Kanye West Says We Major, G.O.O.D. Music Inks W/ Def Jam

Grammy-winning rapper Kanye West has more to look forward to this week than just Big Sean's Finally Famous debut as his G.O.O.D. Music imprint has officially inked a deal with Def Jam.

Universal Motown Republic Group CEO Barry Weiss broke the news via a statement Monday (June 27).

"G.O.O.D. Music is an exciting new chapter in the long and successful association of Kanye West and Island Def Jam," said Mr. Weiss. "As a recording artist and a producer over the past eight years, there is no one who has made a greater impression on the game than Kanye. We look forward to working closely with the new and established artists that he will be bringing toG.O.O.D. Music, which is already off to an impressive start with Big Sean." (Statement)

Island Def Jam Music Group President Steve Bartels also confirmed the power move.

"Kanye's genius has been proven time and time again on records and onstage," said Mr. Bartels. "He not only pours it out for himself, but he has made the difference with his presence on innumerable projects with other artists who are indebted to him. Kanye is an integral core member of the IDJ family, and G.O.O.D. Music continues his unselfish tradition of bringing along great new artists to the forefront." (Statement)

In summer 2010, G.O.O.D. Music affiliate GLC said the company was not an official label.

"G.O.O.D Music isn't a label for one; a lot of people have the misconception that G.O.O.D Music is a label but really it's basically a family and like a production company. What they do is you get a distribution deal and if you're a G.O.O.D Music artist, then you come out on G.O.O.D Music and the distribution deal. Whoever I decide to do my deal with it will be through G.O.O.D Music because I'm a G.O.O.D Music artist." (Hip Hop DX)

Last month, producer Hit-Boy announced his new alignment with Ye's G.O.O.D. Music team.

"Yeah, man it's definitely official," Hit said when asked about the new association. "We've got a lot of things going with Kanye West right now. Just be on the lookout. I'm a part of the production team, so I'll be working on various projects over there, pretty much everybody from [Kid] Cudi to 'Ye to Big Sean--everybody...It's been in the works for three months, since 'Christmas in Harlem.' We just had to get the business right and it finally came together. I signed a couple of weeks ago." (VIBE)