In a recent interview with Billboard, Jay-Z revealed that his next solo album on Def Jam as an artist will be his last on the label.

Jay-Z began his rap career on Def Jam in the early 90’s before being appointed as the label’s president in 2004. 

Due to his presidential duties, Hov would step away from the rap limelight and return in 2006 with his ninth solo album, Kingdom Come.

He dropped his tenth album, American Gangster, in November.

Jay-Z divulged to Billboard that his next album via Def Jam will make him a free agent after being asked if he will drop a project next year.

“If I’m inspired,” replied Jay-Z when asked if he would release an album in 2008.  “To be honest, I've been thinking about that lately.  I have one album left on my contract, and then I've really come full circle.”

“This is all hypothetical but I've been thinking on the fly: I have one album left, right?  If I'm inspired to make that album, then my contract is done and I'm not in the music business anymore as far as being an artist,” he continued.  “I can still make music but how I reach people with that music ... I can do anything with it at that point.  It's kind of exciting in a way.  I'm not in the mus ic business so I can drop a single every month.  Who knows?  The possibilities are endless -- and without any pressure to sell anything.  I could make whatever and do whatever with my music.  Maybe the songs would just play in 40/40.”

Jay-Z is currently in negotiations to renew his contract as Def Jam president. Rumors surfaced last week that the talks between the label and Def Jam were stalling because of the rapper’s excessive monetary demands.

Jay-Z, who denied making the demands earlier this week, also stressed to Billboard that the negotiations are not being stalled by money.

“The rumors are about only because my contract is up,” Jay-Z explained.  “If we can work something out that's beneficial to all parties involved, we'll see.  But it's not about money.  It's really about trying to invest in the future, trying to invest in maybe coming up with a new model.  Because going in hard making records with artists and throwing those records into a system that's flawed is not exciting for me.”

“It's not the music; people ingest music the same way.  It's just that the model of selling CDs has changed.  So doing things the typical way is not in the best interests of anyone and not exciting for me,” Hov emphasized.  “My whole thing is, how do we invest in the future?  If everyone is committed to doing that, then I'm sure there's a deal to be made.”

During the interview when asked which hip hop artist has 'next’, Hov would say Lil Wayne.

“The obvious choice would be Lil' Wayne,” said Jay-Z.  “ That's on the front of everyone's mind unless you don't include Kanye in the equation.  I think everyone would agree that Wayne is the closest.