Jay-Z Says Rick Ross is a Priority

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

Def Jam president Jay-Z is still basking in the success of Ne-Yo's chart-topping debut, but the rapper hasn't lost sight of the fact that it's important for the label to enjoy success from its rap releases as well. Jay-Z explained why Rick Ross and his smash single "Hustlin'" are a priority. He told MTV.com, "We're shooting that video right now, and that's an urgent project for us. We need that one. We have a wide range of music (at Island Def Jam), everything from Fall Out Boy to the Killers to Rihanna. I just want everybody to know that we are still in the rap business."

Jay-Z, who beat out several labels in a bidding war for Ross's service, shared why he felt the Miami rapper was so special. He said, "His whole thing is the other side of Miami. Everybody is talking about the cars and the water. He's showing you the (darker) side of Miami. That's his whole approach to it."

Ross's Def Jam debut, Career Criminal, should be out this summer.