According to Page Six, Island/Def Jam head honcho L.A. Reid’s future is in doubt as CEO of the label. Rumors swirled that Reid would be canned following the death of veteran Def Jam exec Shakir Stewart who took his own life in 2008 after Reid sent him home to Atlanta with orders not to return.
Last week, Reid ducked out of his commitment to be the top key note speaker at a music industry event in NYC because he didn’t want to answer questions about his future with Island Def Jam. His excuse was that one of his sons was in the hospital with a head injury. But a Def Jam rep disputed his story, saying “It was unfortunate, but he was called out of town on personal business and hopes to be able to participate in a future symposium.”
Reid is under pressure to break a cold streak following the promotion of Lucian Grainge to CEO of Universal Music Group, which owns Island Def Jam. Following disappointing sales from artists including Rihanna and Mariah Carey, Reid has been ordered to rein in his spending and bring in a hit. Read More…
Reid has plans to sign Jennifer Lopez and ex-convict rapper Shyne to the label.
He is not going anywhere
i hope he does think that signing shine and jlo is going to help him keep his job…
Did Gangstalicious and Thugnificent beef on The Boondocks?
Lol, what the hell is J-Lo supposed to do for Island Def Jam? Maybe if they went back to building artists as opposed to selling gimmicks they would be doin a bit better. I was a Shyne fan back in the day, but I really don’t see him “blowin up”.
Shyne is a good rapper but he is not worth $7 million. Sorry to all you Shyne fans.
Isn’t it time anyway?? Geesh, he’s been around for ages. Go ahead and turn the page…the music industry is a mess anyway. I don’t see how he can stand to produce this mess today after working with Babyface and so on… why would he want to stay around?
Much like sex and marriage, the music industry holds no merit anymore. You can record a song with any old laptop, beat software and microphone.
And it don’t even have to be a good mic, like the one ole girl tricked to get for dude in Hustle and Flow.
Nope, not anymore
Clearly he is not going anywhere because if he was, he definitely WOULDN’T sign Jenny Lo because she hasn’t had a hit in YEARS. With the garbage that she released, I don’t see it getting any better for her in the near future.
Shine on the other hand, I’m not so sure how that’s gonna go with his marketing and with him now being Hebrew with the beard and hat and such. It will be interesting, but I love his flow anyway.
@ Krysi
Good Morning. How’s the babies doing
@ topic
I thought the Dream went to work for them?
Hebrew, beard and hat, eh? So Shyne is an Israelite?
At least with him potentially signing Shyne I can have another rap album to listen to. However, Shyne cannot be expected to SAVE a record label.
Good Morning. How’s the babies doing
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chile dey DURrrin….thats all that matters…..they’re still bad azz hell!!…lmao! j/k…..well not about my lil gurl, but my SON…my son, still obeys..lol!
Im glad that LA signed shyne cant wait to hear his albums!
#teamshyne
@ Krysi
Lol glad to hear it. I’m sure baby girl will get it together by following big brothers lead.
@ Mizz
Hey mama *waving* I left u some info on Twitter about MJ
Im not too sure about Shyne but signing Jenny is a sure way to get yourself canned.
I love JLo but singing isn’t her thing anymore. I think LA should find real talent like a Maxwell,Sade or Susan Boyles cause those are the artists that’s selling and not gimmick acts.
@buddafly!
you ain’t lyin…jlo’s ship sailed a long azz time ago…too bad she doesn’t realize it yet. 
I agree Buddafly. Let’s really face it, J.Lo is not a singer and the gimmicks that made her popular are gone (velour sweatsuits and alleged big booty). Ever since she married skeletor and popped them babies, she’s lost her mass market appeal…
As for Shyne, I’d rather see him beat Puffy’s azz than put out a wack album. I think the time has come & gone fo rhis particular sound.
Beyonce Next time someone ask you about having a baby. Tell them to see J-Lo…
@KaraZ…yeah you got a point..i never looked at jlo’s decline in popularity like that. after she married that ugly dude she did lose her appeal for some reason. i liked her back in the day, but now when i see her it’s just like i’m lookin’ at the average well-dressed chick! oh well, she’s rich she’ll be aiight.
whats the real story behind shakir stewarts death????? inquiring minds wanna know aunt sandra!!
KaraZ Says:
I agree Buddafly. Let’s really face it, J.Lo is not a singer and the gimmicks that made her popular are gone (velour sweatsuits and alleged big booty). Ever since she married skeletor and popped them babies, she’s lost her mass market appeal…
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I will agree that JLo was a gimmick, but she lasted a good minute. She has a new movie out and was on “How I Met Your Mother” on Monday, so not sure what career she want so upstart, the singing or the acting?
L.A. Reid has had very few success stories since being with Def Jam. This doesn’t surprise me one bit.
The only thing to his credit at Def Jam was Mariah Carey’s comeback, and that was 5 years ago. He has set back a lot of big names in the meantime. Time to sit down.
Signing Jennifer Lopez and Shyne…? THAT’S what his azz need to really get fired for…
The music industry is sleeping on the grown folks, we don’t care about gimmicks or bubble gum lyrics, we want to hear “real” talent and “meaningful” songs. Plus, we buy music and go to concerts. Hence the reason Sade, Susan, Maxwell, Jill, India, Anthony David, and other “real” talent is making money/and or a strong comeback.
I am happy Toni B. is coming back. Jahiem sounds good too, I wish he was promoted more. Plus, I can’t wait to hear Idris Elba’s CD. Finally, men singing meaningful/respectful songs. Sigh…I miss Gerald Levert, Luther, BoyzIIMen, Jodeci, etc. Basically, I miss “real” talent and meaningful songs.
I don’t know and won’t know Shyne, ’cause Lupe Fiasco is the only “new” rap artist I care about. As for JLo, that’s a no go if he’s looking for a hit. I don’t want to see women over 40 doing dance routines, that goes for Janet too.
Why do I have the urge to strangle him with his scarf?