Jay-Z and Apple to Launch Record Label at Macworld?

[chicagostars]

wow

Jay-Z? Can't they do better than him? They should lay out some big bucks and get an established legend... maybe Gene Simmons.

And Gene Simmons can bring along Shannon Tweed to head up Apple's new soft-core p0rn division.

(Gotta wait on that one, Gene's a little busy as a contestant on 'The Apprentice'.)

 

[dalvin200]

I think this may have some truth, especially as Just Blaze (hip hop producer) admitted last week that he's been invited to perform on stage.. he also admitted he's be getting a shiny new ultra-portable too!!

Link

 

[takao]

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.

yeah i'm in the same boat ... i don't know if Jay-Z can handle the other genres out there which would also come up with a more general label apple would obviously aiming for

 

[wiz7dome]

I dont believe this rumor. I think people have talked about the idea of Jay Z's involvement with Apple so much they want it to be true. However there are several things to consider. Jay Z is an accomplished artist but not a good record label exec. This isn't to tarnish his success, but its the reality of were his strong points are. Just as not every singer can write songs, not every successful act can run a business were they must duplicate that success for other artist.

Second, Steve Jobs is already on record as saying that the music industry should change its structure to be more "profit sharing". Instead of labels spending a bunch of money up front, they would only be in for so much in proportion to what the artist sells. I don't think that idea is entirely bad. Being in the industry I can see ups and downs with it, but on its face it could result in artist who don't sell big in numbers (1 million +) make more money, because its based on profit generated and not an artificial "scale" based on points under the pretext of the label spending so much money on artist.


I do not see Jay Z as having done anything along these lines with his own career or anybody affiliated with him on or off Def Jam. Now Prince on the other hand.................

 

[guzhogi]

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.

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).

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?

All very good points. A little afraid that Apple will push the other record labels away and also stretch itself too thin. Remember how they had to delay Leopard b/c of the iPhone? I'd be surprised if Apple doesn't delay more & more things if it becomes a record label.

Something that would be interesting (don't know if in a good or bad way so don't flame me) would be if Apple Inc. (the computer company) bought Apple Corp. (the Beatle's record label).

As far as Jay-Z's concerned, I don't really care as long as they're good musicians, have the business know-how and are fairly famous. Musician because they'd know what musicians want/need, business b/c they'll need to keep this working well and famous so they bring in a lot of attention & sales.

 

[dmelgar]

Why would other labels want to sell their stuff on iTunes if Apple became a direct competitor to their business? It also seems far removed from Apple's core business. What would be next, become a movie studio?

If remotely true, I would think it maybe more likely that Apple would somehow invest or participate in a new label that was an entity seperate from Apple. That might give enough distance to not overly bother the labels which sell through iTunes.

Its clear the music industry needs a fundamental shake up. Apple maybe as good as anyone at it, but it will be tough going. I don't want to see Apple stretch too far into other businesses.

Digg style social music sites are an interesting idea. Places such as http://www.thesixtyone.com/

I think that sort of experimentation is more reasonable than Apple starting a label. Whole lot less expensive.

 

[Cloudane]

Apparently to mark the occasion, they're going to give away 1000 of their very first iPod Touch's, manufactured in Week 36 of 2007

 

[Klaxons2012]

Great job selling this rumor short everyone.

For the ignorant, Jay-Z has just as many platinum records as Elvis Presley. In order for him to go platinum, he not only has to have a good record, but marketing and cross over appeal as well.

As far as genres go, you're forgetting one important thing. It's not Def Jam, it's Island-Def Jam. He's worked with Fallout Boy on one of their most successful albums. I'm not sure where you get off saying he wouldn't be as knowledgeable about other genres. Somebody proposed Gene Simmons, but I don't see Gene Simmons collaborating with Lil' Wayne any time soon, right? Right.

Jay-Z and Apple will be interesting. I think the not dealing with iTunes thing was a personal choice and I don't think that would be seperate from whatever business dealings Jay and Apple may have. After all, he made that decision as Island-DefJam's President.

 

[Chaszmyr]

A lot of things would have to fall into place for an Apple record label (with or without Jay-Z) to work, but it could end up being pretty amazing. Most money these days goes to the labels, so if bands signed directly with Apple it would increase Apple's profits and could greatly increase the share of the pie that artists get. If it caught on quickly enough, artists could be promoted through iTunes, really effectively cutting out the middle man. Moreover, it would obviously help cement Apple's place in the music industry for the long haul.

 

[Mindflux]

Great job selling this rumor short everyone.

For the ignorant, Jay-Z has just as many platinum records as Elvis Presley. In order for him to go platinum, he not only has to have a good record, but marketing and cross over appeal as well.

The decline of intelligent human beings since 1977 is astounding. Nothing more. Jay-Z has 'as many' platinum albums, sure. How much larger is the population now.. and furthermore how many of them have good taste? How many would consider Jay-Z to be in good taste? Not I.

 

[vixapphire]

It also seems far removed from Apple's core business. What would be next, become a movie studio?

Hello Pixar!

With an open mind and can-do attitude, many things are possible. Remember "think outside the box"?

 

[slicecom]

Wow I feel like I stepped back in time to the 1940's upon entering this thread. I detect either a ton of racism bubbling under the surface or just pure ignorance.

I don't believe the rumor to be true, and don't particularly like Jay Z's music or even know much about him, but even I know that he is one of the most influential and powerful people that the music industry has ever seen and has sold absolutely insane amounts of records. Sadly, I have a feeling if he was white, this thread would have an entirely different tone, but I digress.

 

[Klaxons2012]

The decline of intelligent human beings since 1977 is astounding.

So listening to Jay-Z automatically makes you unintelligent? I didn't know my iTunes playlist determines my IQ. People can ignore my degree, my career and the volunteer work I do tutoring teenagers because I'm a Jay-Z fan!! DURRRRR! Christ.

Nothing more. Jay-Z has 'as many' platinum albums, sure. How much larger is the population now.. and furthermore how many of them have good taste? How many would consider Jay-Z to be in good taste? Not I.

Good taste is subjective and is quite irrelevant when it comes to running a record label. Many people consider Rick Rubin to be in poor taste but he's produced some of America's greatest records across the spectrum of music genres out there. I think you're speaking from a pretentious and damn near Xenophobic part of the psyche. Most of all, you lack intelligence.

Selling a Million records in this day and age is incredibly difficult. For Jay-Z to sell a million records in such a short time with ZERO digital distribution is unheard of, but he did it.

 

[GfPQqmcRKUvP]

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.

It's Jay-Z. Jump the shark? Why?

No pun intended right? Lol.

O man, it wasn't intended, very nice catch!

The decline of intelligent human beings since 1977 is astounding. Nothing more. Jay-Z has 'as many' platinum albums, sure. How much larger is the population now..

He actually has as many #1 albums, not just platinum. Population size doesn't account for #1 albums.

and furthermore how many of them have good taste? How many would consider Jay-Z to be in good taste? Not I.

Good taste? WTF does that mean? Like the majority of Rock and Roll is in good taste?

It is really sad to see people denigrate an artist's skills, influence, or worth because that artist uses expletives or some topics that they find disagreeable. Why don't you get four of his albums, Reasonable Doubt, The Blueprint, The Black Album, and American Gangster and comment on his artistic worth after that, instead of filling this thread with your uninformed and ignorant opinions? And after you've listened to his albums, why don't you see if you can catch all the complex word play, double meaning, and structure in his records. Get out of your comfort zone and open your mind to something different instead of closing it off due to a bunch of nonsense criteria.

 

[slicecom]

So listening to Jay-Z automatically makes you unintelligent? I didn't know my iTunes playlist determines my IQ. People can ignore my degree, my career and the volunteer work I do tutoring teenagers because I'm a Jay-Z fan!! DURRRRR! Christ.

Some peoples ignorance never ceases to amaze me. There was a time when the vast majority believed the same of those who listened to Elvis or the Beatles. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

 

[chicagostars]

ahem

The decline of intelligent human beings since 1977 is astounding. Nothing more. Jay-Z has 'as many' platinum albums, sure. How much larger is the population now.. and furthermore how many of them have good taste? How many would consider Jay-Z to be in good taste? Not I.

Your point would be better respected if you had just stuck with the the very true point that our population has grown immensely over the past several decades, making it theoretically easier for someone to sell more units than in the past. I'm no Jay-Z apologist, but firing off elitist missives against humankind -- presumably excepting yourself -- doesn't help engender useful conversation.

 

[szark]

I'd love to see Apple start a record label subsidiary, and show the Big Four how to properly handle the digital age.

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?

The settlement from the most recent lawsuit transferred full control and ownership of the Apple Records trademark to Apple (Computers) Inc. That eliminated any claims of trademark dilution, since Apple Inc. now owns both trademarks. Therefore they have no contractual restrictions on entering the music business.

 

[bozs13]

Your point would be better respected if you had just stuck with the the very true point that our population has grown immensely over the past several decades, making it theoretically easier for someone to sell more units than in the past. I'm no Jay-Z apologist, but firing off elitist missives against humankind -- presumably excepting yourself -- doesn't help engender useful conversation.

Bringing up population growth just opens a huge can of worms. There more artists to choose from, from many more generations. There are far more genres and and there is much more diversity...and Rock and Roll isn't the only "trendy" genre right now like it was back in the Elvis days. I could even go as far as saying that inflation as it is right now is keeping people from being able to buy what they want, but I don't mean to stretch it that far. Yes, there are many more people on this planet, but there are so many more options begging for your money etc. etc. and the income hasn't increased substantially....sorry, another tangent. Let's just say I wouldn't compare the number of platinum records and/or top hits.
I most definitely agree with chicagostars...the elitist comments are not helping.

 

[carlitofox]

I'd love to see Apple start a record label subsidiary, and show the Big Four how to properly handle the digital age.



The settlement from the most recent lawsuit transferred full control and ownership of the Apple Records trademark to Apple (Computers) Inc. That eliminated any claims of trademark dilution, since Apple Inc. now owns both trademarks. Therefore they have no contractual restrictions on entering the music business.

i think this is true and as above states Apple inc won the last battle agenst apple music but if were honest i thing Apple inc actualy brought Apple music !!!!!

the head of Apple music left in the summer last year (after being there 30 odd years +) as he felt the company was going the wrong way !!!!!

apple will announce the beatles on itunes and there own record label called apple music who also co-owns the beatles with Paul macartny .

 

[chicagostars]

ew

Bringing up population growth just opens a huge can of worms. There more artists to choose from, from many more generations. There are far more genres and and there is much more diversity...and Rock and Roll isn't the only "trendy" genre right now like it was back in the Elvis days. I could even go as far as saying that inflation as it is right now is keeping people from being able to buy what they want, but I don't mean to stretch it that far. Yes, there are many more people on this planet, but there are so many more options begging for your money etc. etc. and the income hasn't increased substantially....sorry, another tangent. Let's just say I wouldn't compare the number of platinum records and/or top hits.
I agree with out though chicagostars...the elitist comments are not helping.

. . . a big Costco sized can of worms.

 

[Digital Skunk]

Jay-Z? Worst thing to come out of MW if true.

Nope.... iPhone.

Call me old school, but I'd rather have a musician run a record label instead of a marketing genius.

Where have you been. Since when did musician's run record labels?

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.

You are lost my friend. If you think Beyonce is a good actor then you lost your credibility right there.

The decline of intelligent human beings since 1977 is astounding. Nothing more. Jay-Z has 'as many' platinum albums, sure. How much larger is the population now.. and furthermore how many of them have good taste? How many would consider Jay-Z to be in good taste? Not I.

How can you judge someone on good taste, when that concept is purely opinionated? Sorry, you're just setting yourself up for a flame because you don't like a certain genre/culture/person.

Honestly, if Jobs ran Apple as good as Jay-Z ran Def Jam people wouldn't be getting yellow inaccurate screens, poorly built notebooks, and crappy hardware with limited options.

 

[Mindflux]

Good taste is subjective and is quite irrelevant when it comes to running a record label. Many people consider Rick Rubin to be in poor taste but he's produced some of America's greatest records across the spectrum of music genres out there. I think you're speaking from a pretentious and damn near Xenophobic part of the psyche. Most of all, you lack intelligence.

Selling a Million records in this day and age is incredibly difficult. For Jay-Z to sell a million records in such a short time with ZERO digital distribution is unheard of, but he did it.

Actually selling Millions of records in this day and age is quite easy. You settle on a genre that the masses hoard. So right now it seems EMO and Hip-Hop fall into those categories. Where do you get the idea I lack intelligence when:

I'm the first one to bring up there are simply MORE people in the world than prior decades. Furthermore, the Gen X-ers and beyond are also known to spend frivolously. The people born in the decades proceeding the late 70's and early eighties were much more frugal.

You're simply calling me unintelligent because I think the bulk of todays society is. I also didn't exclude myself from that at all. I'm certainly not a genius and also not immune to mass advertising and their affects. I've boughten things because I liked the commercial before I saw or heard the product elsewhere. So I can be just as sheepish as the next guy helping someone go 'platinum'.

 

[karmapolice63]

Well now he can add Apple to his list of 99 Problems

 

[slicecom]

Actually selling Millions of records in this day and age is quite easy.

 

[Digital Skunk]

Actually selling Millions of records in this day and age is quite easy. You settle on a genre that the masses hoard. So right now it seems EMO and Hip-Hop fall into those categories. Where do you get the idea I lack intelligence when:

I'm the first one to bring up there are simply MORE people in the world than prior decades. Furthermore, the Gen X-ers and beyond are also known to spend frivolously. The people born in the decades proceeding the late 70's and early eighties were much more frugal.

You're simply calling me unintelligent because I think the bulk of todays society is. I also didn't exclude myself from that at all. I'm certainly not a genius and also not immune to mass advertising and their affects. I've boughten things because I liked the commercial before I saw or heard the product elsewhere. So I can be just as sheepish as the next guy helping someone go 'platinum'.

Yeah, but as was said before there are more artists to choose from. We get you on the intelligence part and the frivolous spending of money issue but this generation also has more money to spend, so we don't have to be frugal as our parents once where... yes I am including myself in THIS generation... a child of a baby boomer.

My point is, we can't discredit someone's ability to run a business on how we feel about that person or their music. Personally I think the idea of Apple starting a record label is crazy. They should have started their own wireless service for the iPhone instead. But if they were going to do it the best choice would still be Jay-Z based on his knowledge of the industry, and his growth as an entrepreneur. Most other musicians and business persons haven't climbed as far as he has, in the short amount of time that he has, with as many people trying to screw him over.