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N-Dubz have signed a worldwide record deal, including the US, with their new label saying the band's previous controversies are "part of the appeal".

Dappy, Tulisa and Fazer have been snapped up by Def Jam, the record label started by Rick Rubin and run by Jay-Z up until recently.

Speaking to Newsbeat Max Gousse, vice president of A&R at the label, said he'd been working on a deal for a few months.

"We're going to get them in (the studio) with Dr Luke and Jim Johnson and some of the other top producers in the US and work on a worldwide push."

Gousse, who broke UK artist Taio Cruz in the States, confirmed that the next plan for the band was to bring them to Los Angeles to record new material.

He confirmed their first release would be "a combination of the previous records and new material that we're recording".

He also admitted that the band's recent troubles, including Dappy's admission that he took mephedrone, didn't concern him.

"They can get in trouble - it's ok, I don't mind. It's part of the appeal.

"I flew over a few months ago and checked out a show - the fact they're really great entertainers really sold me."