Paris Hilton has signed up for a record deal with Cash Money Records. Hilton's been wanting a comeback for a long time - but she's fallen off the radar in recent years.

The hip-hop label Cash Money is highly respected for making more, uh, serious acts like Nicky Minaj, Drake, and Lil Wayne famous. Lots of fans were incredulous that they'd take Paris on.... but apparently they have. Maybe there's unseen talent there afer all?

Cash Money co-founder Bryan "Birdman" Williams defended his choice, but hinted that, well, maybe he had to do a friend a favor. "She's always supported us, and we've supported her. It was a friendship first."

Hmmm. Sounds like nepotism from here.

But then again, he was "taken aback" by her talent. So apparently, he wasn't the only one surprised at the idea the Miss Hilton could actually sing well enough to get a record deal on such a well-respected label. "She played us music, and I was taken aback. I was impressed by her music, and I didn't know she could sing so well."

Paris the Heiress, who has street cred stemming only from shenanigans rather than growing up in the projects, will now be doing hip hop, apparently. That's one piece of news we didn't see coming.

Paris, 32, told press the news in Cannes, France for the Cannes Film Festival, where she's appearing as herself in a film called the "Bling Ring." Her self-titled pop debut, released at the peak of her popularity, crashed and burned. She's been off the scene for years now - we'll see if this music project fares better.

For a year now, though,  she's been behind the scenes working on the project, and Paris has told press that she's collaborated with Snoop Dogg, Flo Rida, and Little Wayne. BFF house producer Afrojack is producing the album. The Cash Money released album will drop this summer, and Hilton is expected to do a DJ residency in Ibiza. She's a woman of many hidden talents, apparently. We were surprised at the notion she had any at all - but we hope we're pleasantly surprised by a few.