A lot of people have been questioning the self-proclaimed “best rapper alive’ [Jay-Z’s] true intentions after he announced his sudden departure as President of Def-Jam almost a month and half ago. From weak CD sales [his latest album, American Gangster was certified platinum by the RIAA, but soundscan has yet to confirm that he’s sold over a million copies here in U.S.] to some say an even weaker work ethic as President. Jay-Z has continuously come under fire from fans, industry critics, and other artists. But now a new rumor has emerged recently that the Jigga man could be throwing his chain around a new deal between himself and Lyor Cohen of Warner Bros.

Rush & Molly of the New York Daily News is claiming that Jay has been huddling with LA Reid’s rival, Warner Music Group head Lyor Cohen, to talk about starting his own label - tentatively called the Carter Music Group. While both parties are playing down the rumor many industry insiders expect a deal to be finalized within the upcoming weeks. What would this mean for his Rock-a-fella artists? Well, right now not much because they are still under current terms with Def-Jam.

But this does raise an important issue that many fans and critics are wondering about the hip-hop mogul. And that question is when do you retire and walk away a legend rather then sticking around and ending up one big joke? While Jay-Z has had an immense amount of success that spans over an impressive 13-year career as a rapper, his current musical projects have been ridiculed and vilified. He’s amassed million up millions of dollars from various business ventures. He’s got a very popular sports bar franchise, a clothing line, is part owner of a sports team, and also has a new hotel he’s building in Chelsea, NYC. The man’s clearly not hurting. So why go on and keep trying to make music for people who just aren’t feeling him like that anymore?

Though the haters will always hate. Do you really want to give them free ammunition?