Def Jam Recordings

Def Jam Recordings was founded in 1984 by Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons, and has represented the very best in cutting edge music and youth culture for over 30 years. Def Jam Recordings began as a maverick independent label inspired by downtown New York's vibrant street culture and the emerging sound of hip-hop, pioneering iconic stars like LL Cool J, Slick Rick, The Beastie Boys and Public Enemy. Over the following two decades, Def Jam established its dominance with acts like Jay-Z, DMX, Ja Rule, Method Man & Redman, Ludacris, Rihanna, Jeezy, and Kanye West. Now in its fourth decade, Def Jam's music and lifestyle has grown into a global brand - synonymous with creativity and authenticity - encompassing a diverse roster of marquee and emerging stars like Kanye West, Justin Bieber, Alessia Cara, Logic, Vince Staples, Jeremih, Jeezy, Big Sean, YG, 2 Chainz, Desiigner, Bibi Bourelly and Jhene Aiko, among others.