 |
|
|
Concert promoter Live Nation and rap mogul Jay-Z are on the
verge of closing another of those huge partnership deals we have recently been
hearing about, the New York Times reports.
Jay-Z is looking to make some changes in his life, it
appears. The New York Times is reporting that the superstar rapper plans to
part ways with longtime record label Def Jam and join concert promoter Live
Nation in a partnership worth roughly $150 million.
The 10-year deal is expected to be finalized this week and
will see Live Nation finance future start-up ventures by Jay-Z, which could
include his own label, music publishing, and artist consulting and managing,
according to the paper.
Called Roc Nation, the partnership could include future
touring and certain publishing and licensing rights, the paper said.
Quoting “people in the music industry briefed on the
agreement,” the Times adds that the 39-year-old hip-hop artist, whose real name
is Shawn Carter, would receive advance payments of $10 million for a minimum of
three albums.
Jay-Z stepped down Def Jam Records president last December
but is still signed as an artist and owes one more album.
The first collaboration under the new agreement with Live
Nation is Jay-Z’s current 28-date tour with Mary J. Blige, called “Heart of the
City.”
It was only Monday that Live Nation reached another major
agreement with Irish rock band U2 – the 12-year deal will have the concert
promoter handle the band’s merchandising, digital and branding rights as well
as its touring. The partnership does not include rights to the band’s
recordings, which remain with Universal.
Last year, Live Nation signed a previously unheard-of deal
with Madonna. The concert promoter and the Queen of Pop reportedly signed a
10-year, $120 million contract in October, under which Madonna would receive
cash and stock and give Live Nation exclusive rights to sell three studio
albums, promote concert tours, sell her merchandise and license her name.
Madonna’s last album with Warner Bros., “Hard Candy,” will
be released at the end of April.
© 2007 - 2008 - eFluxMedia