Dave East Signs To Def Jam & Prepares "Kairi Chanel" Mixtape

Dave East is not only a member of Nas’ Mass Appeal family, the Harlem, New York rapper has also signed to Def Jam, he announced today (September 29).

He told The Breakfast Club that the deal is a joint venture. He says there wasn’t a label that didn’t offer him a contract and explains why he made the move with Def Jam, the home of Pusha T and Vince Staples.

“It wasn’t the average me just signing to a major, like I’m actually partners with them,” he says. “Mass Appeal is still the family. Nas is still going to be able to executive produce my album. So it’s a step forward for me. I was with Mass Appeal solely for almost two years. 

Nas really introduced the world to me, a lot of people to me. So that was ideal as far as me first coming in. I feel like it’s at a time now where I really need a machine, I’m not gonna say ‘need,’ but it helps. A machine really helps what I’m trying to do especially being from New York and not trying to stay in New York.”

The 28-year-old rapper is set to drop his Kairi Chanel mixtape on Friday with features from 2 Chainz and fellow New York MCs Fabolous and Cam’ron. The project is named after East’s six-month-old daughter.