by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman
February 19, 2024
Def Jam was launched in 1984 by Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons.
Pioneering Hip-Hop record company Def Jam is now officially 40 years old. The label began its birthday celebrations with a detailed timeline featured on its website to take a walk down its memory lane.
The festivities kick off with the renowned Hip-Hop label’s establishment in 1984 by Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons, traveling all the way from the 1980s to the 2020s. Swiftly after its founding, T LA Rock and Jazzy Jay released their song “Its Yours,” making it the recording company’s first ever single, all documented within the digital hub to commemorate its 40th anniversary.
Taking off from there, the timeline details all the significant moment’s throughout the history of Def Jam, including their first album, LL Cool J’s “Radio,” and the first aired episode of Def Comedy Jam in 1992. It also captured the moments of a Def Jam artist winning their first Grammy, with LL Cool J winning Best Rap Solo Performance in 1992 for “Mama Said Knock You Out,” and the release of Montell Jordan’s #1 hit “This Is How We Do It” in 1995.
To accompany the timeline, an interactive map also listed historical places that were also part of Def Jam’s history, including Madison Square Garden, the company’s original offices, and the Brooklyn high school where Hip Hop legends, Jay-Z, DMX, and Busta Rhymes all once attended. The map intends to give Hip-Hop fanatics a deeper dive into the lives of those who helped build the genre and cultural movement.
Def Jam has maintained its relevancy and status in the music industry, with rappers such as Jay-Z and Pusha T, as well as singers Mariah Carey and Toni Braxton, being part of its expansive artist family. As a game-changing label, Def Jam’s legacy continues to evolve while remaining true to its New York-based roots, with New York City declaring January 2024 as Def Jam Month to further honor its place in entertainment.
To join the party, the Def Jam shop has merch and other accessories for fans to showcase their pride and love for the music and community it has elevated over the decades.
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