![]() Russell Simmons brought in Lyor Cohen as president of Def Jam, while he was on the road managing Run-D.M.C. ![]() Later in the decade, a power struggle at the label’s top began brewing. (The band just recently announced a farewell tour, according to Stereogum.) Rubin then signed the politically charged Public Enemy, which consisted of Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Professor Griff, Khari Wynn, DJ Lord, and the S1W group, who went on to experience huge success. Def Jam didn’t want to be boxed into hip-hop, as they were proven right by signing metal band Slayer. The label made some risky moves to close out the decade. With Columbia Records lending their support, the first project to receive a major push was LL Cool J‘s debut album, Radio. The classic LP saw Rubin’s masterful production on every track. Def Jam was now officially on the map.ġ987: Def Jam Branches Out With Controversial Signings That eventually paved a way towards a distribution deal with Columbia Records.ġ985: LL Cool J’s Debut Project Marks Def Jam’s First Full-Length Album ![]() The duo quickly became business partners, as Russell brought Rubin into the business world of hip-hop due to his experience already managing Run-D.M.C.ġ984: Def Jam’s First Releases Include LL Cool J and the Beastie Boysĭef Jam made their first splash by releasing LL Cool J‘s “I Need a Beat,” which only cost the label $400 to make, according to Complex. The crossover appeal of the Beastie Boys‘ “Rock Hard” single the next year had the label on the right track. Those records proved to be the first to don a Def Jam logo and register a catalog number. There are conflicting stories on who connected Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons, but according to The Balance, DJ Jazzy Jay introduced the pair.
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