Influential rap mogul Jay-Z is leaving his post as president of Def Jam Records, Universal Music Group announced Monday.

The hit rapper, whose real name is Shawn Carter, will end his run at the end of the year, the music giant said, according to Reuters.

Jay-Z helped sign hot acts such as Rihanna and Ne-Yo during his tenure.
(Associated Press)

The hit rapper, who has jumped in and out of retirement in the past few years, most recently won acclaim for American Gangster — his conceptual album inspired by the recent Ridley Scott film of the same name.

In December 2004, Def Jam bought Roc-A-Fella, the company Jay-Z founded in 1995, and named the hip hop mogul its new president and CEO. Since then, he has helped sign popular artists such as Rihanna and Ne-Yo to the label.

Jay-Z will continue as a recording artist for the Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam label, Universal said.