Steve Stoute On Working With Nas

Famed record executive Steve Stoute spoke with Complex magazine about the first time he worked with rapper Nas. Stoute explained how he met the Queensbridge and how he planned to help him launch his career.

Stoute says that his ambitions for Nas were huge.

“I had a vision for him. I felt like it was my job to make him the biggest guy in the world. I wanted the world to hear his music,” Stoute explained. “I didn’t want him to become a great lyricist but end up like Kool G Rap, a lyricist the world doesn’t get to hear. I felt like I could take the responsibility and make the Nas movement bigger and not keep it confined to the Tri-State area, so to speak. He allowed me to do that. When we were together, we made a lot of noise and I made him an international star.”

Steve Stoute Sits Down With Jay-Z, Pharrell, And Lady Gaga To Discuss ‘The Tanning Of America’ (VIDEO)

Source: The Huffington Post
Steve Stoute, the former music executive, has long played matchmaker between the popular culture and corporate America. He launched Translation Consultation & Brand Imaging in 2004, and linked Justin Timberlake to McDonald’s for the fast food chain’s “I’m Loving It” campaign, helped seal LeBron James’ partnership with State Farm Insurance, Gwen Stefani’s pact with Hewlett-Packard, Lady Gaga’s deal with MAC Comestics, and Jay-Z’s exclusive line with Reebok.

TJMS: Steve Stoute On Hip Hop, The Tanning Of America And The New Economy
Stoute — never at a loss for words — is also debuting a new book, “The Tanning Of America: How the Culture of Hip-Hop Rewrote the Rules of the New Economy,” out this week. To coincide with “Tanning,” he is developing a video series, “The Tanning Effect” with AOL HuffPost Media Group. Check out the exclusive trailer above, featuring Jay-Z, Pharrell Williams, Lady Gaga, and music industry impresario Jimmy Iovine.

To read this article in its entirety visit The Huffington Post.

Steve Stoute On Jay-Z Vs. Lil Wayne

Steve Stoute shared his perspective on the slightly one-sided beef between rappers Lil Wayne and Jay-Z. Wayne recently dissed Jay on the track "It's Good" from his new album,Tha Carter IV, and some fans have been waiting to see if and when Jay would respond. But Stoute says that Jay should no longer concern himself with anything as petty as rap beefs.

"For Jay-Z to do ANYTHING that resembles moving backwards right now would be insane," he said. "And a Jay-Z beef is moving backwards. Jay is SO MUCH bigger than rap at this point. He’s a movement. And THAT’S where his head is at. That’s where his focus is. And NO ONE is on his level, even worthy of him battling with. No one. So you probably won’t see that happen."

Jay has yet to speak publicly or on record about Weezy's barbs.