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Queens hip hop veteran Nas won?t only release solo albums via his new Def Jam/Sony deal, he?ll also sign and push artists through his new imprint: The Jones Experience . Nas told Billboard in his first interview since he inked with President of Def Jam, Jay-Z that his experience tells him this is "a significant and excellent situation." "We're both excited by what this could potentially mean for hip-hop as a whole," he said.
The Jones Experience will focus "first and foremost on hip-hop" according to Nas, who is open to exploring other genres. "This is so much bigger than me and Jay-Z," he said. Signing announcements are expected in the coming months. The joint venture was a part of the deal that has Def Jam and Sony splitting profits or losses for Nas? first two of four scheduled albums. Def Jam will handle A&R, promotion and distribution work, and both labels will market the releases.
Sony, which still owns masters of Nas? lengthy catalogue, has the right to drop a greatest hits project. Nas must provide two new songs if Sony decides to make it and the label has rights to three tracks from Nas? forthcoming Def Jam albums. Nas reportedly raked in an advance of over $3 million, the recording budget for each album.