One of hip-hop’s wealthiest men could stand to make even more money. According to The Financial Times, Apple is close to buying Beats, the electronics and online streaming company founded by Dr. Dre and Interscope Records chairman Jimmy Iovine. The reported cost of the transaction? $3.2 billion.
Established in 2008, Beats Electronics makes a variety of audio products, including headphones, speakers, and car stereos. Earlier this year, it launched its own online streaming serviced, Beats Music, with Nine Inch Nails mastermind Trent Reznor serving as Creative Chief.
As Business Insider points out, it’s an interesting move by Apple, which rarely makes such large purchases of other companies. What’s more, it recently opened exploratory talks to launch its own online streaming platform.
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The Financial Times reports that a deal could be announced as soon as next week.
