The Island Def Jam Music Group
Parent companyUniversal Music Group
Founded1998 (1998)
Founder
Defunct2014 (2014)
StatusDefunct
Distributor(s)
GenreVarious
Country of originUnited States
LocationNew York City

The Island Def Jam Music Group (IDJMG) was an American recording music unit, formed on New Year's Eve 1998 by Polygram Entertainment. It consists of labels created under the basic operations of Island Records and Def Jam Recordings.[1] On April 1, 2014, Universal Music Group publicly announced the disbandment of the Island Def Jam Music Group, leaving IDJMG and its affiliated subsidiaries as separate sister labels.[2]

History

1999: Seagram buyout of PolyGram and unit formation

On December 10, 1998, The Seagram Company completed its seven-month $10.6 billion plan to acquire PolyGram, merging its music label unit with the MCA Music unit of labels, consolidating both into what is known today as Universal Music Group.[3][4][5]

Following the formation of Universal Music Group, on time for New Year's Day 1999, came the creation of the Island Def Jam Music Group, a new music label unit founded through the combination of 14 or more recording labels, including those consisting of Island Records, Def Jam Recordings and Mercury Records. Although IDJMG brought all three labels together, they continued to operate as separately autonomous labels under the unit, which was assumed presidency by Lyor Cohen.

In the United Kingdom, Island Records handled its own operations under Universal's Island Records Group, while Def Jam UK was created and distributed by Mercury, which also distributed its artists in that region under the banner, with U.S. distribution rescinded by IDJMG.

1999-2001: Success

The first official release through IDJMG was Biohazard's album New World Disorder, which was released by Mercury on June 8, 1999. By that time, the Rush Associated Labels portfolio (which had been a holding ground for Def Jam) was absorbed into Island Def Jam, with most of its labels joining forces including Def Soul, Roc-A-Fella and Murder Inc. Records, all of which had been a part of the Def Jam Label Group since its PolyGram era between 1996 and 1998. For Island, some of its divisions had been either sold off or folded into IDJMG; both of which being 4th & B'way Records and Island Black Music, with many of its artist rosters being transferred into Def Jam.[6]

In 2000, the unit launched Def Jam Germany, the first international Def Jam label.[7] The following year, a country label, Lost Highway Records, was formed. The label operated as an imprint of Mercury Records, but had since been moved to Universal Music's Nashville division following the dissolution of IDJMG in 2014. In the summer of 2001, Island Def Jam acquired a controlling interest in the rock label, Roadrunner Records.[8] Edel SE & Co. KGaA, a German music distributor which owned 17% of Roadrunner at the time, threatened to take legal action against Universal.[9]

During the launch of the new third millennium, Island Def Jam raked in successful radio hits and platinum-selling albums from artists like LL Cool J, Method Man, Redman, DMX, N.O.R.E. (Def Jam), Melissa Etheridge, Bon Jovi, Lionel Richie (Island), and other related associates.[10]

2002–2009: Restructure, Murder Inc. problems, Roc-A-Fella buyout and new leadership

In early 2002, the label won a bidding war to buy Mariah Carey's failed label contract with future UMG sister label Virgin Records.[11][12][13] That November, she released Charmbracelet, but the album didn't perform successfully, sending Carey on a downward spiral as she was struggling with her mental problems at the time, putting her relationship with Island Def Jam at stake.[14] In July 2002, Island Def Jam released Murder Inc. Records's second compilation album, Irv Gotti Presents: The Inc. The album peaked in the top 3 of the Billboard 200, and was certified Gold by the RIAA.

In 2003, Fefe Dobson, Everlast, and Patti LaBelle all became part of the unit.[15][16] On January 3, the label unit was forced to cut all ties with producer Irv Gotti and his label, Murder Inc. Records, after a federal investigation and office raid considering allegations of money laundering in connection to an illegal operation maintained by a drug lord.[17][18] That May, Island Def Jam received a cease and desist from Steve Gottlieb, founder of TVT Records, regarding the release of a Cash Money Click reunion album, which IDJMG restricted because of member Ja Rule's obligations with Def Jam. President Lyor Cohen obliged Gotti and Ja Rule not to record the album for TVT, but instead have IDJMG and UMG distribute it to avoid conflict of interest. TVT's lawsuit[19][20] cites copyright infringement, fraud and tortious interference.[21] Ultimately, TVT was awarded $132 million in damages with Cohen found liable for $56 million.[22] It was later reversed two years later as TVT's cash award was reduced to $126,000 after Island Def Jam successfully appealed the judgment with a claim of this situation not being fraud nor infringement, but instead, breach of contract.[23][24][25] At the end of the year, Dobson's self-titled debut was released on December 9, as was on the same date as Def Soul artists 112's Hot & Wet and Musiq Soulchild's Soulstar. Then, in May 2004, Everlast and LaBelle released their albums, White Trash Beautiful and Timeless Journey, under Island and Def Soul Classics respectively. At the same time, L.A. Reid was appointed president and CEO of the Island Def Jam Music Group after he was dismissed from Arista Records. Cohen left Island Def Jam to join Warner Music Group, bringing with him colleagues Kevin Liles and Julie Greenwald.[26][27]

In December, the unit acquired the remaining 50 percent interest in Roc-A-Fella Records in exchange for appointing co-founder Jay-Z president of Def Jam Recordings; the other 50 percent had been purchased by former Def Jam parent company, PolyGram, in 1997. As a result, fellow Roc-A-Fella cohorts Damon Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke were forced off the label.[28][29] Then, in early 2005, the group extended a new label deal renewal with Ludacris' Disturbing tha Peace, making IDJMG a 50 percent stakeholder.[30] In April, with L.A. Reid's leadership, Mariah Carey returned from a two-year hiatus with The Emancipation of Mimi. The album sold 404,000 copies in its first week and opened to widespread acclaim from critics; a staggering improvement over her predecessor, Charmbracelet.[31] That same year, Island Def Jam reached a breaking point when they signed a newcomer, a Barbadian singer named Rihanna. Her debut single "Pon de Replay" was an instant hit.[32]

In 2006, IDJMG ended their partnership with Roadrunner Records, selling the label to Warner Music.[33] Shakir Stewart was appointed senior vice president of A&R in October.[34] A year later, Steve Bartels was appointed chairman and COO of Island Def Jam, reporting to L.A. Reid and then-CEO of Universal Music, Doug Morris.[35][36] On December 22, 2007, Jay-Z announced his vacancy from his presidency of Def Jam, invoking L.A. Reid to step in rather than find a replacement.[37][38][39] On November 1, 2008, Shakir Stewart committed suicide, vacating his positions as senior vice president of A&R at Island Def Jam and executive vice president of Def Jam.[40][41][42] He was posthumously replaced by Christopher Hicks, a former executive from Warner Music Group.[43]

Approaching 2009, IDJMG began to soar to new heights with Canadian pop sensation Justin Bieber. His single, "One Time", generated commercial success and iterated new generosity for the unit.[44]

2010–11: Motown induction and GOOD Music partnership

Throughout 2010, Island Def Jam generated more success from Bieber ("Baby"), Kanye West (My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy) and Rihanna ("Only Girl (In the World)").

In 2011, former RCA/Jive Label Group chairman Barry Weiss was assigned to become the new chairman of the Universal Motown Republic Group, while at the same time, assuming the CEO position at the Island Def Jam Music Group.[45][46] Under Weiss' leadership, Motown Records became an imprint of the Island Def Jam Music Group shortly after the disbandment of the UMRG.[47] Kanye West's imprint, GOOD Music, was given a 10-year distribution partnership with IDJMG.[48][49] GOOD Music assumed marketing, while Def Jam took over the manufacturing and distribution of its releases. The first official album released under the new partnership was Big Sean's debut, Finally Famous. In May, Def Soul Records was folded into Island Def Jam as a part of a rearrangement of the Island Def Jam Music Group's multi-genre strategy.

That August, a Jay-Z and Kanye West collaborative album, Watch the Throne, was released under Island Def Jam's distribution. Producing 436,000 copies in its first week, it produced the biggest first-week sales of 2011 hip hop and also the highest for IDJ since Mariah Carey's 2005 album.[50]

2013: Final outbreak

In 2013, Fall Out Boy, Iggy Azalea, and Neon Trees solidified more success at the unit. Respectively, Fall Out Boy's Save Rock and Roll accumulated 154,000 copies, debuting at number one on Billboard.[51] For Iggy Azalea, her single, "Change Your Life", went gold despite debuting at number 34 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Neon Trees' single, "Sleeping with a Friend", made the number seven position on the Adult Top 40 chart after receiving positive feedback.[52]

The Island Def Jam Music Group's operations in the United Kingdom were also changed that year with Mercury UK being absorbed into the new Virgin EMI Records. With the absorption of Mercury UK also involved the end of Def Jam UK, with all of Island, Def Jam, Republic, Virgin and Motown's artists being distributed under the newly reiterated imprint in the region. It occurred following UMG's acquisition of the recording music division of EMI a year earlier.[53][54]

2014: Disbandment

On April 1, 2014, Lucian Grainge, chairman and CEO of the Universal Music Group, confirmed the disbandment of the Island Def Jam Music Group. The unit ceased to exist after East Coast label faction CEO Barry Weiss' departure.[55][56][57] Grainge explained:

No matter how much we might work to build 'IDJ' as a brand, that brand could never be as powerful as each of IDJ's constituent parts. At UMG, our labels are empowered to be entrepreneurial and take creative risks. By re-establishing Def Jam, Island and Motown as standalone labels within the UMG family, we're positioning them to recapture the uniqueness of their brands and serve artists with the singularity of vision, focus and creativity that was at the core of their original success. Barry is a terrific music executive who led our East Coast labels during a critical time of transition. I can't say enough about his contributions to our labels or to thank him enough. He has positioned Def Jam, Island, Motown and Republic to where they are today — poised for even greater levels of success — and we'd love to keep him in the family. He has stepped down in order to enter into discussions with UMG about a new venture together. Barry is an exceptional music executive, and I'm enormously grateful for all of his invaluable contributions during a time of transition for our East Coast companies.

It was believed that Weiss was valiantly dissatisfied with the fact that he would be demoted at Universal Music with Michele Anthony being promoted to executive vice president at the company's recorded music unit and John Janick replacing Jimmy Iovine as chairman and CEO of Island Def Jam's sister unit, Interscope Geffen A&M.[58][59] He was also in talks with Grainge to create a new joint venture with UMG.[60][61]

With Island Def Jam disbanded,[62][2] operations had been traced solely into all three label units: Def Jam Recordings will now act as its own label under Universal Music, but remains a sister label to Island Records with new farther relations, while Motown Records currently operates under the Capitol Music Group. Mercury Records had folded into Island following the closure, but had since been reactivated in 2022 by Universal Music and later moved to Republic Records.[2][63][64]

In terms of corporate leadership, Steve Bartels was reassigned to CEO of Def Jam,[65] David Massey remained president and CEO of Island,[66] and Ethiopia Habtemariam was named president of Motown.[67][68] As of 2022, despite the shutdown, there is a Facebook and Instagram joint account called Island Def Jam France, taking the unit name and being maintained by Universal Music France to promote both labels' music together.[69]

Awards and accolades

According to the 2012 radio airplay analysis of music industry service Mediabase, IDJMG became the number-one rhythmic label with seven number-one songs played on rhythmic radio stations, including songs from Rihanna, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Ne-Yo, and Justin Bieber.[70]

Labels

Island Records

Def Jam Recordings

  • Disturbing tha Peace

Mercury Records

Motown Records

  • Motown Gospel

Other labels, divisions or affiliates

  • Artium Records

Former or defunct

Notable artists before dissolvement

References

  1. ↑ "Universal Buys Out Def Jam". New York Post. February 26, 1999. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 Sisario, Ben (April 1, 2014). "Universal Music Group Breaks Up Its Island Def Jam Division". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Seagram buys PolyGram - May 21, 1998". money.cnn.com. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Seagrams completes PolyGram acquisition - Dec. 10, 1998". money.cnn.com. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  5. ↑ Phillips, Chuck; Eller, Claudia (May 22, 1998). "Seagram Uncorks $10.6-Billion Deal to Buy PolyGram". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  6. ↑ Steiner, B. J. "14 Defunct Hip-Hop Labels - XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  7. ↑ HHRedaktion. "Def Jam Germany ist Geschichte". Hiphop.de (in German). Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  8. ↑ "ROADRUNNER LANDS ATISLAND DEF JAM". HITS Daily Double. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  9. ↑ Inc, Nielsen Business Media (August 4, 2001). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. {{cite book}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  10. ↑ "Island Def Jam Label on Right Track". Los Angeles Times. September 26, 2001. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  11. ↑ Staff, Hollywood com (May 9, 2002). "Mariah Carey Signs Deal with Island Records". Hollywood.com. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Virgin Records pays Mariah Carey $28 million to end contract". The Quad-City Times. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  13. ↑ Holson, Laura M. (May 9, 2002). "Mariah Carey And Universal Agree to Terms Of Record Deal". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  14. ↑ nationalpositions (May 19, 2018). "Mariah Carey Afraid of Being Exposed for Bipolar Disorder". Luxury Rehab for Addiction and Mental Health Treatment | Seasons In Malibu. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  15. ↑ ".: ACCESS all areas ONLINE". January 17, 2009. Archived from the original on January 17, 2009. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  16. ↑ Inc, Nielsen Business Media (September 27, 2003). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. {{cite book}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  17. ↑ "Drugs, Friends & Allegations: Inside The Murder Inc. Raid". MTV. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  18. ↑ Billboard Staff (January 6, 2003). "Report: Feds Raid Murder Inc. In Irv Gotti Probe". Billboard. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  19. ↑ "TVT Records v. Island Def Jam Music Group, 262 F. Supp. 2d 188 (S.D.N.Y. 2003)". Justia Law. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  20. ↑ "TVT v. Island Def Jam - Google Scholar". scholar.google.com. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  21. ↑ "The Discography". thediscography.org. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  22. ↑ "Ja Ruling: Island Def Jam, Lyor Cohen Ordered To Pay $132 Million To TVT". MTV. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  23. ↑ "Def Jam/ TVT Battle Over Ja Rule Picks Up After Reversal". MTV. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  24. ↑ "TVT Records Loses $54 Million to Def Jam". HipHopDX. June 15, 2005. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  25. ↑ Watkins (@GrouchyGreg), Grouchy Greg (June 15, 2005). "Def Jam and Lyor Cohen Win Ruling, TVT Vows Appeal". AllHipHop. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  26. ↑ Arango, Tim (August 12, 2004). "HIP-HOPPING MAD – SIMMONS RIPS DEF JAM BOSS L.A. REID". New York Post. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  27. ↑ Roberts, Johnnie L. (August 29, 2004). "DEF JAM'S NEW TUNE". Newsweek. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  28. ↑ "Jay-Z, Dame Dash Sell Roc-A-Fella Records; Jay Named Def Jam Prez". MTV. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  29. ↑ Billboard Staff (December 8, 2004). "IDJ Buys Roc-A-Fella; Jay-Z Named Def Jam Chief". Billboard. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  30. ↑ Arango, Tim (January 14, 2005). "DEF JAM LABEL FOR LUDACRIS". New York Post. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  31. ↑ "Mariah Carey's new album enjoys huge early sales". Reuters. April 17, 2008. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  32. ↑ Gracie, Bianca (May 28, 2020). "An Oral History of Rihanna's Debut Song, 'Pon de Replay'". Vulture. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  33. ↑ "Warner Music Group to Acquire Majority Stake in Roadrunner Music Group". Warner Music Group. December 18, 2006. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  34. ↑ "Stewart Rises To IDJMG SVP/A&R". All Access. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  35. ↑ XXL Staff. "Steve Bartels Promoted to President/COO of Island Def Jam Music Group - XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  36. ↑ Billboard,AP, Mike Boyle; Billboard, Mike Boyle; AP (September 14, 2007). "Island Def Jam Music Group ups Bartels". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  37. ↑ "Jay-Z resigns as Def Jam's president". TODAY.com. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  38. ↑ Leeds, Jeff (December 25, 2007). "Jay-Z to Quit His Day Job as President of Def Jam". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  39. ↑ "Def Jam To Replace Jay-Z With Evil, Evil Man Who Signed Rick Ross". idolator. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  40. ↑ "Music and Suicide: A Tragic History". BET. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  41. ↑ Concepcion, Mariel (November 1, 2008). "Def Jam Exec VP Shakir Stewart Commits Suicide". Billboard. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  42. ↑ "Shakir Stewart of Def Jam Recordings dies at 34". Los Angeles Times. November 5, 2008. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  43. ↑ Lewis, Hilary. "Island Def Jam Hires Warner Music A&R Exec As New Vice President". Business Insider. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  44. ↑ "Justin Bieber Releases Debut Single "One Time"". World History Project. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  45. ↑ Halperin, Shirley (March 17, 2011). "Barry Weiss Named Chairman and CEO of Island Def Jam and Universal Motown Republic Group". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  46. ↑ "Barry Weiss to head up Island Def Jam | Complete Music Update". Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  47. ↑ Christman, Ed (July 27, 2011). "Motown Records to Share Resources With Island Def Jam". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  48. ↑ "Kanye's GOOD Music Inks Def Jam Deal". Essence. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  49. ↑ Wolkoff, Carly (June 27, 2011). "Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music Inks Deal with Island Def Jam". Billboard. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  50. ↑ Caulfield, Keith (August 17, 2011). "Jay-Z & Kanye West's 'Throne' Sells 436,000, Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  51. ↑ "Who Charted? Fall Out Boy 'Save Rock And Roll' With No. 1 Victories In 27 Countries". Spin. April 24, 2013. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  52. ↑ "Neon Trees Premiere 'Sleeping With a Friend' - Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  53. ↑ "Universal Music completes acquisition of EMI Music". Music Business Worldwide. September 28, 2012. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  54. ↑ "Virgin and Mercury merge to create Virgin EMI Records - Music Ally". Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  55. ↑ Atkinson, Claire (April 1, 2014). "Barry Weiss out at Universal's Island Def Jam in East Coast shakeup". New York Post. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  56. ↑ Halperin, Shirley (April 1, 2014). "Music Executive Barry Weiss Steps Down as Island Def Jam Motown Reorganizes". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  57. ↑ "UMG Dissolves Island Def Jam, Barry Weiss Steps Down". finance.yahoo.com. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  58. ↑ "Barry Weiss out at Universal's Island Def Jam in East Coast shakeup". New York Post. April 1, 2014. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  59. ↑ Christman, Ed (May 28, 2014). "Jimmy Iovine Leaving Interscope Geffen A&M". Billboard. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  60. ↑ Mir; J.Mir, a; J, a. "Island Def Jam Is Over - XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  61. ↑ "Barry Weiss Steps Down As Chairman & CEO Of Island Def Jam". The Latest Hip-Hop News, Music and Media | Hip-Hop Wired. April 1, 2014. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  62. ↑ "UMG Disbands Island Def Jam". BET. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  63. ↑ Aswad, Jem (April 11, 2022). "Republic Relaunches Mercury Records; Post Malone, James Bay Move Over to New Roster". Variety. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  64. ↑ Rys, Dan (April 11, 2022). "Republic Relaunches Mercury Records With Post Malone, James Bay". Billboard. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  65. ↑ Gensler, Andy (August 7, 2017). "Inside Steve Bartels' Def Jam Reign: Bieber Hits and Market Share Misses". Billboard. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  66. ↑ Billboard Staff (February 8, 2013). "David Massey Named President of Island Records". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  67. ↑ Millman, Ethan (March 8, 2021). "Ethiopia Habtemariam, Motown Records' New CEO, on Recentering Black Music in Culture". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  68. ↑ "ETHIOPIA HABTEMARIAM ELEVATED TO CHAIRMAN & CEO OF MOTOWN RECORDS". UMG. March 1, 2021. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  69. ↑ "Island Def Jam - Home". Facebook. November 21, 2022. Archived from the original on November 21, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  70. ↑ "Mediabase Year-end Edition 2012" (PDF). Mediabase. Clear Communications, Inc. 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2014.
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