Official site of Def Jam, featuring music, videos, social media links, and more.

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Founded in 1984, Def Jam Recordings has represented the cutting-edge in hip-hop music for more than 35 years. Def Jam began as a maverick independent label inspired by downtown New York City’s vibrant street culture and the emerging sound of hip-hop, pioneered by iconic stars like LL Cool J, Slick Rick, The Beastie Boys and Public Enemy.

def jam recordings, double elvis and iheartmedia announce premiere date for new serialized music breaking podcast, ‘here comes the break’

Various Artists - Here Comes The Break (Original Def Jam Recordings x Double Elvis Podcast Soundtrack)

Santa Monica, August 10, 2021 — Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, today announced the appointment of celebrated A&R executive Tunji Balogun as Chairman and CEO of Def Jam Recordings, effective January 1, 2022.

Prince Kaybee & Msaki - Fetch Your Life (Rhythms of Zamunda Track by Track)

The declaration of “Def Jam Recognition Month” in January 2024 marks a pivotal and full-circle beginning to a year-long celebration for the dynamic label’s 40 year history, that laid their foundation with the release of its first 12” rap single, T La Rock “It’s Yours” on January 28, 1984.

March 10, 2021 – New York, NY - Def Jam Recordings is entering into an exclusive joint venture partnership with Emmy Award winning writer, creator, producer and actor Lena Waithe to launch Hillman Grad Records, it was announced today by Waithe and Jeff Harles­ton, Interim CEO, Def Jam Recordings.

‘The Women Of Def Jam’ paid homage to the musical legacy of Def Jam’s iconic female artists both past and present, and gathered together the label’s entire female executive team, staff and their VIP guests to honor their incredible contributions to the company and the industry at large. Def Jam’s ranks, at every level, comprise one of ...