Kaylah Walton
In an interview that has recently come to light, Jay-Z reminisced about a pivotal moment from 2005 related to Rihanna’s audition at Def Jam, shortly after he assumed the role of president and CEO. At that time, Rihanna was a 17-year-old hopeful singer from Barbados and understandably nervous as she prepared to showcase her talent for Jay-Z.
“We finalized her deal late in the evening. We kept her in the office until 3 AM,” he explained, noting the unusual speed with which the negotiation took place, starting in the afternoon and concluding something very rare in the industry.
“Closing a deal like that in just 10 hours is hardly typical, it’s incredibly unusual,” she remarked, reflecting on how things have changed since she last spoke about this with Tyra Banks.
A Controversial Moment Resurfaces
In his eagerness to sign Rihanna, Jay-Z made a comment that has since raised eyebrows. He jokingly suggested that if she didn’t sign the contract, he would throw her “out the window” of the 29th floor. This remark has reignited discussions around the pressure tactics sometimes evident in high-pressure entertainment negotiations.
The discussions began “around 3 PM or 4 PM” and extended into the early hours of the following morning. Jay-Z was determined to ensure that Rihanna left with a signed contract, highlighting the pressure young talents often face in the industry.
Rihanna later shared her mixed feelings of excitement and anxiety during this important moment. The incident has sparked varied responses online, with some expressing concern over the pressure on new artists, while others consider Jay-Z’s comment quirky yet harmless, given Rihanna’s successful career afterward.
