SONY TO ROC THE NATION?

Several sightings of Columbia/Epic Label Group Chairman Rob Stringer and Jay-Z’s Roc Nation partner Jay Brown, on both coasts have led insiders to speculate about the possibility of the company landing at Sony Music.

Jay-Z, who inked a much-publicized $150 million, 360-deal with Live Nation in April, 2008, recently bought back his completed album from UMG for a reported $5 million, raising the question whether that album will now be part of the Sony pact.

Another reason Sony is favored to nab Nation is Epic President Amanda Ghost, a recent appointment of Stringer’s, is managed by Roc Nation and Brown, who has been an EVP A&R for Def Jam under Jay-Z and also spent some time with Sylvia Rhone at Elektra after getting his start working for Quincy Jones.

Expect this deal to go down soon, say those close to the negotiations, and look for the production/management team's output to be released by both Columbia and Epic, filling the void in Urban/Pop that has existed at the company since the ironic departures of first Mariah Carey and then, ex-hubby/label boss Tommy Motolla.