Universal, Blackground in Distribution Deal

Universal Records has signed a distribution deal with Blackground Enterprises, which releases music by R&B; acts such as Timbaland & Magoo and Aaliyah, the 22-year-old star who died in a plane crash in August.

The move follows the departure of Blackground from Virgin Records America, a division of struggling British music conglomerate EMI Group. Virgin severed ties with Blackground barely a year after striking an estimated $15-million joint-venture deal with the firm.