Now re-positioned Def Jam, Island Records and Motown separately as all three solo labels.Ģ017: Universal Music Japan begins using the Def Jam Recordings imprint within its Virgin Music (4) label division for domestic Japanese releases (operating independently of Def Jam). All the Def Jam assets were then spun into Island Def Jam Music Group after merging it with Mercury's pop roster and Island Records.Ģ004: Universal Music Japan begins using the Def Jam Recordings imprint within its Universal Sigma label division for domestic Japanese releases (operating independently of the Island Def Jam Music Group).Ģ013: Barry Weiss stepped down as Chairman/CEO of both Island and Def Jam.Ģ014: Universal Music dissolved The Island Def Jam Music Group.

First release was purchased by Streetwise Records and released with a Def Jam logo (and is not considered part of Def Jam today).ġ985: Def Jam Recordings began distribution through Columbia/CBS Records.ġ988: CBS Records was purchased by the Sony Corporation.ġ991: CBS Records became Sony Music Entertainment.ġ994: PolyGram purchased 50% of Sony’s Def Jam holdings and switches distribution companies.ġ996: PolyGram purchased an additional 10% of the Def Jam holdings, which made it the parent company.ġ999: Universal Music Group was formed through the merger of the MCA and PolyGram families of labels and it subsequently purchased the remaining Def Jam holdings that Sony held. Cool J, The Beastie Boys, Redman, and DMX.įor counterfeit releases, please use Def Jam Recordings (2).ġ984: Label founded releases several 12' singles independently. It has since gone on to become one of the most well-known hip-hop labels in the world, along the way making stars of the likes of Public Enemy, L.L. The role will be heavily focused on A&R and creative development for a roster that already includes Kanye West and Justin Bieber. At RCA, which Balogun joined in 2015 following seven-and-a-half years at. Snoops new job is based out of Los Angeles, and will see him report to Universal Music Group Chairman & CEO Lucian Grainge and Def Jams interim Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Harleston. New York hip-hop label founded in 1983 by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin. Tunji Balogun, RCA’s executive vice president of A&R, is headed to Def Jam Records as CEO, multiple sources tell Variety.

Def jam ceos