JAY Z FREES HIMSELF OFF DEF SCAMM

NEW YORK -There will be no encore for Jay-Z and Def Jam.

The rapper confirms reports that he has left the record company where he made most of his biggest hits and went from artist to president, and back to artist again.

In an interview with the Web site RapRadar.com, he thanks the label's executives and calls his time at Def Jam "a unique and fulfilling experience."

Last year, Jay-Z and Live Nation struck a wide-ranging deal that included touring, publishing and albums. Jay-Z had owed Def Jam one more record. A representative for Jay-Z declined to elaborate on his comments.