Jay-Z plots tour, ad agency--and label?

Rapper unveils 17-date spring jaunt with Mary J. Blige and launches Translation Advertising with Steve Stoute; rumors of label deal abound.

Say what you will about Jay-Z, but you can't knock the hustle.

With an abundance of free time since his departure as president of Def Jam, the rapper-mogul already has plenty going on in 2008, including a spring tour with Mary J. Blige and a new ad agency--not to mention a flurry of rumors about his next move in music, whether it's to Apple or a deal with Warner Music Group and longtime associate Lyor Cohen.

The tour, named "Heart of the City" after the Jay-Z song of the same name on 2001's The Blueprint, is set to hit 17 cities, although more dates are expected to be added in the coming weeks. The trek kicks off at the American Airlines Arena in Miami and concludes April 20 at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California.

But before the tour gets going, Jay-Z will be spending time on his new advertising agency with longtime music executive Steve Stoute. Translation Advertising is a division of Translation Consultation and Brand Imaging, which Stoute sold to the Interpublic Group of Companies for as much as $15 million. As indicated by the title, Translation will seek to translate the urban market for major global advertisers in New York. The agency will help marketers reach multicultural consumers.

"As an artist, you make music," Jay-Z told the New York Times about his role at Translation. "And if you see people who don't know how to market your music, you get involved in it."

But though a rejuvenated rap career, ownership of a growing 40/40 nightclub franchise, a hotel in Manhattan, and part ownership of the NBA's New Jersey Nets are more than enough to keep him busy, many music-industry insiders are waiting to hear what Jay-Z will do next in the music business. His departure from Def Jam sparked rumors that he could head to Apple in a unique arrangement with Apple chief Steve Jobs.

The New York Daily News reported this week that Jay-Z could be heading to Warner Music Group, headed by longtime associate Lyor Cohen, who signed Jay-Z to Def Jam a decade ago. Cohen denied the report.

Heart of the City tour dates:

3/22: Miami (American Airlines Arena)

3/26: Baltimore (1st Mariner Arena)

3/27: Uniondale, N.Y. (Nassau Coliseum)

3/28: East Rutherford, N.J. (Izod Center)

3/30: Philadelphia (Wachovia Center)

4/2: Toronto (Air Canada Centre)

4/3: Boston (TD Banknorth Garden)

4/5: Greensboro, N.C. (Greensboro Coliseum)

4/6: Washington, D.C. (Verizon Center)

4/8: Atlanta, Ga (Phillips Arena)

4/9: New Orleans, La. (New Orleans Arena)

4/10: Houston, Texas (Toyota Center)

4/12: Dallas, Texas (Superpages.com Center)

4/15: Anaheim, Calif. (Honda Center)

4/16: Los Angeles (Hollywood Bowl)

4/19: Las Vegas (MGM Grand)

4/20: Oakland, Calif. (Oracle Arena)