Def Jam Recordings

Def Jam Recordings
Parent companyUniversal Music Group
Founded1984 (1984)[1]
Founder
Distributor(s)
GenreVarious, predominantly on Hip hop and R&B
Country of originUnited States
LocationNew York City, New York, U.S.
Official websitedefjam.com

Def Jam Recordings (also simply known as Def Jam) is an American multinational record label owned by Universal Music Group. It is based in Manhattan, New York City, specializing predominantly in hip hop, contemporary R&B, soul and pop.

The label has a London-based, UK arm known as 0207 Def Jam (formerly Def Jam UK in the 1990s until the mid-2000s) and is currently operated through EMI Records. It has a Johannesburg, South Africa and Lagos, Nigeria-based arm known as Def Jam Africa.

As of 2024, Def Jam's current roster includes Justin Bieber, DJ Khaled, Alessia Cara, 2 Chainz, Big Sean, Dave East, Wale, Jeremih, Pusha T, Fabolous, Jhené Aiko, Coco Jones, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Jadakiss, YG, Muni Long, Buju Banton, Fridayy, Benny the Butcher, Trinidad Cardona, DaniLeigh, Fredo Bang, Nasty C, Armani White, and Hit-Boy among others.[2]

  1. ^ a b "A Timeline of the Major Events That Defined Def Jam's Legacy in Hip-Hop". Billboard. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  2. ^ https://www.defjam.com/artists/#/[bare URL]