Birthday Sex

In honor of Def Jam Records’ 25th anniversary, Island Def Jam Music Group is scheduling to launch Def Jam 25.        

“25 years as a thriving, successful hip-hop and R&B label—a company that has always put its artists first and maintained deep roots in the urban community—is a giant accomplishment in anyone’s book,” said Antonio “L.A.” Reid, Chairman, Island Def Jam Music Group.  “From a personal standpoint, I can say that Def Jam had tremendous meaning and significance in my own career as a musician, producer and independent label head, long before I actually arrived at these offices five years ago.  Let’s celebrate the next 25 years of Def Jam right now!”

The legendary label built by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin, and home to some of the biggest stars in urban music, including but not limited to: LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Rihanna, are planning on releasing a limited edition, two volume LP set in celebration of Record Store Day on April 18th, which is an event to help raise the profile and support for a coalition of mom and pop retailers.

In 2007, Eric Levin, Michael Kurtz, Carrie Colliton, Amy Dorfman, Don Van Cleave, and Brian Poehner founded Record Store Day to honor over 700 independent retailers in the United States, as well as hundreds of international stores. 

The artists and songs included on the two LP set are listed below:

Def Jam 25 Vol. 1: DJ Bring That Back (2008-1997):

1. Disturbia – Rihanna (2008)
2. I Luv Your Girl – The-Dream (2007)
3. Hustlin’ – Rick Ross (2006)
4. Go Crazy – Young Jeezy (2005)
5. Jesus Walks – Kanye West (2004)
6. Splash Waterfalls – Ludacris (2003)
7. Foolish – Ashanti (2002)
8. Put It On Me – Ja Rule featuring Vita (2001)
9. Just Friends (Sunny) – Musiq Soulchild (2000)
10. What’s My Name – DMX (1999)
11. Money Ain’t A Thang – Jay-Z featuring Jermaine Dupri (1998)
12. Big Bad Mama – Foxy Brown featuring Dru Hill  (1997)

Def Jam 25 Vol. 2: DJ Bring That Back (1996-1984):

1. Whateva Man – Redman (1996)
2. This Is How We Do It – Montell Jordan (1995)
3. Bring The Pain – Method Man (1994)
4. Slam – Onyx (1993)
5. Deeper – Boss (1992)
6. Hip Hop Junkies – Nice & Smooth (1991)
7. 911 Is a Joke – Public Enemy (1990)
8. Pop Goes The Weasel – 3rd Bass (1989)
9. Children’s Story – Slick Rick (1988)
10. I Need Love – LL Cool J (1987)
11. The Rain – Oran Juice Jones (1986)
12. My Radio – LL Cool J (1985)
13. It’s Yours – T la Rock featuring Jazzy Jay (1984)

 

 

Terius Youngdell Nash, otherwise known as The-Dream, is scheduled to release his sophomore album Love vs. Money in physical and digital formats on March 10th.

The first single from Love vs. Money is “Rockin’ That Thang.” A remix of the song was released two weeks ago featuring Def Jam labelmates Fabolous, Juelz Santana, Rick Ross and Ludacris.

“My Love,” which features Mariah Carey, is the second single off the album, and is scheduled to impact at Rhythm and Urban outlets on March 2nd. The video for the song has been directed by Nick Cannon and was shot two weeks ago in Los Angeles.

“It took me awhile to know that the new album is better than the first one,” says The-Dream. “But it is. So now we know what you’re capable of, we know how many songs you’ve written for everybody, and you know we’re gonna do it again!”

Love vs. Money is the follow-up to the successful debut album, Love/Hate, which featured the hit songs “Shawty Is A 10,” “Falsetto” and “I Luv Your Girl.” In addition to his own recording success, The-Dream has written hit records for Rihanna (”Umbrella”), Mariah Carey (”Touch My Body”), J. Holiday (”Bed,” “Suffocate”), and Beyoncé (”Single Ladies”).

Other noted guests on the album include Kanye West and Lil’ Jon.

Love vs. Money is being released on Radio Killa/Def Jam Records, and will be executive produced by Island Def Jam Chairman Antonio “L.A.” Reid, and co-produced by The-Dream and Tricky Stewart with Carlos “LOS” McKinney.

 The final track listing for Love vs. Money is below:           

1. Rockin’ That Thang
2. Walkin’ On The Moon featuring Kanye West
3. My Love featuring Mariah Carey
4. Put It Down
5. Sweat It Out
6. Take U Home 2 My Mama
7. Love Vs. Money
8. Love Vs. Money: Part 2
9. Fancy
10. Right Side Of My Brain
11. Mr. Yeah
12. Kelly’s 12 Play
13. Let Me See The Booty featuring Lil Jon
14. Touch & Feel
15. Nothing But Love

 

 

As previously reported, Def Jam Recordings and label Chairman, L.A. Reid, have formally announced the appointment of Christopher Hicks as the Executive Vice President of the legendary label.

In Hicks’ new position, he will assume responsibility for the acquisition and development of new talent, overseeing producers and guiding the Def Jam brand. Mr. Hicks will report directly to L.A. Reid and Steve Bartels, President and COO of Island Def Jam Music Group, on operational matters. He will be based in Atlanta and New York.

“Chris has a musician’s ear for talent and hit songs that has brought him huge long-term success in the industry,” said Mr. Reid. “His track record in Atlanta has resulted in breaking some of the biggest names in urban and hip-hop out of that city over the past decade. We look forward to the next quarter-century of history with Def Jam as we welcome Chris aboard.”

It has been confirmed by various media outlets that Jermaine Dupri has exited his executive position as the president of Urban Music at Island Records, subsidiary label of Island Def Jam. 

The Atlanta producer was appointed the Island Def Jam position back in February 2007, just after stepping down from his position as president of Urban Music at Virgin Records in October 2006.

In his role at Island Records, Dupri oversaw the label’s urban music operations and reported directly to label chairman Antonio “L.A.” Reid and Steve Bartels, president of Island Music and COO of the Island Def Jam Music Group.

During Dupri’s tenure at Island Records, he oversaw the releases of Jagged Edge’s “Baby Makin’ Project,” and his girlfriend, Janet Jackson’s “Discipline,” considered a commercial disappointment by selling only 428,000 copies. Jackson left Island Records in September 2008.

Another venture Dupri managed at the label was Tag Records, a partnership between Island Def Jam and Procter and Gamble’s TAG brand. Formed in April 2008, the project intended to create a new marketing module that allowed for new talent, like So So Def/Tag artist Q, to be cross-promoted with TAG Body sprays through print, television, radio and digital advertising.

At the present time there is no word of how Dupri’s departure will affect the So So Def/Tag partnership.