
Where did Def Jam come from?
Def Jam. Originated in the 90's. Made by a poet/rapper named Mos Def. Def means Definate which was first used by Run-DMC. Around the 90's there was Def Jam, a company that influenced Rap, Comedy and many other things.
When did Def Comedy Jam come out?
Def Comedy Jam. The series had its original run from July 1, 1992 to May 2, 1997. Simmons was inspired to make Def Comedy Jam by Jerry Lewis' movie The Nutty Professor [citation needed]. The show returned on HBO's fall lineup in 2006. Def Comedy Jam helped to launch the careers of several African-American stand-up comedians.
Who owns Def Jam record label?
The men who founded the Def Jam label in 1984 weren't much older. There was Rick Rubin, a 21-year-old NYU art school student from Long Island making music in his dorm room; and Russell Simmons, a 27-year-old from Queens, who was already making a name for himself in the downtown scene with his brother's rap group Run DMC.
What is Def Jam Recordings?
Def Jam Recordings is an American multinational record label based in Manhattan, New York City. Def Jam has focused predominantly on hip hop, pop and urban music, owned by Universal Music Group.
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Who originally owned Def Jam?
Def Jam Records, created by hip-hop entrepreneur Russell Simmons, is one of the most successful black-owned record labels in the history of the United States. Its success and influence on music and popular culture are paralleled only by Motown Records in the 1960s and 1970s.
Who was the first rapper on Def Jam?
LL Cool JLL Cool J was just 17 when he became one of the first artists signed to the company. The men who founded the Def Jam label in 1984 weren't much older.
Did Jay-Z ever own Def Jam?
In June 1997, Def Jam acquired 50% of Roc-A-Fella Records for an estimated $1.4 million, giving co-founders Jay-Z and Damon Dash part ownership of the label, while Def Jam maintained distribution and co-marketing.
Who started Def Jam with Russell Simmons?
Simmons co-founded Def Jam in 1984 with Rick Rubin, who sold his share of the company for $120 million to Universal Music Group in 1996. In 1985, Simmons co-produced and appeared in the film Krush Groove.
Why did Russell Simmons sell Def Jam?
Def Jam Recordings co-founder Russell Simmons announced Thursday that he would relinquish his leadership roles in "all the companies I founded," after a second woman accused him of sexual assault.
Who was the founder of Death Row Records?
Suge KnightDr. DreDick GriffeyDeath Row Records/Founders
What label does Jay-Z own?
Roc NationRoc‑A‑Fella RecordsDef Jam RecordingsUniversal Music GroupAtlantic RecordsPriority RecordsJay-Z/Record labels
What does Jay-Z own?
Through his business ventures Jay-Z has become the first hip-hop billionaire. In 1999, he founded the clothing retailer Rocawear, and in 2003, he founded the luxury sports bar chain 40/40 Club. Both businesses have grown to become multi-million-dollar corporations, and allowed him to start up Roc Nation in 2008.
Who owns Roc Nation?
Live Nation EntertainmentRoc Nation / Parent organizationLive Nation Entertainment, Inc. is an American global entertainment company that was founded in 2010 following the merger of Live Nation and Ticketmaster. The company promotes, operates, and manages ticket sales for live entertainment in the United States and internationally. Wikipedia
Was Russell Simmons ever a billionaire?
As of October 2022, Russell Simmons' net worth is approximately $340 Million. Russell Simmons is an American record producer and entrepreneur....Net Worth:$340 MillionBorn:October 4, 1957Gender:MaleHeight:1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)Country of Origin:United States of America3 more rows•6 days ago
What is Run DMC's net worth?
Joseph Simmons AKA Rev Run Net WorthNet Worth:$60 MillionGender:MaleHeight:5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)Profession:Disc jockey, Musician, Rapper, Minister, Screenwriter, Actor, Television producer, Film Score Composer, Record producerNationality:United States of America1 more row
Is Phat Farm still in business?
Today, Phat Farm and Baby Phat are basically extinct, without an Instagram feed or Twitter account to be found.
Who was the first to release an album on Def Jam Records?
Def Jam made their first splash by releasing LL Cool J's “I Need a Beat,” which only cost the label $400 to make, according to Complex. The crossover appeal of the Beastie Boys' “Rock Hard” single the next year had the label on the right track.
Which was the first hip-hop video played on MTV?
The first rap video to make its way into MTV's rotation was Run-D.M.C.'s “Rock Box” in 1984, after the cable network had been on the air for three years.
Who was the first female rapper to release a full length album?
MC Lyte. The first solo rapper to release her own, full-length album, MC Lyte's Lyte As A Rock dropped in 1988. Lyte's flow, lyrical precision, and refusal to self-censor gained her industry attention quickly. She has described the scene in its early days as competitive and skill-based, but not without a gender bias.
What rappers are signed to Def Jam?
Over the following two decades, Def Jam established its dominance with superstar acts like Jay-Z, DMX, Ja Rule, Method Man & Redman, Ludacris, Rihanna, Jeezy, and the inimitable Kanye West.
Who is the founder of Def Jam?
Def Jam Records, created by hip-hop entrepreneur Russell Simmons, is one of the most successful black-owned record labels in the history of the United States. Its success and influence on music and popular culture are paralleled only by Motown Records in the 1960s and 1970s.
What was the style of Def Jam?
Def Jam early artists such as Public Enemy were aggressive and confrontational and their music reflected that style. Def Jam increased its appeal to young music listeners and found new audiences by incorporating heavy metal and rock music into rap music.
What was the first song released by Def Jam?
The first single released by Def Jam was “I Need a Beat” by teenage rapper LL Cool J. This single was shortly followed by another single, “Rock Hard” by the Beastie Boys. The success of these two singles earned Def Jam a distribution deal with CBS Records which dramatically raised the profile of the young company in the music industry.
Is Def Jam still successful?
Def Jam has continues to be a successful label in the post-Russell Simmons era, making lucrative business deals with Roc-A-Fella Records and creating subsidiaries like Def Soul Records. The Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam merger would prove fruitful for both corporations and ultimately led to Shawn Carter (Rapper Jay-Z) being named company CEO in 2005.
Who was the original host of Def Comedy Jam?
Check out some of the famous alumni: 1. Martin Lawrence. Martin Lawrence was the original host ...
When did Link come to Def Comedy Jam?
Link. The SNL writer and cast member has been performing stand-up since the late '80s, but her Def Comedy Jam appearance in 2006 helped solidify her position as one of the top female comedians in the industry. 11.
What stage did Kevin Hart perform on?
Years before embarking on his own epic solo tours, Kevin Hart was using the Def Comedy Jam stage to craft his stand-up persona and make a name for himself.
How old was Chris Tucker on Def Comedy Jam?
Chris Tucker was a frequent performer on Def Comedy Jam when he was only 20 years old!
When did Dave Chappelle appear on Def Comedy Jam?
A decade before Chappelle Show, Dave Chappelle was honing his stand-up technique on stages all over New York City. His appearance on Def Comedy Jam in 1993 was an important step on his rise to stardom.
When did Tracy Morgan appear on Def Comedy Jam?
Tracy Morgan was featured on Def Comedy Jam in 1995, just one year before being hired by Saturday Night Live.
Who was Bill Bellamy?
Bill Bellamy was a frequent performer on Def Comedy Jam. His appearance in 2006 set the stage for his hosting gig on Last Comic Standing two years later.
What did LL Cool J do for Def Jam?
They could all rap, but LL Cool J made the ladies swoon with his boyish good looks and romantically inspired songs like “I Need Love”; the Beastie Boys appealed to the frat-boy set and added a rock dynamic through singles like “ (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party!)”; and Public Enemy was as serious as a heart attack, highlighting the treatment of black Americans as second-class citizens. It proved to be a revolutionary — and lucrative — formula.
When did Chuck D leave Def Jam?
The critical acclaim continued with 1990’s “Fear of a Black Planet.” The group left Def Jam in 1999. Chuck D continues to fight the power on Twitter @mrchuckd.
When did the Beasties quit Def Jam?
The Beasties quit Def Jam at the end of 1987, moving over to Capitol Records, where they set up their own vanity label, Grand Royal.
Who were the Beastie Boys?
Like Rubin, the Beastie Boys — downtown teens Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz, Adam “MCA” Yauch and Mike “Mike D” Diamond — started out as punk rockers, but had their heads turned by the arrival of hip-hop. The Beasties stood out for their bratty antics (their debut single, “Cooky Puss,” was based on a prank call to an ice cream parlor), yappy voices and, lest we forget, the fact that they were white. Rubin was the group’s part-time DJ and put out their first Def Jam single, “Rock Hard,” in 1985.
Where was James Todd Smith recorded?
James Todd Smith was an aspiring rapper still in high school in Hollis, Queens, when he heard “It’s Yours.” Inspired, he mailed his own demo tape — recorded in his grandparents’ basement — to the address on the cover of the single. For good measure, Smith called Rubin’s dorm daily for two weeks to see if he had listened to it.
Who was Madonna's DJ in 1985?
Rick Rubin: “I volunteered to be their [tour] DJ and we opened for Madonna in 1985. I remember the Radio City shows and how horrified the parents were.”
Was licensed to Ill a joke?
Rubin: “ ‘Licensed to Ill’ was a really funny album, but it ended up being a bone of contention for the band. They were disappointed that everyone didn’t get the joke.”
How old was LL Cool J when he started Def Jam?
LL Cool J was just 17 when he became one of the first artists signed to the company. The men who founded the Def Jam label in 1984 weren't much older. There was Rick Rubin, a 21-year-old NYU art school student from Long Island making music in his dorm room; and Russell Simmons, a 27-year-old from Queens, who was already making a name ...
Who is the host of Def Jam?
Rick Rubin, Russell Simmons: Def Jam's First 25 Years Host Audie Cornish speaks with Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin about the early days of their label, one of the most important in hip-hop.
What does "keep it real" mean in Def Jam?
We did the opposite — we took whatever charm they had that was produced and created and we let them do what was more honest and obvious. "Artist Development" meant looking inside, as opposed to trying to make them fit in. So it was the opposite strategy in some ways, because we would look to produce their inner ideas, as opposed to what the world was looking for. And the more we went inside — the expression came, "keeping it real," that was always the artist development strategy for Def Jam. 'Keep it real.'"
What record label launched the stars of pop music?
Behind every great pop music genre, there's a record label that launched its stars. Blue Note pushed Theolonious Monk and Art Blakey into the mainstream. Sun Records brought us Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis. Motown had its glittering roster of the Supremes, Stevie Wonder and more.
How many years did Def Jam record?
The Mix: 25 Years Of Def Jam Recordings. For hip-hop music in the early 1980s, that label was Def Jam. A new book attempts to capture that history in photos, interviews and essays. It's called Def Jam Recordings: The First 25 Years of the Last Great Record Label.
Who funded the movie "Krush Groove"?
And I got up and I knew I didn't belong in that room, and we left and no one ever called us again. Eventually I went back to Mo Austin and he funded — helped to fund — the movie "Krush Groove," and took the soundtrack. Warner Brothers made the movie, and it was No. 1 in the country.
Was LL Cool J a smart kid?
He was a smart kid. And he was part of a band called the Beastie Boys, who I met later. They were phenomenal, and he was a great producer. He had produced that record "It's Yours" by T La Rock and after he produced that record he started receiving tapes, and one of the tapes was LL Cool J's "I Need A Beat.".
Who owns Def Jam?from theguardian.com
Most likely, though, the label's ongoing significance is best summed up by Def Jam's co-founder Russell Simmons. In his 2002 autobiography, Life and Def, published three years after he sold his share in the company to Universal Music for $120m, he wrote: "My life has largely been about promoting the anger, style, ...
How old is Simmons from Def Jam?from theguardian.com
Simmons, meanwhile, is a 26-year-old former dope dealer from Queens turned hip-hop impresario, arguably at a time before the industry merited such ...
How old is Rick Rubin from Def Jam?from theguardian.com
Go back to 1983 and Rick Rubin is a 20-year-old, heavy-set, heavy-metal head from a Jewish Long Island neighbourhood. He fancies himself a musician ...
What did Simmons do in 2009?from en.wikipedia.org
In 2009, Simmons organized thousands of protestors and hip hop celebrities in front of City Hall demanding change of the harsh sentencing of the Rockefeller Drug Laws.
When did Simmons sell Phat Farm?from en.wikipedia.org
In 2004, Simmons sold Phat Farm and Baby Phat to the Kellwood Company for $140 million.
How old is Simmons?from theguardian.com
Simmons, meanwhile, is a 26-year-old former dope dealer from Queens turned hip-hop impresario, arguably at a time before the industry merited such a thing. He's putting on block parties in Harlem and managing the likes of Kurtis Blow and Run DMC, the band that included, of course, his younger brother, Joseph "Run" Simmons.
Who launched Run DMC?from theguardian.com
It was Def Jam that launched Run DMC, with their box-fresh Adidas spawning a sneaker revolution. It was Def Jam that cut loose the white juvenilia of the Beastie Boys' first album, Licensed to Ill, and, of course, the righteous polemicising of Public Enemy.
Who is the rapper who started Def Jam?from britannica.com
Rubin grew up listening to heavy metal and early punk, and he frequently took the train into Manhattan from his Long Island home to see New York punk pioneers the Ramones. While a student at New York University, he became interested in rap and immersed himself in the local scene. In 1983 he produced his first single, “It’s Yours,” by T La Rock and Jazzy Jay. Its success as a dance track in local nightclubs inspired him to create his own label, Def Jam Records. After hearing “It’s Yours,” Russell Simmons, who was already a rising star in the hip-hop scene, joined Rubin at Def Jam. The two, based in Rubin ’s dormitory room, collected demo tapes from aspiring rappers and disc jockeys. In 1984 they had their first hit with LL Cool J ’s “I Need a Beat,” a single that sold 100,000 copies. Rubin had created Def Jam to fill a niche that the mainstream recording industry had ignored, but the major labels took notice when its sales topped 300,000 albums in 1985. Columbia Records placed Rubin and Simmons under contract, and Def Jam’s roster expanded to include the Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, and Run-D.M.C. (a group that included Simmons’s brother Joseph).
Who produced Chuck D's Def Jam?from britannica.com
Reputedly, Def Jam producer Rick Rubin was so taken with Chuck D’s booming voice that he begged him to record. Public Enemy resulted and brought radical Black political ideology to pop music in an unprecedented fashion on albums with titles that read like party invitations for leftists and warning…
Why did Rubin leave Def Jam?from britannica.com
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Rubin left Def Jam in 1988 over a disagreement about the structure of the label’s relationship with Columbia. He moved to Los Angeles and founded a new label, Def American Recordings, with the heavy metal acts Slayer and Danzig as his first artists.
How many albums did Def Jam sell?from britannica.com
Rubin had created Def Jam to fill a niche that the mainstream recording industry had ignored, but the major labels took notice when its sales topped 300,000 albums in 1985.
When did Rubin start his own label?from britannica.com
In 1983 he produced his first single, “It’s Yours,” by T La Rock and Jazzy Jay. Its success as a dance track in local nightclubs inspired him to create his own label, Def Jam Records. After hearing “It’s Yours,” Russell Simmons, who was already a rising star in the hip-hop scene, joined Rubin at Def Jam.
When did Johnny Cash drop his label?from britannica.com
Rubin’s gift was perhaps most clearly demonstrated in 1993 , when country legend Johnny Cash was at the nadir of his popularity, having been dropped by his label and facing an audience that was seemingly indifferent to his brand of music.
Home media releases
The show is currently available in DVD boxsets in the US and the UK. [6]
External links
This article relating to a comedy television series in the United States is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
Who is the founder of Def Jam?from en.wikipedia.org
Def Jam was co-founded by Rick Rubin in his dormitory in Weinstein Hall at New York University, and its first release was a single by his punk-rock group Hose. Russell Simmons joined Rubin shortly after they were introduced to each other, according to one story, by Vincent Gallo. Another cites DJ Jazzy Jay as their connector.
What is Def Jam?from en.wikipedia.org
Def Jam Recordings is an American multinational record label based in Manhattan, New York City. Def Jam has focused predominantly on hip hop, pop and urban music, owned by Universal Music Group. In the UK, the label was known as Def Jam UK and was operated through EMI Records, while in Japan, it is known as Def Jam Japan, ...
When did Polygram buy Def Jam?from en.wikipedia.org
PolyGram era (1994–1998) By 1992, despite recent multiple platinum selling releases from Public Enemy, and EPMD, Def Jam ran into severe financial troubles and was faced with folding. However, in 1994, PolyGram purchased Sony's 50% stake in Def Jam Recordings—subsequently bringing the label into its fold.
When did Def Jam South East Asia launch?from en.wikipedia.org
On September 17, 2019, the launch of Def Jam South East Asia was announced at Music Matters, an annual music industry conference held in Singapore, where Joe Flizzow from Malaysia, Daboyway from Thailand, Yung Raja, Fariz Jabba and Alif from Singapore and A. Nayaka from Indonesia were announced as the label's six inaugural signings.
What does "jam a finger" mean?from thefreedictionary.com
6. To crush or bruise: jam a finger. 7. Electronics To interfere with or prevent the clear reception of (broadcast signals) by electronic means. 8. Baseball To throw an inside pitch to (a batter), especially to prevent the batter from hitting the ball with the thicker part of the bat. v.intr.
What is jam made of?from merriam-webster.com
Definition of jam. (Entry 1 of 4) : a food made by boiling fruit and sugar to a thick consistency.
What is traffic jam?from thefreedictionary.com
1. a crowding together of vehicles, people etc so that movement is difficult or impossible. traffic-jams.
