Warren Griffin III (born November 10, 1970 ) is an American rapper, record producer, and DJ who helped popularize West Coast hip hop during the 1990s. A pioneer of G-funk , he attained mainstream success with his 1994 single " Regulate " (featuring Nate Dogg ). He is credited with discovering Snoop Dogg , having introduced the then-unknown rapper to record producer Dr. Dre .
106-488: Def Jam Recordings (also simply known as Def Jam ) is an American multinational record label owned by Universal Music Group . It is based in Manhattan , New York City, specializing predominantly in hip hop , contemporary R&B , soul and pop . The label has a London-based, UK arm known as 0207 Def Jam (formerly Def Jam UK in the 1990s until the mid-2000s) and is currently operated through EMI Records . It has
212-551: A "record group" which is, in turn, controlled by a music group. The constituent companies in a music group or record group are sometimes marketed as being "divisions" of the group. From 1929 to 1998, there were six major record labels, known as the Big Six: PolyGram was merged into Universal Music Group (UMG) in 1999, leaving the remaining record labels to be known as the Big Five. In 2004, Sony and BMG agreed to
318-590: A 213 album finally arrived: The Hard Way . During 1993, at Dr. Dre's studio, Warren met John Singleton , director of Boyz n the Hood , the seminal film named for Eazy-E's debut single , produced by Dre. Singleton asked Warren to produce a song for the soundtrack of his forthcoming film Poetic Justice . Warren thus produced Mista Grimm 's song " Indo Smoke ", featuring Warren G and Nate Dogg . The single's success led to Warren's invitation to Russell Simmons 's label Def Jam Recordings , where Warren G signed
424-405: A 50% profit-share agreement, aka 50–50 deal, not uncommon. In addition, independent labels are often artist-owned (although not always), with a stated intent often being to control the quality of the artist's output. Independent labels usually do not enjoy the resources available to the "big three" and as such will often lag behind them in market shares. However, frequently independent artists manage
530-458: A Cash Money Click reunion album, due to Ja Rule's contractual obligations, which alleged that Cohen paid Ja and Irv Gotti US$ 8 million not to submit the project to TVT, but instead to parent company Universal. This resulted in TVT suing Def Jam, alleging infringement, fraud and tortious interference, winning $ 132 million in a judgment, but was later reduced to $ 126,000 after Universal and Def Jam appealed
636-455: A Johannesburg, South Africa and Lagos, Nigeria-based arm known as Def Jam Africa . As of 2024, Def Jam's current roster includes Justin Bieber , DJ Khaled , Alessia Cara , Logic , 2 Chainz , Frank Ocean , Big Sean , Dave East , Wale , Jeremih , Pusha T , Fabolous , Jhené Aiko , Coco Jones , LL Cool J , Public Enemy , Jadakiss , YG , Muni Long , Buju Banton , Fridayy , Benny
742-714: A Look Over Your Shoulder , released in March 1997. It was certified gold, with half a million copies sold, in May. Sharing with the Supercop soundtrack the single " What's Love Got To Do with It ", featuring singer Adina Howard , a spin on the 1984 single by Tina Turner , reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart , and peaked in the U.S. at No. 32 on the Billboard Hot 100. " Smokin' Me Out ", featuring Ron Isley of
848-562: A US Senate committee, that the Byrds never received any of the royalties they had been promised for their biggest hits, " Mr. Tambourine Man " and " Turn! Turn!, Turn! ". A contract either provides for the artist to deliver completed recordings to the label, or for the label to undertake the recording with the artist. For artists without a recording history, the label is often involved in selecting producers, recording studios , additional musicians, and songs to be recorded, and may supervise
954-669: A bachelor party—thrown for Dre's friend Andre "LA Dre" Bolton, another record producer—whereupon Warren found himself invited to join it. There, once the songs began to repeat, Warren offered LA Dre the 213 tape. Liking it, he summoned Dr. Dre, who, hearing the Snoop rap "Super Duper Snooper", immediately welcomed the trio. Days later, 213 moved into Dre's lavish troubadour-style house in Calabasas , home to both his wife and his recording studio. In April 1992, Dr. Dre's debut solo single " Deep Cover " introduced America to Snoop Doggy Dogg,
1060-479: A bigger company. If this is the case it can sometimes give the artist greater freedom than if they were signed directly to the big label. There are many examples of this kind of label, such as Nothing Records , owned by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails ; and Morning Records, owned by the Cooper Temple Clause , who were releasing EPs for years before the company was bought by RCA . If an artist and
1166-478: A career in his mentor and stepbrother's shadow, signed to Def Jam Recordings in New York City . By 1990, in his hometown Long Beach , as record producer and rapper, Warren formed a music trio with two of his longtime running mates, Nathaniel " Nate Dogg " Hale, a rapperlike singer, and Calvin " Snoop Dogg ” Broadus, a singerlike rapper. The Long Beach trio, fond of Oakland rap group 415 , named for
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#17327978656261272-408: A conventional cash advance to sign the artist, who would receive a royalty for sales after expenses were recouped. With the release of the artist's first album, however, the label has an option to pay an additional $ 200,000 in exchange for 30 percent of the net income from all touring, merchandise, endorsements, and fan-club fees. Atlantic would also have the right to approve the act's tour schedule, and
1378-666: A deal with a proper label. In 2002, ArtistShare was founded as the Internet's first record label where the releases were directly funded by the artist's fans. Warren G His debut studio album, Regulate... G Funk Era (1994), debuted at number two on the U.S. Billboard 200 , selling 176,000 in its first week. The album has since received triple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), signifying sales of three million copies. "Regulate" spent 18 weeks within
1484-474: A fatal heart attack. A month later, Def Jam released his posthumous album, Exodus , which debuted and peaked in the top ten on Billboard 200. Two digital greatest hits albums by DMX were also available for streaming under the label throughout the same period: A Dog's Prayer and The Legacy . Later that year, Harleston conference-called hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg and named him the executive consultant of Def Jam. Snoop agreed to Harleston's request and took over
1590-621: A joint venture and merged their recorded music division to create the Sony BMG label (which would be renamed Sony Music Entertainment after a 2008 merger); BMG kept its music publishing division separate from Sony BMG and later sold BMG Music Publishing to UMG. In 2007, the remaining record labels—then known as the Big Four—controlled about 70% of the world music market , and about 80% of the United States music market. In 2012,
1696-476: A label want to work together, whether an artist has contacted a label directly, usually by sending their team a demo, or the Artists & Repertoire team of the label has scouted the artist and reached out directly, they will usually enter in to a contractual relationship. A label typically enters into an exclusive recording contract with an artist to market the artist's recordings in return for royalties on
1802-462: A large international media group , or somewhere in between. The Association of Independent Music (AIM) defines a 'major' as "a multinational company which (together with the companies in its group) has more than 5% of the world market(s) for the sale of records or music videos." As of 2012 , there are only three labels that can be referred to as "major labels": Universal Music Group , Sony Music , and Warner Music Group . In 2014, AIM estimated that
1908-488: A new contract. The new millennium saw Roc-A-Fella, Def Jam's subsidiary, begin to expand beyond one figurehead artist. Roc-A-Fella Records artists proved successful with the Jay-Z's The Dynasty: Roc La Familia (2001) and The Blueprint (2001), including the labels other signees gaining recognition with Beanie Sigel 's The Truth (2000) and Memphis Bleek 's The Understanding (2001). The second international label
2014-642: A record deal. Also that year, Warren and Nate, along with Kurupt —whom the 213 trio had brought to Dre to help on his album The Chronic —feature on " Ain't No Fun (If the Homies Can't Have None) ", a huge underground hit, too risque to be a single, on Snoop's Doggystyle album, released in November. On the Above The Rim soundtrack, from Death Row Records in April 1994, the single " Regulate "
2120-605: A return by recording for a much smaller production cost of a typical big label release. Sometimes they are able to recoup their initial advance even with much lower sales numbers. On occasion, established artists, once their record contract has finished, move to an independent label. This often gives the combined advantage of name recognition and more control over one's music along with a larger portion of royalty profits. Artists such as Dolly Parton , Aimee Mann , Prince , Public Enemy , among others, have done this. Historically, companies started in this manner have been re-absorbed into
2226-716: A return to the rapper's original credibility following the fallback of his 1993 album, 14 Shots to the Dome ; his last album under the Def Jam/Columbia partnership. The label later signed Foxy Brown , whose debut album, Ill Na Na (1996) became a platinum seller in 1997. Def Jam followed up with its then-new R&B act, Case , whose self-titled debut album (also in 1996), including the single, " Touch Me, Tease Me ", went gold. 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
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#17327978656262332-518: A sequel to Def Jam Vendetta , featured artists from the label. These artists include Method Man & Redman, N.O.R.E., Ludacris, Ghostface Killah, Memphis Bleek, and Joe Budden. The final shares of Roc-A-Fella Records were sold to Island Def Jam in 2004 for $ 10 million. By that time, Roc-A-Fella and Def Jam had launched the career of rapper-producer Kanye West . His debut, The College Dropout , went on to sell over two million copies. Co-founder Damon Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke were forced out of
2438-563: A stand-alone label within the Universal Music Group. Def Jam signed DaniLeigh to the label in early 2017. Steve Bartels served as president and CEO of Def Jam since 2013 until an announcement commenced on August 3, 2017, stating that in January 2018, Eminem 's manager and co-founder of Shady Records , Paul Rosenberg would be appointed chairman and CEO of Def Jam. On September 17, 2019, the launch of Def Jam South East Asia
2544-548: A track, is allegedly overdone, a comeback undone by Warren's reaching beyond his strengths and being outdone by his guests. He "wastes a hot, Dre-produced beat", in the single " Lookin' at You ", alleges a Vibe writer, who finds G-funk on its deathbed and Warren G "administering the fatal shot". The album peaked at number 83 the Billboard 200 , and became his final album under a major record label , here Universal Music Group , before returned on an independent label. In
2650-539: Is a Japanese branch, Def Jam Japan ( デフ・ジャム・ジャパン , Defu Jamu Japan ) , also founded in 2000. The label was later rebranded as Def Jam Recordings; however, it is sometimes still referred to as Def Jam Japan. Their artist roster has included Japanese-American singer Ai , Teriyaki Boyz , AK-69 , Nitro Microphone Underground, and South Korean boy band BTS . Ja Rule released his third studio album, Pain Is Love , on October 2, 2001 through Def Jam. Pain Is Love topped
2756-454: Is often marketed as a "unit" or "division" of the parent label, though in most cases, they operate as pseudonym for it and do not exist as a distinct business operation or separate business structure (although trademarks are sometimes registered). A record label may give a musical act an imprint as part of their branding, while other imprints serve to house other activities, such as side ventures of that label. Music collectors often use
2862-684: Is owned by Sony Group Corporation ). Record labels and music publishers that are not under the control of the big three are generally considered to be independent ( indie ), even if they are large corporations with complex structures. The term indie label is sometimes used to refer to only those independent labels that adhere to independent criteria of corporate structure and size, and some consider an indie label to be almost any label that releases non-mainstream music, regardless of its corporate structure. Independent labels are often considered more artist-friendly. Though they may have less sales power, indie labels typically offer larger artist royalty with
2968-781: The Bay area 's area code, took the name 213 , the Los Angeles area's. Practicing and recording in the modest studio in Long Beach record store V.I.P., they cut a demo tape. Dr. Dre , already a celebrity, rebuffed his younger stepbrother Warren's requests for him to listen. Before long, homemade copies of 213's songs spread in Los Angeles county , particularly the cities Compton and Pomona , and Los Angeles city's sections Watts and South Central , but no label picked them up. One day, Warren phoned Dre to catch up, and found him at
3074-594: The Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 361,000 copies and is certified triple platinum by the RIAA. The album was supported by the singles: Down Ass Bitch , Always on Time , and Livin' It Up . In January 2003, Murder Inc. became the center of a money laundering investigation involving illegal profits from drug trading , leading to the label's eventual release from its distribution contract by 2005. Def Jam also blocked Murder Inc. and TVT Records from releasing
3180-693: The Violator Records -signed artist Warren G 's debut album, Regulate... G Funk Era , which went triple platinum and brought much-needed revenue to Def Jam through its joint deal with Violator. PolyGram acquired an additional 10% stake in Def Jam, further strengthening its ownership of the label. Shortly thereafter, Rush Associated Labels were renamed to the Def Jam Music Group. The label remained profitable as its veteran star LL Cool J released his successful album Mr. Smith in 1995,
3286-463: The free software and open source movements and the success of Linux . In the mid-2000s, some music publishing companies began undertaking the work traditionally done by labels. The publisher Sony/ATV Music, for example, leveraged its connections within the Sony family to produce, record, distribute, and promote Elliott Yamin 's debut album under a dormant Sony-owned imprint , rather than waiting for
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3392-510: The "parent" of any sublabels. Vanity labels are labels that bear an imprint that gives the impression of an artist's ownership or control, but in fact represent a standard artist/label relationship. In such an arrangement, the artist will control nothing more than the usage of the name on the label, but may enjoy a greater say in the packaging of their work. An example of such a label is the Neutron label owned by ABC while at Phonogram Inc. in
3498-766: The American summer of 1994, it stood at No. 1 on the MTV charts. Performing in Japan, he would discover fans who apparently understood no English, but knew all the lyrics. Into the 21st century, it remained Def Jam's biggest hit single. Russell Simmons, a Def Jam founder, explains, "Warren's music was worldwide because the melody plays no matter what the language." Yet further, unlike other G-funk (short for gangsta funk) artists, Warren G, even called "a romantic" at heart, voiced simpler concerns. And his modest rap styling maximized, by heeding, his modest lyricism. "Regulate" doubled as
3604-712: The Billboard Hot 100's upper tier Top 40 became Nate Dogg's single " Nobody Does it Better " —on Nate's repeatedly delayed debut album —featuring Warren G, in another duet, which peaked at No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100. Here, incidentally, Warren raps a bar indicating his transition to family life. Warren's third album, I Want It All , released in October 1999, has Warren mainly producing—where, perhaps, his greater comparative strength among musical peers abides—while vocals go largely to guest artists, including Nate Dogg, Snoop Dogg, RBX , Kurupt , Eve , Slick Rick , and Jermaine Dupri . Certified gold in November 1999, it bears
3710-539: The Butcher , Trinidad Cardona , DaniLeigh , Fredo Bang , Nasty C , Armani White , and Hit-Boy among others. The label also inspired the Def Jam video game franchise (2003-2010) which include the games Def Jam Vendetta , Def Jam: Fight for NY , Def Jam: Icon and Def Jam Rapstar . Def Jam was co-founded by Rick Rubin in his dormitory in Weinstein Hall at New York University , and its first release
3816-595: The Def Jam Recordings logo was T La Rock & Jazzy Jay's "It's Yours". The first releases with Def Jam Recordings catalog numbers were LL Cool J 's " I Need a Beat " and the Beastie Boys ' " Rock Hard ", both in 1984. The singles sold well, eventually leading to a distribution deal with CBS Records through Columbia Records the following year. However, the Hose and T La Rock releases were not part of
3922-642: The EP, premised as a sequel to the 1994 original, is titled Regulate... G Funk Era, Part II . Released on August 6, it features E-40 , Too Short , Jeezy , Bun B , and, in all four songs, Nate Dogg. With his unique knack for intuiting Warren's production cues, Nate leaves behind some of his 213 partner's favorite recordings. Warren has six children with his wife, Tennile Griffin. Getting older, increasingly identifying with his father, fond of cooking and storytelling, Warren G embraces "his morals and good family fun". His oldest son, Olaijah , played college football for
4028-568: The Island Def Jam Music Group . Despite the formation of IDJMG, the Def Jam, Mercury, and Island labels continued to operate as separate imprints underneath the umbrella. That same year, Def Jam and Island Def Jam signed rapper Ja Rule . Lyor Cohen was appointed co-president of IDJMG, and Kevin Liles succeeded him as president of Def Jam. In 1998, Def Jam created an R&B spin-off label called Def Soul Records to run under
4134-626: The Long Beach shipyards and began focusing on music after Dr. Dre taught him how to use a drum machine. By 1990, Warren G had formed the trio 213 with two longtime running mates, Nathaniel " Nate Dogg " Hale and Calvin " Snoop Dogg " Broadus. 213 was a contributor to the G-funk sound soon to emerge in rap. The trio dissolved after Warren G connected them to Dr. Dre. At that point, two solo careers were launched: Dr. Dre's and Snoop Dogg's, upon G-funk. Nate, too, signed to Dr. Dre's Death Row Records . Warren G initially helped there, but not desiring
4240-629: The Mid-Nite Hour and then 2009's The G Files , were released independently and self-produced. In 2015, he released Regulate... G Funk Era, Part II , an extended play featuring archived recordings of Nate Dogg, who died in 2011. In 2017, "Regulate", certified platinum in 1994, went multi-platinum, propelled by digital downloads. Warren Griffin III was born on November 10, 1970, and grew up in Long Beach, California . He had three sisters and
4346-558: The Mid-Nite Hour , released in October 2005, Warren G's fifth album, his first without a major label involved, was on Hawino Records. Heavily featuring his native, 213 groupmates Nate and Snoop, it is devotedly Warren's own project, homemade on a low budget. Music critics assess it to better carry Warren G's own virtues as G-funk's everyman . Yet by that very virtue, as expected, it saw scarce exposure beyond Warren G's fans. His sixth album, in September 2009, The G Files , "still
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4452-522: The RIAA, and sold five million copies worldwide. The success of the album prompted Lyor Cohen to challenge DMX to record another album quickly to have another album released within the same calendar year. DMX's second studio album, Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood was released on December 22, 1998 and debuted at number one the Billboard 200 . The album sold over 670,000 units in its first week of release, and went on to sell over four million copies worldwide. DMX claimed that Def Jam made $ 144 million from
4558-504: The UK. At one point artist Lizzie Tear (under contract with ABC themselves) appeared on the imprint, but it was devoted almost entirely to ABC's offerings and is still used for their re-releases (though Phonogram owns the masters of all the work issued on the label). However, not all labels dedicated to particular artists are completely superficial in origin. Many artists, early in their careers, create their own labels which are later bought out by
4664-546: The United States would typically bear a 4th & B'way logo and would state in the fine print, "4th & B'way™, an Island Records, Inc. company". Collectors discussing labels as brands would say that 4th & B'way is a sublabel or imprint of just "Island" or "Island Records". Similarly, collectors who choose to treat corporations and trademarks as equivalent might say 4th & B'way is an imprint and/or sublabel of both Island Records, Ltd. and that company's sublabel, Island Records, Inc. However, such definitions are complicated by
4770-941: The West Coast Fest, "an OG affair" with DJ Quik , Mack 10 , the Dogg Pound , Bone Thugs N Harmony , and others. Meanwhile, in a guest role, Warren played OG Hemingway in the sitcom Newsreaders on the Cartoon Network 's Adult Swim programming. And in August 2014, on the Mnet channel's reality series American Hustle Life , he directed an alternate music video for "Boy In Luv", by South Korean boy band BTS . Nostalgic fans would ask Warren for more of classic G-funk , and even ask for more from Nate Dogg, who had died in 2011. The single " My House ", leading Warren G's first EP , arrived on July 13, 2015. With four songs,
4876-490: The album and its follow-up, I Want It All (1999), received gold certifications by the RIAA. His fourth album, The Return of the Regulator (2001), failed to yield his earlier commercial heights. Along with longtime collaborators Snoop Dogg and Nate Dogg, he formed the hip-hop trio 213 , named for Long Beach 's area code; they released the album The Hard Way (2004) to mild success. His next two albums, 2005's In
4982-407: The album will sell better if the artist complies with the label's desired requests or changes. At times, the record label's decisions are prudent ones from a commercial perspective, but these decisions may frustrate artists who feel that their art is being diminished or misrepresented by such actions. In other instances, record labels have shelved artists' albums with no intention of any promotion for
5088-489: The album's other single, " Do You See ", had peaked at No. 42. In August, the album was certified 3x multi-platinum. That month also brought some Warren G collaborations on two albums from his Long Beach associates, Twinz only album Conversation (album) and The Dove Shack trio's This Is the Shack . And 1996 saw Warren G on the "Groupie" track of Snoop's second album, Tha Doggfather . Warren G's second album, Take
5194-411: The artist from their contract, leaving the artist in a state of limbo. Artists who have had disputes with their labels over ownership and control of their music have included Taylor Swift , Tinashe , Megan Thee Stallion , Kelly Clarkson , Thirty Seconds to Mars , Clipse , Ciara , JoJo , Michelle Branch , Kesha , Kanye West , Lupe Fiasco , Paul McCartney , and Johnny Cash . In
5300-415: The artist in question. Reasons for shelving can include the label deciding to focus its resources on other artists on its roster, or the label undergoing a restructure where the person that signed the artist and supports the artist's vision is no longer present to advocate for the artist. In extreme cases, record labels can prevent the release of an artist's music for years, while also declining to release
5406-425: The artist is established and has a loyal fan base. For that reason, labels now have to be more relaxed with the development of artists because longevity is the key to these types of pact. Several artists such as Paramore , Maino , and even Madonna have signed such types of deals. A look at an actual 360 deal offered by Atlantic Records to an artist shows a variation of the structure. Atlantic's document offers
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#17327978656265512-484: The artists may be downloaded free of charge or for a fee that is paid via PayPal or other online payment system. Some of these labels also offer hard copy CDs in addition to direct download. Digital Labels are the latest version of a 'net' label. Whereas 'net' labels were started as a free site, digital labels represent more competition for the major record labels. The new century brought the phenomenon of open-source or open-content record labels. These are inspired by
5618-495: The charts. The album sold over 4.9 million copies to date, and has been certified five times platinum by the RIAA. The following year, it launched another subsidiary, Def Jam South , which focused on Southern rap and distributed releases from labels such as Disturbing tha Peace , whose artist roster included its co-founder Ludacris , Shawnna , Bobby Valentino and Playaz Circle . Russell Simmons tapped Houston hip hop legend and former Rap-A-Lot recording artist Scarface as
5724-650: The circular label in the center of a vinyl record which prominently displays the manufacturer's name, along with other information. Within the mainstream music industry , recording artists have traditionally been reliant upon record labels to broaden their consumer base, market their albums, and promote their singles on streaming services, radio, and television. Record labels also provide publicists , who assist performers in gaining positive media coverage, and arrange for their merchandise to be available via stores and other media outlets. Record labels may be small, localized and " independent " ("indie"), or they may be part of
5830-558: The classic soul group , reaching No. 35, was big on the Los Angeles area's radio play. "I Shot the Sheriff", a lyrical spin on the 1973 single by Bob Marley & the Wailers , yet an instrumental borrow from rap group EPMD 's 1988 single " Strictly Business ", which itself samples that Wailers classic, reached No. 20. Yet a letdown overall, the album missed his debut's superstar potential. In July 1998, Warren G's sixth appearance in
5936-471: The company that owns it. Sometimes, a record label is also a publishing company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture , distribution , marketing, promotion, and enforcement of copyright for sound recordings and music videos, while also conducting talent scouting and development of new artists , artist financing and maintaining contracts with recording artists and their managers. The term "record label" derives from
6042-403: The company. Some independent labels become successful enough that major record companies negotiate contracts to either distribute music for the label or in some cases, purchase the label completely, to the point where it functions as an imprint or sublabel. A label used as a trademark or brand and not a company is called an imprint , a term used for a similar concept in publishing . An imprint
6148-456: The consultancy role in July. In August 2021, Harleston announced that he will replace himself as the interim president of Def Jam with former Interscope/ RCA executive and Keep Cool founder Tunji Balogun , who agreed to take on the role as chairman and CEO, which he did on New Year's Day 2022. In late-October 2022, Def Jam ended their partnership with GOOD Music, Kanye West's label, in response to
6254-400: The corporate mergers that occurred in 1989 (when Island was sold to PolyGram) and 1998 (when PolyGram merged with Universal). PolyGram held sublabels including Mercury, Island and Motown. Island remained registered as corporations in both the United States and UK , but control of its brands changed hands multiple times as new companies were formed, diminishing the corporation's distinction as
6360-482: The deal and are now controlled by different entities. This created a short-lived subsidiary label called OBR Records, short for Original Black Recordings, which catered toward R&B artists—the first artist signed to that imprint was Oran "Juice" Jones , who enjoyed success with his hit single " The Rain ". A few years later, Russell Simmons and Lyor Cohen started an umbrella label called Rush Associated Labels to handle Def Jam and its numerous spinoff labels. RAL became
6466-465: The decade drew to a close, the label signed Public Enemy , whose controversial lyrical content garnered the company both critical acclaim and disdain. Lyor Cohen became president of Def Jam/RAL in 1988, after winning a power struggle with Rubin, who would shortly thereafter leave the company to form Def American Recordings . Rubin would take Slayer and the rights of its Def Jam albums with him to Def American in its initial stages. In 1991, CBS Records
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#17327978656266572-416: The early days of the recording industry, recording labels were absolutely necessary for the success of any artist. The first goal of any new artist or band was to get signed to a contract as soon as possible. In the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s, many artists were so desperate to sign a contract with a record company that they sometimes ended up signing agreements in which they sold the rights to their recordings to
6678-512: The end of their contract with EMI when their album In Rainbows was released as a " pay what you want " sales model as an online download, but they also returned to a label for a conventional release. Research shows that record labels still control most access to distribution. Computers and internet technology led to an increase in file sharing and direct-to-fan digital distribution, causing music sales to plummet in recent years. Labels and organizations have had to change their strategies and
6784-469: The executive vice president of the urban division at Def Jam's sister Universal label, Capitol Music Group . On April 1, 2014, it was announced that the Island Def Jam Music Group would no longer be active following the resignation of CEO Barry Weiss. A press release serviced by Universal Music Group stated that IDJMG, and all of its assets would be reorganized into Def Jam, Island and Motown, all as separate entities. Def Jam Recordings currently operates as
6890-484: The founder's online and public media outbursts, including his 2024 presidential campaign , antisemitic and pro-race remarks. Although, West had already been exiled from the label after releasing Donda on August 29, 2021, as so Pusha T after It's Almost Dry on April 22 earlier that year, making 070 Shake 's You Can't Kill Me the final release under the GOOD/Def Jam partnership. On October 31, 2023,
6996-559: The home to Nice & Smooth and EPMD after both acts were acquired due to the folding of their former label Sleeping Bag Records . Other acts under the RAL umbrella included Redman , Onyx , Flatlinerz , Domino , Warren G and Jayo Felony . Def Jam also signed its first and only thrash metal band, Slayer , in 1986, and the band's third and fourth albums were the only two Def Jam releases to be distributed through Geffen Records via Warner Bros. Records as opposed to Columbia/CBS. As
7102-421: The label as Cohen left IDJMG for Warner Music Group , and was replaced by music executive Antonio "L.A." Reid . Frustrated, Liles and now-chairwoman of Atlantic Records , Julie Greenwald eventually decided to follow Cohen to Warner. That same year, through Def Jam A&R executive Shakir Stewart , Def Jam signed Atlanta, Georgia based rapper Young Jeezy . His debut album, Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101
7208-498: The label into the Island Records fold. Island would share in sales and marketing duties with select radio projects while Def Jam remained independent on all other label functions (A&R, video, promotion and publicity). The label venture went on to receive huge success with a slew of various other multi-platinum releases from Montell Jordan , Public Enemy, LL Cool J, Redman, Method Man and more. RAL/Def Jam also distributed
7314-531: The label made its debut in the Philippines through Universal Music Philippines , led by former Sony Music Philippines and Sindikato Management executive Enzo Valdez. Pinoy hip hop quartet VVS Collective was the label's first signed artists. On February 21, 2020, Paul Rosenberg stepped down on his positions as chairman and CEO of Def Jam. He was replaced by the head of business affairs at Universal Music, Jeffrey Harleston, who instead assumed interim control over
7420-423: The label within a five-year gap between 1998 and 2003), as well as new signee Joe Budden expressed discomfort with Jay-Z's leadership of the label, having altogether left the label since then. Under Jay-Z's leadership, Def Jam launched the successful careers of contemporary R&B singers Rihanna and Ne-Yo . At the end of 2007, after he released American Gangster , Jay-Z decided not to renew his contract as
7526-536: The label's companionship. Def Jam inherited many of Island's urban artists, including Dru Hill (including its lead singer Sisqó ), the Isley Brothers (featuring Ronald Isley ) and Kelly Price . Def Soul also issued recordings by Musiq Soulchild , Montell Jordan, Case , 112 , Patti LaBelle , and Christina Milian . Liles also assumed presidency of Def Soul, which also formed a Classics subsidiary (active from 2003 to 2011). Island's 4th & B'way Records
7632-515: The label's core artist, Jeezy, had fulfilled his contract with Def Jam. Meanwhile, the label had already signed Washington, D.C. rapper Wale . Beginning in 2024, Def Jam began operating under the Republic Records branding. Record label [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] "Big Three" music labels A record label or record company is a brand or trademark of music recordings and music videos , or
7738-549: The label's presence around the world. Def Jam Germany signed German rappers Spezializtz and Philly MC. The label was located in Berlin and opened on May 23, 2000. In addition to signing and marketing local artists, Def Jam Germany also marketed all U.S. signed Def Jam artists in the German territory. But the German division folded just two years later in 2002. Many of the artists were picked up by Universal/Urban, while others did not get
7844-526: The label, while Def Jam maintained distribution and co-marketing. In 1997, through Def Jam A&R Irv Gotti , Def Jam signed artist DMX . DMX's first studio album, It's Dark and Hell is Hot was released on May 12, 1998 and was co-executive produced by Irv Gotti. The album debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200 and sold over 250,000 copies in its first week. The album went on to sell four million copies in America, being certified Quadruple Platinum by
7950-426: The label. That November, Def Jam teamed up with Alex and Alec Boateng to create a new UK spin-off label called 0207 Def Jam under Universal Music UK's EMI Records. The UK roster currently consists of Stormzy . Def Jam also expanded to Africa with the creation of Def Jam Africa . On April 9, 2021, returning label veteran DMX died in a White Plains hospital a week after suffering from a drug overdose succumbing him to
8056-526: The lead single Warren G's debut album, Regulate... G Funk Era , arriving in June 1994. Selling a million copies in three days, it debuted at No. 2 on the popular albums chart, the Billboard 200 . In August, it was certified 2x multi-platinum, two million copies sold. Its second single, " This D.J. ", went gold, half a million copies, in September, while peaking in July at No. 9. At the 1995 Grammy Awards , in March, both singles were nominated. And in January,
8162-683: The major divisions of EMI were sold off separately by owner Citigroup : most of EMI's recorded music division was absorbed into UMG; EMI Music Publishing was absorbed into Sony/ATV Music Publishing; finally, EMI's Parlophone and Virgin Classics labels were absorbed into Warner Music Group (WMG) in July 2013. This left the so-called Big Three labels. In 2020 and 2021, both WMG and UMG had their IPO with WMG starting trading at Nasdaq and UMG starting trading at Euronext Amsterdam and leaving only Sony Music as wholly-owned subsidiary of an international conglomerate ( Sony Entertainment which in turn
8268-433: The major labels (two examples are American singer Frank Sinatra 's Reprise Records , which has been owned by Warner Music Group for some time now, and musician Herb Alpert 's A&M Records , now owned by Universal Music Group). Similarly, Madonna 's Maverick Records (started by Madonna with her manager and another partner) was to come under control of Warner Music when Madonna divested herself of controlling shares in
8374-537: The majors had a collective global market share of some 65–70%. Record labels are often under the control of a corporate umbrella organization called a "music group ". A music group is usually affiliated to an international conglomerate " holding company ", which often has non-music divisions as well. A music group controls and consists of music-publishing companies, record (sound recording) manufacturers, record distributors, and record labels. Record companies (manufacturers, distributors, and labels) may also constitute
8480-411: The nickname Warren G. By this time, Dr. Dre was already beginning to experience success as the writer and record producer for Ruthless Records , as well as being a member of N.W.A with Ruthless Records founder Eazy-E and Ice Cube . N.W.A’s landmark album, Straight Outta Compton , was driving the Los Angeles area's rap scene to swiftly drop electro for gangsta. Once out of jail, Warren worked at
8586-424: The original head of Def Jam South. On October 10, 2000, Def Jam and Murder Inc. released Ja Rule's second studio album, Rule 3:36 . Anchored by the success of the single Between Me and You , the album topped the Billboard 200 and was certified triple platinum in America. In 2000, The Island Def Jam Music Group announced the formation of Def Jam Germany, the first international Def Jam company. This increased
8692-507: The output of recording sessions. For established artists, a label is usually less involved in the recording process. The relationship between record labels and artists can be a difficult one. Many artists have had conflicts with their labels over the type of sound or songs they want to make, which can result in the artist's artwork or titles being changed before release. Other artists have had their music prevented from release, or shelved. Record labels generally do this because they believe that
8798-580: The position again.. In March 2011, it was announced that former Warner Bros. Records executive Joie Manda would become the first president of Def Jam since Jay-Z . Around the summer of 2011, after Universal Music disbanded the Universal Motown Republic Group , Motown Records would be moved under the Island Def Jam umbrella. In 2012, Manda assumed the position of president until March 2013 when he exited his post. It
8904-418: The president and CEO of Def Jam in order to start his new Live Nation venture, Roc Nation . Following Jay-Z's departure, L.A. Reid took over leadership of the label, as opposed to hiring a replacement. In June 2008, Shakir Stewart was appointed as the executive vice president of Def Jam, a position that was previously left vacant since December 2007. However, on November 1, Stewart committed suicide, vacating
9010-548: The record label in perpetuity. Entertainment lawyers are usually employed by artists to discuss contract terms. Due to advancing technology such as the Internet , the role of labels is rapidly changing, as artists are able to freely distribute their own material through online radio , peer-to-peer file sharing such as BitTorrent , and other services, at little to no cost, but with correspondingly low financial returns. Established artists, such as Nine Inch Nails , whose career
9116-468: The ruling, claiming that the existence of an agreement between the parties meant that their behavior was only a breach of contract and not fraud. That September, DMX released his fifth album, Grand Champ . Though it was DMX's fifth number one album and was certified platinum by the RIAA, it was his final album for the label before leaving in 2006. Also that September, Def Jam released the video game, Def Jam: Fight for NY . The video game, which served as
9222-418: The salaries of certain tour and merchandise sales employees hired by the artist. In addition, the label also offers the artist a 30 percent cut of the label's album profits—if any—which represents an improvement from the typical industry royalty of 15 percent. With the Internet now being the dominant source for obtaining music, netlabels have emerged. Depending on the ideals of the net label, music files from
9328-583: The sales of his first two albums. In 1998, PolyGram was purchased by Universal Pictures ' former parent, Seagram . It later merged with the MCA group of record labels. In early 1999, the label group was rebranded as the Universal Music Group . It then purchased the remaining interest of Def Jam Recordings from Russell Simmons for a reported $ 100 million. UMG merged over 14 record labels including Def Jam, Island, and Mercury Records together to form
9434-508: The same basic G-funk sound", adds to "that classic soul vibe", Warren explains, "a taste of that modern electro sound". Disliking what he put as the rap standard of "some drums and one synth sound", he titled "The West is Back" for return to "that great soulful sound". "100 Miles and Running" features Nate Dogg—recorded before Nate's strokes in 2007 and 2008—and the Wu-Tang Clan 's Raekwon . From June to September 2013, Warren toured in
9540-419: The selling price of the recordings. Contracts may extend over short or long durations, and may or may not refer to specific recordings. Established, successful artists tend to be able to renegotiate their contracts to get terms more favorable to them, but Prince 's much-publicized 1994–1996 feud with Warner Bros. Records provides a strong counterexample, as does Roger McGuinn 's claim, made in July 2000 before
9646-644: The single " I Want It All ", featuring Mack 10 , which, becoming Warren's most recent Top 40 appearance, peaked on the Hot 100 at No. 23. Over 20 years later, his 1997 and 1999 albums remain at gold certification, which none of his subsequent albums have achieved. Released in December 2001, Warren's fourth album, The Return of the Regulator , with a litany of collaborators, including the P-Funk father and G-funk godfather George Clinton and, elsewhere, Dr. Dre producing
9752-485: The soon-to-become Dr. Dre who in 1984 joined a leading DJ crew, the World Class Wreckin' Cru , which by 1985 doubled as an electro rap group, which in 1987 put out the Los Angeles area's first rap recording under a major label. By then, a Jordan High School student, Warren was playing football and running with friends. In 1988, age 17, Warren was jailed for gun possession. While incarcerated, he took
9858-400: The term sublabel to refer to either an imprint or a subordinate label company (such as those within a group). For example, in the 1980s and 1990s, 4th & B'way Records (pronounced as "Broadway") was a trademarked brand owned by Island Records Ltd. in the UK and by a subordinate branch, Island Records, Inc., in the United States. The center label on a 4th & Broadway record marketed in
9964-509: The top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100, with three weeks at number two, while its follow-up, " This D.J. ", peaked at number nine. At the 37th Annual Grammy Awards , both songs received nominations for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Solo Performance , respectively. Three songs from his second album, Take a Look Over Your Shoulder (1997), peaked within the top 40, as did his 1998 duet with Nate Dogg, " Nobody Does It Better ". Both
10070-418: The track's guest but instantly star rapper. Warren helped Dre find sounds for Dre's debut solo album The Chronic , further debuting Snoop, whereby superstardom chased Snoop into 1993 and, via Snoop's own debut solo album, Doggystyle , captured him by 1994. By then, also solo, Nate, too, had joined Dre's label, Death Row Records . Warren, returning to Long Beach, aimed to find his own way. In 2004,
10176-433: The way they work with artists. New types of deals called "multiple rights" or "360" deals are being made with artists, where labels are given rights and percentages to artist's touring, merchandising, and endorsements . In exchange for these rights, labels usually give higher advance payments to artists, have more patience with artist development, and pay higher percentages of CD sales. These 360 deals are most effective when
10282-407: Was Ja Rule's debut studio album, Venni Vetti Vecci . The album, released June 1, 1999, peaked in the top 3 on the Billboard 200 and was certified platinum in America. In December 1999, DMX released his third studio album, ...And Then There Was X through Def Jam. The album debuted atop the Billboard 200 , with close to 700,000 copies sold, making it his third straight album to debut atop
10388-543: Was a duet cowritten and performed by Warren G and Nate Dogg. Spending 20 weeks on the popular songs chart, the Billboard Hot 100 , with 18 of them in the Top 40, including three weeks at No. 2 in May, it was the summer's top rap hit. Certified gold, half a million copies sold, since June, it attained platinum, a million copies, in August. In January 2017, via digital downloading, it was certified 2x multi-platinum. Back in
10494-535: 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. Rubin has said he met Simmons on the TV show Graffiti Rock and recognized him then as "the face of hip hop": "He was five years older than me, and he was already established in the music business. And I had no experience whatsoever." The second single released with
10600-579: Was also folded into Def Jam. Also starting in 1998, in preparation for the year 2000, Def Jam marketed and sponsored a new campaign titled Def Jam 2000 . Def Jam 2000 was the featured name for Def Jam on Def Jam albums from 1998 until its end in December 2000. Also in 1999, the label began to distribute releases by Murder Inc. Records , the newly-founded label run by former Def Jam A&R executive and record producer Irv Gotti . The label's roster of artists would include Ja Rule, Ashanti and Lloyd , among others. The first release from Murder Inc. under Def Jam
10706-469: 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. That same month, Def Jam re-signed LL Cool J and DMX after nine and fourteen respective years apart from the label. In late 2019,
10812-455: Was developed with major label backing, announced an end to their major label contracts, citing that the uncooperative nature of the recording industry with these new trends is hurting musicians, fans and the industry as a whole. However, Nine Inch Nails later returned to working with a major label, admitting that they needed the international marketing and promotional reach that a major label can provide. Radiohead also cited similar motives with
10918-477: Was folded (or rather rebranded) to the music division of Japanese electronic giant Sony , bringing Def Jam and Columbia with it. By 1992, despite recent multiple platinum selling releases from Public Enemy , and EPMD , Def Jam ran into major financial troubles and was faced with folding while at Sony. In 1994, PolyGram purchased Sony's 50% stake in Def Jam Recordings—subsequently bringing
11024-399: Was later announced by his former boss, Barry Weiss, that he would be in charge of the urban division at Def Jam's sister Universal Music label, Interscope Records . The-Dream served as Def Jam's executive vice president of A&R at Def Jam between 2012 and 2014. No I.D. held the position of executive vice president after helping to establish GOOD Music with Kanye West. He later became
11130-411: Was released the following year and was co-executive produced by Stewart. The album's singles Go Crazy and Soul Survivor help push the album to double platinum status in America. Around this time, a bidding war for Jay-Z's contract began, and Reid appointed Jay-Z president of Def Jam on December 8, 2004. Long time label veterans LL Cool J and DMX (the latter of whom had five number one albums under
11236-577: Was the only son of Warren Griffin Jr., an airplane mechanic, and Ola, a dietician . They divorced when Warren was 4 and he lived with his mother and three sisters in East Long Beach until he was just about to start middle school. In 1982, Warren went to live with his father in North Long Beach . His new wife, Verna, had three children from a prior marriage, one of whom was Andre Young,
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