Fan crate · The label, est. 1984, New York
Forty years
of loud
records.
Def Jam headlines from the music press, new uploads from the label’s official channel, classic videos, catalogue guides and quizzes. Put together by fans.
Side A The headlines
Full tracklist →- A1 How Oran Juice Jones' 'The Rain' Became Def Jam's First R&B No. 1 Hit AOL.com · 1 day ago
- A2 How Def Jam Went From $33M to $325M in The Fall of 1998 Yahoo · 2 days ago
- A3 Global Hip-Hop Label Def Jam Expands to North Africa SceneNoise · 2 days ago
- A4 How Def Jam Went From $33M to $325M Complex · 1 week ago
- A5 Real reason Oprah pulled out of Russell Simmons HBO ‘abuse’ doc weeks before premiere revealed in court docs Page Six · 1 week ago
- A6 Jeezy Celebrates 'Brother' Jay-Z and Credits Him With Securing Def Jam Deal Complex · 2 weeks ago
- A7 Def Jam CEO exit puts Nigerian artists’ global push in focus Business News Nigeria · 3 weeks ago
- A8 Universal Music Group Cuts Jobs, Def Jam CEO Tunji Balogun Exits Yahoo Finance · 3 weeks ago
- A9 Universal Music Group Restructuring Triggers Major Executive Departures Across Def Jam, Republic, Interscope And Polydor CelebrityAccess · 3 weeks ago
Side B New from the label’s channel
All videos →DEATH DO US PART 🌹 #FRIDAYY
Watch on YouTube ↗Fridayy "Cryin" Video OUT NOW!
Watch on YouTube ↗seventeen isn't really that old...🤍
Watch on YouTube ↗Bonus The catalogue on video
Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)
From Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam).
Watch on YouTube ↗Liner notes Timeline
1984
Founded
Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons start the label in New York.
1985
Radio
LL Cool J’s debut album.
1986
Licensed to Ill
The Beastie Boys’ debut becomes the first rap LP to top the Billboard 200.
1988
Nation of Millions
Public Enemy’s It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back.
1998
DMX & Jay-Z
It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot and Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life.
2004
Jay-Z takes the chair
Jay-Z becomes the label’s president.
2024
Forty years
The label marks its 40th anniversary.
Read Explainers
Catalogue library →Fan explainer Liner Notes
How Def Jam started: Rick Rubin, Russell Simmons and 1984
A college student with a love of loud records and a promoter with a vision. The fan version of how Def Jam began.
Fan explainer Crate Guide
Def Jam by the decade: a fan’s crate-digging guide
From LL Cool J to Rihanna and Justin Bieber, here is how the label’s roster changed decade by decade.
Fan explainer Starter Crate
Eight Def Jam albums to start your crate
A fan starter list spanning four decades, each linked to a library entry so you can read more.