Jay-Z Steps Down As Def Jam President
Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter has officially announced that he will step down as president of historic hip-hop label Def Jam Recordings. Amidst rumors concerning lackluster artist development and promotion, coupled with an inability for Carter and Def Jam to reach an agreement on contract extension, Carter is moving on to “new challenges.”
Personally, I don’t know what new challenges one of rap’s most important historical figures can embark on, but I’m sure they involve the two albums that he reportedly is still under contract to record for the label under his Roc-A-Fella records imprint. Socially, I don’t think it means much for the king of cool in the hip-hop world. His ‘American Gangster’ offering was warmly received and as sold well in rap relativity, and he can be credited with the popularity of acts like Rihanna and Young Jeezy. Actually, It’s Def Jam that stands to lose more on the deal than Jay-Z.
I’ve got more commentary on the marketing and public relations aspect of this move over at PRBlogGuy.com, but for hip-hop, this departure means little to nothing for Jay’s professional and personal pursuits moving forward.
