Bidding Wars

Check out some of the biggest bidding wars in hip-hop history.

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 last year.

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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 last year.

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.

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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.

Shyne - Fresh off a 8-year prison sentence, Shyne recently inked a $1.5 million deal with Def Jam.

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Shyne - Fresh off a 8-year prison sentence, Shyne recently inked a $1.5 million deal with Def Jam.

Kid CuDi - With "Day 'N Nite" heating up the charts, CuDi built enough interest to get a $1.5 million deal from Universal Records.

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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.

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.

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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.

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Papoose - The lyricist behind one of the most impressive mixtape runs in hip-hop history, Papoose inked a $1.5 million deal with Jive Records back in 2006.

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Papoose - The lyricist behind one of the most impressive mixtape runs in hip-hop history, Papoose inked a $1.5 million deal with Jive Records back in 2006.

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

Ludacris - Legend has it that quite a few labels, including Bad Boy Records, courted Luda in the late '90s. The mouth of the south eventually signed with Def Jam.

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Ludacris - Legend has it that quite a few labels, including Bad Boy Records, courted Luda in the late '90s. The mouth of the south eventually signed with Def Jam.

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.

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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.

Video Vandal - Mr. Carter shot an estimated 15 videos right before heading into the big house. Videos for Wayne's "Carter 4" opus and Drake's "Thank Me Later" debut were shot as well.

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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.