Vibe.com, January 23rd, 2006
The two formerly famously feuding rappers settled their beef in October 2005 and now it looks like Nas will join the label that former nemesis Jay presides over. As The New York Times reports, the agreement - which will give Nas $3 million for each of his first two albums recorded under the label - is a bit... different from your average label deal.
Under the agreement, Nas' record company, Sony Music, will split the profits and losses from his next two albums, with Def Jam. For their part, Def Jam will lay out the cost of producing and marketing the albums and will divide the profits once it recovers expenses. Then both companies will work on the marketing campaigns. Sony retains the right to release a Nas greatest hits album.
But here's the part you really care about - Nas' first album under Def Jam is expected to include a collaboration between Nas and Jay. No word yet on when Nas is expected to get working on the album, but you can be sure it will be one of the most anticipated albums in hip hop.
The agreement puts in writing the reconciliation between the rappers who have attacked each other for the number of albums sold (Jay's 2001 track, "Takeover"), biting lyrics (Nas' "Ether"), and personal matters (Jay's "Super Ugly" talked about having an affair with the mother of Nas' child).
Representatives from the label would not comment on the story as of press time.
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