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Def Jam Recordings
Parent company Universal Music Group
Founded March 1984
Founder Russell Simmons
Rick Rubin
Distributing label The Island Def Jam Music Group (US)
Genre Hip hop
R&B
Country of origin US
Location New York City, New York
Official website Official website of Def Jam Recordings

Def Jam Recordings, commonly referred to as Def Jam Records or just Def Jam, is a United States based hip-hop record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operates as a part of The Island Def Jam Music Group. Universal Music Group (UMG is the largest Business group and family of Record labels in the Recording industry. Russell Simmons (born October 4, 1957 in Queens New York) is an American entrepreneur and philanthropist Frederick Jay "Rick" Rubin (born March 10 1963 in Lido Beach New York) is an American Record producer and is currently For other record labels with the Island name see Island Records (disambiguation The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Hip hop music, also referred to as rap music, is a Music genre typically consisting of a rhythmic vocal style called rap which is accompanied with Contemporary R&B (also known as R&B, urban) is a Music genre of western Popular music (predominantly American and Canadian The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The City of New York New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Hip hop music, also referred to as rap music, is a Music genre typically consisting of a rhythmic vocal style called rap which is accompanied with In the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music Universal Music Group (UMG is the largest Business group and family of Record labels in the Recording industry. For other record labels with the Island name see Island Records (disambiguation

Contents

Company history

Def Jam was founded by Rick Rubin in his dorm room at New York University. Frederick Jay "Rick" Rubin (born March 10 1963 in Lido Beach New York) is an American Record producer and is currently New York University ( NYU) is a private, Nonsectarian, Coeducational Research University in New York City. [1] Russell Simmons joined Rubin shortly after when they were introduced to each other by Vincent Gallo. Russell Simmons (born October 4, 1957 in Queens New York) is an American entrepreneur and philanthropist Vincent Gallo (born in Buffalo New York on April 11, 1961) is an American Film Actor and director, The first release to have a Def Jam Recordings logo was T La Rock & Jazzy Jay "It's Yours". The first releases with a Def Jam Recordings catologue number were LL Cool J's "I Need A Beat", and the Beastie Boys', "Rock Hard", both in 1984. James Todd Smith (born January 14 1968 better known as LL Cool J, is an American Rapper and actor For the German magazine see Rock Hard (magazine. " Rock Hard " was one of the first songs released by the Beastie Boys, released See also Events January 21 - " Relax " by Frankie Goes to Hollywood reaches number one in the UK singles chart it The singles sold well, eventually leading to a distribution deal with CBS Records' (which would later become Sony Music Entertainment) Columbia Records the following year. Sony Music Entertainment is a major global Record label controlled by the Sony Corporation of America, being one of the "big four" record companies Columbia Records is an American Record label founded in 1888 Columbia is the oldest surviving Brand name in pre-recorded sound being the first record company The first full-length album released by Def Jam Recordings was LL Cool J's Radio in November of 1985. Radio is the Debut album of American Rapper LL Cool J, released November 18 1985 on Def Jam Recordings. Events January January 28 - Various artists, under the group name USA For Africa, including Ray Charles The following year, Def Jam created a short-lived subsidiary label called OBR Records, catered toward R&B artists — the first artist signed to that imprint was Oran "Juice" Jones, who enjoyed success with his hit single "The Rain". This article is about the record label For the acronym OBR Official Baseball Rules please see the article Baseball rules. Oran "Juice" Jones (born 1959 in Houston, Texas) often incorrectly cited as Orange "Juice" Jones is a Soul and Def Jam also signed thrash metal band Slayer. Thrash metal (sometimes referred to simply as thrash) is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized by its fast tempo and aggression Slayer is an American Thrash metal band founded by Guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King in As the decade drew to a close, the label signed Public Enemy, whose controversial lyrical content garnered the company both critical acclaim and disdain. Public Enemy, also known as PE, is an influential hip hop group from Long Island New York, known for its politically charged Lyrics, criticism

Lyor Cohen became president of Def Jam in 1988, after winning a power struggle with Rubin, who would shortly thereafter leave the company to form Def American Recordings (now known as American Recordings). Lyor Cohen (ליאור כהן born October 3, 1959 in New York City) is the North American Chairman and CEO of Recorded This is a list of notable events in Music that took place in the year 1988. This article is about the record label For the Johnny Cash album released by that same label see American Recordings (album American Recordings

Def Jam under PolyGram

In the early 1990s, the company created "Rush Associated Labels", a larger moniker under which Def Jam and its various auxiliary labels would operate as subsidiaries. The 1990s collectively refers to the years between and including 1990 and 1999 By 1992, despite recent multi-platinum selling releases from LL Cool J. This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1992 , Public Enemy, and EPMD, Def Jam ran into severe financial troubles and was faced with folding. EPMD is an American Hip hop group from Brentwood, New York, active for more than 20 years ( 1986 –present is one of the most Salvation came in 1994, however, when PolyGram purchased Sony's 50% stake in Def Jam Recordings — subsequently bringing the label into their fold. This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1994. PolyGram was the name from 1972 of the Major label recording company started by Philips as a holding company for its music interests in 1945 Following PolyGram’s acquisition of the company, Def Jam released Warren G's Regulate... G Funk Era, which went triple platinum and effectively revived the label. Warren Griffin III (born November 10, 1970 in Long Beach California) better known by his Stage name Warren G, is an American RegulateG Funk Era is an album by American Rapper Warren G. It was released during 1994 on the Def Jam label and reached The album sold nearly 2. 7 million copies within five months of its release. [2]

Def Jam remained in the black, as its veteran star LL Cool J released his widely successful album Mr. Smith in 1995. Mr Smith is the sixth album by Rapper LL Cool J, released in 1995 Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 The label later signed a then-teenaged Foxy Brown, whose debut album Ill Na Na became a platinum seller in 1997. Inga Fung Marchand (born September 6, 1979) better known as Foxy Brown, is an American rapper known for her solo work as well Ill Na Na is the Debut album by American Rapper Foxy Brown (rapper. The same year, Def Jam struck up a distribution deal with Roc-A-Fella Records, and soared to even greater heights with rapper Jay-Z as its central star as the decade drew to a close. Roc-A-Fella Records is a United States record label founded by Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter. Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4 1969 better known as Jay-Z, is an American Rapper and former CEO of Def Jam Recordings and Roc-A-Fella PolyGram acquired an additional 10% in Def Jam Recordings in 1995, further strengthening their ownership of the company. See also 1995 in music (UK Musical groups established in 1995 Record Shortly thereafter, "Rush Associated Labels" was renamed "Def Jam Music Group"

Def Jam joins Universal Music Group

In 1998, PolyGram was purchased by Seagrams and merged into its Universal Music Group. This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1998 For the rapper Seagram, see Seagram Miller The Seagram Company Ltd Universal Music Group (UMG is the largest Business group and family of Record labels in the Recording industry. Following Universal Music Group's takeover of PolyGram, it purchased the remaining interest of Def Jam Recordings from Russell Simmons for a reported $100 million. Simmons went on to focus more on his Phat Farm clothing line and the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN). Phat Farm is an Urban fashion line created by hip-hop impresario Russell Simmons, the founder of the Def Jam record label in 1992 [3] Universal merged Def Jam with Island Records to form The Island Def Jam Music Group. Island Records is a Record label that was founded by British record producers in Jamaica. For other record labels with the Island name see Island Records (disambiguation In spite of the formation of IDJMG, Def Jam and Island continue to operate as separate imprints underneath the bigger umbrella.

Lyor Cohen was appointed president of IDJMG, and Kevin Liles succeeded him as president of Def Jam. Kevin Liles (born February 26 1968 in Baltimore Maryland, USA) is an American Record executive. In 1999, Def Jam created an R&B spin-off label called Def Soul Records, which inherited many of Island Records' urban artists, including Dru Hill and its lead singer Sisqo, The Isley Brothers and Kelly Price. See also 1999 in music (UK Musical groups established in 1999 Record Dru Hill is an American singing group most popular during the late 1990s whose repertoire included R&B, soul, and Gospel music Mark Althavan Andrews (born November 9 1978 in Baltimore Maryland) better known by his Stage name Sisqó, is a Grammy Award -nominated The Isley Brothers (ˈaɪzliː are a Grammy-winning American R&B / soul group Kelly Price (born April 4 1973) is an American R&B and soul singer formerly the flagship female artist on the Def Soul Def Soul also issued recordings by Musiq, Montell Jordan, Case, 112, Patti LaBelle, and Christina Milian. Taalib Johnson (born September 16, 1977) better known by his stage name Musiq Soulchild or Musiq ('mjusɪk is a soul artist whose style Montell Jordan is an American R&B Singer-songwriter and Record producer. Patricia Louise Holte (born May 24 1944) best known as her stage name Patti Labelle, is an American R&B and soul Christine Flores (born September 26 1981 Milian describes her family as her "everything" and said that although she got along with everyone as a child she "didn't

Also in 1999, Def Jam also began distributing releases by Murder Inc. Records, run by former Def Jam executive Irv Gotti. The Inc Records (formerly known as Murder Inc) established in 1997, is a Record label, owned by Irv Gotti. Irving Lorenzo (born June 26, 1970 in Hollis, Queens) better known by his Stage name Young or black Gotti, is Murder Inc. 's roster of artists would include Ja Rule, Ashanti, Lloyd, Vita. Jeffrey Atkins (born February 29 1976 Music career Atkins began his rap career in 1994 with the group Cash Money Click Ashanti, or Asante, are a major Ethnic group of Ashanti Region in Ghana. Lloyd Harlin Polite Jr (born January 3 1986 professionally known as Lloyd is an American R&B Singer-songwriter, Dancer and La'Vita G Raynor better known by her Stage name Vita, is a female rapper The following year, it launched another subsidiary, Def Jam South, which focused on Southern rap and distributed releases from labels such as Disturbing tha Peace Records, whose successful artists have included Ludacris, Chingy, and Bobby Valentino. Southern hip hop is a form of American hip hop music that emerged from a club oriented vibe in the late-1990s as a popular force from cities including but not limited to Disturbing tha Peace Records LLC (commonly known as DTP is a recording company and management company based out of Atlanta Georgia, that specializes in hip Howard Bailey Jr (born March 9, 1980) better known by his Stage name Chingy, is an American Hip-Hop Recording artist Robert Wilson (born on February 27 1980 better known by his Stage name Bobby Valentino, is an American R&B singer (his nickname being Def Jam South would begin distributing Slip-N-Slide Records releases, featuring Trina, Rick Ross, and others, in 2006. Slip-n-Slide Records is a Miami based Record label owned by Ted "Touche" Lucas Katrina Laverne Taylor better known by her Stage name Trina, is a famous rapper from Miami known for her raw and raunchy style William Leonard Roberts II (born January 28 1976 better known by his Stage name Rick Ross (seen on album covers as Rick Ro$$) is an African American Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.

Def Jam in the 2000s

In 2002, Def Soul was absorbed into its Def Jam parent. This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2002 A year later, Murder Inc. became the center of a money laundering investigation involving illegal profits from drug trade, [4] leading to the label's eventual release from its distribution contract by 2005. Money laundering is the practice of engaging in financial Transactions in order to conceal the Identity, source and/or destination of Money, The illegal drug trade or drug trafficking is a global Black market consisting of the cultivation manufacture distribution and sale of illegal Drugs Roc-A-Fella Records was sold to the company in 2004, by which time it had launched the career of producer turned rapper Kanye West. See also 2004 in music (UK Musical groups established in 2004 Record labels Kanye Omari West (ˈkɑnjɛj born June 8 1977 is a ten-time Grammy Award -winning American Rapper, Record producer and Singer.

The same year, Cohen left IDJMG for Warner Music Group, and was replaced by former Arista executive L.A. Reid. Warner Music Group (WMG is the third-largest of the "big four" major record labels, the others being Sony BMG, EMI, and Universal Antonio "LA" Reid (born June 7 1956 in Cincinnati Ohio An unhappy Liles eventually decided to follow Cohen to Warner. [5] A bidding war for Jay-Z's contract began, and Reid appointed Jay-Z president and CEO of Def Jam. [5]

Under Jay-Z's leadership, Def Jam launched new successful acts such as pop and contemporary R&B singer Rihanna and R&B singer Ne-Yo. Rihanna (pronounced /riːˈɑːnə/ born Robyn Rihanna Fenty; February 20 1988 is a Barbadian singer, model and Fashion designer Shaffer Chimere Smith (born October 18 1979 better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B Singer-songwriter Jay-Z stepped down from his position as Def Jam president at the end of 2007, remaining with Roc-a-Fella/Def Jam as a recording artist. [6] Following Jay-Z's resignation as president, L. A. Reid took over leadership of the label, as opposed to hiring a replacement. It was announced in early June 2008 that Def Jam A&R executive Shakir Stewart, credited with bringing Rick Ross to the label, will take over as vice president of Def Jam.

Footnotes

  1. ^ Herschberg, Lynn. The Music Man. New York Times Magazine. 2 September 2007.
  2. ^ "PolyGram acquires 50% of Def Jam Recordings"
  3. ^ Rush Hour | Fast Company
  4. ^ FOXNews.com - Hip-Hop's Irv 'Gotti' Surrenders to FBI - Celebrity Gossip | Entertainment News | Arts And Entertainment
  5. ^ a b Ogunnaike, Lola (Aug. 28, 2005). "Jay-Z, From Superstar to Suit". New York Times. Retrieved March 23, 2008.
  6. ^ Jay-Z Stepping Down As Def Jam President/CEO - News Story | Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV News

Artists

Main article: List of current Def Jam Recordings artists
Main article: List of former Def Jam Recordings artists

See also

Games

External links

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