Rihanna Leaves Def Jam for Roc Nation

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Industry News, Hip-Hop & Rap, Pop,

Rihanna is preparing to release her next album with Roc Nation after leaving Def Jam.

The "Diamonds" singer, who was already being managed by Jay Z's record label, has now inked a deal and her profile on Roc Nation's website has been updated, which lists her as one of their big name acts.

Rihanna first signed her record deal with Def Jam in 2005, when she was just 17, and claims then-label-president Jay Z wouldn't let her out of his office until she put pen to paper. Since then, she has released all seven of her chart conquering albums with the label, including 2011's Unapologetic, despite Jay Z leaving his role to start up Roc Nation in 2009.

Rihanna had already parted ways with her former manager Marc Jordan and signed with Jay's Roc Nation management team in 2010 but it now appears she is also signed to the label.

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Frank Ocean Sued

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Gossip, Industry News, Hip-Hop & Rap,

Frank Ocean is being sued over his track "Lost." The singer, his record label Def Jam, and producer Malay are being sued by songwriter Micah Otano, who claims the song is too similar to his composition "Daylight."

Micah filed a lawsuit in California last week, seeking compensation for back royalties and damages. In the suit he claims he wrote the track "Daylight" with Malay, which the producer then copied for "Lost."

The track was the fourth single from Frank's breakthrough Channel Orange debut album in the US, which was won a Grammy Award for Best Urban Contemporary Album earlier this year.

Frank has also recently said he is hard at work on the follow up to his highly acclaimed debut and already has a concept and a number of songs ready: "I'm 10, 11 songs into this next thing. It's another cohesive thing bordering on a concept album again. At the end of Channel Orange there's "Golden Girl" and I kind of want to extend that feeling into the next record."

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Rihanna Album Set for November Release?

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Gossip, Release Dates, Upcoming Releases, Hip-Hop & Rap, Pop,

Rihanna's new album is reportedly set for release in November.

The 24-year-old singer's record label Def Jam Recordings tweeted the news yesterday from their French account, but have since deleted their post which also hinted a new single is likely to drop as soon as next Monday. Def Jam France has replaced it with another message which reads, "New announcement this Thursday about Rihanna on our account."

Rihanna's last two albums have both had November release dates, so the news about her seventh studio album is in keeping with the singer's speedy work ethic.

The Bajan beauty has been back and forth to the UK this summer, most recently to perform at the London 2012 Paralympics Closing Cermony where she joined Coldplay on stage for a sizzling performance of "Princess of China."

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Kanye West Readying Sixth Album

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Gossip, Upcoming Releases, Hip-Hop & Rap,

Kanye West will bring out his sixth solo album "right after" G.O.O.D. Music's Cruel Summer is released.

The "Stronger" hitmaker is likely to release the record before the end of the year, with the target being for it to quickly follow his collective's compilation LP into stores. "He's coming right after that. I'm not working on that Cruel Summer album, I'm working on his album," said Def Jam Vice President and producer No I.D.

Though No I.D. isn't working on Cruel Summer - which features artists including Big Sean, Pusha T, CyHi the Prynce, Common, Kid Cudi, Teyana Taylor, Mr. Hudson and Q-Tip - he promises fans will enjoy the record: "This is Kanye. You know what to expect from the family. He hasn't missed yet, so don't expect him to miss."

There's no word yet as to the title of Kanye's upcoming album.

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Kanye West Signs Q-Tip

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Upcoming Releases, Hip-Hop & Rap,

Kanye West has signed legendary rapper Q-Tip to his record label. Barry Weiss, chairman and CEO of Universal Republic and Island Def Jam, the parent company for Kanye's G.O.O.D label revealed on Thursday that they had signed Q-Tip's fourth solo album, The Last Zulu and will release it next year.

"I'm excited to be a part of the great iconic Def Jam label. I'm humbled to be part of such a storied history. As far as G.O.O.D. Music, I'm excited to solidify my working relationship with Kanye, and I look forward to all the opportunities that lie ahead in our partnership. I will do my best to present the most cutting edge music I can," Q-Tip said in a statement.

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