Kanye Covers Complex!

Nas And Damian Marley Making An Album Together!

Billboard.com is reporting that Nas has been in the studio with reggae star Damian Marley, recording an album.

"We've been recording in a studio, where people like Mick Jagger are recording. No one knew who we were," Nas' manager, Anthony Saleh, tells Billboard. "We're going to Miami this week to finish it up and we're aiming to tour for the album this summer."

The album will be released in the spring. But under which label no one knows just yet, because Nas is signed to Def Jam, while Marley records for Universal. A portion of the proceeds will go toward building a school in Africa, though details are still being solidified.

Private Funeral Arrangements Being Made For Def Jam Vp Shakir Stewart

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, there will be a private funeral for Def Jam Record’s Executive Vice-President of A&R, Shakir Stewart, who shot himself with a handgun at his Marietta, Georgia home on Saturday.

The paper also states that the police have declined to release additional details regarding Stewart’s death. Funeral arrangements are still pending and according to the Cobb medical examiner’s office, the autopsy report will take up to 12 weeks.

Def Jam Executive VP Shakir Stewart committs Suicide

Def Jam executive vice president Shakir Stewart committed suicide today (Nov. 1) in New York, according to sources. No other details were available. Shakir Stewart has signed artists such as Rick Ross, Young Jeezy and newcomer Karina Pasian. Stewart became Executive Vice-President of Def Jam Recordings replacing the departed Jay-Z.

Jay-Z Vibe Magazine Interview

Jay-Z on supporting Senator Barack Obama: “What [Obama] represents is, we as a people are part of the American Dream…We were left out of the dream at a certain point. Now the dream is, you can be anything – and it’s not cliché.”

Jay-Z on Lil Wayne: “You should embrace the next generation…I think he’s really a fan of mine. I think he really loves the sh-t that I’ve done…The public has him in line next, and for me to say he’s not in line next would be foolish.”

Jay-Z’s response when asked to confirm his marriage to Beyoncé: “I just think it’s really a part of your life that you gotta keep to yourself…You have to have something sacred to you and the people around you…I shared so much of my life…I should have something to hold on to.”

Jay-Z on his tenure as President of Def Jam: “Everyone always analyzes the job that I’ve done at Def Jam…I always feel the need to justify it…If anybody in their tenure had Kanye, Rihanna, and Ne-Yo…One album for each one of them in three years is a superb job.”

Cam'ron Sells Santana To Def Jam For $2 Million

Cam'ron recently sold Juelz Santana to Def Jam for $2 Million dollars. This may actually be better for Santana who recently spoke with Miss Info about the deal...

"A! What’s good !! Yeah, I’m free!! And ready to do me!! But its still Dip Set 4 life!! Its just going to be a new chapter!!" he stated. Although he said that it was "still Dip Set 4 life,"

"I have no hard feeling for Cam, after all, he did give me a chance!!! But I will say this I was loyal to him and he took advantage."

"Mixtape coming up soon, my solo mixtape ('the Reagan Era')," he revealed

"I have a joint venture with Def Jam, a 50/50 deal," he continued. "Yeah, it’s a new boss in town. Album is called Born to Lose, Built to Win!!!! (The rise of the skullgang)."

LL Cool J's Last album Cover On Def Jam

Cover for LL Cool J’s potentially last record on Def Jam Records, Exit 13.

TAG RECORDS LAUNCH / 2008 ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Awards

The launch party of Island Def Jam’s Tag Records took place in California. The event went down last night along with other Pre-BET Awards bashes..

Shawty Lo Attended 2008 ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Awards

Russell Simmons Did Not Get Jewelry Stolen

A rep from Russell Simmon's camps says that Russell did not have $15,000 worth of jewelry stolen from him as people have been suggesting. The victim, was actually one of Simmons' employees.

Shakir Stewart Replaces Jay

Shakir Stewart who was the senior VP of A&R, has been named Executive Vice President of Def Jam Recordings as announced today (June 3) by L.A. Reid. Stewart's new position will take affect due to Jay-Z's resignation as President of Def Jam in December of 2007.

"Exit 13" will Be LL Last Album On Def Jam

LL Cool J plans to end his 20 year relationship with Def Jam by releasing his last album under the label entitled, "Exit 13" on July 18th. The first single from the album will be "I Cry" featuring Lil' Mo..., Did Mo do that Song with Ja. Rule.

The Roots Having Trouble At Def Jam

The Roots are said to be having a lot of drama since Jay-Z decided to step-down. Word is the group has been having trouble pleasing Def Jam and they haven't been getting a lot of promotion.

Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson says that's , "He (L.A Reid) has no idea that 'Birthday Girl' isn't even on the album," Thompson says. "They don't know we shot the 'Rising Down' video. They just know they approved an (electronic press kit) budget."

?uestlove was speaking of their single "Birthday Girl" that was removed from their U.S. version of their new album, "Rising Down"