Def Jam Recordings

Def Jam Recordings(also simply known asDef Jam) is an American multinationalrecord labelowned byUniversal Music Group. It is based inManhattan, New York City, specializing predominantly inhip hop,contemporary R&B,soulandpop.
The label has a London-based, UK arm known as0207 Def Jam(formerlyDef Jam UKin the 1990s until the mid-2000s) and is currently operated throughEMI Records. It has a Johannesburg, South Africa and Lagos, Nigeria-based arm known asDef Jam Africa.
As of 2025, Def Jam's current roster includesGelo Ball,Justin Bieber,DJ Khaled,Alessia Cara,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, andHit-Boyamong others.
Def Jam was co-founded byRick Rubinin his dormitory in Weinstein Hall atNew York University,and its first release was a single by his punk-rock groupHose.Russell Simmonsjoined Rubin shortly after they were introduced to each other, according to one story, byVincent Gallo.Another citesDJ Jazzy Jayas their connector.Rubin has said he met Simmons on the TV showGraffiti Rockand 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."The second single released with the Def Jam Recordings logo wasT La Rock& Jazzy Jay's "It's Yours". The first releases with Def Jam Recordings catalog numbers wereLL Cool J's "I Need a Beat" and theBeastie Boys' "Rock Hard", both in 1984. The singles sold well, eventually leading to a distribution deal withCBS RecordsthroughColumbia Recordsthe following year. However, the Hose and T La Rock releases werenotpart 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 wasOran "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 toNice & SmoothandEPMDafter both acts were acquired due to the folding of their former labelSleeping Bag Records.Other acts under the RAL umbrella includedRedman,Onyx,Flatlinerz,Domino,Warren GandJayo Felony. Def Jam also signed its first and onlythrash metalband,Slayer, in 1986, and the band'sthirdandfourthalbums were the only two Def Jam releases to be distributed throughGeffen RecordsviaWarner Bros. Recordsas opposed to Columbia/CBS. As the decade drew to a close, the label signedPublic Enemy, whose controversial lyrical content garnered the company both critical acclaim and disdain.Lyor Cohenbecame president of Def Jam/RAL in 1988, after winning a power struggle with Rubin, who would shortly thereafter leave the company to formDef American Recordings. Rubin would takeSlayerand 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 themusic divisionof Japanese electronic giantSony, bringing Def Jam and Columbia with it.By 1992, despite recent multipleplatinumselling releases fromPublic Enemy, andEPMD, Def Jam ran into major financial troubles and was faced with folding while at Sony.
In 1994,PolyGrampurchased Sony's 50% stake in Def Jam Recordings—subsequently bringing the label into theIsland Recordsfold. 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 fromMontell Jordan, Public Enemy, LL Cool J, Redman,Method Manand more. RAL/Def Jam also distributed theViolator Records-signed artistWarren 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.
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 albumMr. Smithin 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.The label later signedFoxy Brown, whose debut album,Ill Na Na(1996) became a platinum seller in 1997.Def Jam followed up with its then-new R&B act,Case, whoseself-titled debut album(also in 1996), including the single, "Touch Me, Tease Me", went gold.
In June 1997, Def Jam acquired 50% ofRoc-A-Fella Recordsfor an estimated $1.4 million, giving co-foundersJay-ZandDamon Dashpart ownership of the label, while Def Jam maintained distribution and co-marketing.
In 1997,through Def Jam A&RIrv Gotti, Def Jam signed artistDMX. DMX's first studio album,It's Dark and Hell is Hotwas released on May 12, 1998 and was co-executive produced by Irv Gotti. The album debuted at number 1 on theBillboard 200and sold over 250,000 copies in its first week.The album went on to sell four million copies in America, being certified quadruple platinum by the RIAA, and sold five million copies worldwide.
On December 15, 1998, Def Jam releasedDJ 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 artistCam'ron. The album was certified platinum by the RIAA.
The success ofIt's Dark and Hell is Hotprompted Lyor Cohen to challenge DMX to record another album quickly to have another album released within the same calendar year.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 theBillboard 200with over 670,000 units in its first week of release, and went on to sell over four million copies worldwide.DMX claimed that Def Jam made $144 million from the sales of his first two albums.
In 1998, PolyGram was purchased byUniversal Pictures' former parent,Seagram. It later merged with theMCAgroup of record labels. In early 1999, the label group was rebranded as theUniversal 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, andMercury Recordstogether to formthe 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.
Lyor Cohen was appointed co-president of IDJMG, andKevin Lilessucceeded him as president of Def Jam. In 1998, Def Jam created anR&Bspin-off label called Def Soul Records to run under the label's companionship. Def Jam inherited many of Island's urban artists, includingDru Hill(including its lead singerSisqó),the Isley Brothers(featuringRonald Isley) andKelly Price. Def Soul also issued recordings byMusiq Soulchild, Montell Jordan,Case,112,Patti LaBelle, andChristina Milian. Liles also assumed presidency of Def Soul, which also formed a Classics subsidiary (active from 2003 to 2011).Island's4th & B'way Recordswas also folded into Def Jam. Also starting in 1998, in preparation for the year 2000, Def Jam marketed and sponsored a new campaign titledDef 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 byMurder Inc. Records, the newly-founded label run by former Def Jam A&R executive and record producerIrv Gotti. The label's roster of artists would include Ja Rule,AshantiandLloyd, 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 theBillboard 200and was certified platinum in America.
In December 1999, DMX released his third studio album,...And Then There Was Xthrough Def Jam. The album debuted atop theBillboard 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.
The following year, it launched another subsidiary,Def Jam South, which focused onSouthern rapand distributed releases from labels such asDisturbing tha Peace, whose artist roster included its co-founderLudacris,Shawnna,Bobby ValentinoandPlayaz Circle. Russell Simmons tappedHoustonhip hop legend and formerRap-A-Lotrecording artistScarfaceas 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 singleBetween Me and You, the album topped theBillboard 200and was certified triple platinum in America.
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.
The new millennium saw Roc-A-Fella, Def Jam's subsidiary, begin to expand beyond one figurehead artist.Roc-A-Fella Records artists proved successful with the Jay-Z'sThe Dynasty: Roc La Familia(2001) andThe Blueprint(2001), including the labels other signees gaining recognition withBeanie Sigel'sThe Truth(2000) andMemphis Bleek'sThe Understanding(2001).
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.The label was later rebranded as Def Jam Recordings; however, it is sometimes still referred to as Def Jam Japan.Their artist roster has included Japanese-American singerAi,Teriyaki Boyz,AK-69, Nitro Microphone Underground, and South Korean boy bandBTS.
Ja Rule released his third studio album,Pain Is Love, on October 2, 2001 through Def Jam.Pain Is Lovetopped theBillboard200 with first-week sales of 361,000 copies and was certified triple platinum by the RIAA.The album was supported by the singles:Down Ass Bitch,Always on Time, andLivin' It Up.
In January 2003, Murder Inc. became the center of amoney launderinginvestigation involving illegal profits fromdrug trading,leading to the label's eventual release from its distribution contract by 2005. Def Jam also blocked Murder Inc. andTVT Recordsfrom 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.This resulted in TVT suing Def Jam, alleging infringement, fraud and tortious interference, winning $132 million in a judgment,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.That September,DMXreleased 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 toDef 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.By that time, Roc-A-Fella and Def Jam had launched the career of rapper-producerKanye West. His debut,The College Dropout, went on to sell over two million copies. Co-founder Damon Dash andKareem "Biggs" Burkewere forced out of the label as Cohen left IDJMG forWarner Music Group, and was replaced by music executiveAntonio "L.A." Reid. Frustrated, Liles and now-chairwoman ofAtlantic Records,Julie Greenwaldeventually decided to follow Cohen to Warner.Additionally, Mike Kyser left Def Jam to work for Atlantic Records under Cohen. That same year, through Def Jam A&R executiveShakir Stewart, Def Jam signedAtlanta, Georgiabased rapperYoung Jeezy.His debut album,Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101was released in July 2005 and was co-executive produced by Stewart. The album's singlesGo CrazyandSoul Survivorhelp 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.Long time label veterans LL Cool J andDMX(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 signeeJoe Buddenexpressed discomfort with Jay-Z's leadership of the label, having altogether left the label since then.
Under Jay-Z's leadership, Def Jam launched the successful careers of contemporary R&B singersRihannaandNe-Yo. At the end of 2007, after he releasedAmerican Gangster, Jay-Z decided not to renew his contract as the president and CEO of Def Jam in order to start his newLive Nationventure,Roc Nation.Following Jay-Z's departure, L.A. Reid took over leadership of the label, as opposed to hiring a replacement. In June 2008,Shakir Stewartwas 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..
In March 2011, it was announced that formerWarner Bros. RecordsexecutiveJoie Mandawould become the first president of Def Jam sinceJay-Z.Around the summer of 2011, after Universal Music disbanded theUniversal Motown Republic Group,Motown Recordswould 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.The-Dreamserved as Def Jam's executive vice president ofA&Rat Def Jam between 2012 and 2014.No I.D.held the position of executive vice president after helping to establishGOOD Musicwith Kanye West.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.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.
Def Jam Recordings currently operates as a stand-alone label within the Universal Music Group. Def Jam signedDaniLeighto the label in early 2017. Steve Bartels, former president and COO of IDJMG, served as 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 ofShady Records,Paul Rosenbergwould be appointed chairman and CEO of Def Jam.
On September 17, 2019, the launch of Def Jam South East Asia was announced at Music Matters, an annual music industry conference held inSingapore, whereJoe Flizzowfrom Malaysia,Daboywayfrom Thailand, Yung Raja, Fariz Jabba andAliffrom Singapore and A. Nayaka from Indonesia were announced as the label's six inaugural signings.That same month, Def Jam re-signed LL Cool J and DMX after nine and fourteen respective years apart from the label.
In late 2019, the label made its debut in the Philippines throughUniversal 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.
On February 21, 2020, Paul Rosenberg stepped down on his positions as chairman and CEO of Def Jam.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.The UK roster currently consists ofStormzy.Def Jam also expanded to Africa with the creation ofDef Jam Africa.
On April 9, 2021, returning label veteran DMX died in aWhite Plainshospital a week after suffering from a drug overdose succumbing him to a fatal heart attack.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 PrayerandThe Legacy.
Later that year, Harleston conference-called hip-hop legendSnoop Doggand named him the executive consultant of Def Jam. Snoop agreed to Harleston's request and took over the consultancy role in July.In August 2021, Harleston announced that he will replace himself as the interim president of Def Jam with former Interscope/RCAexecutive and Keep Cool founderTunji Balogun, who agreed to take on the role as chairman and CEO, which he did on New Year's Day 2022.
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 his2024 presidential campaign,antisemiticandpro-raceremarks.Although, West had already been exiled from the label after releasingDondaon August 29, 2021,as soPusha TafterIt's Almost Dryon April 22 earlier that year,making070 Shake'sYou Can't Kill Methe 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.Meanwhile, the label had already signedWashington, D.C.rapperWale.Also in 2024,Clipseannounced they signed to Def Jam.
Following an announcement in 2024 from Universal Music Group regarding a reorganization of its labels,Republic Records,Island Records, and Def Jam Recordings are now aligned under the Republic Corps unit. Each label in the new structure will maintain independence and autonomy, preserving its unique identity.