Registry ID
RLR-2026-00007
Def Jam Recordings
American record label focused primarily on hip-hop and R&B. Founded by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin. A subsidiary of Universal Music Group. All masters owned by UMG. Distributed by Universal Music Distribution. One of the most influential hip-hop labels in history, with a catalog including LL Cool J, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Rihanna, and Public Enemy.
Acquired 1998
Universal Music Group
RLR-2026-00002 · Founded 1934 · US
Subsidiaries & Imprints (2)
Label Information
- Label Name
- Def Jam Recordings
- Registry ID
- RLR-2026-00007
- Year Founded
- 1984
- Location
- New York, New York, US
- Genres
- Hip-HopR&BRap
- Current Status
- Active
- Acquired
- 1998
- Website
- https://defjam.com
- Submission Status
- VERIFIED
- Date Registered
- June 26, 2026
Platform Links
- Instagramhttps://instagram.com/defjam
- X (Twitter)https://x.com/defjam
- YouTubehttps://youtube.com/@DefJamRecordings
Current Roster (5)
2 Chainz
Alessia Cara
Justin Bieber
YG
Jay-ZFounder
Co-founded Roc-A-Fella under Def Jam, later left for Roc Nation
Notable Alumni (10)
Beastie Boys
Started on Def Jam, moved to Capitol Records
Bobby Shmurda
DMX
Deceased (2021)
Kanye West
Released through GOOD Music/Def Jam, later went independent
LL Cool J
Ludacris
Public Enemy
Rick Ross
Moved to Epic Records
Rihanna
Left to focus on Fenty empire, releases independently
Slick Rick
Compliance Status
BUSINESS REGISTRATION
FAILED: 0%
DSP RELEASES
PASSED: 100%
SOCIAL PRESENCE
PASSED: 67%
WEBSITE ALIVE
PASSED: 100%
Verified Label
This label has been verified by the Record Label Registry. Verification confirms that the label has demonstrated an active presence through publicly available information.
Digital Identity Stamp
- Stamp ID
- DIS-2026-0B069FF9
- Fingerprint
- a7232d2a33c9ac0deadf5aa7bc4141d970b6993546d036e620a08e5e18f33b07
- Catalog Entries
- 0
- Valid Until
- August 15, 2027
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