Contrary to reports, Def Jam has not dropped its Roc-A-Fella roster, according to a label insider. Meanwhile, another rumor has begun flooding the Internet – Jay-Z may be working on an upcoming album, “Blueprint 3.”
Rumors of the label’s demise began to circulate after Peedi Peedi, himself a Roc-A-Fella artist, stated in a recent interview that the entire imprint had been dropped – which includes Kanye West, Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Tru Life, and Young Gunz.
“Beans and Freeway didn’t get dropped,” said Mark Byers, manager for Beanie Sigel.
“I just got off the phone with L.A. Reid talking about the next video for ‘Rain’ featuring Raheem DeVaughn that we’re about to release. We’re re-launching Beanie’s project and releasing a ‘Rain’ remix with State Property.”
The rumor also comes shortly after Jay-Z announced in December he is not renewing his contract as Def Jam’s president – followed by the resignations of Jay Brown, A&R SVP, and Tyran “Ty Ty” Smith, A&R VP.
In related news, the rumor mill is already hopping on another piece of gossip: is Jay-Z recording a new album?
DJ Clue, who is also signed to Roc-A-Fella, released a street mixtape yesterday titled “I Am Legend,” featuring a new track “Ain’t I” by Jay-Z.
The mixtape’s tracklist describes the song as “(World Wide Exclusive), Blueprint 3.”
And on the song, DJ Clue adlibs in his signature echo: “New Jay-Z … off that ‘Blueprint 3,’ baby.”
No word yet on whether “Ain’t I,” produced by Timbaland, will be officially released on a forthcoming project.
Jay’s latest album, “American Gangster,” hit stores in November. It has since sold over 780,000 copies.
