Def Jam Recordings, commonly referred to as Def Jam Records or just Def Jam is an United States based hip-hop record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operates as a part of The Island Def Jam Music Group. Image File history File links Def Jam Recordings Logo File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... 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, the co-founder, with Rick Rubin, of the pioneering hip-hop label Def Jam, founder of another label, Russell Simmons Music Group, and creator of the clothing fashion line Phat Farm. ... Frederick Jay (Rick) Rubin (born March 10, 1963 in Lido Beach, New York) is an American record producer and is currently the co-head of Columbia Records. ... For other record labels with the Island name, see Island Records (disambiguation) The Island Def Jam Music Group is a record label group formed in 1999, when Universal Music Group merged together its two companies, Island Records and Def Jam Recordings, to create a super label. ... For other uses of terms redirecting here, see US (disambiguation), USA (disambiguation), and United States (disambiguation) Motto In God We Trust(since 1956) (From Many, One; Latin, traditional) Anthem The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City National language English (de facto)1 Demonym American... Hip hop music is a style of music which came into existence in the United States during the mid-1970s, and became a large part of modern pop culture during the 1980s. ... Rhythm and blues (or R & B) is a musical marketing term introduced in the United States in the late 1940s by Billboard magazine. ... Heavy metals, in chemistry, are chemical elements of a particular range of atomic weights. ... For other uses of terms redirecting here, see US (disambiguation), USA (disambiguation), and United States (disambiguation) Motto In God We Trust(since 1956) (From Many, One; Latin, traditional) Anthem The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City National language English (de facto)1 Demonym American... New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ... This article is about the state. ... Hip hop music is a style of music which came into existence in the United States during the mid-1970s, and became a large part of modern pop culture during the 1980s. ... In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. ... 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) The Island Def Jam Music Group is a record label group formed in 1999, when Universal Music Group merged together its two companies, Island Records and Def Jam Recordings, to create a super label. ...

Company history

Beginnings

Def Jam was founded by Rick Rubin in his dorm room at New York University.^[1] Russell Simmons joined Rubin shortly after when they were introduced to each other by Vincent Gallo. The first releases on Def Jam Recordings were LL Cool J' “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' (which would later become Sony Music Entertainment) Columbia Records the following year. The first full-length album released by Def Jam Recordings was LL Cool J’s Radio in December of 1985. 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.” As the decade drew to a close, the label signed Public Enemy, whose controversial lyrical content garnered the company both critical acclaim and disdain. Frederick Jay (Rick) Rubin (born March 10, 1963 in Lido Beach, New York) is an American record producer and is currently the co-head of Columbia Records. ... New York University (NYU) is a private, nonsectarian, coeducational research university in New York City. ... Russell Simmons (born October 4, 1957 in Queens, New York), is an American entrepreneur, the co-founder, with Rick Rubin, of the pioneering hip-hop label Def Jam, founder of another label, Russell Simmons Music Group, and creator of the clothing fashion line Phat Farm. ... Vincent Gallo (born in Buffalo, New York on April 11, 1961[1] is an American movie actor and director starring in a number of independent movies. ... LL Cool J (born James Todd Smith III on January 14, 1968 in New York, New York) is a legendary American hip hop artist and actor. ... The Beastie Boys are a hip hop musical group from New York City consisting of Michael Mike D Diamond, Adam MCA Yauch, Adam Ad-Rock Horovitz. ... Music sample: Beastie Boys - Rock Hard (1984) ( file info) — Problems listening to the file? See media help. ... See also: // January 21 - Relax by Frankie Goes to Hollywood reaches number one in the UK singles chart: it spends a total of forty-two weeks in the Top 40. ... Sony Music Entertainment is a major global record label controlled by the Sony Corporation. ... Columbia Records is the oldest brand name in recorded sound, dating back to 1888, and was the first record company to produce pre-recorded records as opposed to blank cylinders. ... Radio is an East Coast rap album by hip hop artist LL Cool J, released in 1985 (see 1985 in music). ... See also: other events of 1985 Musical groups established in 1985 Record labels established in 1985 list of years in music 1980s in music // January 28 - Various artists, including Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, Michael Jackson, Billy Joel, Cyndi Lauper, Steve Perry, Kenny Loggins, Willie Nelson, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, Kenny... OBR Records was created in 1986. ... His funky tune the rain gave him one-hit-wonder status ... Public Enemy, also known as PE, is a hip hop group from Long Island, New York, known for their politically charged lyrics, criticism of the media, and active interest in the concerns of the African American community. ...

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. ... See also: Musical groups established in 1988 Record labels established in 1988 // Peter Ruzicka becomes director of the Hamburg State Opera and State Philharmonic Orchestra. ... American Recordings is a Los Angeles-based record label headed by record producer Rick Rubin. ...

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. By 1992, despite recent multi-platinum selling releases from LL Cool J., Public Enemy, and EPMD, Def Jam ran into severe financial troubles and was faced with folding. Salvation came in 1994, however, when PolyGram purchased Sony’s 50% stake in Def Jam Recordings—subsequently bringing the label into their fold. 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. For the band, see 1990s (band). ... See also: 1992 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 1992 Record labels established in 1992 // 1992 was a pivotal year in the development of music. ... EPMD is an American rap group from Brentwood, New York, active from 1987 to 1999; one of the prominent acts in East coast hip hop. ... See also: 1994 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 1994 Record labels established in 1994 // January 29 - The Supremes Mary Wilson is injured when her jeep hits a freeway median and flips over just outside of Los Angeles, California. ... 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. ... Warren Griffin III (born November 10, 1970 in Long Beach, California) better known as Warren G, is an American West Coast rapper and hip hop producer. ... Regulate. ...

Def Jam remained in the black, as its veteran star LL Cool J released his widely successful album Mr. Smith in 1995. The label later signed a then-teenaged Foxy Brown, whose debut album Ill Na Na became a platinum seller in 1997. 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. PolyGram acquired an additional 10% in Def Jam Recordings in 1996, further strengthening their ownership of the company. Shortly thereafter, “Rush Associated Labels” was renamed “Def Jam Music Group.” Mr. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... For the 1974 blaxploitation film, see Foxy Brown (film). ... Ill Na Na is the debut album by female rapper Foxy Brown. ... Roc-A-Fella Records is an American hip hop/rap record label. ... Jay-Z (aka the Jigga, HOV and Hova, born Shawn Carter on December 4, 1970 in Brooklyn, New York) is an African American rapper/hip hop artist and record label executive; one of the most popular and successful rappers of the late 1990s and early 2000s. ... See also: 1996 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 1996 Record labels established in 1996 // January 8 - Madonnas stalker, Robert Hoskins is found guilty and convicted on five charges of assault, stalking, and threatening to kill the singer. ...

Def Jam under Universal Music Group

In 1998, PolyGram was purchased by Seagrams and merged into its Universal Music Group. Following Universal Music Group’s take over of PolyGram, it purchased the remaining interest of Def Jam Recordings, and soon after merged it with Island Records to form The Island Def Jam Music Group. In spite of the formation of IDJMG, Def Jam and Island continue to operate as separate imprints underneath the bigger umbrella. 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, Sisqo, The Isley Brothers and Kelly Price. Def Soul also issued recordings by Musiq, Montell Jordan, Case, 112, Patti LaBelle, and Christina Milian. In 2002, Def Soul was absorbed into its Def Jam parent. See also: 1998 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 1998 Record labels established in 1998 // 1998 - The single Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls sets a new hot 100 airplay record, 18 weeks at number one. ... The Seagram Company Ltd. ... Universal Music Group (UMG) is the largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry. ... 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) The Island Def Jam Music Group is a record label group formed in 1999, when Universal Music Group merged together its two companies, Island Records and Def Jam Recordings, to create a super label. ... See also: 1999 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 1999 Record labels established in 1999 // January 7 After eight years of marriage, Rod Stewart and supermodel wife Rachel Hunter announce their separation. ... For other uses, see Rhythm and blues (disambiguation). ... Dru Hill is an American singing group, most popular during the late 1990s, whose repertoire included R&B, soul, and gospel music. ... Sisqo on the cover of his 1999 LP Unleash the Dragon. ... The Isley Brothers (IPA: ) are an African-American music group from Cincinnati, Ohio, who hold the record for being the longest-running charted group in music history. ... Kelly Price on the cover of her 2003 album Priceless Kelly Price (born April 4, 1973 in Queens, New York) is a Grammy Award-nominated American R&B and soul singer, the flagship female artist on the Def Soul label. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Montell Jordan (born December 3, 1968 in Los Angeles, California) is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and record producer. ... Case Woodard was born in New York City and was signed to Def Soul records. ... 112 (pronounced one-twelve) is a Grammy Award-winning American R&B quartet from Atlanta, Georgia. ... Patti LaBelle (born Patricia Louise Holt on May 24, 1944 in West-Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an multi-grammy winning American R&B and soul singer and songwriter who fronted two groups, Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles and Labelle, which changed and birthed a new era of womens music and... Christina Milian (born Christine Flores on September 26, 1981) is an American R&B and pop singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, actress, and former MTV VJ. She has released three studio albums and one compilation album. ... See also: 2002 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 2002 Record labels established in 2002 // 2002 was marked by significant trends in rock music. ...

Today Slip-N-Slide Records and Disturbing tha Peace Records are among the labels distributed by Def Jam. Roc-A-Fella Records was sold to the company in 2004. Russell Simmons sold his stake in Def Jam in 1999 for a reported $100 million to focus more on his Phat Farm clothing line and the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN).[1] Jay-Z was appointed President and CEO of Def Jam in 2004 and remains in that position as of Fall 2007. Slip-n-Slide Records is a Miami based record label owned by Ted Touche Lucas. ... 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 hop and Rock. ... See also: 2004 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 2004 Record labels established in 2004 2000s in music. ... Russell Simmons (born October 4, 1957 in Queens, New York), is an American entrepreneur, the co-founder, with Rick Rubin, of the pioneering hip-hop label Def Jam, founder of another label, Russell Simmons Music Group, and creator of the clothing fashion line Phat Farm. ... This article is about the year. ... Phat Farm Logo Phat Farm is an urban fashion line created by Russell Simmons, the founder of Def Jam in 1992. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

Footnotes

1. ^ Herschberg, Lynn. The Music Man. New York Times Magazine. 2 September 2007.

Artists

Main article: List of current Def Jam Recordings artists

Main article: List of former Def Jam Recordings artists

This is a list of artists who currently record for Def Jam Recordings. ... This is a list of former artists who have recorded for Def Jam Recordings. ...

See also

• The Island Def Jam Music Group
• Roc-A-Fella Records
• Disturbing tha Peace
• Def Jam South
• Corporate Thugz Entertainment
• Slip-N-Slide Records
• List of record labels
• Def Jam Vendetta
• Def Jam: Fight for NY
• Def Jam: Icon

For other record labels with the Island name, see Island Records (disambiguation) The Island Def Jam Music Group is a record label group formed in 1999, when Universal Music Group merged together its two companies, Island Records and Def Jam Recordings, to create a super label. ... Roc-A-Fella Records is an American hip hop/rap record label. ... 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 hop and Rock. ... Def Jam Recordings is an American based hip-hop record label that operates as a part of The Island Def Jam Music Group, which is owned by Universal Music Group. ... Slip-n-Slide Records is a Miami based record label owned by Ted Touche Lucas. ... This is a list of record labels. ... Def Jam Vendetta is a professional wrestling video game that combined hip hop with pro wrestling. ...

External links

• Def Jam A&Rs on World Top 100 A&R Chart