Cyrus Langhorne
Former Roc-A-Fella Records protété Amil recently discussed her run with the iconic music label and tackled a series of topics including a rumored romance with music mogul Jay Z.
Despite their close-knit relationship, Amil said she never saw Jigga as more than a family-like person.
“Jay had respect for my talent – writing and my voice – nothing more. Jay gave me the opportunity of a lifetime, and what I did with it was my own decision. That was my brother. There was never a relationship between me and Jay or anyone over there. He was like a brother; He was very protective over [me]. I’m never going to lose any love for Jay. … There was never a conversation. He (Jay Z) knew that that’s not where I wanted to be. I told him that I couldn’t do it for another year. I think he understood, overall.” (Billboard)
The rap veteran also revealed plans to make a music comeback with an upcoming underground release.
“I’m wrapping up my mixtape, ‘A Moment In Life.’ It should be out late spring or early Summer. It’s a lot of R&B. I still love 90’s music so I wanted to stay in that zone. I miss the music of my era. People remember me from the late 90s, and that’s what I like to represent. So I’m doing a lot of songs off 90s beats and collaborating with 90s artists (Havoc, JT Money, Killah Priest). You’ll hear a much mature Amil.” (Billboard)
Despite leaving the Roc over a decade ago, Amil claimed she still needed closure in 2011.
In 2000, Amil’s first and final album A.M.I.L – All Money Is Legal, led by the single “I Got That” with then Destiny’s Child chief Beyonce, showed face to modest sales. Shortly after her debut, Amil left Roc-A-Fella Records robed in rumors that Jay-Z had dropped her due to internal fights and weight gain. “I haven’t spoken to Jay in years but I really wish I could talk to him because that would just really bring closure to me. But he knows I love him,” she says. “People think there was bad blood between us, but there never was any bad blood. Things happen and I wasn’t ready for where my career was going at that time. It was really overwhelming.” (VIBE)
Past rumors claimed Jay dropped Amil due to internal conflicts.
According to various sources, Jay-Z and Amil (former first lady of the Roc) dated from 1998 – 2000. Rumor has it Jay-z dropped her from Rocafella for getting in fights with his assistants and gaining weight, but neither has spoken on the split publicly. What is even more confusing is that Beyonce and Amil did a music video together called “Got That” which Jay-Z directed. (Destiny Child Rumours)
