A couple of weeks back, Jay-Z spoke to Entertainment Weekly about his (now defunct) position at Def Jam Recordings, refusing to be up front about his then approaching end of the road at the so-called hip-hop label. Now, an entire two weeks later, Hov has confirmed his resignation, and maintained a pleasant tone in the voice of his statement– which may or may not be indicating the contrary:

“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have served as president of such a culturally-defining label as Def Jam over the last three years,” Hov said via statement. “During that time, I’ve had the pleasure of working with many of the world’s most dynamic artists and many of the most dedicated and talented executives in the music business today, including [IDJMG Chairman/ CEO] Antonio “L.A.” Reid. But now it’s time for me to take on new challenges. I am pleased to have had the opportunity to build upon the Def Jam legacy, helping to move the company into a new era of artistic success.”
What he needed to address is the fact that he partially (it wasn’t done single-handedly) black-balled the Roc-A-Fella establishment right from under Dame and Bigg’s noses… and did absolutely nothing with it after all that drama, fussing, fighting, and finger pointing. Three years have passed, and the ROC has been just that: a stubborn stone sitting on the side of the road waiting to be run over. He signed new talent but did nothing with them. I don’t know where Jadakiss is going to end up now, nor do I know why Hov would even sign Kiss knowing very well that his days as the president were numbered. In addition to this– even though L.A Reid always has the final say– he didn’t let Peedi Crack drop, he doesn’t have enough faith in Memphis Bleek to let him drop. With Freeway and Beanie came two very solid albums, but neither one of them received the push they deserved; perhaps today’s weakened hip-hop climate can’t weather the storm the two Philly artists created with their latest efforts. So why bother to spend on albums that won’t sell? This attitude is what’s wrong with today’s industry. Which is why gimmick ass rappers like Jeezy and Rick Ross get pull. I thought Hov was partially there to put a stop to that, but he did nothing.

…whats up Cmac

I came in ya Bentley back seat,
skeet’d in ya jeep,
Left condoms on ya baby seat…

^^^
mines:

“I seen some cold nights and bloody days
They grab and me bullets spray
They use me wrong so I sing this song ’til this day
My body is cold steel for real
I was made to kill, that’s why they keep me concealed
Under car seats they sneak me in clubs
Been in the hands of mad thugs
They feed me when they load me with mad slugs
Seventeen precisely, one in my head
They call me Desert Eagle, semi-auto with lead
I’m seven inches four pounds, been through so many towns
Ohio to Little Rock to Canarsie, livin harshly
Beat up and battered, they pull me out
I watch as niggaz scattered, makin me kill
But what I feel it never mattered
When I’m empty I’m quiet, findin myself fiendin to be fired
A broken safety, niggaz place me in shelves
under beds, so I beg for my next owner to be a thoroughbred
Keep me full up with hollow heads”

telling a story from the perspective of a gun > your favorite concept album

wass goodie folk???

^aayyoooo!

I came in ya Bentley back seat,
skeet’d in ya jeep,
Left condoms on ya baby seat…

How do you even rebut that… I still cant believe Nas can fuck wit Hov after that line.

If you got kids you can see my point.

two times STILL losing, talkin all this ya ya about 50…get the dick outta your mouth, holmes. you been sonned by boosie already, i don’t see how you can be still claiming any kind of swag on here.