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71-570: Def Soul Records was an R&B-based division of American multinational record label Def Jam Recordings . It was formed in 1996 by Russell Simmons and Kevin Liles to expand R&B and soul music through Def Jam's said genre-related roster following the successes of Montell Jordan and Case . The label later garnered more success with other artists that include Musiq Soulchild , Kelly Price , Christina Milian , Aaron Soul , Terri Walker , Dru Hill , 112 , Patti LaBelle and The Isley Brothers . In

142-458: A Cash Money Click reunion album, due to Ja Rule's contractual obligations, which alleged that Cohen paid Ja and Irv Gotti US$ 8 million not to submit the project to TVT, but instead to parent company Universal. This resulted in TVT suing Def Jam, alleging infringement, fraud and tortious interference, winning $ 132 million in a judgment, but was later reduced to $ 126,000 after Universal and Def Jam appealed

213-584: A U.K. hit with "Ring, Ring, Ring", also had internal conflict with Def Soul as so Jonell regarding the delaying of their albums. 3rd Storee lost their deal with Def Soul after their album, Get with Me , failed to perform properly. Besides that, Musiq continued on his success with his sophomore album, Juslisen , becoming his first and also, Def Soul's first, number-one album on the Billboard 200. Not long after that, Dru Hill began work on their comeback album, Dru World Order , after four years of inactivity. It

284-478: A fatal heart attack. A month later, Def Jam released his posthumous album, Exodus , which debuted and peaked in the top ten on Billboard 200. Two digital greatest hits albums by DMX were also available for streaming under the label throughout the same period: A Dog's Prayer and The Legacy . Later that year, Harleston conference-called hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg and named him the executive consultant of Def Jam. Snoop agreed to Harleston's request and took over

355-698: A holiday book for children, titled "Sisqo's Perfect Christmas", with creative partner, Tilesha Brown. He represented Maryland in the American Song Contest , which began on March 21, 2022, on NBC . In 2024, Sisqó competed on season eleven of The Masked Singer as "Lizard". He was eliminated on "Shower Anthems Night" and did an encore performance of "Thong Song". Sisqó has a daughter, Shaione Andrews, born in 1995. He resides in Maple Grove, Minnesota with his wife Elizabeth Pham, who he has been romantically involved with since 2003. They have two children:

426-487: A new contract. The new millennium saw Roc-A-Fella, Def Jam's subsidiary, begin to expand beyond one figurehead artist. Roc-A-Fella Records artists proved successful with the Jay-Z's The Dynasty: Roc La Familia (2001) and The Blueprint (2001), including the labels other signees gaining recognition with Beanie Sigel 's The Truth (2000) and Memphis Bleek 's The Understanding (2001). The second international label

497-707: A return to the rapper's original credibility following the fallback of his 1993 album, 14 Shots to the Dome ; his last album under the Def Jam/Columbia partnership. The label later signed Foxy Brown , whose debut album, Ill Na Na (1996) became a platinum seller in 1997. Def Jam followed up with its then-new R&B act, Case , whose self-titled debut album (also in 1996), including the single, " Touch Me, Tease Me ", went gold. In June 1997, Def Jam acquired 50% of Roc-A-Fella Records for an estimated $ 1.4 million, giving co-founders Jay-Z and Damon Dash part ownership of

568-519: A sequel to Def Jam Vendetta , featured artists from the label. These artists include Method Man & Redman, N.O.R.E., Ludacris, Ghostface Killah, Memphis Bleek, and Joe Budden. The final shares of Roc-A-Fella Records were sold to Island Def Jam in 2004 for $ 10 million. By that time, Roc-A-Fella and Def Jam had launched the career of rapper-producer Kanye West . His debut, The College Dropout , went on to sell over two million copies. Co-founder Damon Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke were forced out of

639-550: A stand-alone label within the Universal Music Group. Def Jam signed DaniLeigh to the label in early 2017. Steve Bartels served as president and CEO of Def Jam since 2013 until an announcement commenced on August 3, 2017, stating that in January 2018, Eminem 's manager and co-founder of Shady Records , Paul Rosenberg would be appointed chairman and CEO of Def Jam. On September 17, 2019, the launch of Def Jam South East Asia

710-536: Is a Japanese branch, Def Jam Japan ( デフ・ジャム・ジャパン , Defu Jamu Japan ) , also founded in 2000. The label was later rebranded as Def Jam Recordings; however, it is sometimes still referred to as Def Jam Japan. Their artist roster has included Japanese-American singer Ai , Teriyaki Boyz , AK-69 , Nitro Microphone Underground, and South Korean boy band BTS . Ja Rule released his third studio album, Pain Is Love , on October 2, 2001 through Def Jam. Pain Is Love topped

781-882: 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 , Logic , 2 Chainz , Frank Ocean , 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

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852-536: The Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 361,000 copies and is certified triple platinum by the RIAA. The album was supported by the singles: Down Ass Bitch , Always on Time , and Livin' It Up . In January 2003, Murder Inc. became the center of a money laundering investigation involving illegal profits from drug trading , leading to the label's eventual release from its distribution contract by 2005. Def Jam also blocked Murder Inc. and TVT Records from releasing

923-511: The Billboard 200, the label still hasn't rebuilt fanfare. Also in 2006, Musiq Soulchild was let go from Def Soul, due to a de facto label trade between Def Jam and Atlantic Records ; taking Musiq to Atlantic and switching Fabolous to Def Jam. Only two Christmas albums commenced on Def Soul in late 2007, LaBelle's Miss Patti's Christmas and the Isley Brothers' I'll Be Home for Christmas . The following two years came without activity from

994-595: The Foxy Brown -assisted "I Gotta Know", the group was greenlit to develop their debut album for Def Soul. Their album, also titled Cheers 2 U . Despite the building hype, the album did not chart perfectly on Billboard , debuting at number eighty-nine on the Billboard 200. It was later overshadowed a week later by Jordan's third follow-up, Let's Ride , which made the top ten of the Top R&;B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and (like its predecessor) went gold. The title track gained

1065-672: The Violator Records -signed artist Warren G 's debut album, Regulate... G Funk Era , which went triple platinum and brought much-needed revenue to Def Jam through its joint deal with Violator. PolyGram acquired an additional 10% stake in Def Jam, further strengthening its ownership of the label. Shortly thereafter, Rush Associated Labels were renamed to the Def Jam Music Group. The label remained profitable as its veteran star LL Cool J released his successful album Mr. Smith in 1995,

1136-548: The reality show Keith Sweat's Platinum House on BET 's sister station Centric . Sisqó continued to tour through the 2010s, both as a member of Dru Hill, and as a solo act. His third solo album, Last Dragon , was released on February 10, 2015. The singles, "A-List" and "L.I.P.s" were released ahead of the album, with the latter reaching number 23 on the US Adult R&;B charts, becoming Sisqó's first charting US single since 2001's "Can I Live". As of 2015 , Sisqó, along with

1207-529: The Butcher , Trinidad Cardona , DaniLeigh , Fredo Bang , Nasty C , Armani White , and Hit-Boy among others. The label also inspired the Def Jam video game franchise (2003-2010) which include the games Def Jam Vendetta , Def Jam: Fight for NY , Def Jam: Icon and Def Jam Rapstar . Def Jam was co-founded by Rick Rubin in his dormitory in Weinstein Hall at New York University , and its first release

1278-589: The Dragon , started to take off. Having debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and going platinum the following year. Extended success came from its singles, " Got to Get It ", the number-one " Incomplete " and " Thong Song ". "Thong Song", however, was the one that gained more success than the previous two, despite being number three on the Hot 100. Summer 2000 saw the release of Kelly Price's sophomore album and her first under Def Soul, Mirror Mirror , which managed to gain

1349-595: The Dragon sold moderately at first, until the February 2000 release of its second single, the novelty " Thong Song ". A runaway hit, "Thong Song" and its follow-up, " Incomplete ", were major hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart , with "Thong Song" making it to number three, and " Incomplete " going to #1 . This success resulted in Play Along Toys manufacturing a Sisqó doll in 2001. Formed by Sisqó in 1999, LovHer

1420-506: The Island Def Jam Music Group . Despite the formation of IDJMG, the Def Jam, Mercury, and Island labels continued to operate as separate imprints underneath the umbrella. That same year, Def Jam and Island Def Jam signed rapper Ja Rule . Lyor Cohen was appointed co-president of IDJMG, and Kevin Liles succeeded him as president of Def Jam. In 1998, Def Jam created an R&B spin-off label called Def Soul Records to run under

1491-574: The Isley Brothers' Baby Makin' Music in May 2006. The Classics branch also released two Christmas albums towards the end of 2007, Isley's I'll Be Home for Christmas and LaBelle's Miss Patti's Christmas . The final release under the Classics branch was Ronald Isley's solo album, Mr I. in 2010. Then, as with the entirety of Def Soul Records, this label was also folded into Def Jam. Def Jam Recordings Def Jam Recordings (also simply known as Def Jam )

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1562-525: The RIAA, and sold five million copies worldwide. The success of the album prompted Lyor Cohen to challenge DMX to record another album quickly to have another album released within the same calendar year. DMX's second studio album, Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood was released on December 22, 1998 and debuted at number one the Billboard 200 . The album sold over 670,000 units in its first week of release, and went on to sell over four million copies worldwide. DMX claimed that Def Jam made $ 144 million from

1633-658: The album some notoriety, due to No Limit Records labelmates and brothers Master P and Silkk the Shocker delivering their verses. On the same day as the Columbine High School massacre in 1999, Case returned from his three-year hiatus with Personal Conversation , which (also like its predecessor) went gold and managed to embrace the top forty of the Billboard 200 . Its single, " Happily Ever After ", gained moderate airplay. That same year, Def Jam's parent label, PolyGram ,

1704-496: The charts. The album sold over 4.9 million copies to date, and has been certified five times platinum by the RIAA. The following year, it launched another subsidiary, Def Jam South , which focused on Southern rap and distributed releases from labels such as Disturbing tha Peace , whose artist roster included its co-founder Ludacris , Shawnna , Bobby Valentino and Playaz Circle . Russell Simmons tapped Houston hip hop legend and former Rap-A-Lot recording artist Scarface as

1775-506: The commercial success as their four projects. Soon after, 112 were released from the division after the album's release. LaBelle released Classic Moments under the Def Soul Classics imprint, but soon left the label after she accused then-vice president of Def Jam, L.A. Reid of misconduct. As 2006 came, Def Soul began to die down. Despite the release of The Isley Brothers ' Baby Makin' Music in May and it charting at number five on

1846-456: The consultancy role in July. In August 2021, Harleston announced that he will replace himself as the interim president of Def Jam with former Interscope/ RCA executive and Keep Cool founder Tunji Balogun , who agreed to take on the role as chairman and CEO, which he did on New Year's Day 2022. In late-October 2022, Def Jam ended their partnership with GOOD Music, Kanye West's label, in response to

1917-465: The decade drew to a close, the label signed Public Enemy , whose controversial lyrical content garnered the company both critical acclaim and disdain. Lyor Cohen became president of Def Jam/RAL in 1988, after winning a power struggle with Rubin, who would shortly thereafter leave the company to form Def American Recordings . Rubin would take Slayer and the rights of its Def Jam albums with him to Def American in its initial stages. In 1991, CBS Records

1988-472: The executive vice president of the urban division at Def Jam's sister Universal label, Capitol Music Group . On April 1, 2014, it was announced that the Island Def Jam Music Group would no longer be active following the resignation of CEO Barry Weiss. A press release serviced by Universal Music Group stated that IDJMG, and all of its assets would be reorganized into Def Jam, Island and Motown, all as separate entities. Def Jam Recordings currently operates as

2059-763: The films Get Over It (2001) with Kirsten Dunst and Snow Dogs (2002) with Cuba Gooding, Jr. He also starred as a vampire in Sabrina the Teenage Witch (Season 6 Episode 1). Although his second LP, Return of Dragon , released in June 2001, eventually went platinum, its singles "Can I Live" and "Dance for Me" performed far below expectations (apart from in the United Kingdom , where "Dance for Me" became his third top ten hit). By 2002, Sisqó reunited with Dru Hill, which released its third LP in late 2002. The LP underperformed, and

2130-567: The folding of Island Black into Def Soul and the UMG creation of IDJMG, Def Soul began to revamp their success with Jordan's Get It On... Tonite in November. While the title track provided success at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 , the album itself didn't perform well as Jordan's previous three, despite being his second gold-seller. That same month, Dru Hill leader Sisqó 's solo debut, Unleash

2201-609: The following year. However, the Hose and T La Rock releases were not part of the deal and are now controlled by different entities. This created a short-lived subsidiary label called OBR Records, short for Original Black Recordings, which catered toward R&B artists—the first artist signed to that imprint was Oran "Juice" Jones , who enjoyed success with his hit single " The Rain ". A few years later, Russell Simmons and Lyor Cohen started an umbrella label called Rush Associated Labels to handle Def Jam and its numerous spinoff labels. RAL became

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2272-483: The founder's online and public media outbursts, including his 2024 presidential campaign , antisemitic and pro-race remarks. Although, West had already been exiled from the label after releasing Donda on August 29, 2021, as so Pusha T after It's Almost Dry on April 22 earlier that year, making 070 Shake 's You Can't Kill Me the final release under the GOOD/Def Jam partnership. On October 31, 2023,

2343-500: The group Dru Hill to Island Records in 1996. He lived in the Reservoir Hill neighborhood at 908 Newington Avenue near Druid Hill Park , which is where the group got their name. After Woody departed Dru Hill in 1999 to pursue a solo career, it was decided that the other members would follow suit and issue their own solo albums. Sisqó's solo debut, Unleash the Dragon , was released on Def Soul Records in November 1999. Unleash

2414-552: The group was subsequently released from their recording contract . In January 2008, Sisqó was a contestant on a reality show called "Gone Country." In 2010, Sisqó was a contestant on the British reality television show Celebrity Big Brother 7 , which he placed 8th. He was the fifth contestant to be evicted, lasting 20 days. Dru Hill released its third album, InDRUpendence Day , in 2010 as an independent release through Kedar Entertainment . The group also appeared at this time in

2485-557: The home to Nice & Smooth and EPMD after both acts were acquired due to the folding of their former label Sleeping Bag Records . Other acts under the RAL umbrella included Redman , Onyx , Flatlinerz , Domino , Warren G and Jayo Felony . Def Jam also signed its first and only thrash metal band, Slayer , in 1986, and the band's third and fourth albums were the only two Def Jam releases to be distributed through Geffen Records via Warner Bros. Records as opposed to Columbia/CBS. As

2556-423: The label as Cohen left IDJMG for Warner Music Group , and was replaced by music executive Antonio "L.A." Reid . Frustrated, Liles and now-chairwoman of Atlantic Records , Julie Greenwald eventually decided to follow Cohen to Warner. That same year, through Def Jam A&R executive Shakir Stewart , Def Jam signed Atlanta, Georgia based rapper Young Jeezy . His debut album, Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101

2627-491: The label into the Island Records fold. Island would share in sales and marketing duties with select radio projects while Def Jam remained independent on all other label functions (A&R, video, promotion and publicity). The label venture went on to receive huge success with a slew of various other multi-platinum releases from Montell Jordan , Public Enemy, LL Cool J, Redman, Method Man and more. RAL/Def Jam also distributed

2698-528: The label made its debut in the Philippines through Universal Music Philippines , led by former Sony Music Philippines and Sindikato Management executive Enzo Valdez. Pinoy hip hop quartet VVS Collective was the label's first signed artists. On February 21, 2020, Paul Rosenberg stepped down on his positions as chairman and CEO of Def Jam. He was replaced by the head of business affairs at Universal Music, Jeffrey Harleston, who instead assumed interim control over

2769-427: The label within a five-year gap between 1998 and 2003), as well as new signee Joe Budden expressed discomfort with Jay-Z's leadership of the label, having altogether left the label since then. Under Jay-Z's leadership, Def Jam launched the successful careers of contemporary R&B singers Rihanna and Ne-Yo . At the end of 2007, after he released American Gangster , Jay-Z decided not to renew his contract as

2840-534: The label's R&B roster. The first release from the label shortly after its formation was Jordan's second album, More... , which came on August 27, 1996, two weeks after Case's debut. Both albums were certified gold. Then came trio Playa , whose single " Cheers 2 U " (1998) cracked the top ten of the Billboard Hot R&;B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. After appearing on the How to Be a Player soundtrack (1997) with

2911-473: The label's companionship. Def Jam inherited many of Island's urban artists, including Dru Hill (including its lead singer Sisqó ), the Isley Brothers (featuring Ronald Isley ) and Kelly Price . Def Soul also issued recordings by Musiq Soulchild , Montell Jordan, Case , 112 , Patti LaBelle , and Christina Milian . Liles also assumed presidency of Def Soul, which also formed a Classics subsidiary (active from 2003 to 2011). Island's 4th & B'way Records

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2982-567: The label's core artist, Jeezy, had fulfilled his contract with Def Jam. Meanwhile, the label had already signed Washington, D.C. rapper Wale . Beginning in 2024, Def Jam began operating under the Republic Records branding. Sisq%C3%B3 As a teen, Andrews worked at The Fudgery in Harborplace at Baltimore's Inner Harbor with Larry "Jazz" Anthony , James "Woody" Green , and Tamir "Nokio" Ruffin . The quartet would be signed as

3053-541: The label's presence around the world. Def Jam Germany signed German rappers Spezializtz and Philly MC. The label was located in Berlin and opened on May 23, 2000. In addition to signing and marketing local artists, Def Jam Germany also marketed all U.S. signed Def Jam artists in the German territory. But the German division folded just two years later in 2002. Many of the artists were picked up by Universal/Urban, while others did not get

3124-524: The label, while Def Jam maintained distribution and co-marketing. In 1997, through Def Jam A&R Irv Gotti , Def Jam signed artist DMX . DMX's first studio album, It's Dark and Hell is Hot was released on May 12, 1998 and was co-executive produced by Irv Gotti. The album debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200 and sold over 250,000 copies in its first week. The album went on to sell four million copies in America, being certified Quadruple Platinum by

3195-416: The label. Many outlets and social media users were concerned that fellow R&B acts Ne-Yo , Rihanna , Jeremih and Chrisette Michele 's successful careers at parent label Def Jam were what caused Def Soul Records to fall down, besides the aforementioned four not being signed to this division. Then, in November 2010, Ronald Isley released his comeback solo album following his prison release, Mr. I . This

3266-430: The label. That November, Def Jam teamed up with Alex and Alec Boateng to create a new UK spin-off label called 0207 Def Jam under Universal Music UK's EMI Records. The UK roster currently consists of Stormzy . Def Jam also expanded to Africa with the creation of Def Jam Africa . On April 9, 2021, returning label veteran DMX died in a White Plains hospital a week after suffering from a drug overdose succumbing him to

3337-539: The music business. And I had no experience whatsoever." The second single released with the Def Jam Recordings logo was T La Rock & Jazzy Jay's "It's Yours". The first releases with Def Jam Recordings catalog numbers were LL Cool J 's " I Need a Beat " and the Beastie Boys ' " Rock Hard ", both in 1984. The singles sold well, eventually leading to a distribution deal with CBS Records through Columbia Records

3408-425: The original head of Def Jam South. On October 10, 2000, Def Jam and Murder Inc. released Ja Rule's second studio album, Rule 3:36 . Anchored by the success of the single Between Me and You , the album topped the Billboard 200 and was certified triple platinum in America. In 2000, The Island Def Jam Music Group announced the formation of Def Jam Germany, the first international Def Jam company. This increased

3479-432: The other members of Dru Hill, claimed that their record label botched a record deal, costing them millions in the process. In 2016, Sisqó provided a rap counterpoint in a duet with country music singer Marie Osmond , in her song "Give me a Good Song", which was featured on Music Is Medicine , released on April 15, 2016. In 2017, Sisqó, sang on a remake of his "Thong Song" produced by JCY . In 2018, Sisqo released

3550-564: The position again. . In March 2011, it was announced that former Warner Bros. Records executive Joie Manda would become the first president of Def Jam since Jay-Z . Around the summer of 2011, after Universal Music disbanded the Universal Motown Republic Group , Motown Records would be moved under the Island Def Jam umbrella. In 2012, Manda assumed the position of president until March 2013 when he exited his post. It

3621-419: The president and CEO of Def Jam in order to start his new Live Nation venture, Roc Nation . Following Jay-Z's departure, L.A. Reid took over leadership of the label, as opposed to hiring a replacement. In June 2008, Shakir Stewart was appointed as the executive vice president of Def Jam, a position that was previously left vacant since December 2007. However, on November 1, Stewart committed suicide, vacating

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3692-469: The ruling, claiming that the existence of an agreement between the parties meant that their behavior was only a breach of contract and not fraud. That September, DMX released his fifth album, Grand Champ . Though it was DMX's fifth number one album and was certified platinum by the RIAA, it was his final album for the label before leaving in 2006. Also that September, Def Jam released the video game, Def Jam: Fight for NY . The video game, which served as

3763-572: The sales of his first two albums. In 1998, PolyGram was purchased by Universal Pictures ' former parent, Seagram . It later merged with the MCA group of record labels. In early 1999, the label group was rebranded as the Universal Music Group . It then purchased the remaining interest of Def Jam Recordings from Russell Simmons for a reported $ 100 million. UMG merged over 14 record labels including Def Jam, Island, and Mercury Records together to form

3834-498: The shutdown. Def Soul Classics was a greatest hits branch of Def Soul Records, complimenting on re-releases or greatest hits projects released under the division. The first release under the Def Soul Classics branch despite the name was Patti LaBelle's Timeless Journey on May 4, 2004. A year later, the first greatest hits compilation under Def Soul Classics, Dru Hill's Hits was released that October. In 2005, Def Soul Classics released LaBelle's Classic Moments , followed up by

3905-477: The soundtrack to the comedy, Johnson Family Vacation , featuring the single, "Shoulda Known Betta" by Case. He left the label sometime the same year after the continued delaying of his planned fourth studio album. May commenced the release of Patti LaBelle 's Timeless Journey which became a top five R&B album on the chart, due to the success of its single, " New Day ". Around 2005, 112 released their fifth album, Pleasure & Pain , which failed to meet

3976-475: The soundtrack, became a radio hit. Later that November, Musiq released his debut album, Aijuswanaseing , which made the near-bottom of the top thirty section of the Billboard 200, but managed to go gold two months after. Throughout 2001, only three albums were released under Def Soul: Case's Open Letter that April, Sisqó's Return of Dragon in June and Price's One Love , a Christmas album which came out that November. Originally, Christina Milian , who

4047-500: The spring of 2011, the label was consolidated into Def Jam, as the urban music industry began to change, so did the Def Jam label roster's multi-genre strategy, citing former artist Rihanna 's success as the reason for the downfall of Def Soul. Capitalizing on the successes of Montell Jordan 's " This Is How We Do It " in 1995 and Case 's self-titled debut album in 1996, Def Jam co-founder Russell Simmons and then-vice president Kevin Liles teamed up to form Def Soul Records, to expand

4118-544: The successes of her previous two albums. She left the label in 2005 following serious issues. Former Bad Boy quartet 112 joined Def Soul after a falling out with founder Sean "Diddy" Combs . December saw the releases of 112's Hot & Wet and Musiq's Soulstar . Both albums also failed to garner commercial notoriety despite having peaked within the top five of the Billboard R&;B album chart and going gold. The following year, Def Soul and Mama's Boys Music released

4189-619: The top three of Billboard 's R&B album chart and go gold. It was solidified by the singles, "You Should Have Told Me" and "Love Sets You Free"; the latter colliding fellow Def Soul acts Case, Montell Jordan, Dru Hill, Playa, Kandice Love and LovHer together as Price's "friends". Following up was the soundtrack to Nutty Professor II: The Klumps , which made number one on the R&;B chart and went platinum. The soundtrack helped to make way for Philadelphia soul artist Musiq Soulchild 's career after his track, " Just Friends (Sunny) ", which came on

4260-407: Was Ja Rule's debut studio album, Venni Vetti Vecci . The album, released June 1, 1999, peaked in the top 3 on the Billboard 200 and was certified platinum in America. In December 1999, DMX released his third studio album, ...And Then There Was X through Def Jam. The album debuted atop the Billboard 200 , with close to 700,000 copies sold, making it his third straight album to debut atop

4331-445: Was a single by his punk-rock group Hose . Russell Simmons joined Rubin shortly after they were introduced to each other, according to one story, by Vincent Gallo . Another cites DJ Jazzy Jay as their connector. Rubin has said he met Simmons on the TV show Graffiti Rock and recognized him then as "the face of hip hop": "He was five years older than me, and he was already established in

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4402-448: Was acquired by Seagram and its music division was later merged with MCA -related record labels to centralize the Universal Music Group . With this came the folding of Island Black Music, causing the transitioning of Island Records ' R&B artist division into Def Soul. The artists under Island that were moved to this label included Dru Hill and Kelly Price . Following next was the creation of The Island Def Jam Music Group . After

4473-630: Was also folded into Def Jam. Also starting in 1998, in preparation for the year 2000, Def Jam marketed and sponsored a new campaign titled Def Jam 2000 . Def Jam 2000 was the featured name for Def Jam on Def Jam albums from 1998 until its end in December 2000. Also in 1999, the label began to distribute releases by Murder Inc. Records , the newly-founded label run by former Def Jam A&R executive and record producer Irv Gotti . The label's roster of artists would include Ja Rule, Ashanti and Lloyd , among others. The first release from Murder Inc. under Def Jam

4544-467: Was announced at Music Matters, an annual music industry conference held in Singapore , where Joe Flizzow from Malaysia, Daboyway from Thailand, Yung Raja, Fariz Jabba and Alif from Singapore and A. Nayaka from Indonesia were announced as the label's six inaugural signings. That same month, Def Jam re-signed LL Cool J and DMX after nine and fourteen respective years apart from the label. In late 2019,

4615-479: Was folded (or rather rebranded) to the music division of Japanese electronic giant Sony , bringing Def Jam and Columbia with it. By 1992, despite recent multiple platinum selling releases from Public Enemy , and EPMD , Def Jam ran into major financial troubles and was faced with folding while at Sony. In 1994, PolyGram purchased Sony's 50% stake in Def Jam Recordings—subsequently bringing

4686-570: Was last featured on Ja Rule 's " Between Me and You " (2000), was supposed to release her self-titled debut studio album jointly through Def Soul and Irv Gotti 's Murder Inc. Records on September 25, 2001, but due to the September 11 attacks , the album's American release was cancelled and postponed for international release on October 9. In 2002, the label's vigilance was declining. Jordan left Def Soul after his eponymous fifth album failed to chart on Billboard . Aaron Soul , who previously scored

4757-401: Was later announced by his former boss, Barry Weiss, that he would be in charge of the urban division at Def Jam's sister Universal Music label, Interscope Records . The-Dream served as Def Jam's executive vice president of A&R at Def Jam between 2012 and 2014. No I.D. held the position of executive vice president after helping to establish GOOD Music with Kanye West. He later became

4828-541: Was released that November, but didn't match the success as the group's previous works. 2003 saw a huge dwindle within the division as LovHer and Jonell were dropped from the label. Terri Walker 's untitled debut also didn't chart well on the UK Albums chart at number one-hundred eighteen despite going gold and having positive feedback from critics. As Walker suffered downhill failure, Kelly Price also faced similar problems as her third album, Priceless , also failed to match

4899-412: Was released the following year and was co-executive produced by Stewart. The album's singles Go Crazy and Soul Survivor help push the album to double platinum status in America. Around this time, a bidding war for Jay-Z's contract began, and Reid appointed Jay-Z president of Def Jam on December 8, 2004. Long time label veterans LL Cool J and DMX (the latter of whom had five number one albums under

4970-485: Was the final release under the Def Soul imprint; in May 2011, Def Soul was finally folded into Def Jam Records, taking the rest of its remaining roster with it and consolidating all of Def Jam's artist roster of various genres together. Recently, as of December 2021, there has been an official playlist on Spotify by Def Jam, using the label's name, mixing the label's singles with that of recent Def Jam R&B songs following

5041-630: Was the first female quartet on the Def Soul label. Their single "How It's Gonna Be" was featured on the Rush Hour 2 soundtrack in 2001. Conflicts within Dru Hill prevented the group from reuniting as planned in 2000. This is usually attributed to time conflicts during the recording of Sisqó's second solo LP. During this period, Sisqó branched out into hosting the dance competition program Sisqós Shakedown on MTV , and into film , taking on supporting roles in

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