ATLANTIC TO HAVE A DRE DAY

He’s got more proteges than Betty Crocker’s got cakes, and so Atlantic Records is looking get some California love from Dr. Dre.

The rapper/producer/talent-finder Dre, through his Aftermath Records, is close to signing a pact with Atlantic to share in the profits of an album he will be producing for new artist Governor. Aftermath is a joint venture with Interscope, meaning both the labels and Universal Music will share in the profits.

According to the New York Post, the proposed deal is for the Governor disc only, but it could bring Dre and Atlantic together on future projects. Though negotiations have been ongoing for months, the main points have been agreed on and it could be finalized in weeks. It ain’t easy pleasing three labels. A similar cooperative pact was signed by Interscope and Sony over Audioslave.

Governor, described as “Marvin Gaye meets 50 Cent,” was signed to Atlantic last year. The album is expected in the first quarter of next year.