Dave East has officially joined the Def Jam roster. The Harlem rapper, best known for being Nas' prodigy and signee on Mass Appeal Records, announced his new deal on Power 105.1's The Breakfast Club on Thursday morning (Sept. 29).
"Mass Appeal is still the family, but I actually just did a joint venture with Def Jam," he said. "I am very excited about it." He added of the deal, "It wasn't just the average [deal of] me signing to a major -- I'm actually partners with [Def Jam]. It was just a step forward for me. I was with Mass Appeal solely for almost two years."
East went on to explain the role his mentor, who he says will still executive produce his first album for Def Jam, played in his new deal: "Nas really introduced the world and a lot of people to me -- that was ideal as far as me first coming in. It's at a time now where a machine really helps what I'm trying to do, especially being from New York and not trying to just stay in New York. I'm not trying to be underground or classified as a certain type of dude, so I feel like this was a good move to really try and get my brand, my movement across the world."