Apple-Beats rumors

UPTEMPO BEATS: What’s shaping up as the biggest music and tech story of the year is developing quickly, even if the story hasn’t yet been confirmed (nor will it be until the alleged negotiations are completed), and the additional wrinkles are pure speculation. To wit, Jimmy Iovine is in talks to join Apple as a “special adviser” to Tim Cook on creative matters, two sources tell the New York Post’s Claire Atkinson. Iovine’s contract with UMG runs until the end of 2014, she writes. If Iovine goes to Apple, he’d join the likes of Angela Ahrendts, the former Burberry executive who signed on a month ago to run the tech giant’s retail division. Presumably, he’d be filthy rich at that point. So would Dr. Dre, according to The Guardian, who is on the verge of becoming the wealthiest man in hip-hop, a distinction that now belongs to The title currently belongs to P. Diddy, who according to Forbes is worth $700m. AppleInsider noted that Dre seemingly confirmed the deal late Thursday after Tyrese posted a video of the two of them celebrating the "first billionaire in hip-hop." Take a look at the video; it's revealing and good comedy. (5/9a)