In the first installment of Def Jam’s new viral series features Russell Simmons speaking on first meeting Rick Rubin and starting one of hip hop’s most notable labels. Look out for more clips as they are leading up to the release of a book which will document the likes of LL Cool J, The Beastie Boys, Jay-Z, Redman, Rihanna, Kanye West, Public Enemy and more.
Cory reminisces about the legendary Def Jam tour in 1998 that featured everyone from DMX, to EPMD and Def Squad, Foxy Brown, Method Man, Cormega, ONYX and more. A time when Def Jam was running things hardbody. Damn, how times have changed.
After both Nas and Shyne expressing their hatred displeasure of Def Jam’s working, Big Sean sat down with Angela Yee on her Lip Service show to speak on his own experience with L.A. Reid and the label.
“Well, my experiences with L.A. Reid, I’ve had tons of meeting with him recently, and even in my meetings he said ‘Man I’m a guy that’s into hits man, pop,’ you know he says that. He’s straight up, I’m into hits I’m into that money. I’m into these f*cking hit songs so no, I don’t think L.A. Reid understands hip-hop in the same way that Nas understands it or Shyne or whoever or Kanye. He understands that muthaf*ckin money, he understands what a hit is, so you gotta respect him on that. He’s responsible for a lot of big acts. But honestly Def Jam does make a lot of mistakes and I’m signed to Def Jam and I appreciate everything they’ve done for me. I’m happy to be on Def Jam.”
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Who knows. To get a better understanding at where we are with the release, the LefsetzLetter go their hands on an email from Nasir himself, to the heads at Def Jam. Hit the jump for the goods.
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I meant to get this up a couple days ago but I was too busy knocking out Patron bottles down in Austin for SXSW. Regardless… Big Boi took it to Twitter to announce that he officially signed a solo album deal with Def Jam. Now… can we please get that Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son Of Chico Dusty!?
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ESSO pays tribute to the hip hop legends that inspired him on a promo video for Def Jam’s upcoming Rapstar video game.
Behind the scenes footage of XXL‘s Def Jam 25th Anniversary cover (on newsstands everywhere today).
The good folks at Cornerstone has given me the opportunity to bless one lucky person with this extremely dope Def Jam 25th Anniversary greatest hits bundle, packaged into mini vinyl crates along with a t-shirt. How to win? (Not-so) Simple: answer the following question below. Now usually the contests I run don’t take much thought (yet still people get butthurt/up in arms about it), so this one will actually take a bit of that. Be the first person to email me the correct answer and you’ll George Jefferson strut off with this package.
One of the acts on the compilations’ tracklistings had an album titled Derelicts of Dialect. Name me that act. – 3rd Bass
One email per person. If you get it wrong, do not answer again with the right answer. Do not flood my inbox with answers also, or I’ll relegate you to my spam box, voiding any and every other chance to win anything.The tracklistings (and more pictures) are under the cut. Good luck. UPDATE: Contest done.
In celebration of Def Jam’s quarter century in the music business, XXL has selected a handful of the label’s roster, past and present, to grace the cover of the November issue.
XXL’s new issue will include memorable tales from the MCs about the famed label, along with a complete discography of Def Jam releases and a comprehensive timeline of the brand’s biggest moments. Behind the scenes masterminds, Russell Simmons, Lyor Cohen and Kevin Liles sit for the first time to share their memories and Rick Rubin also takes a look back at the legacy of Def Jam.
Click the image above to enlarge. Issue hits newsstands October 27.
Fabolous & Jeremih performed at Def Jam’s 25th Anniversary party last week, and BCTV were on hand to catch their sets.
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LIVE from the Def Jam Records offices in NYC JD Anderson talks to Brooklyn’s own Fabolous as he gears up to release his new album Loso’s Way. Fab tells us about the interesting relationship between him and DJ Clue, how it was to see Damon Dash screaming heads off when Roc-a-fella was at its peak, his feelings on the Joe Buddens/Method Man “beef” and of course flosses some of his trinkets including a watch with loose falling diamonds.
PREVIOUS: Fabolous & The-Dream Cover XXL
