Times Square Gossip

Jeremih Jeremih hosted the only winter pool party in Vegas under the temperature-controlled Marquee Dayclub Dome on Sunday. The Def Jam performing artist treated bikini-clad crowd to a medley of his hits including “Birthday Sex”, “The Body” and “Don’t Tell ‘Em”. Party goers splashed in the pool at the party, which also celebrated the launch of Grey Goose VX, while the conference championship games played in the background. Photo Courtesy Of: Al Powers/Powers Imagery

Universal Music Group said that Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter is stepping down as president of its Def Jam Records unit, effective by the end of the year. Carter has been been president of the storied rap label since 2005 and signed acts including R&B singers Rihanna and Ne-Yo.He signalled in July that he was going to step down. At the time media reported he was unhappy with Universals appointment of producer Jermaine Dupri as president of the label's urban music division.Universal said Jay-Z, also a top-selling rap artist, will continue as a recording artist for its Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam label.Universal Music, a unit of French media and telecommunications group Vivendi, has 30 per cent of the worldwide music market share.

Jay-Z is stepping down as CEO and president of Island Def Jam records.The hip-hop mogul was reportedly unimpressed with the appointment of producer Jermaine Dupri as president of the label's urban music division in February this year and is now in talks to quit the company. A source told the New York Daily News newspaper: "There isn't room for two kings at one label."Why would Def Jam bring in another power-hitter urban guy?"Jay-Z is now reportedly considering moving to Columbia records, the home of his girlfriend Beyoncé Knowles.The 38-year-old rapper is expected to take ownership of the master recordings of his musical catalogue with him when he moves.Jay-Z has been responsible for signing a number of major music stars to the label, including his 19-year-old protégée Rhianna - who he signed to Def Jam in 2004.The hip-hop mogul's success with the young songstress has made him an attractive option for Columbia co-chair Rick Rubin.A source said: "Rick...

Jay Z. Wants More Money ! Jay-Z could be fired as the CEO of Def Jam records after making huge pay demands.The rapper - who was hired by L.A. Reid, the chairman of Island/Def Jam, two years ago - has his contract up for renewal this year.But bosses have baulked at his outrageous cash demands. A source told the New York Daily News newspaper: "Jay is asking for several million as a base salary plus big bonus 'bumps' on records that do well. Reid isn't going for it. They're miles apart."Since taking the position Jay-Z has invigorated the company by signing a host on young artists, including Rihanna and Ne-Yo, while his own album 'Kingdom Come' has been a huge worldwide success. Insiders claim Reid is questioning how much time the rapper can devote to the label now he has come out of his own self-imposed music retirement and is touring again. The singer's other time-consuming business interests include his chain of 40/40 nightclubs and stakes in cloth...