Def Soul

The New Soul of R&B Flavor

Def Jam's third attempt at expanding its R&B and soul roster of artists, after the closure of Original Black Recordings and disassociation from the R&B division of Outburst Recordings. The division was founded in 1996 by Def Jam co-founder Russell Simmons and then-president Kevin Liles.

Artists included Montell Jordan, Case, Playa, Musiq Soulchild, Dru Hill (Nokio, Sisqo, Jazz (3), Woody Rock (2) and Scola), Kelly Price, Kandice Love, Christina Milian, Jonell, 3rd Storee, LovHer, 112, K. Fox and Ingrid Smalls.

Def Soul UK was formed in 1999 under Mercury Records, the UK division of Def Jam's parent company, Universal Music Group. Its artist roster consisted of Terri Walker, Warren Stacey and Aaron Soul. This division closed in 2006 following the reorganization of Def Jam, which Jay-Z was president of at the time. Def Jam Germany launched Def Soul Germany as its own division in 2000 with Bintia, Deema and Danacee as its core artists until it folded in 2002. Def Soul Classics was launched as an "Oldies" or compilation/reissue division of Def Soul in 2003. Def Soul Classics' artists included Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle and the Isley Brothers (at the time, the group only consisted of brothers, guitarist Ernie and vocalist Ronald respectively).

In May 2011, after eight years of commercial decline, Def Soul was absorbed into the R&B division of Def Jam, therefore ending the label completely; the remains of Def Soul's artist roster (including Classics) were transferred to its parent label following its disfunction. Reissues under this imprint will be handled by Universal Music Enterprises.