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Jay-Z and Apple to Launch Record Label at Macworld?
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Jay-Z? Can't they do better than him? They should lay out some big bucks and get an established legend... maybe Gene Simmons. 
It seems people are quick to judge this possible relationship based on their like / dislike of the artist/genre/culture .
This train of thought is akin to say, "let's turn down Modonna as a possible best seller because she's to pornographic for TV, and a bad role model for society" . Or, "Let's not sign a deal with Elvis because his music is the devil's music".
Artistic talent aside, Jay Z is an ideal choice to partner with in the music industry because of his influence, well built & powerful relationships, track record, time & time again proven ability to turn new talent into top selling talent, leadership ability in the industry, among many other reasons.
The age of Vinyl Album is long gone and the age of CD is falling off the same cliff at a rapid rate. This could turn out to be an ideal relationship for both Apple and Jay Z.
Actually now that I think of it, I can't really think of any other current music industry leaders who would fit the bill better, and are in a current position to make an impact, cross genres, and keen to what sellable today, if Apple really did want to spur off it's own record label.
Apple absolutely needs an established and independent entity to lead the charge if they truly want to make a dent in the music industry as a label, and they definitely have that in Jay Z. Apple by itself doesn't have the experience, relationships, management capacity, promotion capacity, touring machine in place that it takes to push an artist to number in the nation/globe .
This is a far fetched rumor imo, I won't believe it till I see it, but I do the see the enormity of potential if true.
This train of thought is akin to say, "let's turn down Modonna as a possible best seller because she's to pornographic for TV, and a bad role model for society" . Or, "Let's not sign a deal with Elvis because his music is the devil's music".
Artistic talent aside, Jay Z is an ideal choice to partner with in the music industry because of his influence, well built & powerful relationships, track record, time & time again proven ability to turn new talent into top selling talent, leadership ability in the industry, among many other reasons.
The age of Vinyl Album is long gone and the age of CD is falling off the same cliff at a rapid rate. This could turn out to be an ideal relationship for both Apple and Jay Z.
Actually now that I think of it, I can't really think of any other current music industry leaders who would fit the bill better, and are in a current position to make an impact, cross genres, and keen to what sellable today, if Apple really did want to spur off it's own record label.
Apple absolutely needs an established and independent entity to lead the charge if they truly want to make a dent in the music industry as a label, and they definitely have that in Jay Z. Apple by itself doesn't have the experience, relationships, management capacity, promotion capacity, touring machine in place that it takes to push an artist to number in the nation/globe .
This is a far fetched rumor imo, I won't believe it till I see it, but I do the see the enormity of potential if true.
I'm not retracting anything I said above, but I did forget to mention why I feel this is far fetched and very likely not to happen. Apple starting a label or even showing too much preference toward one such as would be with this case causes to many conflicts of interest in it's current role as distributor/retailer to every other label.
That simple. If Apple starts it's own label it had better be prepared to trade it's amicable relationships and publishing rights with all other labels in exchange for raw competition and less content sold through iTunes.
Yah, it could get pretty ugly.
That simple. If Apple starts it's own label it had better be prepared to trade it's amicable relationships and publishing rights with all other labels in exchange for raw competition and less content sold through iTunes.
Yah, it could get pretty ugly.
Jay-Z? Can't they do better than him? They should lay out some big bucks and get an established legend... maybe Gene Simmons.
Jay-Z has more number 1 albums than any person/band in american music history other than the Beatles (he is tied with Elvis I believe). Big bucks? Jay-Z is worth about $400 million; I think they would be paying him the HUGE bucks if they could coax him onto another record label.
Wouldn't making their own label scare the major labels away more than bring them closer to see the way... surely this would be a bad move.
That being said, digital-only distribution on the largest and most successful platform is a good selling point, but I wonder how many new artists will see it that way, after all, it'd likely only be one store (although maybe all the countries).
That being said, digital-only distribution on the largest and most successful platform is a good selling point, but I wonder how many new artists will see it that way, after all, it'd likely only be one store (although maybe all the countries).
From what I understand, that's one of the primary reasons Jay Z pulled his album from iTunes at the last minute. In order for him to tie with Elvis in # of full albums sold it was pulled off iTunes because single sales and digital sales may have compromised and cannibalized that milestone.
What concerns me the most is the timing of Jay Z stepping down from Def Jam 'to take on new challenges'? hmmm, MWSF may be very interesting for the music industry.
I guess I could possibly see "a" relationship develop but it would have to be a very different capacity than new record label headed by Jay Z. They may ask him to take lead or head a new department err something but I just don't see record label happening. Simply because a label is exclusive to the artists under its management and that does not include every other label in the iTunes Library.
Come on, we know the rumor is true. But I don't think it's going to be a traditional record label just like how the iPhone isn't a traditional smart phone.
Stop thinking in the past, guys. Also, please stop with the negativity due to Jay-Z being in hip-hop while being black. We know that's the reason people HERE are complaining. If it was rumored to be Green frickin' Day or anyone of a "whiter complexion", most people here would think that it's ok.
But then again, most people here thought that the iPod was a dumb idea when it first came out. Glad those people aren't working at Apple.
Stop thinking in the past, guys. Also, please stop with the negativity due to Jay-Z being in hip-hop while being black. We know that's the reason people HERE are complaining. If it was rumored to be Green frickin' Day or anyone of a "whiter complexion", most people here would think that it's ok.
But then again, most people here thought that the iPod was a dumb idea when it first came out. Glad those people aren't working at Apple.
I like this too, and it's already out there. See http://cdbaby.net for artist-friendly digital distribution on iTunes and other digital stores.
As far as apple starting their own record label, I think it would be interesting, but a tricky conflict of interest deal when it comes to working with other labels and whose music gets promoted in the store... So I'd be surprised if that's in the works. Maybe they've got something else up their sleeve that would not put them at such odds with the other labels?
This may have been said, but I don't care if its Jay-Z, Tom Arnold, or Alvin and the Chipmunks to come out with a record label. What I do care about is that this will help cement iTunes as way to deliver music; especially when you get exclusivity on tracks, videos and so-forth.
Come on, we know the rumor is true. But I don't think it's going to be a traditional record label just like how the iPhone isn't a traditional smart phone.
Stop thinking in the past, guys. Also, please stop with the negativity due to Jay-Z being in hip-hop while being black. We know that's the reason people HERE are complaining. If it was rumored to be Green frickin' Day or anyone of a "whiter complexion", most people here would think that it's ok.
But then again, most people here thought that the iPod was a dumb idea when it first came out. Glad those people aren't working at Apple.
Shall we consider the race card played?
I doubt Jay-Z is very knowledgeable about the genres I enjoy, so I can only hope that they will bring on more management talent if this is true. Of course, hey may be looking to move another step from the creation/production/talent seeking process, in which case I don't really care who sits in the comfy chair.
The industry needs a miracle the way things are going, so we'll see.
Awesome – this occurrence is right up there on my list of must sees at MacWorld.
1. Apple gets into Rap Music, and pushes it even more on iTunes
2. Introduces a ShockBook Pro, that gives painful shocks at random and wipes your home directory every Tuesday.
3. Releases iStank, that will release an the aroma of dog vomit and rotten milk every time the space bar is pressed.
Oh, and here is my rap...
I sittin in the crib drinkin’ my snapple, then I open up the Coach bag out comes the Apple
Then I mankin da Engadget scene, when XPfanBoi calls on me and sayz “Yo, you gots a Crapple!!!”
I said I ain’t taken’ that – my computer can do UNIX like 123!
He then tells me my GPU’s weaker than an EeePC.
Then I’m typing up a wicked reply…when my keyboard freezes up on me.
1. Apple gets into Rap Music, and pushes it even more on iTunes
2. Introduces a ShockBook Pro, that gives painful shocks at random and wipes your home directory every Tuesday.
3. Releases iStank, that will release an the aroma of dog vomit and rotten milk every time the space bar is pressed.
Oh, and here is my rap...
I sittin in the crib drinkin’ my snapple, then I open up the Coach bag out comes the Apple
Then I mankin da Engadget scene, when XPfanBoi calls on me and sayz “Yo, you gots a Crapple!!!”
I said I ain’t taken’ that – my computer can do UNIX like 123!
He then tells me my GPU’s weaker than an EeePC.
Then I’m typing up a wicked reply…when my keyboard freezes up on me.
If true, Apple will be one step closer to Sony.
And I will be one step closer to moving full time to Linux.
And I will be one step closer to moving full time to Linux.
Call me old school, but I'd rather have a musician run a record label instead of a marketing genius.
I think you got that backwards...
Beyonce is an incredible singer, a talented dancer, drop dead gorgeous, and a good actor as well.
Jay-Z is a great promoter who happens to make okay records.
Of course I'll play the card, though others are playing it quietly with all the negative ideas.
This rumor doesn't really say exactly what Jay-Z will be doing. Heck, he could be head of a Hip-Hop area for an Apple "record label". We don't know, but hell...I'd rather have Jay-Z (who has some skill) rather than a phoney rapper with none like 50 Cent.
Anyway, when Steve Jobs announces that Trent Reznor is also on board, most will change their thoughts.
Well, he does make music, so really the best of both worlds. Successful music career and label office experience? Check.
You mean to tell us there are rappers that are not phoney?
That I'd pay to see. Mark my words, if this JZ fellow comes out during MacWorld, that might be the moment that Apple jumps the shark in my book.
Haha, that so made my day!
As to the rumor, I don't believe it. Apple would make waaaay too many enemies by doing this...
well, not to excite a tangent on the validity of Jay's "realness", but Full of Win, yeah there are true authentic rappers and Jay-Z is one of the truest. Please don't believe that all rap is about is being phoney and the like.
Jay-Zs musical contribution to the world far exceeds Beyonces. Reasonable Doubt and the Blueprint alone does this.
No pun intended right? Lol.
Personally I don't like the idea of Apple having their own record label. Between leopard, and the iPhone, don't they have enough on their hands? This rumor seems very very fake to me. Plus, wouldn't that be a direct violation of their settlement with Apple Records years ago. I know that Apple Inc. now has control over the Apple mark, but that doesn't change the fact that they can't enter the music business in that fashion, does it?