More Trouble At Def Jam--Layoffs, DTP To Split?
It's been a hard week at Def Jam, if the rumors are true. On Tuesday, VIBE Confidential heard that the LA Reid-helmed label laid off 40 employees--including the entire staff of Roc La Familia--with more possible firings on the way.
Now, VC heard a rumor that it's only a matter of time before Disturbing tha Peace--the label where Ludacris has cultivated VIBE faves like Field Mob, Shareefa and the-now-reportedly-dropped Shawnna--wants to break off from Def Jam once and for all. The last Def Jam / DTP album, Bobby Valentino's Special Occasion, was released May 8 to some fanfare. Supposedly, the label's main priorities--i.e. Jay-Z faves Rihanna, Ne-Yo--are overshadowing other projects, and folks are getting are fed up.
Interestingly, Def Jam's next release is Young Jeezy Presents USDA: Cold Summer--a record that will define "stone cold brick" in more ways than the group intended. Still, whatever happens with DTP and Def Jam, you can't ban the snowman.
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Comments
1.
qschcia says:
You know, the answer to all that drama is simple...LL COOL J basically built Def Jam. I am sure with all the money he has made for them over the years...he has built the west wing.... If you look at it He has been there from the beginning...and definately before Jay-Z.....point blank...LL COOL J Def Jam CEO...DUH???? What were they thinking......LL COOL J is one serious money-making, wise and profound BLACK MAN!
05/21/2007 at 12:35 PM
2.
Debonair says:
Sounds like Def Jam is becoming Bad Boy Records. You never let an active artist runs a label because it becomes all about them. Jay-Z needs to be fired.
05/15/2007 at 10:32 PM
3.
will says:
Jay-Z is fu*&^&% it up for everbody, if he and LA REID are the genius behind DEF JAM, it looks like they're gonna need a little help from others you'll see, to lose legends like LL COOL J, REDMAN, along with all those who help make the DEF in DEF JAM, that only means that if they depend on NE-YO, and Rihanna to boost them to the top then they are in need of the "think outside the box" type sh^! JAY-Z is thinking about him and Beyonce that's it, how else would you explain some of the legends leaving DEF JAM...... LA REID is not thinking how did DEF JAM become so DEF??? The loyal ones, the hard work from the artists who helped build the record label.. I think DEF JAM has turned into to DUMB JAM records especially after LL COOL J did his last album on the label he helped build. That's just plain crazy, that since JAY-Z took over that alot of the talent has been let go because of what the declining sales of records from DUMB JAM, Young JEEZY is not the savior of DEF JAM and neither is NE-YO!!! Let JAY-Z go and put someone who knows how to keep artists on the label and sell the records that were intended to be sold. Jay is a joke and so is DUMB JAM!!!
05/14/2007 at 1:46 PM
4.
jummpy says:
If it is true wait till the stories come out. Wait tell the stories come out that office
05/13/2007 at 5:21 PM
5.
rubyspirit says:
Never liked any artists from DTP...none of them.
05/13/2007 at 12:34 PM
6.
Fake Janice Combs says:
Honey Luda's loss is my gain because Fake Janice Combs Publishing picked her up as part of the girl-group I'm managing - HBIC.
05/11/2007 at 10:47 PM