2. Introductions first…
Being a Universal Record Label, Def Jam must be operated in countries all over the globe. Primarily
based in the USA, but operated in countries such as UK, Japan. Japan’s Def Jam Record is operated
by Universal Sigma Music, and the UK branch is operated through Virgin EMI. The USA branch is
initially owned by Universal Music Group and operates as part of ‘The Island Def Jam Music Group’.
‘IDJMG’ is an American Label company formed in
1999, when Universal Music Group took the decision to
combine two of it’s daughter companies, this then made
the company an even bigger success, as with larger roots
now attached, they could reach an even wider audience.
Island Records and Def Jam were those combined.
Barry Weiss is the chairman and CEO of the company itself. ‘IDJMG’ houses
artists such as Mariah Carey, Rihanna, Kanye West and so on… need I mention
more?!
2012 came a real treat for IDJMG, as they were ‘crowned’ No.1 Rhythmic label
for having 7 Hit No.1 tracks from many of their well-known signed artists.

3. Founded By?
Strangely enough, the founder of Def Jam, Rick Rubin, invented the
record label whilst sat in his university dorm in New York. Shortly after
it’s birth, Russell Simmons, now co-founder of the label, joined him
on this sure to be epic journey into the Music and business industry.
Their first release was a single by a punk-rock group called
‘Hose’. Their distribution deals were complex, yet completely
successful. After the success of their signed group, ‘The Beastie
Boys’ and their produced album of 1984, having sold singles
extremely well, they scored a demanding and celebratory
distribution deal with CBS records (later known as Sony Music
Entertainment) through Columbia Records. In
1986, ‘Slayer’, IDJMG’s next signing; a thrash metal band, was
brought on the scene. Their first debut album, one of only two
Def Jam releases to be distributed through ‘Geffen
Records’, part of the Universal Music Group.
Later on in the company’s years, they signed a brand new
group, ‘Public Enemy’, whom after their album was
released, brought shame upon the Def Jam Record label.
Because of this, Rubin left, only for Lyor Cohen to take over.

4. So what genre does the record
label and it’s combined focus on?
Although IDJMG primarily focuses on Hip-Hop artists, it remains one of four Universal Music
Group ‘umbrella’ labels In North America, to aid the company in marketing the works of
other genres too; Pop, Rock and Urban performers.
The other three Umbrella record companies are Interscope Records, Capitol Music Group
and Republic Records. Being globally renowned for having a diverse artists list and genre
versatility, Def Jam would be an ideal record label for us. They claim to, when scouting, to
look for artists that stand out from a crowd and have the potential to sell millions of albums
all over the world.