Exclusive: Jay-Z/Apple Deal Could "Change The Whole [Music Industry] Blueprint," Says Tech Expert


When Jay-Z stepped down from his position as president of Def Jam last month, rumors began to fly about the mogul's next move. Now it looks like Jigga will be going digital with a new Apple record label.

Yesterday (Jan. 3) technology blog, The Boy Genius Report, "just about confirmed" that Jay will be launching a digital record label with Apple, after speaking to close sources connected with the rapper. In this SOHH exclusive we talked to the Boy Genius himself about the deal and about how this new label could potentially change the music industry.

Though it is rumored that the news won't be officially announced until later this month at Macworld - Apple's annual expo where new products and ventures are revealed - Boy Genius has his own predictions as to what the deal will entail. He believes that the former Def Jam prez will be brought in to attract and develop artists, but won't necessarily be running the label.

"From what I've heard, Jay is simply the first person attached to it," Boy Genius told SOHH. "He'll obviously help with the urban division. I'm also hearing there will be a rock, and pop division so I'd expect other high-profile artists to be attached to that in terms of providing content."

"Personally, I think it's a great idea," Boy Genius said of the possible partnership. "Traditional labels have failed to embrace the digital medium as effectively as they should have, and they've either got to make some serious changes, or they will be out of business pretty soon. With this deal, Apple would also own content. Jay and Apple love to be first, and this fits. They're going to change the whole blueprint, so to speak."

In late December, Jay-Z announced that he is stepping down as president of Def Jam. The announcement followed reports of negotiation break down.

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I told yall, Apple is replacing traditional labels

I've talked with a lot of people and friends about this for months... I've always said that one day Apple would launch their own record label since they have under control the digital market... It was just a question of time...

Bad day for artists...

krayzie said:

Fucking hate apple. Knows fuck all about music, even less then the suits that had dominated the industry from the early 90's.

Iam lacking in knowledge to all this, would this mean you would have to own an ipod to even sample these artists? Some freedom that would be.

Its doubtful this will change things unless its seen as an alternative to what labels do. If its going to be the same ole thing and artists getting screwed than this will be nothing but big news, gone fast. The only way to attract artists to this idea would be change what is happening with labels, but Jay and Apple are corporations and they want to make Bottom line, so cutting artists bigger pcts, i doubt is in their agendas, nor do i see a change coming from something Jay was protesting against which was "breaking up" albums and selling each track for 99 cents, how quickly he changed his tune about that plight when cash was waved in his face.