BLACKGROUND DEAL
FINALLY CLOSES

As we told you two months ago, and as the L.A. Times told you this morning, Barry Hankerson's Blackground Records has inked a deal with Virgin America. Blackground was previously distributed by Atlantic.

The joint-venture agreement, estimated at $15 million, will bring a healthy chunk of black music to Virgin—something the label it could use more of. Virgin's bestselling black acts are D'Angelo and Ideal.

Blackground artist Aaliyah was reportedly so pleased with Virgin's handling of the smash "Romeo Must Die" soundtrack album that she helped initiate the label jump back in May. Blackground is also home to Timbaland and Magoo, both of whom will presumably move to Virgin as well. Timbaland's next solo album is scheduled for February 2001 and will likely include a collaboration with Beck.

In addition to the $15 million, Blackground is also expected to receive new business cards and several lifetime subscriptions to AOL.