Def Jam Records
A Brief History
Over the last quarter-century Def Jam has become synonymous with Hip Hop. Each year Vh1 chooses honorees based on musical, political and cultural impact, so honoring the silver anniversary of Def Jam is a natural choice.
Throughout the past 25 years, Def Jam has been at the forefront of Hip Hop’s evolution. Take a look back and see how we got here . Explore the timeline below to discover the artists, songs and albums that have helped craft the modern American experience.
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1984
Def Beginnings
Rick Rubin founds Def Jam working out of his New York University dorm room. Russell Simmons soon joins Rubin after DJ Jazzy Jay introduces the future moguls. The first single Def Jam Recordings release is T La Rock & Jazzy Jay's "It's Yours."
1986
Beasties Fight For Your Rights
The Beastie Boys burst onto the scene with "(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (to Party!)" the first single from their breakthrough album, Licensed to Ill. The track reaches No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 (and later is among the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's "500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll").
1986
Run-DMC Walk Into History
Run-DMC cover Aerosmith's hard rock classic "Walk This Way" and the single propels Raising Hell to become one of the best-selling rap albums of all time. The song and video are one of the biggest hits of the '80s, cement Run-DMC's crossover status, and resurrect Aerosmith for a new generation of fans.
1988
Slick's Story
London-born American Hip Hop artist Slick Rick releases "Children's Story." The groundbreaking single is uniquely constructed as one long verse and is often interpreted as a condemnation of violence and greed. "Children's Story" lyrics have since been sampled and re-incorporated in myriad Hip Hop songs.
1989
Hip Hop President
Def Jam taps Lyor Cohen to be the company's new President.
1989
Politics & Purpose
Public Enemy's "Fight the Power" energizes the soundtrack of Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing. In 1990 the group includes an extended version on their third album, Fear of a Black Planet. The song has largely served as the political statement of purpose for the group.
1990
Knock Out
LL Cool J releases Mama Said Knock You Out and re-establishes his reputation in the Hip Hop community. The album spawns three hit singles, "The Boomin' System," "Around the Way Girl," and the title track, which receives special attention after LL Cool J's dynamic MTV Unplugged performance.
1994
The G Funk Era
Def Jam releases Warren G's Regulate... G Funk Era. The album sells over 3 million copies.
1997
Jay-Z's Lifetime
Jay-Z releases his second album, In My Lifetime, Vol. 1
1998
Jay-Z: Superstar, Grammy Winner
Def Jam releases Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life, Jay-Z's third album. The record propels Jay-Z to superstar status and wins a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album.
1999
S. Carter Goes Big
Jay-Z releases Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter. The album marks a return to a more street-oriented sound and sells over 3 million copies in large part due to the success of the single "Big Pimpin'," featuring UGK.
1999
Gotti's Back
Def Jam begins distributing releases by Murder Inc. Records, run by former Def Jam executive Irv Gotti. Murder Inc.'s roster of artists would include Ja Rule, Ashanti, and Lloyd.
2001
The Beginning of The Blueprint
In the wake of the September 11 attacks Jay-Z releases The Blueprint. The album debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, selling more than 427,000 units. It goes on to be certified triple platinum. The Blueprint was applauded for its production and balance of "mainstream" and "hardcore" rap. Four of the album's thirteen tracks were produced by Kanye West and represents one of West's first major breaks in the industry.
2002
Jigga 2
Jay-Z's next solo effort is the double-album, The Blueprint 2: The Gift & the Curse. The album debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, selling over 545,000 copies and spawns two massive hit singles, "Excuse Me Miss" and "Bonnie & Clyde" featuring Jay-Z's girlfriend of four years, Beyonce Knowles.
2004
Kanye Crashes Into Success
October 23: Kanye West is involved in a near fatal car crash while driving home from the recording studio. The crash provides inspiration for West's first single, "Through the Wire." College Dropout is eventually certified triple platinum.
2005
Kanye Registers Gold
Kanye West's sophomore effort Late Registration tops countless critics' lists. The album sells 860,000 copies in its first week and over 2.3 million by year's end, earning eight Grammy Award nominations including Album of the Year and Record of the Year for the song "Gold Digger."
2006
Ne-Yo's Sick Debut
Ne-Yo releases his debut album, In My Own Words. Boosted by its popular second single, "So Sick," the album debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, selling over 301,000 copies in its first week of release.
2006
Best Therapy
Ludacris drops Release Therapy which goes on to win Best Rap Album at the 2007 Grammy Awards.
2007
President Hova
Jay-Z becomes the president of Def Jam. Under his leadership, Def Jam launches successful new acts such as pop and contemporary R&B singers Rihanna and Ne-Yo.
2008
Nas is No. 1, No Title Required
Def Jam and Columbia Records release Nas' ninth studio album. The outspoken New York rapper puts out the album without a title after the controversial original title, Nigger causes an uproar. The album is Nas' fourth to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album charts.
2009
Platinum Albums, Silver Anniversary
Def Jam celebrates 25 years of music and Hip Hop culture.
