Jay-Z 'dismisses signing rapper Shyne'

Jay-Z has refuted fresh speculation that he recently visited jailed rapper Shyne in the hopes of signing him to Roc Nation.

The incarcerated MC, who has been in a New York prison since 2001 following a high-profile altercation at a Manhattan club involving P. Diddy and his then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez, is due for release in October. Recent rumours have suggested that the 'Run This Town' artist wishes to sign him to his label.

However, Jay-Z has since dismissed the stories, insisting that he does not intend to offer Shyne a recording contract.

"Not true. Lie, gossip, whatever, it's not true," he told New York radio station Hot 97.

"I'll be interested in the conversation, it's always a possibility but it just didn't happen."

The star recently admitted that he lost a complete recording of his new album The Blueprint 3 prior to buying the rights to the release from Def Jam.