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

Explore the official site of Def Jam artists.

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’

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.

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

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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.