Will Jay-Z Pull a Madonna w/Live Nation?

The NY Times has more on Jay-Z's departure from Def Jam and mentions in passing the possibility of a Madonna-type deal with Live Nation's new Artist Nation division.

Such a possibility makes a lot of sense though Jay-Z seems fairly comfortable overseeing his own interests however they intersect with corporate structures.  Guess the rumor mill will be churning with possibilities of what'$ next.  Of course, he does still have an album or two on the contract for Roc-A-Fella but one step does lead to another.

Update:
Going with Artist Nation does make a huge amount of sense.  Jay-Z's so good at doing Jay-Z that he really just needs structures that support that, not structures for A&R, artist development or anything else that a Jay-Z would not need.

Now that he's gotten an incredibly profitable education at Def Jam, he's got to have a sense of the big picture beyond what most artists ever achieve.  If he combined Artist Nation's services with his own branded entertainment company, he's set to maximize his career as an entertainer while pursuing such projects as J Hotels, the 40/40 Club chain and related business endeavors with other partners and companies.

Related ProHipHop Coverage:
Jay-Z Quits Def Jam Presidency, Still On Roc-A-Fella
Jay-Z: J Hotels, Def Jam Deal, Branded Entertainment Co.
Jay-Z Rumors ARE News: Contract Negotiations in Flux

Comments

[embark]

I hear you with the "Jay-Z's so good at doing Jay-Z..." notion and even his huge potential as a 360ed artist. But correct me if I'm wrong but isnt he's still under a conventional exclusive artist services agreement at IDJ. He's stepped down as an exec but I thought he still had to fulfill his artist commitment.
Artist Nation would have to pony up some serious bread if they wanted to wrestle Def Jam's #2 earner (behind the monster that is 'Ye) away from them.

[Clyde Smith]

I tried to update the post previously to make it clear that, yes, he's still got albums under contract.

You're right, that would be a huge cost at this point but you know they're talking to Jay-Z about working with Artist Nation after those are done and you know he can walk into the studio and put out an album quite quickly.

2 in '08?

Easy for Jay-Z if he's so inspired and doesn't have Def Jam duties.

[zincone tng]

I would like to see the subject content he delivers once all these business matters clear up. JayZ is known globally...that's alot of HipHoppers and many call him HOV..Let's hope for the best for JayZ or is it still Shawn Carter?