2004 was a big year for Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter. The “Empire State of Mind” singer was named the President of Def Jam Recordings, per Billboard. L.A. Reid, chairman of the record company, announced the news in a statement praising Jay-Z. He wrote, “Shawn has proven himself to be an astute businessman. …I can think of no one more relevant and credible in the hip hop community to build upon Def Jam’s fantastic legacy and move the company into its next groundbreaking era.”
At the time, Def Jam Recordings included various accomplished artists — LL Cool J included. But, the “Headsprung” rapper wasn’t a fan of his friend’s management style. In 2007, he told VH1’s Behind the Music (via HipHop Hero) that he felt Jay-Z ignored him and his music to build new artists. He explained, “I need my records promoted, and your job is to promote them. He needs to be on the phone, calling radio stations. I just don’t feel like he had the necessary experience to do that job.” LL Cool J said how Jay-Z handled things caused him pain and ultimately led to his departure from the record label in 2008, despite Jay-Z leaving the role two years prior in 2006. LL Cool J’s last album release was just two years after Jay-Z’s departure, and not only did he leave his music behind, but he also left his friendship with Jay-Z in the rearview mirror.
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Nicki
