Jay-z’s Treat For Def Jam Employees

Rapper JAY-Z endeared himself to employees as president of Def Jam Records by treating them to drinking sessions every week.

The Big Pimpin’ hitmaker was in charge of the label for three years but stepped down in January 2008 after signing chart-topping acts such as Rihanna and Ne-Yo during his tenure.

The hip-hop star, real name Shawn Carter, admits he was nervous about taking the reins at the company, so he started up a cocktail tradition to break the ice with his colleagues.

He says, “It was strange having a nine to five job. The first day I had to be in the office was mind-boggling. I didn’t really know what they expected from me. I was the first one in the office. People would see me and be like, ‘Hey, erm, how you doing?’ I don’t think they got their heads around me being the boss, not the artist.

“We had this thing called Bellini Fridays, that was my thing to keep the staff happy - a drink every Friday after work. If you ever want to smooth a situation out, alcohol works! I’m not promoting drinking to young people though!”