Bidding Wars

The rap names that drew big interest from the major labels.

Bidding Wars - Diddy and Jay Electronica were BFF's until the New Orleans MC decided to sign with Jay-Z's Roc Nation in November 2010 instead of Bad Boy. Obviously hurt, Diddy tweeted about the "Exhibit C" rapper's decision and hasn't spoken to him since, despite the olive branch Elect recently extended the two haven't made up yet. Jay wasn't the first uber-talented lyricist to slip through someone's fingers and he won't be the last. Take at look at some of the other highly contended breakout artists who were in the middle of label bidding wars of late. (Photos from left: Phil McCarten/PictureGroup, Ollie Millington/Redferns)

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Bidding Wars - Diddy and Jay Electronica were BFF's until the New Orleans MC decided to sign with Jay-Z's Roc Nation in November 2010 instead of Bad Boy. Obviously hurt, Diddy tweeted about the "Exhibit C" rapper's decision and hasn't spoken to him since, despite the olive branch Elect recently extended the two haven't made up yet. Jay wasn't the first uber-talented lyricist to slip through someone's fingers and he won't be the last. Take at look at some of the other highly contended breakout artists who were in the middle of label bidding wars of late. (Photos from left: Phil McCarten/PictureGroup, Ollie Millington/Redferns)

Drake - After diving headfirst into superstardom two years ago, Drizzy Drake has been living in the spotlight's glare every single day. Young Money's White Knight steps on the stage armed with an ever-growing arsenal of musical ammunition.

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Drake - Heavily buzzing off his "So Far Gone" mixtape, Drizzy Drake sparked perhaps the biggest bidding war in history with labels like Interscope and Universal looking to sign him. He eventually signed to Young Money/Universal for $2 million in 2009.(Photo: Sean O'Kane/BET Digital)

50 Cent - Once blackballed, every label began bidding on 50 Cent when his mixtape buzz reached deafening proportions. He ended up signing with Dr. Dre and Eminem through Shady/Aftermath for a reported $1 million in 2002. (Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)

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50 Cent - Once blackballed, every label began bidding on 50 Cent when his mixtape buzz reached deafening proportions. He ended up signing with Dr. Dre and Eminem through Shady/Aftermath for a reported $1 million in 2002. (Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)

Shyne on He and Diddy Settling Their Differences  - “In retrospect, when you looked at the way he handled it, he held it down, he wore it. He ain't had nothing to say; always had good things to say. It was always, 'Yo, whatever Shyne need, we got him.'" (Photo: Robert Mecea/Newsmakers)

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Shyne - Fresh off a decade long prison sentence, Shyne inked a $1.5 million deal with Def Jam.  (Photo: Robert Mecea / Newsmakers)

indicud, June 5, 2012  - G.O.O.D. Music resident stoner announced the title of his fourth studio album, indicud. Mr. Rager plans to make the project a double album with many special features, some from the G.O.O.D. family of course. (Photo: Courtesy Island Def Jam)

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Kid CuDi - With "Day 'N Nite" heating up the charts, CuDi built enough interest to get a $1.5 million deal from Universal Records back in 2008.  (Photo: Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Bacardi)

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Nicki Minaj - The first female MC to make mainstream noise in years, Ms. Minaj had labels courting her prior to officially joining the Young Money family in 2009.  (Photo: Radcliffe Roye/www.royephotography.com)

Papoose: December 31 - The rapper celebrates his 33rd birthday. (Photo: Ray Tamarra/Getty Images)

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Papoose - The lyricist behind one of the most impressive mixtape runs in recent hip hop history, Papoose inked a $1.5 million deal with Jive Records back in 2006.  (Photo: Ray Tamarra/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Ray Tamarra/Getty Images

T.I. - T.I. rocked the 2010 BET Awards audience, performing “Yeah Ya Know” accompanied by Travis Barker on drums.(Photo: Vince Bucci/PictureGroup)

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T.I. - Undaunted after being dropped by Arista Records, T.I. took to the mixtape circuit and piqued the interest of several labels. In the end, he signed with Atlantic Records in 2003.  (Photo: Vince Bucci/PictureGroup)

Nas - Seemingly tired of being a longtime Columbia signee, Nas entertained joining The Inc. back in 2002. Four years later, Nas signed a lucrative contract with Def Jam.  (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for BET)

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Nas - Seemingly tired of being a longtime Columbia signee, Nas entertained joining The Inc. back in 2002. Four years later, Nas signed a lucrative contract with Def Jam.  (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for BET)

Ludacris (@Ludacris) - TWEET: “Im taking my restaurateur footprint into the busiest airport in the WORLD! Hartsfield-Jackson ATL International! Chicken & Beer coming soon!”  Ludacris closes his popular Straits restaurant to focus on Chicken and Beer, a wing spot set to open in Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson international airport.(Photo: Adrian Sidney/PictureGroup)

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Ludacris - Legend has it that quite a few labels, including Bad Boy Records, courted Luda in the late '90s. The mouf of the South eventually signed with Def Jam.  (Photos: Adrian Sidney/ PictureGroup)

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Jay-Z - Seeking his independence, Jay-Z stepped to Universal boss, Doug Morris, and demanded to be released from Def Jam. Word is the deal was decided by a coin toss. In the end, Jay had to pay $5 million to get out of his deal.  (Photo: Fafotos / Picturegroup)

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Jay-Z - Seeking his independence, Jay-Z stepped to Universal boss, Doug Morris, and demanded to be released from Def Jam. Word is the deal was decided by a coin toss. In the end, Jay had to pay $5 million to get out of his deal.  (Photo: Fafotos / Picturegroup)

Lil Wayne - Right when Wayne was transforming into a lyrical beast prior to "The Carter II," Jay-Z began courting the Cash Money standout to sign him to Def Jam. Reports say Birdman named Wayne president of Cash Money and backed up the money truck and forked up an undisclosed amount of money to retain his services in 2005.  (Photo: Anthony Harvey/PictureGroup)

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Lil Wayne - Right when Wayne was transforming into a lyrical beast prior to "The Carter II," Jay-Z began courting the Cash Money standout to sign him to Def Jam. Reports say Birdman named Wayne president of Cash Money and backed up the money truck and forked up an undisclosed amount of money to retain his services in 2005.  (Photo: Anthony Harvey/PictureGroup)