Def Jam Recordings

Last updated

Def Jam Recordings
Def Jam Recordings.svg
Parent company Universal Music Group (UMG)
Founded1984;40 years ago (1984) [1]
Founder
Distributor(s)
GenreVarious, predominantly on Hip hop and R&B
Country of originUnited States
Location New York City, New York, U.S.
Official website defjam.com

Def Jam Recordings (also simply known as Def Jam) is an American multinational record label owned by Universal Music Group. It is based in Manhattan, New York City, specializing predominantly in hip hop, contemporary R&B, soul and pop.

Contents

The label has a London-based, UK arm known as 0207 Def Jam (formerly Def Jam UK in the 1990s until the mid-2000s) and is currently operated through EMI Records. It has a Johannesburg, South Africa and Lagos, Nigeria-based arm known as Def Jam Africa.

As of 2024, Def Jam's current roster includes Justin Bieber, DJ Khaled, Alessia Cara, 2 Chainz, Frank Ocean, Big Sean, Dave East, Wale, Jeremih, Pusha T, Fabolous, Jhené Aiko, Coco Jones, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Jadakiss, YG, Muni Long, Buju Banton, Fridayy, Benny the Butcher, Trinidad Cardona, DaniLeigh, Fredo Bang, Nasty C, Armani White, and Hit-Boy among others. [2]

The label also inspired the Def Jam video game franchise (2003-2010) which include the games Def Jam Vendetta, Def Jam: Fight for NY, Def Jam: Icon and Def Jam Rapstar.

Company history

Founding and CBS Records Group era (1983–1994)

Def Jam was co-founded by Rick Rubin in his dormitory in Weinstein Hall at New York University, [3] and its first release was a single by his punk-rock group Hose. Russell Simmons joined Rubin shortly after they were introduced to each other, according to one story, by Vincent Gallo. [4] Another cites DJ Jazzy Jay as their connector. [5] Rubin has said he met Simmons on the TV show Graffiti Rock and recognized him then as "the face of hip hop": "He was five years older than me, and he was already established in the music business. And I had no experience whatsoever." [6] The second single released with the Def Jam Recordings logo was T La Rock & Jazzy Jay's "It's Yours". The first releases with Def Jam Recordings catalog numbers were LL Cool J's "I Need a Beat" and the Beastie Boys' "Rock Hard", both in 1984. The singles sold well, eventually leading to a distribution deal with CBS Records through Columbia Records the following year. However, the Hose and T La Rock releases were not part of the deal and are now controlled by different entities.

This created a short-lived subsidiary label called OBR Records, short for Original Black Recordings, which 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". A few years later, Russell Simmons and Lyor Cohen started an umbrella label called Rush Associated Labels to handle Def Jam and its numerous spinoff labels. RAL became the home to Nice & Smooth and EPMD after both acts were acquired due to the folding of their former label Sleeping Bag Records. [7] Other acts under the RAL umbrella included Redman, Onyx, Flatlinerz, Domino, Warren G and Jayo Felony. Def Jam also signed its first and only thrash metal band, Slayer, in 1986, and the band's third and fourth albums were the only two Def Jam releases to be distributed through Geffen Records via Warner Bros. Records as opposed to Columbia/CBS. As the decade drew to a close, the label signed Public Enemy, whose controversial lyrical content garnered the company both critical acclaim and disdain. Lyor Cohen became president of Def Jam/RAL in 1988, after winning a power struggle with Rubin, who would shortly thereafter leave the company to form Def American Recordings. Rubin would take Slayer and the rights of its Def Jam albums with him to Def American in its initial stages.

In 1991, CBS Records was folded (or rather rebranded) to the music division of Japanese electronic giant Sony, bringing Def Jam and Columbia with it. [8] [9] By 1992, despite recent multiple platinum selling releases from Public Enemy, and EPMD, Def Jam ran into major financial troubles and was faced with folding while at Sony.

PolyGram era (1994–1998)

In 1994, PolyGram purchased Sony's 50% stake in Def Jam Recordings—subsequently bringing the label into the Island Records fold. Island would share in sales and marketing duties with select radio projects while Def Jam remained independent on all other label functions (A&R, video, promotion and publicity). The label venture went on to receive huge success with a slew of various other multi-platinum releases from Montell Jordan, Public Enemy, LL Cool J, Redman, Method Man and more. RAL/Def Jam also distributed the Violator Records-signed artist Warren G's debut album, Regulate... G Funk Era , which went triple platinum and brought much-needed revenue to Def Jam through its joint deal with Violator. [10]

PolyGram acquired an additional 10% stake in Def Jam, further strengthening its ownership of the label. Shortly thereafter, Rush Associated Labels were renamed to the Def Jam Music Group. The label remained profitable as its veteran star LL Cool J released his successful album Mr. Smith in 1995, a return to the rapper's original credibility following the fallback of his 1993 album, 14 Shots to the Dome ; his last album under the Def Jam/Columbia partnership. [11] The label later signed Foxy Brown, whose debut album, Ill Na Na (1996) became a platinum seller in 1997. [12] Def Jam followed up with its then-new R&B act, Case, whose self-titled debut album (also in 1996), including the single, "Touch Me, Tease Me", went gold.[ citation needed ]

In June 1997, Def Jam acquired 50% of Roc-A-Fella Records for an estimated $1.4 million, giving co-founders Jay-Z and Damon Dash part ownership of the label, while Def Jam maintained distribution and co-marketing. [13]

In 1997, [14] through Def Jam A&R Irv Gotti, Def Jam signed artist DMX. DMX's first studio album, It's Dark and Hell is Hot was released on May 12, 1998 and was co-executive produced by Irv Gotti. The album debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200 and sold over 250,000 copies in its first week. [15] The album went on to sell four million copies in America, being certified quadruple platinum by the RIAA, and sold five million copies worldwide. [16]

On December 15, 1998, Def Jam released DJ Clue's debut album, The Professional , which saw guest appearances from Def Jam artists Jay-Z, Memphis Bleek, DMX, Redman, Ja Rule, and an appearance from future Def Jam artist Cam'ron. The album was certified platinum by the RIAA.

The success of It's Dark and Hell is Hot prompted Lyor Cohen to challenge DMX to record another album quickly to have another album released within the same calendar year. [17] Def Jam closed out 1998 with DMX's second studio album, Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood , released on December 22, 1998. The album debuted at number one the Billboard 200 with over 670,000 units in its first week of release, and went on to sell over four million copies worldwide. [18] DMX claimed that Def Jam made $144 million from the sales of his first two albums. [19]

The Island Def Jam Music Group founding (1998–2000)

In 1998, PolyGram was purchased by Universal Pictures' former parent, Seagram. It later merged with the MCA group of record labels. In early 1999, the label group was rebranded as the Universal Music Group. It then purchased the remaining interest of Def Jam Recordings from Russell Simmons for a reported $100 million. UMG merged over 14 record labels including Def Jam, Island, and Mercury Records together to form the Island Def Jam Music Group. Despite the formation of IDJMG, the Def Jam, Mercury, and Island labels continued to operate as separate imprints underneath the umbrella.[ citation needed ] That same year, Def Jam and Island Def Jam signed rapper Ja Rule.

Lyor Cohen was appointed co-president of IDJMG, and Kevin Liles succeeded him as president of Def Jam. In 1998, Def Jam created an R&B spin-off label called Def Soul Records to run under the label's companionship. Def Jam inherited many of Island's urban artists, including Dru Hill (including its lead singer Sisqó), the Isley Brothers (featuring Ronald Isley) and Kelly Price. Def Soul also issued recordings by Musiq Soulchild, Montell Jordan, Case, 112, Patti LaBelle, and Christina Milian. Liles also assumed presidency of Def Soul, which also formed a Classics subsidiary (active from 2003 to 2011).[ citation needed ] Island's 4th & B'way Records was also folded into Def Jam. Also starting in 1998, in preparation for the year 2000, Def Jam marketed and sponsored a new campaign titled Def Jam 2000. Def Jam 2000 was the featured name for Def Jam on Def Jam albums from 1998 until its end in December 2000.

Also in 1999, the label began to distribute releases by Murder Inc. Records, the newly-founded label run by former Def Jam A&R executive and record producer Irv Gotti. The label's roster of artists would include Ja Rule, Ashanti and Lloyd, among others. The first release from Murder Inc. under Def Jam was Ja Rule's debut studio album, Venni Vetti Vecci . The album, released June 1, 1999, peaked in the top 3 on the Billboard 200 and was certified platinum in America.

In December 1999, DMX released his third studio album, ...And Then There Was X through Def Jam. The album debuted atop the Billboard 200 , with close to 700,000 copies sold, making it his third straight album to debut atop the charts. The album sold over 4.9 million copies to date, and has been certified five times platinum by the RIAA. [20]

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, whose artist roster included its co-founder Ludacris, Shawnna, Bobby Valentino and Playaz Circle. Russell Simmons tapped Houston hip hop legend and former Rap-A-Lot recording artist Scarface as the original head of Def Jam South.

On October 10, 2000, Def Jam and Murder Inc. released Ja Rule's second studio album, Rule 3:36 . Anchored by the success of the single Between Me and You , the album topped the Billboard 200 and was certified triple platinum in America. [21]

2000s

In 2000, The Island Def Jam Music Group announced the formation of Def Jam Germany, the first international Def Jam company. This increased the label's presence around the world. Def Jam Germany signed German rappers Spezializtz and Philly MC. The label was located in Berlin and opened on May 23, 2000. In addition to signing and marketing local artists, Def Jam Germany also marketed all U.S. signed Def Jam artists in the German territory. But the German division folded just two years later in 2002. Many of the artists were picked up by Universal/Urban, while others did not get a new contract. [22]

The new millennium saw Roc-A-Fella, Def Jam's subsidiary, begin to expand beyond one figurehead artist. [23] Roc-A-Fella Records artists proved successful with the Jay-Z's The Dynasty: Roc La Familia (2001) and The Blueprint (2001), including the labels other signees gaining recognition with Beanie Sigel's The Truth (2000) and Memphis Bleek's The Understanding (2001). [24]

The second international label is a Japanese branch, Def Jam Japan (デフ・ジャム・ジャパン, Defu Jamu Japan), also founded in 2000. [25] The label was later rebranded as Def Jam Recordings; however, it is sometimes still referred to as Def Jam Japan. [26] Their artist roster has included Japanese-American singer Ai, Teriyaki Boyz, AK-69, Nitro Microphone Underground, and South Korean boy band BTS.

Ja Rule released his third studio album, Pain Is Love , on October 2, 2001 through Def Jam. Pain Is Love topped the Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 361,000 copies and is certified triple platinum by the RIAA. [21] The album was supported by the singles: Down Ass Bitch , Always on Time , and Livin' It Up .

In January 2003, Murder Inc. became the center of a money laundering investigation involving illegal profits from drug trading, [27] leading to the label's eventual release from its distribution contract by 2005. Def Jam also blocked Murder Inc. and TVT Records from releasing a Cash Money Click reunion album, due to Ja Rule's contractual obligations, which alleged that Cohen paid Ja and Irv Gotti US$8 million not to submit the project to TVT, but instead to parent company Universal. [28] [29] This resulted in TVT suing Def Jam, alleging infringement, fraud and tortious interference, winning $132 million in a judgment, [30] but was later reduced to $126,000 after Universal and Def Jam appealed the ruling, claiming that the existence of an agreement between the parties meant that their behavior was only a breach of contract and not fraud. [31] That September, DMX released his fifth album, Grand Champ . Though it was DMX's fifth number one album and was certified platinum by the RIAA, it was his final album for the label before leaving in 2006. Also that September, Def Jam released the video game, Def Jam: Fight for NY . The video game, which served as a sequel to Def Jam Vendetta , featured artists from the label. These artists include Method Man & Redman, N.O.R.E., Ludacris, Ghostface Killah, Memphis Bleek, and Joe Budden.

The final shares of Roc-A-Fella Records were sold to Island Def Jam in 2004 for $10 million. [32] By that time, Roc-A-Fella and Def Jam had launched the career of rapper-producer Kanye West. His debut, The College Dropout , went on to sell over two million copies. Co-founder Damon Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke were forced out of the label as Cohen left IDJMG for Warner Music Group, and was replaced by music executive Antonio "L.A." Reid. Frustrated, Liles and now-chairwoman of Atlantic Records, Julie Greenwald eventually decided to follow Cohen to Warner. [33] That same year, through Def Jam A&R executive Shakir Stewart, Def Jam signed Atlanta, Georgia based rapper Young Jeezy. [34] His debut album, Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 was released the following year and was co-executive produced by Stewart. The album's singles Go Crazy and Soul Survivor help push the album to double platinum status in America. Around this time, a bidding war for Jay-Z's contract began, and Reid appointed Jay-Z president of Def Jam on December 8, 2004. [33] Long time label veterans LL Cool J and DMX (the latter of whom had five number one albums under the label within a five-year gap between 1998 and 2003), as well as new signee Joe Budden expressed discomfort with Jay-Z's leadership of the label, having altogether left the label since then. [35] [36] [37] [38]

Under Jay-Z's leadership, Def Jam launched the successful careers of contemporary R&B singers Rihanna and Ne-Yo. At the end of 2007, after he released American Gangster, Jay-Z decided not to renew his contract as the president and CEO of Def Jam in order to start his new Live Nation venture, Roc Nation. [39] Following Jay-Z's departure, L.A. Reid took over leadership of the label, as opposed to hiring a replacement. In June 2008, Shakir Stewart was appointed as the executive vice president of Def Jam, a position that was previously left vacant since December 2007. However, on November 1, Stewart committed suicide, vacating the position again.[ citation needed ]. [34] [40]

2010s

In March 2011, it was announced that former Warner Bros. Records executive Joie Manda would become the first president of Def Jam since Jay-Z. [41] Around the summer of 2011, after Universal Music disbanded the Universal Motown Republic Group, Motown Records would be moved under the Island Def Jam umbrella. In 2012, Manda assumed the position of president until March 2013 when he exited his post. It was later announced by his former boss, Barry Weiss, that he would be in charge of the urban division at Def Jam's sister Universal Music label, Interscope Records. [42] The-Dream served as Def Jam's executive vice president of A&R at Def Jam between 2012 and 2014. No I.D. held the position of executive vice president after helping to establish GOOD Music with Kanye West. [43] He later became the executive vice president of the urban division at Def Jam's sister Universal label, Capitol Music Group.

On April 1, 2014, it was announced that the Island Def Jam Music Group would no longer be active following the resignation of CEO Barry Weiss. [44] A press release serviced by Universal Music Group stated that IDJMG, and all of its assets would be reorganized into Def Jam, Island and Motown, all as separate entities. [45] [46]

Def Jam Recordings currently operates as a stand-alone label within the Universal Music Group. Def Jam signed DaniLeigh to the label in early 2017. Steve Bartels served as president and CEO of Def Jam since 2013 until an announcement commenced on August 3, 2017, stating that in January 2018, Eminem's manager and co-founder of Shady Records, Paul Rosenberg would be appointed chairman and CEO of Def Jam. [47]

On September 17, 2019, the launch of Def Jam South East Asia was announced at Music Matters, an annual music industry conference held in Singapore, where Joe Flizzow from Malaysia, Daboyway from Thailand, Yung Raja, Fariz Jabba and Alif from Singapore and A. Nayaka from Indonesia were announced as the label's six inaugural signings. [48] That same month, Def Jam re-signed LL Cool J and DMX after nine and fourteen respective years apart from the label. [49] [50]

In late 2019, the label made its debut in the Philippines through Universal Music Philippines, led by former Sony Music Philippines and Sindikato Management executive Enzo Valdez. Pinoy hip hop quartet VVS Collective was the label's first signed artists. [51]

2020s

On February 21, 2020, Paul Rosenberg stepped down on his positions as chairman and CEO of Def Jam. [52] [53] He was replaced by the head of business affairs at Universal Music, Jeffrey Harleston, who instead assumed interim control over the label. That November, Def Jam teamed up with Alex and Alec Boateng to create a new UK spin-off label called 0207 Def Jam under Universal Music UK's EMI Records. [54] The UK roster currently consists of Stormzy. [55] Def Jam also expanded to Africa with the creation of Def Jam Africa. [56] [57]

On April 9, 2021, returning label veteran DMX died in a White Plains hospital a week after suffering from a drug overdose succumbing him to a fatal heart attack. [58] A month later, Def Jam released his posthumous album, Exodus , which debuted and peaked in the top ten on Billboard 200. Two digital greatest hits albums by DMX were also available for streaming under the label throughout the same period: A Dog's Prayer [59] and The Legacy. [60] [61]

Later that year, Harleston conference-called hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg and named him the executive consultant of Def Jam. Snoop agreed to Harleston's request and took over the consultancy role in July. [62] In August 2021, Harleston announced that he will replace himself as the interim president of Def Jam with former Interscope/RCA executive and Keep Cool founder Tunji Balogun, who agreed to take on the role as chairman and CEO, which he did on New Year's Day 2022. [63] [64] [65]

In late-October 2022, Def Jam ended their partnership with GOOD Music, Kanye West's label, in response to the founder's online and public media outbursts, including his 2024 presidential campaign, antisemitic and pro-race remarks. [66] [67] [68] Although, West had already been exiled from the label after releasing Donda on August 29, 2021, [69] as so Pusha T after It's Almost Dry on April 22 earlier that year, [70] making 070 Shake's You Can't Kill Me the final release under the GOOD/Def Jam partnership.

On October 31, 2023, the label's core artist, Jeezy, had fulfilled his contract with Def Jam. [71] [72] Meanwhile, the label had already signed Washington, D.C. rapper Wale. [2] [73]

Beginning in 2024, Def Jam began operating under the Republic Records branding.

Presidents

Executive Vice Presidents

Current artists

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ja Rule</span> American rapper (born 1976)

Jeffrey Bruce Atkins Sr., better known by his stage name Ja Rule, is an American rapper, singer, and actor. Born and raised in New York City, Ja Rule became known for blending gangsta rap with pop and R&B sensibilities. He signed with Irv Gotti's Murder Inc Records, an imprint of Def Jam Recordings to release his debut studio album Venni Vetti Vecci (1999), which spawned his first hit single, "Holla Holla". In 2001, he peaked the Billboard Hot 100 on three occasions with his single "Always on Time" and his guest appearances on Jennifer Lopez's songs "I'm Real " and "Ain't It Funny".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DMX</span> American rapper (1970–2021)

Earl Simmons, known professionally as DMX, was an American rapper and actor. The recipient of various accolades, he won an American Music Award, a Billboard Music Award, and was nominated for six Grammy Awards. Regarded as an influential figure in late 1990s and early 2000s hip hop, his music is characterized by his "aggressive" rapping style, with lyrical content varying from hardcore themes to prayers. His violent lyricism helped popularize the horrorcore genre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irv Gotti</span> American record producer (born 1970)

Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr., professionally known as Irv Gotti, is an American record producer. He co-founded the record label Murder Inc. Records in 1998, which was an imprint of Def Jam Recordings. He received production credits for most of the recordings by artists signed to the label—including Ja Rule, Lloyd, and Ashanti—as well as other artists such as Jennifer Lopez, DMX, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Fat Joe, and Eve, among others. Gotti is also the creator of the BET series Tales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foxy Brown (rapper)</span> American rapper (born 1978)

Inga DeCarlo Fung Marchand, better known by her stage name Foxy Brown, is an American rapper. Upon being signed to Def Jam Recordings in 1996, she released her debut studio album, Ill Na Na, in November of that year to critical and commercial success. It peaked at number seven on the Billboard 200, received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), sold over seven million units worldwide, and was supported by the Billboard Hot 100-top ten single "I'll Be".

<i>... And Then There Was X</i> 1999 studio album by DMX

...And Then There Was X is the third studio album by American rapper DMX. The album was released on December 21, 1999, by The Island Def Jam Music Group, Def Jam Recordings, and Ruff Ryders Entertainment. The album was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 2001 Grammys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roc-A-Fella Records</span> American hip hop record label

Roc-A-Fella Records was an American hip hop record label and music management company founded by record executives and entrepreneurs Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Damon Dash, and Kareem "Biggs" Burke in 1994. Carter issued his debut album, Reasonable Doubt (1996) as the label's first release, in a joint venture with Priority Records. The label signed and released albums for acts including Kanye West, Cam'ron, Beanie Sigel, Memphis Bleek, Juelz Santana, Freeway, Jadakiss, Teairra Marí, State Property, and The Diplomats before its dissolution in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Island Def Jam Music Group</span> American record label group formed in 1998

The Island Def Jam Music Group (IDJMG) was an American recording music unit, formed on December 31, 1998 by Universal Music Group. It consisted of labels created under the operations of Island Records and Def Jam Recordings. On April 1, 2014, Universal Music Group publicly announced the disbandment of the Island Def Jam Music Group, leaving IDJMG and its affiliated subsidiaries compelled as separate sister labels.

Universal Records was a record label owned by Universal Music Group and operated as part of the Universal Motown Republic Group. The label has been dormant since 2006, due to Universal Motown and Universal Republic Records being formed and taking all of the artists from it. Those labels were eventually combined to form the latest iteration of Republic Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Memphis Bleek</span> American rapper

Malik Deshawn Cox, known by his stage name Memphis Bleek, is an American rapper. He is best known for his affiliation with fellow New York City-based rapper Jay-Z, with Cox often described as his hype man and protégé. Cox signed with his Roc-A-Fella Records label imprint in the late 1990s, through which he has released four major label studio albums: Coming of Age (1999), The Understanding (2000), M.A.D.E. (2003), and 534 (2005). He has since founded his own labels: Get Low Records in 1998, and Warehouse Music Group in 2016—through which he signed rapper Casanova.

Def Jam South was a music division of Def Jam Recordings. The label focused primarily on southern acts. It was best known for launching the career of its first artist signed, Ludacris and his own imprint, Disturbing tha Peace. In 2004, following the signing of Jeezy and hip-hop's overdominance of trap music, the division was folded into Def Jam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No I.D.</span> American music producer

Ernest Dion Wilson, known professionally as No I.D., is an American record producer, DJ and songwriter from Chicago, Illinois. He is known for his early work with Chicago-based rapper Common, as well as his career mentorship of rappers Kanye West, J. Cole and Logic. Wilson first gained success for his role as an in-house producer for Jermaine Dupri's So So Def Recordings—leading to largely uncredited work on Dupri's productions "My Boo" by Usher, "Outta My System" and "Let Me Hold You" by Bow Wow—before reaching commercial success with his solo productions. He worked with Jay-Z to produce his singles "Run This Town" and "Holy Grail," West to produce "Heartless," and Drake to produce "Find Your Love" and "Nonstop"; each have peaked within the top five of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lyor Cohen</span> American music industry executive

Lyor Cohen is an American music industry executive and entrepreneur. He has been actively involved in hip hop at various record labels for more than 30 years. He started by managing rappers for Rush Productions, then led Def Jam. After Def Jam, Cohen took on a leadership role at Warner Music Group. In September 2012, Cohen resigned from Warner and started his own independent label, 300 Entertainment. On September 28, 2016, Cohen was named YouTube's Global Head of Music.

<i>Venni Vetti Vecci</i> 1999 studio album by Ja Rule

Venni Vetti Vecci is the debut studio album by American rapper Ja Rule. It was released on June 1, 1999, by Def Jam Recordings and Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. Records. It was the first album to be released on Murder Inc. Production was mostly handled by Irv Gotti, with additional work provided by Lil Rob, Ty Fyffe, Erick Sermon and Self Service. The album features guest appearances from Jay-Z, DMX, Case, Memphis Bleek, Black Child, Ronald Isley and Erick Sermon, among others. The album title alludes to the Latin phrase "veni, vidi, vici", meaning "I came, I saw, I conquered".

Diplomat Records is an American hip hop record label co-founded by Harlem rappers Jim Jones and Cam'ron.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Murder Inc. (rap group)</span> American hip hop group

Murder Inc. was an American East Coast hip hop supergroup composed of Jay-Z, DMX, and Ja Rule, formed by record executive Irv Gotti in 1995. They first appeared in tandem on fellow New York-based rapper Mic Geronimo's 1995 song "Time to Build." After each gaining commercial success, the trio later appeared on the cover for the June 1999 issue of the hip-hop magazine XXL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Rosenberg (manager)</span> American music manager

Paul Rosenberg is an American talent manager and former entertainment attorney from Detroit, Michigan.

This article summarizes the events, album releases, and album release dates in hip hop music for the year 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cory Gunz</span> American rapper (born 1987)

Peter Cory Pankey, Jr., better known by his stage name Cory Gunz, is an American rapper from the Bronx, New York City. He is best known for his guest appearance on Lil Wayne's 2010 single "6 Foot 7 Foot," which peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and received septuple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). He signed with Wayne's Young Money Entertainment, a then-imprint of Cash Money and Universal Republic Records in August of that year, although he has released no major albums with the label as a solo act. He starred and was the subject of the 2011 documentary series Son of a Gun, which was presented by his mentor, American comedian Nick Cannon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruff Ryders Entertainment</span> American hip hop record label

Ruff Ryders Entertainment is an American hip hop record label and management company founded by siblings and record executives Joaquin "Waah", Darrin "Dee" and Chivon Dean in 1988. It operated as a subsidiary of Universal, and distributed by Interscope Records, with Def Jam Recordings serving as the distributor for DMX albums. The label went on to launch the careers of several successful artists such as DMX, Eve, The LOX, Drag-On, MC Jin, producers Dame Grease and the Deans' nephew, Swizz Beatz among others. The Ruff Ryders namesake also referred to a loose-knit hip hop collective composed of the core signees of the label. Ruff Ryders and its main studio Powerhouse Studios are headquartered at 33 South Broadway in Yonkers, New York.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joie Manda</span> American music executive

Joie Manda is an American music executive and the Founder & CEO of Encore Recordings and Platinum Grammar. He's previously held executive positions with Interscope Geffen A&M Records, Def Jam Recordings, Warner Music Group, Universal Music Group, and Asylum Records.

References

  1. 1 2 "A Timeline of the Major Events That Defined Def Jam's Legacy in Hip-Hop". Billboard . Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  2. 1 2 "Wale Signs New Deal With Def Jam As He Readies Return To Music". HipHopDX. October 19, 2023. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  3. ↑ Herschberg, Lynn (September 2, 2007). "The Music Man". New York Times Magazine .
  4. ↑ Turner, Edwin (December 17, 2011). "I Review Def Jam 25, the Overstuffed Illustrated Oral History of a Record Label that Helped Change American Culture". Biblioklept. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Def Jam Records launched by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin". The Guardian . June 12, 2011.
  6. ↑ "Rick Rubin, Russell Simmons: Def Jam's First 25 Years". NPR. October 9, 2011.
  7. ↑ Moore, Maurice. "Indianapolis: CRUSH Ent Presents: EPMD & DJ Scratch @ The Vogue". bestevents.us. Best Events. Archived from the original on July 3, 2015. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
  8. ↑ "CBS Records Changes Name". The New York Times. Reuters. October 16, 1990. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  9. ↑ "CBS Records to Change Name to Sony Music Entertainment". AP NEWS. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  10. ↑ "PolyGram acquires 50% of Def Jam". Business Wire. November 16, 1994. Archived from the original on September 11, 2017. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
  11. ↑ Tosiello, Pete (December 17, 2018). "An Honest Evaluation of LL Cool J's Entire Career". Vulture. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  12. ↑ Grove, Rashad (November 19, 2021). "'Ill Na Na': How Foxy Brown's Debut Album Changed The Game For Women In Hip-Hop". uDiscover Music. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  13. ↑ Connley, Courtney (June 30, 2017). "5 strategies that helped Jay-Z build an $800 million career". CNBC. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Executives Lyor Cohen and Kevin Liles Remember DMX & Reveal How He Helped Save Def Jam". Billboard . Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Today in Hip-Hop: DMX Drops 'It's Dark and Hell Is Hot'". May 19, 2016. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  16. ↑ "DMX's 'It's Dark And Hell Is Hot' Tracklist, Ranked". May 23, 2018. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  17. ↑ "DMX Earned $1 Million Bonus for 'Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood' by Recording Album in 30 Days". October 13, 2018. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  18. ↑ "DMX'S FLESH OF MY FLESH, BLOOD OF MY BLOOD ALBUM ANNIVERSARY". December 22, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  19. ↑ "Bring Your Whole Crew: The remarkable true story of how DMX's Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood was made" . Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  20. ↑ "XXL Scans: Def Jam's Entire Discography & Record Sales". October 18, 2009. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  21. 1 2 "Gold & Platinum - Ja Rule - search results". RIAA. Retrieved May 1, 2010.
  22. ↑ "Hiphop Geschichte des Labels DefJam". Netzfeuilleton.de. November 10, 2014. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  23. ↑ Jason Birchmeier. "The Blueprint – Jay-Z – Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards – AllMusic". AllMusic. Archived from the original on July 31, 2023. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  24. ↑ "Def Jam Records (1984- ) •". June 16, 2007.
  25. ↑ "Def Jam Japan (A Universal Music Company)". Universal-music.co.jp. Archived from the original on August 5, 2011. Retrieved August 5, 2011.
  26. ↑ "Def Jam Japan | The Official Site". Def Jam Recordings (in Japanese). Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  27. ↑ "Hip-Hop's Irv 'Gotti' Surrenders to FBI - Celebrity Gossip | Entertainment News". Foxnews.com. January 27, 2005. Retrieved August 5, 2011.
  28. ↑ "TVT Records v. Island Def Jam Music Group, 279 F. Supp. 2d 366 (S.D.N.Y. 2003)". Justia Law. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  29. ↑ Reid, Shaheem. "Ja Rule Re-Teams With Cash Money Click For LP". MTV News. Archived from the original on May 30, 2015. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  30. ↑ Reid, Shaheem. "Ja Ruling: Island Def Jam, Lyor Cohen Ordered To Pay $132 Million To TVT". MTV News. Archived from the original on May 29, 2019. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  31. ↑ Duhigg, Charles (June 15, 2005). "Def Jam Judgment Set Aside". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  32. ↑ Archive-Rashaun-Hall. "Jay-Z, Dame Dash Sell Roc-A-Fella Records; Jay Named Def Jam Prez". MTV News. Archived from the original on May 12, 2014. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  33. 1 2 Ogunnaike, Lola (August 28, 2005). "Jay-Z, From Superstar to Suit". The New York Times . Retrieved March 23, 2008.
  34. 1 2 "Def Jam exec Shakir Stewart commits suicide". the Guardian. November 3, 2008. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  35. ↑ Reid, Shaheem. "LL Cool J Still Unhappy With Def Jam -- But He And Jay-Z Are Not Battling". MTV News. Archived from the original on December 30, 2015. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  36. ↑ "Ruff Ryders Founders Claim 'Egos' Led to Jay-Z and DMX Beef". Complex. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  37. ↑ "DMX Leaves Def Jam Over Jay-Z Beef". www.gigwise.com. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  38. ↑ "Joe Budden Explains Jay-Z Dis, Tells Hov To Retire". HipHopDX. December 21, 2007. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  39. ↑ Reid, Shaheem (December 24, 2007). "Jay-Z Stepping Down As Def Jam President/CEO". MTV News. Archived from the original on December 25, 2007. Retrieved August 5, 2011.
  40. ↑ Reid, Shaheem. "Shakir Stewart's Family, Fiancee Say Def Jam Exec Was In 'Deep Pain' Before Death". MTV News. Archived from the original on May 19, 2014. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  41. ↑ Markman, Rob (March 12, 2012). "Def Jam Names Joie Manda New President". MTV.com. Archived from the original on March 16, 2012. Retrieved August 5, 2011.
  42. ↑ Aswad, Jem (March 28, 2013). "Joie Manda Resigns as Def Jam President, Moving to Interscope". Billboard .
  43. ↑ "No I.D. Is The New Executive Vice President Of Def Jam Recordings". The Source. April 4, 2014.
  44. ↑ "Barry Weiss out at Universal's Island Def Jam in East Coast shakeup". New York Post. April 1, 2014. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  45. ↑ Miranda (April 1, 2014). "Island Def Jam Is Over". XXL Magazine .
  46. ↑ "UMG Disbands Island Def Jam". BET. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  47. ↑ "Eminem's Manager Paul Rosenberg Named New CEO of Def Jam". Billboard . August 2, 2017. Retrieved August 3, 2017.
  48. ↑ Stassen, Murray (September 17, 2019). "Universal launches Def Jam South East Asia and Astralwerks Asia". Music Business Worldwide.
  49. ↑ "LL Cool J Reportedly Returns Home To Def Jam Recordings". HipHopDX. September 22, 2019. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  50. ↑ Fitzgerald, Trent (September 20, 2019). "DMX Reunites With Def Jam, Signs New Deal". XXL Mag. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  51. ↑ "Def Jam Philippines "brings together the best of Filipino hip-hop" in their 'REKOGNIZE All-Stars' mixtape series – listen". Bandwagon. April 16, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  52. ↑ "Paul Rosenberg Steps Down As Def Jam Recordings' CEO/Chairman". HipHopDX . February 22, 2020.
  53. ↑ Woods, Aleia (February 23, 2020). "Paul Rosenberg steps down from his CEO position at Def Jam". REVOLT. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  54. ↑ "Universal launches new UK label 0207 Def Jam". NME. November 25, 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  55. ↑ "Stormzy first act to sign to new UK-based 0207 Def Jam label". www.officialcharts.com.
  56. ↑ "UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF DEF JAM AFRICA". UMG. May 26, 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  57. ↑ "Def Jam Africa Launches in South Africa and Nigeria". OkayAfrica. May 26, 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  58. ↑ Kaye, Kelsey Vlamis, Chris. "DMX, the Grammy-nominated rapper from New York, has died at age 50 after a heart attack". Insider. Retrieved February 7, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  59. ↑ "EP of DMX's 'Prayer' tracks released as he is reportedly near death". FOX 5 NY. April 9, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  60. ↑ "DMX DMX: The Legacy [Explicit Content] on PopMarket". PopMarket. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  61. ↑ DMX: The Legacy by DMX, Apple Inc. (Apple Music), December 10, 2021, archived from the original on February 7, 2023, retrieved February 7, 2023
  62. ↑ Aswad, Jem (June 7, 2021). "Snoop Dogg Joins Def Jam as Executive Consultant — Watch His Announcement Video". Variety. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  63. ↑ "Def Jam Announces Nigerian Chairman & CEO Tunji Balogun". OkayAfrica. August 18, 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  64. ↑ Eggertsen, Chris (August 10, 2021). "Tunji Balogun Named Def Jam CEO". Billboard . Archived from the original on August 23, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  65. ↑ "Tunji Balogun named Def Jam Recordings Chairman and CEO - Music Business Worldwide". Music Business Worldwide. August 11, 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  66. ↑ McGahan, Michelle (October 17, 2022). "Kanye West's 'White Lives Matter' Scandal, Aftermath: Everything to Know". Us Weekly. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  67. ↑ "Ye (Kanye West): What You Need to Know | ADL". www.adl.org. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  68. ↑ Krol, Charlotte (October 25, 2022). "Kanye West is reportedly no longer signed to Def Jam". NME. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  69. ↑ Sisario, Ben; Friedman, Vanessa; Testa, Jessica; Barry, Ellen (October 24, 2022). "Kanye West's Offensive Behavior Makes Corporate Partners Squirm". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  70. ↑ "Pusha-T's Manager Steven Victor Says Next Album Fulfills Def Jam Contract, Rapper Owns Masters & Is 'Still With Ye'". Complex. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  71. ↑ Horowitz, Steven J. (October 30, 2023). "Jeezy to Exit Def Jam, Announces Double Album 'I Might Forgive… But I Don't Forget'". Variety. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  72. ↑ "Jeezy Announces 'Meticulous' New Double Album, Confirms Def Jam Departure". HipHopDX. October 30, 2023. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  73. ↑ II, C. Vernon Coleman IIC Vernon Coleman (October 19, 2023). "Wale Signs With Def Jam Recordings". XXL Mag. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  74. ↑ "Def Jam Recordings Announces Changes to Leadership Structure". universalmusic.com. Universal Music. February 22, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  75. ↑ Mamo, Heran (March 14, 2023). "Nigerian Afropop Singer Adekunle Gold Signs With Def Jam". Billboard . Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  76. ↑ Caramanica, Jon (May 19, 2015). "Alessia Cara Speaks Up for the Outsiders on 'Here'". The New York Times. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
  77. ↑ "'Billie Eilish' Star Armani White Signs With Def Jam". Billboard .
  78. ↑ Omotoso, Idris (August 12, 2022). "Teenage Sensation Azanti Unveils 'Gettin' Hot' Visuals Via Def Jam Recordings —". Soundcity. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  79. ↑ "Meet Bloody Civilian, The New Artist Soundtracking Black Panther: Wakanda Forever". British Vogue. November 9, 2022. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  80. ↑ Inman, DeMicia (March 3, 2022). "Coco Jones Says New Music Is Coming As 'Bel-Air' Continues". VIBE.com. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  81. ↑ Coco Jones Talks Signing To Def Jam Records, February 22, 2022, retrieved March 21, 2022
  82. ↑ Milca P. (October 6, 2019). "Fredo Bang Connects With Tay Keith On "Face Down"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
  83. ↑ Michael Saponara (April 17, 2019). "SOB X RBE Links With Hit-Boy for New 'Family Not a Group' Project: Listen". Billboard.com. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  84. ↑ Riley Wallace (December 2, 2019). "Singer Kaash Paige Talks 'Love Songs' & Def Jam Debut". HipHopDX . Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  85. ↑ Udugba, Anthony (September 14, 2023). "Odumodublvck signs exclusive deal with Def Jam Recordings". Businessday NG. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  86. ↑ "Def Jam Boosts A&R Department, Announces New Deals With YK Osiris, Ronny J". Billboard.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.