By Nolan Strong
Rapper/producer Lil Jon has announced a deal with The Orchard, the company that acquired TVT Records.
As part of the deal, Lil Jon has withdrawn a multi-million dollar objection to the sale of TVT Records and agreed to TVT’s transfer of his recording agreement to The Orchard.
In return, Lil Jon is free from all future recording obligations under his TVT contract and he will own the master recording rights to his upcoming album. Crunk Rock.
"I walked into The Orchard and came away with the sweet taste of freedom," Lil Jon said. "Others talk, The Orchard does. I expect to do great things with them, and look forward to my future."
The Orchard will continue to digitally reissue Lil Jon’s back catalog, which includes hit albums like Put Yo Hood Up, Kings of Crunk and Crunk Juice.
Lil Jon will continue to work with the Orchard Brand Entertainment Group to help develop new marketing and promotion initiatives, including A&R and production support on select projects.
Attorney Doug Davis of The Davis Firm represented Lil Jon throughout the negotiations. Davis heralded the deal as innovative and groundbreaking.
"Record companies today are taking more rights and a bigger piece of an artist's career without regard to the long term relationship with and financial health of their artists,” commented Davis “The Orchard has spoken loud and clear about their commitment to doing right by artists and have set the foundation for a positive ongoing relationship with Lil Jon with this landmark release."
No release date was available for Crunk Rock.