Nas to Launch Jones Experience Label through Def Jam Records

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

Earlier this month, the New York Times reported that Nas had signed a new multi-million-dollar deal with Def Jam Records. The rapper recently made his first public comments about the new deal to Billboard magazine. Nas said, "I've been in this business a long time and know what a great deal is. I signed a significant and excellent situation."

Under the new deal, Nas's next two album will be released jointly by Sony and Def Jam Records. Def Jam will oversee promotion and distribution and the labels will both share in the marketing costs while splitting the profit or losses. Def Jam Records will also have the option for two more releases from the rapper. Sony will retain the rights to the rapper's masters and will release a greatest-hits set, which will include two new songs.

In addition to his own releases, Nas has also been given his own imprint deal for his Jones Experience label. The rapper said his focus with the label will be "first and foremost on hip-hop" but he's open to other genres.

The signing was significant as it was further proof that Nas and his nemesis, Def Jam president Jay-Z, had put their differences aside. Nas explained, "This is so much bigger than me and Jay-Z. We're both excited by what this could potentially mean for hip-hop as a whole."