant for that ish! When the world is against you…… you have to come out strong and that is what she is about to do. Im not worried and no one else should be its not like Ms. Jackson is a newbie in this game. JD keep yo head up man you are one of the GREATS!! I knew they were doing you dirrrrty but it is what it is and you do YOU!! these people out here keep tryin to hate on you but you just keep shutin em down and I LOVE IT!!! HOV will be alright too. maybe the three of you should get together and just take over the world LOL!

  20. Def Jam had its run and it was a good one but now they have lost touch with the artist as well as the consumer.
    Jay made a smart move,cant blame him.

  21. LMFAO! @ Samantha

    I knew a Janatic was gonna run in here with that bullshit!
    and I’m tired of mothafuckas underestimating young people’s knowledge solely based on their age!
    is it because in reality some teens are far smarter then the adults? I think so!

    Anyways, you obviously don’t know what your talking especially since your putting all the blame on LA. You need to know it takes two to tango! It’s also Janet’s wrong doing too! and what about the tour? who do we blame for that? I love Janet but she’s ALWAYS pointing the finger at someone else for all her problems or giving a lame excuse!

  22. It’s time artists followed Prince’s move and make, market, and sell their own music. Look at his recent cd…only sold at Target and still went to number 2 on billboard…BUT all the money and music is his!

  23. jay-z made a great move. it’s a damn same it cost.. but thats cool. he had the paper to pay. its only a problem if you don’t have the money….i know nothing about the business side of music so i cant speak on it. but i do know what i like listening to…..now it’s as if something is about to change with music…i see it in lil wayne with the rock…it reminds me of run dmc and aerosmith walk this way…i think that was runs biggiest hit…rhianna singing some rock song on mtv…music needs a remix…some instruments more creative thought.

  24. I mean it was time for Jigga to move, and I never thought it was a good fit for Janet.. And I dont see Jd on anyones label but his own.. That’s how it’s always been.. Yeah I know it’s about a check.. but if it aint broke dont fix it.. Janet , Jd , and Hov should start a label just for them 3….. Now that would be HOTT.. AFTER WE GET MY BABY JANET BACK ON TOP…

  25. Def Jam is falling apart they must be off the damn chain over there…losing some of your biggest artist sound like a dummy move for Def Jam we aint going to know them in a year if this keep up…Folks betta jump ship while they still got time over there. I would be on the first ship sailing out..

  26. Ash (u clearly don’t have a clue)it take money to go on tour…and if people are not putting in money then the artist has to put up. What artist should put up more money….up front in this recession…..who going to see a damn concert that cost over $100.00!!!! I’m not going even if the concert was $20.00 right now!!!

    In my opinion if your lable doesn’t feel for your project and doesn’t push for promotion or put some money behind it!! (IT A WRAP)

    Nobody knows the real deal behind Janet ordeal with Def Jam so stop pointing fingers. I do know this much nine times out of 10 ARTIST GET SCREW NOT THE LABEL!!!! Take notes on that….not the artist screwing there fans….it legal shit behind it has well..if you were in her shoes..you would be worst off…ending up like Toni Braxton and she a major talent has well….

    It annoy me to the highest level when fans act like artist own them something it fucking music for goodness sake!! She doesn’t owe you shit ……but….the word ”'(THANKS) LOL

    I feel Janet and ALL ARTIST IN GENERAL need to push there own shit…..beside the fans she can do it for particuarly free….all she need is a laptop ……LOL the shit going to crash!! LOL

    (Sidenote)some of janet fan are a tad bit crazy or for better word a little too PASSIONATE for Ms. Jackson…I remember the (chatroom days)….it was fun when it was under control LOL!!!

  27. As someone with a business background, it seems like Def Jam is getting rid of their high price talent and deciding to go with artists they can take a big share in with the 360 deals. Their view seems to be why should we spend millions promoting these older artists, with expensive deals, and have them walk away with a bigger share of smaller sales.

    You have the biggest artists now barely doing 2 million especially in rap and rnb. So it just makes sense to put your money where you can get the greatest return. Hova will be lucky to do 2 million with BP3 and for Def Jam $5 million seem like a win.

  28. Russell Simmions is suing def Jam too

  29. I imagine that it can be difficult for many talented artists to get in the game at first. And for whatever reason, a place like Def Jam may seem like a good idea to get things going for them at the time they sign. However, you can end up signing away your freedom, lose your choices, and it’s no longer about you sharing your message and talent, but rather the bottom dollar for the label. It’s inspiring to see strong people stand up against it and do what they gotta do to make it happen and do their own thing.

    Whatever is going on over there, if it’s as bad as it seems, then I feel for those that may see themselves as stuck with it. I wish ’em luck.

  30. PassionateQueen, sweetie
    I know it takes money to have a tour o.O
    but there was an agreement between Live Nation and Janet
    again it takes two to tango! Now let me ask you who in there right mind would embark on a tour if 1) your album sales are in an all-time low so it’s more than likely that people hardly know you exist 2) you stopped promotion after a week! I wouldn’t blame Live Nation though it’s all business! and again I bet I know more than you 😀 your obviously an idiot since you believe all Janet needs is a laptop to be independent Eh No! and you say she doesn’t owe her fans shit!!!! Um we’re the reason she’s so successful. Without the fans she really wouldn’t be shit! and especially right now she should be kissing our ass! our she’ll just have another flop and will only be remembered for her sad attempts to the top!

  31. PassionateQueen, sweetie
    I know it takes money to have a tour o.O
    but there was an agreement between Live Nation and Janet
    again it takes two to tango! Now let me ask you who in there right mind would embark on a tour if 1) your album sales are in an all-time low so it’s more than likely that people hardly know you exist 2) you stopped promotion after a week! I wouldn’t blame Live Nation though it’s all business! and again I bet I know more than you 😀 your obviously an idiot since you believe all Janet needs is a laptop to be independent Eh No! and you say she doesn’t owe her fans shit!!!! Um we’re the reason she’s so successful. Without the fans she really wouldn’t be shit! and especially right now she should be kissing our ass! or she’ll just have another flop and will only be remembered for her sad attempts to the top!

  32. damn i remember when def jam use to be on shit i know that will never be the same record label that every body remembers i just hope they get what ever they need to get together cause they are losing some of their great talent damn shame

  33. Smart move Jay. Yeah he had to pay 5 million but that’s like $50 to him lol. If I had the money to be completely free and have sole rights over anything I’ve ever done then I would do it too.

  34. JD, I too have been aware of the issue for a while now… They say the devil is in the details… I THOUGHT that American Gangster was considered as his last album with DefJam though… Guess I was wrong about that… however..

    According to my research Jay partner with Live Nation… Live Nation is a events company who mainly acts as a concert promoter… They sign artist as if they were a record label, but ultimately they act as big time promoters… Jay will make music, probably sell it digitally (just as a means of getting it out), then make all of his money doing shows, tours, commercials, movies, etc… This is where the industry is going and those who work the industry know this… You can download music all day long, but you will never be able to package, bottle, or box up a live experience, hence the name “Live”… If you can’t package it, it can’t be stolen…

    So, My take on it is this:

    The fact that major artist have left DefJam to do their own thing doesn’t imply that DefJam is doing something wrong or that they are a bad label, it simply says that the people that are leaving see something that us outsiders dont see.

    The game is changing. Being independent is the way to go. The internet has changed the industry completely, to the point where there’s no need for a label… Marketing and promotion is much needed… however, money isn’t… I manage an R&B group and act as an investor as well (bad idea… i dont recommend that setup to anyone LOL). However, with $10k of my own personal we’re about to release out own album in a couple of months. (Sidebar: For the record, I’m an average dude who does computer tech support and i CURRENTLY make about $35,000/yr. So basically, i just said that to encourage others that you can do the same thing too. I did this on a $30,000 salary.)

    So, as u can see, you dont need a label’s money anymore… When we begin building up our reputation doing shows and selling the music, i dont think i’d take a record deal for my guys… what’s the point??? Yes, they’ll give you more exposure faster, because the have the budget, but… that isn’t worth going thousands something millions into debt AND losing the rights to your music…

    I believe truly that very soon there will be no more money in record sales… Eventually music wont even be sold… The music will be GIVEN away… Everybody’s already stealing it. The music industry as a whole is going to become a way to market and promote goods, services, etc… NOT an outlet for music… People always have and always will have music… times have changed where now, there taking it as opposed to buying it… And when you think about it… whether is stolen or not… what difference does it make? If a million people steal your song… that’s GREAT.. that means that you have the ears of 1 million people… whatever new beer, new liquor, new car that you mention in that song that 1 million people have stolen, you should be gettin paid… and THAT’s how you overcome the situation… Marketing is such a powerful thing, but we as artist sometime totally miss that boat and the vision and the business aspect to this…

  35. JZ is just trying to get some of that money back. Who gave JZ all of that damn money and the nigga did that concert and took a lost? This sounds like some Tagg Record type shit. Yo JD congrads on getting the mixtape done. I couldn’t make Vegas Ive been trying to get my studio together…Yall see I haven’t been on here hard but Spock will be back. I will be at Lucky on the 27th…ATLANTA COME OUT!!!!

    Common sense…Use the label’s money to get popular and once you gain your fans do your own shit, yall act like this is some new shit, have yall ever heard of Prince? That nigga just dropped a CD with TARGET!! I have sold over 80,000 CD’s indepedently and most of them sales were before the internet. That means I use to go from city to city and go from car to car selling my CD’s. It really makes you understand the game in a different way. The only nigga in the oceans that has done that is Nelly!! Niggas in the streets talking about So So ain’t got no deal,,,FUCK A DEAL…..You got them So So Def vans on the side of the studio….put some gas in them bitches and take it right to the hood!!

    MIXTAPES FOR SELL!!!! OCEANS SHIT!!! FUCK TURNING ON THE AC COME TO THE OCEAN!! HOW MANY OF THEM MIXTAPES CAN YOU SELL IN A DAY JD? HOW HUNGRY ARE YALL??? IM STARVING OUT HERE MYSELF!!!! MEET ME AT GREENBRIAR!!! LET’S GO!!!! THAT’S A GOOD LIFERS CHALLANGE!!! JD RUN IT!!

    SPOCK

  36. NO! Correction! First Janet then Shakir Stewart A.K.A SHAKE then You JD and now Hov. That’s a hint thrown at cha JD. Like i alway’s say L.A Reid is the DEVIL he’s the reason for each person’s reason for there departure from Def Jam.

    R.I.P SHAKIR STEWART AKA SHAKE

  37. Ash….. your short life and small minded thinking combined with the childish commentary you have presented toward myself and other posters, only further proves my point that you have no idea what you are talking about. Not once has Janet blamed anyone for anything. she just says what happened when asked. She never said anything mean or spitefull toward anyone she is always pc when it comes to her business affairs so that is falsehood number two from YOU. Maybe if you were older you would have seen the line of artists that have been screwed by L.A. Reid. Janet is most certainly not the first and wont be the last as long as he is allowed to be in charge. She didnt get it as badly as the others at least but he still did significant damage to a great album.

    On another note going indepentent is her best bet. She is too large an artist to be controlled she knows what her fans want from her and she should be able to do whatever she wants. Its not like she has anything to prove anyway shes already an Icon. No matter what the fairwhether fans think………. she doesnt owe the fans anything because she is always grateful and always says thank you!

  38. I said it when you left JD and i’ll say it AGAIN… Def Jam is a sinking ship!!!!! that label has gone to the dogs. Mariah is next to leave you just watch and see…

  39. L.A Reid is loosing it….

  40. Jay-Z is at a great place to have full control over 3. That is a spring board for Roc Nation.

  41. I said it when you left JD and i’ll say it AGAIN…. Def Jam is a sinking ship!!! L.A Reid is loosing it, Mariah is probably next to leave you just watch and see..

  42. I said it when you left JD and i’ll say it AGAIN…. Def Jam is a sinking ship!!! L.A Reid is loosing it, Mariah is probably next to leave you just watch and see..

  43. I said it when you left JD and i’ll say it AGAIN…. Def Jam is a sinking ship!!! L.A Reid is loosing it, Mariah is probably next to leave you just watch and see..

  44. @Samantha

    I didn’t want to go here but what happened to Janet Jackson’s Album on Virgin? Who is to blame on that one? Sometimes we have to stop pointing the finger and look at ourselves. I am not blaming Janet or JD but ask yourself this, “Who was on the Janet team on the Virgin record, and who was on the same team on the Def Jam record? If you got the same people working on BOTH albums and BOTH flopped then maybe you should bring in some new people. Some people have so much pride that they can’t step to the side and in the meantime the ICON is looking crazy!

    I hate talking about Janet because we know that’s JD’s wife and shit. After talking to Johnta, I am trying to stick to music and stay away from personal shit, just out of respect for JD. But when yall talk about Janet it makes it hard. I am not going to sit on here and bash LA Reid because it’s just like what JZ said to Dash….”If you made hove make another hove” If LA messed these artists up, then those same artists can go somewhere else and be bigger right? I ain’t see nothing!!

    Johnta be proud, your comments made a difference. You see I stayed away from that whole tattoo thing. I’m trying to make sure I sound more like a music lover that is critical to good music then a hater!! The shoes, clothes, tattoos, and anything else that does not stimulate my mind on an intellectual level, I am not even going to comment on.

    SPOCK

  45. Def Jam is a sinking ship, i think L.A Reid should step down that man is loosing it..

  46. @ Spock

    First: Damita JO is a platium album that went platinum under a firestorm of controversy. Had the controversy not been there (which is should not have been) then I GUARENTEE that is would have sold more.

    Second: Damita JO had a different set of producers and music writers that her last two albums. the only similarity comes on 20 Y.O. not discpline.

    Third: 20 Y.O. is also a platinum album so the only one not to go platinum IS the one under the direction of L.A. Reid.

    Lets keep it real the majority of this hate toward her comes from the Superbowl and the bandwagon of haters that followed her from that point on.. yet she still continues to sell and make #1 albums i.e. Discpline. The fact is the album did not work because L.A. is a dictator and Ms. Jackson will not be over-ruled especially when she clearly knows what she is doing. She didnt play ball with him so he threw a fit and dismantled the promotion for the album. But again I point out that truthfully we wouldnt even be talking about any of this had it not been for the superbowl.

    Why you take it as a personal crusade to point the finger at Janet is beyond me but to each his own. I know it would be hard to do my job to the best of my ability when people are consistantly screwing me over. But L.A.’s destructive ways have destroyed an entire label, bankrupted 3 very successful artists or acts, and run three very prominent acts and executives off of a label in need of great talent to survive. Now if that isnt a track record that doesnt speak for itself I dont know what else to tell you…Like someone said earlier… Mariah is next she already has her problems with L.A. trying to run her shit too…. but I guess someone like you thinks thats just a coincidence and se needs to take a look at herself too right?!…….. right.

  47. Dont know much about the music industry so wont comment on that.Hey Jd, you, janet and Hov had to do what ya felt ya had to do.

    On another note just to point out Janet is a legend (some may agree and some may not). However, even if she retire her music is still going to be around. Matterfact look at alot of the old artist from back in the days that oldies but goodies music. Alot did not make it but there music is still here till today its either sample, remix, or just on the air waves. It is not a easy industry but I agree instruments, live music, and more creativity needs to be brought back into the industry.

  48. music business……although music comes first, it really should be the business of music. many in the industry have lost sight of the music and they really aren’t handling their business either. it’s a true blessing to be able to do what you love and use your God given talent and share it with the world. another blessing is to be able to have the money to take your career and put it in your on hands and say, “nah I’m good, i’m out especially in these tough economic times. but it’s also a different story completely to be forced out. you know the cliche, “everything happens for a reason?” well, it is true although the majority of the time, you can’t see when you are living in that moment.

    if you look at the bigger picture, who is on the roster and what is Def Jam doing with what they have?promotion… a&r…. marketing…. not so much. Like any corporation, it has to start at the top. If the folks at the top not handling business, you get what you get. i was always told “what you do in the dark always comes to light.” there is obviously more to what’s going on than the general consumer is privy to.

  49. LOL @ Samantha

    I can understand you disagreeing with me but to say I don’t know what I’m talking about is funny. What is it did I say was false? please, correct me? LOL! and as a fan you should know that JJ never owns up to her problems! She hasn’t even said shit about the cancellation of her tour! and I know Janet wasn’t the first to be screwed over by LA as a matter fact she had problems at Virgin too. But again it’s not all LA’s fault!

  50. @ Ash

    As an actual fan… I have never once not seen Janet handle her problems…. Just because she doesnt have a public meltdown people think she avoids her problems. You Lied when you said outright that she blames other people for her problems and she has never done that EVER… Other people like bloggers, haters, and the general bunch of fairwhether fans say that she does that. I just dont spend my life criticizing and picking apart one of my favorite artists shes got pleanty of people doing that already. I just enjoy the music! you should try it sometime.

  51. I think this is big for how business is shifting in the music industry. Now with the internet, the playing field has became a lot more even. Itunes, Amazon, and blogsites has given you the distribution needed and twitter, myspace, facebook, and youtube allows you to market. So now Im wondering why would anyone still sign to a label when they can create their own entity? I think more and more artist are figuring this out. Right now, his brand is major so he can create a buzz around his projects very easy. But the success of Soulja Boy, Deondria, Sean Kingston, and others should show upcoming artist that signing to a label made be the wrong move financially. I think Drake is a key example. He got a lot of street buzz without having to be signed to a label. So why should he sign to a label? He can easily create his own music, own it, and make crazy dough without the support of a major label and I think Jay Z newest power move is a testament. So now the new question is should artist get back to the Master P and Cash Money Days and not sell albums out their trunk but from their blog site?

  52. I agree with most that there is a big problem at Def Jam. The only artists that get any promo over there are Rihanna, Ne-Yo and Mariah. I mean, they pushed Good Girl Gone Bad on the world for what 2 1/2 years…and although she’s had quite a few #1s, the cd didn’t even sell 5 million units in the US. I’m not bashing Rihanna in any way, I’m just proving that their focus is only on certain artists over there. Ne-Yo has put out 3 albums in 3 years and this latest one has really produced a major hit other than Miss Independent, but he’s onto his 4th or 5th video now! And last year, E=MC2 had one hit, Touch My Body, but they put out 4 videos for that cd as well. Again, not hating on any of these artists. I like all of their music. But somethin isn’t right!

    @ the Janet comments

    I’m one her biggest fans. I will say this, Janet has been given the shitty end of the stick lately. To say she’s had 3 flopped albums is definitely a mis-guided and media-based view. Damita Jo is platinum, not just in shipments (as that is how it’s defined), but also in sales. 20 Y.O. is platinum by definition, but has not sold 1 million units. Now Discipline hasn’t sold nearly as many as the other two. But there is success in each of these cds. Discipline was the only 1 to debut @ #1 of the three and Feedback was her biggest single since Someone To Call My Lover in 2001. But somehow Janet gets all the flack about how bad her sales have been. While Madonna has had some slumps in her career and not a word was ever uttered. And while Janet is the common factor with Virgin and Def Jam, you have to remember that Virgin is a sinking ship and the same people who were there in the beginning of her relationship with the label were not the ones there at the end. And as for her and Def Jam, what other option did she have if the label pulled the promotion or didn’t start it in time? She can’t do it all alone. Feedback peaked at #19 and then came Rock With U. When the single wasn’t successful, they plug was pulled. What would’ve been the harm in trying another single, Luv? They went on with Mariah’s cd after Bye Bye, which ironically only peaked at #19. Janet knew what to do, and that was to leave! Blaming is saying it was all everyone else’s fault and all she said was they disagreed on the 2nd single and then they stopped the promotion. That’s just the truth. Furthermore, she owes no one anything. Just because some artists Twitter and share a bunch of info, doesn’t mean she has to. If she did, then she’d never have anything to herself and her work would be her life. Right now she’s in the studio, so there’s nothing she has to say. She’ll say something when she’s ready. Let her be!

  53. So many tattoos to choose from. I search the net looking for the best pictures! Great site!

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