Beefs
No documented rap beefs.
Signed
Nas
Signed
Nas signed to Def Jam for Hip Hop Is Dead era.
Jay-Z
Signed
Jay-Z became Def Jam president/CEO 2004-2008.
Lyor Cohen
Signed
Lyor Cohen ran Def Jam after Russell Simmons, then became WMG CEO.
Young Jeezy
Signed
Young Jeezy signed to Def Jam. Thug Motivation 101.
2 Chainz
Signed
2 Chainz signed to Def Jam. Based on a T.R.U. Story.
LL Cool J
Signed
LL Cool J was Def Jam's first flagship artist. I Need a Beat was the label's first hit.
Run-DMC
Signed
Run-DMC signed to Profile Records then Def Jam orbit. Walk This Way crossover.
Public Enemy
Signed
Public Enemy signed to Def Jam. Fight the Power, It Takes a Nation.
Beastie Boys
Signed
Licensed to Ill was Def Jam's first #1 album. Massive commercial breakthrough.
AZ
Signed
AZ signed to EMI/Noo Trybe but in Def Jam orbit.
Redman
Signed
Redman signed to Def Jam. Whut? Thee Album to Muddy Waters.
Foxy Brown
Signed
Foxy Brown signed to Def Jam. Ill Na Na, Chyna Doll.
Terror Squad
Signed
Terror Squad signed to Atlantic then Big Dog/Atlantic.
Rakim
Signed
Eric B. & Rakim signed to Def Jam / MCA. Paid in Full. Follow the Leader.
Big Pun
Signed
Big Pun signed to Loud Records (Def Jam). Capital Punishment went platinum.
Tierra Whack
Signed
Tierra Whack signed to Interscope. Whack World executive produced by Kenete Simms.
Logic
Signed
Logic signed to Def Jam. Under Pressure, Everybody, No Pressure.
Ludacris
Signed
Ludacris signed to Def Jam South. Word of Mouf. Chicken-N-Beer.
Fabolous
Signed
Fabolous signed to Desert Storm/Def Jam. Made his name in the Jay-Z era.
Founded
Russell Simmons
Founded
Russell Simmons co-founded Def Jam with Rick Rubin in 1983.
Rick Rubin
Founded
Rick Rubin co-founded Def Jam in Russell Simmons' dorm room.