In conjunction with the release of his new book, The Tanning of America: How Hip-Hop Created A Culture That Rewrote the Rules of the New Economy, Nas’s former manager and Jay-Z’s current business partner, Steve Stoute, is launching a new video series with AOL HuffPost Media Group.

The Tanning Effect will feature Stoute having candid conversations with some of his superstar friends and business associates like Jay-Z, Pharrell Williams, Interscope chairman Jimmy Iovine and Lady Gaga. [View a trailer above]

Stoute, a former music executive, is responsible for connecting Beyonce with Tommy Hilfiger to launch the Tue Star fragrance, Justin Timberlake with McDonald’s for the “Lovin’ it” campaign, and Chris Brown with Wrigley’s, among other pairings.

Stoute also runs Translation LLC. An advertising agency along with Jay-Z, which has had campaigns with McDonald’s, Reebok and numerous other businesses.

The Tanning of America drops today via Gotham Books. —Elan Mancini

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