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Monday, July 4, 2011

Common Reveals Warner Bros. CEO Invited Him To Label

Lyor Cohen approached rapper, who departed Universal Music in 2009.
By Alvin Blanco

Common
Photo: Chris Weeks/ Getty Images

Last week, Chicago rapper Common revealed that he is taking his rhyme talents to Warner Bros. Records. Surprisingly, the "Universal Mind Control" rapper tells MTV News that he had been a free agent since December 2009, when he departed from his longtime Universal Music recording home.

The rapper and actor, currently shooting an AMC television series called "Hell on Wheels" that will premiere in the fall, released his last album, Universal Mind Control, in December 2008. The album was met with mixed reviews and didn't reach the same gold sales of his previous two projects, the critically acclaimed Be and Finding Forever.

But a certain record executive didn't lose faith in the veteran rap lyricist. "Point blank, I got a call from [Warner CEO] Lyor Cohen," Common told MTV News. "He was like, 'Look, man, I know who you are. I always told you, you was one of my favorite MCs, and I really meant that.'

"I felt the sincerity in what he was saying. He didn't tell me, 'We're going to do this, do that.' He was more like, 'I know how we can do your record, and I want to work this. I want this to be on my roster.' "

The Warner music chairman knows a thing or two about talent. Through the years, "the check writer" has had a hand in the careers of star MCs such as Run-DMC, LL Cool J and Jay-Z. Before getting the call from Cohen, Common had been toying with the idea of going the indie-label route to release his music.

"I felt like, man, it would be good because it's so much ... we do have a lot going on," Common explained. "I am doing these acting projects. I do have my foundation. I do have a daughter and a life, too. So it's all these things I want to take care of, I felt like I didn't want to have an independent label that I felt like you gotta be there for everything, every decision. I'd rather have a team that's already in place that's really confident in what I'm doing."

Although G.O.O.D. Music recently inked a worldwide label agreement with Island Def Jam Music Group, Common is still affiliated with Kanye West's label. "It's still G.O.O.D. Music all day and night," he said.

Common's ninth album, The Dreamer, The Believer, is due out in November.

What do you think of Common's decision to sign with Warner Bros. Records? Sound off below!

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Sunday, July 3, 2011

'Australian Idol' Judge Jay Dee Springbett Found Dead

Sony exec's cause of death has not yet been established.
By Jocelyn Vena

Jay Dee Springbett
Photo: Brendon Thorne/ Getty Images

"Australian Idol" judge Jay Dee Springbett was found dead at his home in Sydney on Thursday. He was 36.

He was discovered after friends called authorities when they couldn't contact the former "Idol" judge. He was already dead when authorities arrived at his Woolloomooloo apartment, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. As of press time, nothing else was known about the cause of death, although authorities believe nothing suspicious happened.

The U.K. native moved to Australia in 2004. He worked for Sony Music and joined "Idol" down under during the show's final season in 2009, replacing Kyle Sandilands. He was known as the show's resident "nice guy" judge. That year, Stan Walker was crowned the champ and later went on to become a successful artist in Australia and New Zealand.

The show aired on Network Ten in Australia, and a spokesperson for the network released this statement: "Our heartfelt condolences go out to Jay Dee's family at this very difficult time. Jay Dee was an asset to the final season of 'Australian Idol,' [and] we feel honored to have worked with him."

As a record executive, Springbett helped shape the careers of artists including Guy Sebastian, Human Nature, Rogue Traders and Natalie Bassingthwaighte. "Jay Dee was so very enthusiastic and passionate about his family, his music projects and his plans for the future," Sony Music Entertainment Australian and New Zealand CEO Denis Handlin said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. "[He] was a great friend and larger-than-life charismatic character who will be missed enormously."

Fremantle, which produces the "Idol" shows, also expressed condolences in a statement. "The 'Australian Idol' family is deeply saddened by the passing of Jay Dee," the statement reads. "Our thoughts are with his family and all at Sony Music."

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