While Drake has been in the spotlight of a major-label bidding war, he’s always kept it close to home with a complex arrangement finding him signed independently through Wayne’s Young Money imprint and managed by Hip Hop Since 1978 (whom also manages Weezy, Jeezy, and oh yeah, Yeezy). The new deal for Drake sees him keeping his Young Money status in place, but distributed by Universal Republic. The debut album, Thank Me Later, is due by the end of the year and will (obviously) feature Kanye, Lil’ Wanye, and Jay-Z.

Speaking of Jay-Z, his new imprint will not be through Universal, this time around, as Jay has left Def Jam to form Roc Nation. Artists rumored to be signed to the new imprint include J. Cole, B.S.M Gangsta & Flea, and Young Gunz. The label has signed a distribution deal with Sony Music (surprisingly), however Sony will not be the place where Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3 is released. Atlantic has nabbed the release rights in a “one-off” situation for just that album. The video for the album’s first single, “D.O.A. (Death Of Autotune)”,was released earlier this week.

Can Kanye’s new deal be next? – DJ Pizzo