IT'S OFFICIAL: NAS AND JAY-Z JOIN FORCES
![Photo of Nas © MSN](http://images.windowsmedia.com/img/prov_ap/200_80/pic200/drP500/P567/P56751IGD5V.jpg)
![Photo of Jay-Z © MSN](http://images.windowsmedia.com/img/prov_ap/200_80/pic200/drP400/P418/P41866P0PKV.jpg)
money > beef
Forget Cam'ron dissing Jay-Z for a moment. While all NYC is abuzz over the latest rapper beef, Jay-Z and former rival Nas have managed something arguably even more newsworthy: going into business with one another. Def Jam (the label where Jay-Z is the president) and Sony (which has been Nas' label throughout his 12 year career) are going to join forces under a new deal just announced. The short story is this:
Sony and Def Jam are partnering up to release Nas' next four albums, with Def Jam handling the production and marketing. This probably means, among other things, that it's almost certain Jay-Z and Nas will record at least one song together, I've even heard rumors that the two men are working on a joint album. Kind of like Best of Both Worlds but hopefully with no R. Kelly-esque diva meltdowns during the tour.
In all fairness, who knows how this will play out? The only clear winner right now is Nas' short-term bank account: he's supposed to earn at least $3 million upfront for each of the first two albums under the deal. Ironically, Jay-Z will now be put in the position to try to help improve Nas "one hot album in every ten year average."
I'll say this much: cynicism in today's hip-hop world is at an all time high, especially in the blogosphere where nothing seems ripe for dismissal more than unabashed excitement but f--- it: I'm excited by the possibility that: 1) Def Jam might help Nas stay more consistent, 2) Jay and Nas might make at least one good song together, 3) hell, who needs a #3?
(Source: NY Times)
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