Jay-Z Parts Ways with Def Jam

According to numerous sources, Jay-Z is leaving Def Jam Records, where he moved up in the ranks from a top-selling artist to music executive during the span of more than a decade.

Apparently his departure was the result of a coin toss with Universal Music Group CEO Doug Morris.

The albums Jay released under the Def Jam umbrella included "In My Lifetime Vol. 1," "Vol. 2 ... Hard Knock Life" and "Vol. 3 ... Life and Times of S. Carter" as well as "The Dynasty: Roc La Familia," "The Blueprint," "The Blueprint: The Gift and the Curse" and "The Black Album."

Last year, Hov created his own record label, Roc Nation, and continues to work on his "Blueprint 3" album with Kanye West.