Jay-Z's Made Bank... again

One of the richest men in rap is about to get richer, here's how Associated Press is reporting it:
"Jay-Z is close to reaching a $150 million deal with Live Nation Inc. that will give the concert promoter a stake in virtually every aspect of the rapper and entrepreneur's career.

The contract covers Jay-Z's music and music-related businesses for the next 10 years, the New York Times and Wall Street Journal reported on their Web sites late Wednesday, citing sources familiar with the agreement.

As part of the arrangement, Jay-Z would get a $25 million upfront payment, plus advance payments of $10 million per album for a minimum of three albums and $25 million toward concert tours. The company would also pay $20 million in exchange for publishing, licensing and other rights.

Live Nation was also expected to commit $50 million to finance Jay-Z's investments and his entertainment venture, to be called Roc Nation, which is expected to include his own record label, music publishing, talent consulting and managing projects.

"I've turned into the Rolling Stones of hip-hop," Jay-Z told the Times.

Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, plans to leave Def Jam for the deal, but not with out giving his longtime record label one more studio album.

He was president of Def Jam for three years but stepped down in December because he and the label's corporate parent, Universal Music Group, could not agree on a new contract."