Def Jam Recordings

Def Jam Recordings

Profile:
New York hip-hop label founded in 1983 by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin. It has since gone on to become one of the most well-known hip-hop labels in the world, along the way making stars of the likes of Public Enemy, L.L. Cool J, The Beastie Boys, Redman, and DMX.
Chairman and CEO from 2022: Tunji Balogun.

See also Def Jam Music Group Inc., Def Jam Recordings Group Inc., Def Jam Recordings Music Group, Def Jam Recordings Music Group Inc., Def Jam 2000.
For counterfeit releases, see Def Jam Recordings (2).

History:
1984: Label founded; releases several 12" singles independently. First release was purchased by Streetwise Records and released with a Def Jam logo (and is not considered part of Def Jam today).
1985: Def Jam Recordings began distribution through Columbia/CBS Records.
1988: CBS Records was purchased by the Sony Corporation.
1991: CBS Records became Sony Music Entertainment.
1994: PolyGram purchased 50% of Sony’s Def Jam holdings and switches distribution companies.
1996: PolyGram purchased an additional 10% of the Def Jam holdings, which made it the parent company.
1999: Universal Music Group was formed through the merger of the MCA and PolyGram families of labels and it subsequently purchased the remaining Def Jam holdings that Sony held. All the Def Jam assets were then spun into Island Def Jam Music Group after merging it with Mercury's pop roster and Island Records.
2004: Universal Music Japan begins using the Def Jam Recordings imprint within its Universal Sigma label division for domestic Japanese releases (operating independently of the Island Def Jam Music Group).
2013: Barry Weiss stepped down as Chairman/CEO of both Island and Def Jam.
2014: Universal Music dissolved The Island Def Jam Music Group. Now re-positioned Def Jam, Island Records and Motown separately as all three solo labels.
2017: Universal Music Japan begins using the Def Jam Recordings imprint within its Virgin Music (4) label division for domestic Japanese releases (operating independently of Def Jam).

Label code: LC 08427 / LC 8427.
Sublabels
Parent Label:
Contact Info:
UMG Headquarters of N.Y.C.
1755 Broadway, Floor #28,
New York, NY 10019

UMG Headquarters of Santa Monica
2220 Colorado Avenue, Floor #5,
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Sites:

Label

Releases

Status Catalog Number  Image Artist Title ( Format) Label Catalog Number  Country Year Actions
000000000 Drake Nice For What(CD, Promo) Def Jam Recordings 000000000 Europe 2018 Sell This Version
0000000000 Rihanna - Loud (Deluxe Edition) Rihanna Loud (Deluxe Edition)(CD, Album) Def Jam Recordings 0000000000 2010 Sell This Version
2VS-49037 3rd Bass - The Cactus Vidie/Yo 3rd Bass The Cactus Vidie/Yo(VHS, NTSC) Def Jam Recordings, CMV Enterprises, Rush Artist Management 2VS-49037 US 1990 Sell This Version
4CT 07563 L.L. Cool J* - Going Back To Cali & Jack The Ripper L.L. Cool J* Going Back To Cali (Maxi) 4CT 07563 US 1988 Sell This Version
04SP1077 Bangles = バングルス* - Hazy Shade Of Winter = 冬の散歩道 Bangles = バングルス* Bangles = バングルス* - Hazy Shade Of Winter = 冬の散歩道(7", S/Sided, Single) CBS/Sony, Def Jam Recordings, Def Jam Recordings 04SP1077 Japan 1987 Sell This Version
4W9 7846 Public Enemy - Don't Believe The Hype Public Enemy Don't Believe The Hype 4W9 7846 US 1988 Sell This Version
07SP 991 Oran 'Juice' Jones - The Rain Oran 'Juice' Jones The Rain(7", Single) Def Jam Recordings 07SP 991 Japan 1986 Sell This Version
07SP 1004 Beastie Boys - (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party!) Beastie Boys (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party!) (Single) 07SP 1004 Japan 1987 Sell This Version
07SP 1021 Beastie Boys - Brass Monkey Beastie Boys Brass Monkey (Single) 07SP 1021 Japan 1987 Sell This Version
07SP 1032 Beastie Boys - No Sleep Till Brooklyn / She's Crafty Beastie Boys No Sleep Till Brooklyn / She's Crafty (Single) 07SP 1032 Japan 1986 Sell This Version
12CXP-05291 L.L. Cool J* - I Can Give You More / I Can't Live Without My Radio L.L. Cool J* I Can Give You More / I Can't Live Without My Radio(12") Def Jam Recordings, Columbia 12CXP-05291 Canada 1985 Sell This Version
12CXP-05292 Beastie Boys - She's On It Beastie Boys She's On It(12", Single) Columbia, Def Jam Recordings 12CXP-05292 Canada 1985 Sell This Version
12CXP-05349 LL Cool J - Rock The Bells LL Cool J Rock The Bells(12") Columbia, Def Jam Recordings 12CXP-05349 Canada 1985 Sell This Version
12CXP-05369 Beastie Boys - Hold It, Now Hit It Beastie Boys Hold It, Now Hit It(12", Single) Def Jam Recordings, Columbia 12CXP-05369 Canada 1986 Sell This Version
12CXP 05374 Juice* - You Can't Hide From Love Juice* You Can't Hide From Love(12") Def Jam Recordings, Columbia 12CXP 05374 Canada 1986 Sell This Version
12CXP-05907 L.L. Cool J* - You'll Rock (Remix) / I Need A Beat L.L. Cool J* You'll Rock (Remix) / I Need A Beat(12", Single) Def Jam Recordings, Columbia 12CXP-05907 Canada 1985 Sell This Version
12CXP 05922 The Junkyard Band - The Word / Sardines The Junkyard Band The Word / Sardines 12CXP 05922 Canada 1985 Sell This Version
12CXP 05930 Oran Oran "Juice" Jones* The Rain(12") Def Jam Recordings, Columbia 12CXP 05930 Canada 1986 Sell This Version
12CXP 05958 Beastie Boys - It's The New Style / Paul Revere Beastie Boys It's The New Style / Paul Revere(12", Single) Def Jam Recordings, Columbia 12CXP 05958 Canada 1986 Sell This Version
12CXP 05960 Tashan - Chasin' A Dream Tashan Chasin' A Dream(12", Single) Def Jam Recordings, Columbia 12CXP 05960 Canada 1986 Sell This Version
12CXP-05968 Oran Oran "Juice" Jones* Curiosity(12", Single) Def Jam Recordings, Columbia 12CXP-05968 Canada 1986 Sell This Version
12CXP 06020 Chuck Stanley - Day By Day Chuck Stanley Day By Day(12", Single) Def Jam Recordings, Columbia 12CXP 06020 Canada 1987 Sell This Version
12CXP 6719 Public Enemy - Timebomb B/W Son Of Public Enemy (Flavor-Whop-Version) Public Enemy Timebomb B/W Son Of Public Enemy (Flavor-Whop-Version)(12") Def Jam Recordings, Columbia 12CXP 6719 Canada 1987 Sell This Version
12CXP 06726 Beastie Boys - She's Crafty / No Sleep Till Brooklyn Beastie Boys She's Crafty / No Sleep Till Brooklyn(12") Def Jam Recordings 12CXP 06726 Canada 1986 Sell This Version
12CXP 06730 Oran Oran "Juice" Jones* Here I Go Again B/W 1.2.1.(12") Def Jam Recordings, Columbia 12CXP 06730 Canada 1986 Sell This Version
12CXP 6737 Tashan - Read My Mind Tashan Read My Mind(12") Def Jam Recordings, Columbia 12CXP 6737 Canada 1986 Sell This Version
12CXP 06799 L.L. Cool J* - I'm Bad B/W Get Down L.L. Cool J* I'm Bad B/W Get Down(12", Single) Def Jam Recordings, Def Jam Recordings, Columbia 12CXP 06799 Canada 1987 Sell This Version
12CXP 06811 Davy D - Have You Seen Davy Davy D Have You Seen Davy(12", Single) Def Jam Recordings, Columbia 12CXP 06811 Canada 1987 Sell This Version
12CXP 06820 Chuck Stanley - Jammin' To The Bells / The Finer Things In Life Chuck Stanley Jammin' To The Bells / The Finer Things In Life(12", Single) Def Jam Recordings, Columbia 12CXP 06820 Canada 1987 Sell This Version
12CXP 06861 Public Enemy - You're Gonna Get Yours Public Enemy You're Gonna Get Yours(12") Def Jam Recordings, Columbia 12CXP 06861 Canada 1987 Sell This Version
12CXP 06960 Oran Oran "Juice" Jones* Cold Spendin' My $ Money(12") Def Jam Recordings, Columbia 12CXP 06960 Canada 1987 Sell This Version
12CXP 07463 Davy D - Feel For You Davy D Feel For You(12", Single) Def Jam Recordings, Columbia 12CXP 07463 Canada 1987 Sell This Version
12CXP 07464 Chuck Stanley Introducing Alyson Williams - Make You Mine Tonight (Remix) Chuck Stanley Introducing Alyson Williams Chuck Stanley Introducing Alyson Williams - Make You Mine Tonight (Remix)(12") Def Jam Recordings, Columbia 12CXP 07464 Canada 1987 Sell This Version
12CXP 07491 The Black Flames / Public Enemy - Are You My Woman? / Bring The Noise The Black Flames / Public Enemy The Black Flames / Public Enemy - Are You My Woman? / Bring The Noise(12", Single) Def Jam Recordings, Columbia 12CXP 07491 Canada 1987 Sell This Version
12CXP 07495 Oran Oran "Juice" Jones* I Just Can't Say Goodbye(12", Single) Def Jam Recordings, Columbia 12CXP 07495 Canada 1987 Sell This Version
12CXP 07540 Bangles - Hazy Shade Of Winter Bangles Hazy Shade Of Winter(12", Single) Def Jam Recordings, Columbia 12CXP 07540 Canada 1987 Sell This Version
12CXP 07563 L.L. Cool J* - Going Back To Cali L.L. Cool J* Going Back To Cali(12") Def Jam Recordings, Columbia 12CXP 07563 Canada 1988 Sell This Version
12CXP 07575 Davy D - Ohh Girl Davy D Ohh Girl(12", Single) Def Jam Recordings, Columbia 12CXP 07575 Canada 1988 Sell This Version
12CXP 07899 Original Concept - Charlie Sez Original Concept Charlie Sez(12") Def Jam Recordings, Columbia 12CXP 07899 Canada 1988 Sell This Version
12CXP 08121 Public Enemy - Night Of The Living Baseheads Public Enemy Night Of The Living Baseheads(12") Def Jam Recordings, Columbia 12CXP 08121 Canada 1988 Sell This Version
12CXP 08139 Slick Rick - Teenage Love Slick Rick Teenage Love(12") Def Jam Recordings, Columbia 12CXP 08139 Canada 1988 Sell This Version
12CXP 08139 Slick Rick - Children's Story Slick Rick Children's Story(12", Single) Def Jam Recordings, Columbia 12CXP 08139 Canada 1988 Sell This Version
12CXP 68193 Alyson Williams Sleep Talk(12") Def Jam Recordings 12CXP 68193 Canada 1989 Sell This Version
12CXP 68197 Blue Magic - Romeo And Juliet Blue Magic Romeo And Juliet(12") Def Jam Recordings, Columbia 12CXP 68197 Canada 1989 Sell This Version
12CXP 68216 Public Enemy - Black Steel In The Hour Of Chaos Public Enemy Black Steel In The Hour Of Chaos(12") Def Jam Recordings, Columbia 12CXP 68216 Canada 1989 Sell This Version
12 CXP 68792 LL Cool J - I'm That Type Of Guy LL Cool J I'm That Type Of Guy(12") Def Jam Recordings, Columbia 12 CXP 68792 Canada 1989 Sell This Version
12CXP 68794 Alyson Williams - My Love Is So Raw Alyson Williams My Love Is So Raw(12") Def Jam Recordings, Columbia 12CXP 68794 Canada 1989 Sell This Version
12 DEF 1 Public Enemy - Give It Up Public Enemy Give It Up (Single) 12 DEF 1 UK 1994 Sell This Version
12 DEF 1 DJ Public Enemy - Give It Up Public Enemy Give It Up(12", Single, Promo) Def Jam Recordings, Island Records 12 DEF 1 DJ UK 1994 Sell This Version
12 DEF 2 Public Enemy - I Stand Accused / What Kind Of Power We Got? Public Enemy I Stand Accused / What Kind Of Power We Got?(12", Single) Def Jam Recordings, Def Jam Recordings 12 DEF 2 UK 1994 Sell This Version
12 DEF 2 DJ Public Enemy - I Stand Accused / What Kind Of Power We Got? Public Enemy I Stand Accused / What Kind Of Power We Got?(12", Promo) Def Jam Recordings 12 DEF 2 DJ UK 1994 Sell This Version
12DEF 3 DJ Redman / Method Man Redman / Method Man - Rockafella / Bring The Pain / P.L.O. Style(2x12", Promo) Rush Associated Labels, Def Jam Recordings 12DEF 3 DJ UK 1994 Sell This Version
12 DEF 4 Slick Rick - Behind Bars Slick Rick Behind Bars(12") Def Jam Recordings, Island Records 12 DEF 4 UK 1994 Sell This Version
12 DEF 4 DJ Slick Rick - Behind Bars Slick Rick Behind Bars(12", Promo) Def Jam Recordings, Island Records 12 DEF 4 DJ UK 1994 Sell This Version
12 DEF 5 Public Enemy - So Whatcha Gonna Do Now? Public Enemy So Whatcha Gonna Do Now?(12") Def Jam Recordings, Island Records 12 DEF 5 Europe 1995 Sell This Version
12DEF 5DJ Public Enemy - So Whatcha Gonna Do Now? Public Enemy So Whatcha Gonna Do Now?(12", Promo) Def Jam Recordings, Def Jam Recordings 12DEF 5DJ Europe 1995 Sell This Version
12 DEF 6 Method Man - Release Yo' Delf Method Man Release Yo' Delf(12", Single) Island Records, Def Jam Recordings 12 DEF 6 UK 1995 Sell This Version
12DEF6 DJ Method Man - Release Yo' Delf (Exclusive U.K. Mixes) Method Man Release Yo' Delf (Exclusive U.K. Mixes)(2x12", Promo) Island Records, Def Jam Recordings, Def Jam Recordings 12DEF6 DJ UK & Europe 1995 Sell This Version
12 DEF 7 Montell Jordan - This Is How We Do It Montell Jordan This Is How We Do It(12", Single) Def Jam Recordings, Island Records 12 DEF 7 UK 1995 Sell This Version
12DEF 7DJ Montell Jordan - This Is How We Do It (Todd Terry Remixes) Montell Jordan This Is How We Do It (Todd Terry Remixes) 12DEF 7DJ UK 1995 Sell This Version
12DEF 8DJ Slick Rick - Sittin' In My Car Mixes Slick Rick Sittin' In My Car Mixes(12", M/Print, Promo) Def Jam Recordings, Island Records 12DEF 8DJ UK 1995 Sell This Version
12DEF 10 Montell Jordan - Somethin' 4 Da Honeyz Montell Jordan Somethin' 4 Da Honeyz(12") Def Jam Recordings, PMP Records (4), Island Records 12DEF 10 UK & Europe 1995 Sell This Version
12DEF 10DJ Montell Jordan - Somethin' 4 Da Honeyz Montell Jordan Somethin' 4 Da Honeyz(12", Promo) Def Jam Recordings, PMP Records (4), Island Records 12DEF 10DJ UK 1995 Sell This Version
12 DEF 11 Method Man Featuring Mary J. Blige - I'll Be There For You / You're All I Need To Get By Method Man Featuring Mary J. Blige Method Man Featuring Mary J. Blige - I'll Be There For You / You're All I Need To Get By (Single) 12 DEF 11 UK 1995 Sell This Version
12DEF 11 DJ Method Man Featuring Mary J. Blige - All I Need (Razor Sharp Mix) Method Man Featuring Mary J. Blige Method Man Featuring Mary J. Blige - All I Need (Razor Sharp Mix)(12", Promo) Def Jam Recordings, Island Records 12DEF 11 DJ UK 1995 Sell This Version
12 DEF 13 DJ MoKenStef - He's Mine MoKenStef He's Mine 12 DEF 13 DJ UK 1995 Sell This Version
12DEF 14 LL Cool J - Hey Lover LL Cool J Hey Lover(12", Single) Def Jam Recordings, Def Jam Recordings, Island Records, Island Records 12DEF 14 Europe 1996 Sell This Version
12DEF 14 DJ L.L. Cool J* - Hey Lover / I Shot Ya L.L. Cool J* Hey Lover / I Shot Ya(12", Promo) Def Jam Recordings, Island Records 12DEF 14 DJ UK 1995 Sell This Version
12 DEF 15 LL Cool J - Doin It LL Cool J Doin It 12 DEF 15 UK 1996 Sell This Version
12DEF 15 DJ LL Cool J - Doin' It LL Cool J Doin' It(12", Promo) Def Jam Recordings, Island Records 12DEF 15 DJ UK 1996 Sell This Version
12 DEF 13 / 851 705-1 MoKenStef - He's Mine MoKenStef He's Mine(12") Def Jam Recordings 12 DEF 13 / 851 705-1 UK 1995 Sell This Version
12DEFD 3 DJ Method Man - Bring The Pain Method Man Bring The Pain(12", Single, Promo) Def Jam Recordings, Island Records 12DEFD 3 DJ UK 1994 Sell This Version
12 DEFD 6 DJ Method Man - Release Yo' Delf (Exclusive U.K. Mixes) Method Man Release Yo' Delf (Exclusive U.K. Mixes)(2x12", Promo) Island Records, Def Jam Recordings, Def Jam Recordings 12 DEFD 6 DJ UK & Europe 1995 Sell This Version
12 DEFD 7DJ Montell Jordan - This Is How We Do It (Exclusive U.K. Mixes / Original U.S. Mixes) Montell Jordan This Is How We Do It (Exclusive U.K. Mixes / Original U.S. Mixes)(2x12", Promo) Def Jam Recordings, Def Jam Recordings, Def Jam Recordings, Island Records, Island Records, Island Records 12 DEFD 7DJ Netherlands 1995 Sell This Version
12DEFX 7DJ Montell Jordan - This Is How We Do It (Original U.S. Mixes) Montell Jordan This Is How We Do It (Original U.S. Mixes) 12DEFX 7DJ UK & Europe 1995 Sell This Version
12 DEFX 11 DJ Method Man Featuring Mary J. Blige - All I Need Method Man Featuring Mary J. Blige Method Man Featuring Mary J. Blige - All I Need(12", Promo) Def Jam Recordings 12 DEFX 11 DJ UK 1995 Sell This Version
12EP 3070 Public Enemy - Night Of The Living Baseheads Public Enemy Night Of The Living Baseheads(CD, Mini, Single) Def Jam Recordings 12EP 3070 Japan 1989 Sell This Version
12 IS 725DJ Dru Hill - How Deep Is Your Love Dru Hill How Deep Is Your Love 12 IS 725DJ UK 1998 Sell This Version
19V-49020 Public Enemy - Fight The Power Live Public Enemy Fight The Power Live(VHS, NTSC) CMV Enterprises 19V-49020 US 1989 Sell This Version
19V-49075 LL Cool J - Future Of The Funk LL Cool J Future Of The Funk(VHS, NTSC, Dol) SMV Enterprises, Rush Artist Management, Def Jam Recordings 19V-49075 US 1991 Sell This Version
22AP 3281 Various - Def Jam Meeting Various Def Jam Meeting 22AP 3281 Japan 1987 Sell This Version
25DP 5209 Public Enemy - It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back Public Enemy It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back(CD, Album) Def Jam Recordings 25DP 5209 Japan 1988 Sell This Version
25DP 5394 Various - Less Than Zero (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) = Less Than Zero オリジナル・サウンドトラック Various Less Than Zero (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) = Less Than Zero オリジナル・サウンドトラック(CD, Comp, RE) CBS/Sony, Def Jam Recordings 25DP 5394 Japan 1989 Sell This Version
25DP-5405 Various - Def Jam Classics Vol. 1 Various Def Jam Classics Vol. 1 (Comp) 25DP-5405 Japan 1989 Sell This Version
25DP 5417 Slick Rick - The Great Adventures Of Slick Rick Slick Rick The Great Adventures Of Slick Rick(CD, Album) CBS/Sony Records, Def Jam Recordings 25DP 5417 Japan 1989 Sell This Version
25DP 5427 L.L. Cool J* - Walking With A Panther L.L. Cool J* Walking With A Panther(CD, Album) Def Jam Recordings 25DP 5427 Japan 1989 Sell This Version
25DP 5517 Alyson Williams - Raw Alyson Williams Raw(CD, Album) Def Jam Recordings 25DP 5517 Japan 1989 Sell This Version
25P2-2140 Slayer = スレイヤー* - South Of Heaven = サウス・オブ・ヘヴン Slayer = スレイヤー* Slayer = スレイヤー* - South Of Heaven = サウス・オブ・ヘヴン (Album) 25P2-2140 Japan 1988 Sell This Version
28AP 3259 L.L. Cool J* - Radio L.L. Cool J* Radio (Album) 28AP 3259 Japan 1985 Sell This Version
28AP 3259 (DJ) L.L. Cool J* - Radio L.L. Cool J* Radio(LP, Album) Def Jam Recordings, Def Jam Recordings 28AP 3259 (DJ) Japan 1986 Sell This Version
28AP 3278 Beastie Boys = ビースティ・ボーイズ* - Licensed To Ill = ライセンスト・トゥ・イル Beastie Boys = ビースティ・ボーイズ* Beastie Boys = ビースティ・ボーイズ* - Licensed To Ill = ライセンスト・トゥ・イル(LP, Album, bla) Def Jam Recordings 28AP 3278 Japan 1986 Sell This Version
28AP 3287 Tashan - Chasin' A Dream Tashan Chasin' A Dream(LP, Album, Promo) Def Jam Recordings 28AP 3287 Japan 1986 Sell This Version
28AP 3354 L.L. Cool J* - Bigger And Deffer (BAD) L.L. Cool J* Bigger And Deffer (BAD) (Album) 28AP 3354 Japan 1987 Sell This Version
28AP 3421 Various - Less Than Zero Various Less Than Zero(LP, Comp) CBS/Sony, Def Jam Recordings 28AP 3421 Japan 1988 Sell This Version
28KP 1465 Beastie Boys = ビースティ・ボーイズ* - Licensed To Ill = ライセンスト・トゥ・イル Beastie Boys = ビースティ・ボーイズ* Beastie Boys = ビースティ・ボーイズ* - Licensed To Ill = ライセンスト・トゥ・イル(Cass, Album) Def Jam Recordings 28KP 1465 Japan 1987 Sell This Version
28KP 1523 L.L. Cool J* - Bigger And Deffer (BAD) L.L. Cool J* Bigger And Deffer (BAD)(Cass, Album) Def Jam Recordings 28KP 1523 Japan 1987 Sell This Version
28KP 1551 Various - Less Than Zero (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) Various Less Than Zero (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)(Cass, Album) Def Jam Recordings 28KP 1551 Japan 1987 Sell This Version
32DP 588 Various - Def Jam Meeting Various Def Jam Meeting (Comp) 32DP 588 Japan 1987 Sell This Version
32DP 592 Oran Oran "Juice" Jones* Juice(CD, Album, RE) Def Jam Recordings 32DP 592 Japan 1987 Sell This Version
32DP 627 Beastie Boys - Licensed To Ill Beastie Boys Licensed To Ill(CD, Album) Def Jam Recordings 32DP 627 Japan 1987 Sell This Version