Def Jam Records

Def Jam is a hip-hop record label founded in 1984 by Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons including artists such as LL Cool J, Run-DMC and The Beastie Boys. Rubin left the company in 1989 to form Def American. The first releases on Def Jam Recordings were 12 inch singles, released in 1984, which were LL Cool J’s "I Need A Beat" and Beastie Boys’ "Rock Hard". The singles sold well to eventually lead to a distribution deal with Columbia Records in 1985.

The first full length album released by Def Jam Recordings was LL Cool J’s "Radio" in December of 1985. Def Jam Recordings was distributed by Columbia Records from 1985 to 1994. All CBS labels, including Columbia Records and Epic Records were re-christened into Sony Music Entertainment in 1991 although they were purchased by Sony in 1988. In 1994, Polygram purchased a 50% stake in Def Jam Recordings away from Sony Music Entertainment and Columbia Records. In 1996, Polygram acquired an additonal 10% in Def Jam Recordings.

In 1998, Def Jam Recordings became part of Universal Music Group as a result of Seagram’s purchase of Polygram. In 1999, Universal Music Group purchased the remaining interest of Def Jam Recordings. It was recently merged by owner Universal Music with Island Records to form The Island Def Jam Music Group.

Def Jam records official site: www.defjam.com

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