Def Jam Records is an American record label founded in 1984 by Rick Rubin. It was initially known for promoting hip hop and urban music. Some of its most popular early artists included LL Cool J and Beastie Boys. While Rubin left in 1988, Russell Simmons remained as head and expanded the label's success. Over time, Def Jam broadened its musical genres and ventured into film. Jay-Z became the company's CEO in 2005. The label continues to represent prominent artists across hip hop, R&B, and other genres.

1. Def Jam Records.
1983-Present

2. •This label is part of the Island def jam group.
•Founded in 1984 by Rick Rubin in New York
City.
•1988 Rick Rubin left the label to pursue his
own label.
•The co-founder of def jam is Russell Simmons
who is the brother of famous hip hop group
Run DMC , Joseph Ward Simmons also known
as Rev. Run or DJ Run. He became the head of
the company after Rick Rubin left.
•The record label promotes hip hop and urban
music.
•First single released by Def Jam was by LL
Cool J, “I Need A Beat.”
•The labels music fused/ incorporated heavy
metal, rock music in to rap for it to appeal to a
young audience.
•The company CEO is no other than Jay-Z, which
was announced in 2005.
•They broadened there market into motion
picture, with the first film being released in 1985
which was a biography called Krush Grove.

3. Artists and Groups
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AUGUST
ALSINA
FLESH N BONE
CRU
JADAKISS
SISQO
2 CHAINZ
BEASTIE BOYS
FOXY BROWN
CURREN$Y
JAYO FELONY
SLICK RICK
3RD BASS
BIG BOI
FRANK OCEAN
DEF SQUAD
JEEZY
JAY-Z
ACE HOOD
BIG K.R.I.T.
FREEWAY
DMX
JEREMIH
T LA ROCK
ALYSON
BOSS
GHOSTFACE
KILLA
DOWNTOWN
SCIENCE
JOE BUDDEN
TEAIRRI MARI
AMERIE
CASE
GUNPLAY
DRU HILL
JUELZ
SANTANA
THE ISLE
BROTHERS
ASHANTI
CHRISETTE
MICHELE
JARULE
EPMD
KELLY PRICE
THE
MURDERERS
LIL DURK
LIL REESE
LL COOL J
LLOYD
LOGIC
THE ROOTS
MEMPHIS
BLEEK
MONTELL
JORDAN
MUSIC
SOULCHILD
NAS
MC SERCH
THE DREAM
METHOD MAN
NE-YO
NICE &
SMOOTH
NIKKI D
ONYX
TRINIDAD
JAMES
ORAN “JUICE”
JONES
PATTI LABELLE
PLAYA
PLAYAZ CIRCLE
PUBLIC ENEMY
TRIPLE C’S
REV RUN
RICHIE RICH
SCARFACE
SHAREEFA
REDMAN
USDA
RICK ROSS
RIHANNA
RON ISLEY
SHEEK LOUCH
SHYNE
WARREN G
YG