LIL JON CRUNKS OVER TO UNIVERSAL REPUBLIC

Lil Jon is setting up camp at Universal Republic Records.

Monte Lipman's UMG label has signed the Grammy winning Atlanta-based, rap renaissance man to a multi-faceted deal that includes a label imprint, a recording contract, a production arm, a digital presence and an A&R consultancy role.

Everything but a vineyard, which the King of Crunk guy already owns in Little Jonathan Winery.

His first album for the company will come out in the first half of next year.

The rapper was previously signed to TVT, which declared bankruptcy and was sold off earlier this year to digital music distributor The Orchard, which still holds the rights to much of his back catalog. The sale freed him from all contractual obligations to the company and enabled him to sign with Universal Republic.

Said label President/CEO Lipman: “Lil Jon is a larger than life figure who casts a giant shadow over every facet of the entertainment business. His name is synonymous with brand-building and we want him plugged into multiple Universal Republic platforms for maximum results. I view him as our Urban Music Czar! Personally, I can't wait to hear his re-mix of 'Tubthumping,' but that's just me.”

Lil Jon was similarly enthused: "I'm excited to find a new home in Universal Republic; they've got a great team over there. A lot of big things comin' from me, get ready! I been workin' hard on my new material and it's time everybody hears it!"

Jon first came to prominence as part of the groundbreaking Dirty South rap movement. He and his band the East Side Boyz have sold more than 12 million records, wracking up a number of BET, Soul Train, MTV and People’s Choice honors, as well as a 2005 Grammy award for Best Rap Collaboration for his 2004 collaboration with Usher on “Yeah!.”

The man with the golden grill has also launched his own Crunk Energy drink, a limited edition signature sunglasses line with Oakley, and has a handful of lucrative endorsement deals, including Subway, Heineken and Tony Hawk.

The guy's hits include “Get Low,” “What You Gon’ Do,” and “Lovers & Friends,” on albums such as 2002's Kings of Crunk and 2004's Crunk Juice, and most recently produced several tracks for Britney Spears' new album, Circus. He has recorded with superstars such as T.I., Kid Rock, Cirara and Three 6 Mafia, among others, and has his own BME Recordings label, whose roster includes Lil Scrappy and E-40.