Jay Z is officially stepping in as Beyonce's manager.....!!!

Can you say DUH-RAMMMAAA!!!! Beyonce Knowles will soon OFFICIALLY drop her father Mathe Knowles' management company. And in its pace, she's set to hire her husband JAY Z and his newly formed management company.

According to a VERY WELL PLACED source, Beyonce and her father Mathew Knowles have been "drifting apart" both personally and professionally. The insider explains, "Since the [divorce] of her parents, her relationship with her father is becoming strained . . . Also professionally, she wants to stay edgy and relevant, where her father wants her to make more 'mature' music."

So the end result . . .is a SPLIT between the two. Word is that the separation will FINALIZE ths year.

And afterward, the insider explained,"Jay Z and his team will operate as [Beyonce's] management."