Def Jam Recordings has embodied the cutting-edge in hip-hop music for more than 35 years. Founded in 1984, Def Jam began as a maverick independent label; a champion of New York City’s underground street culture and the emerging sound of hip-hop, pioneered by iconic stars like LL Cool J, Slick Rick, The Beastie Boys and Public Enemy. Over the following two decades, Def Jam established its dominance with superstar acts like Jay-Z, DMX, Ja Rule, Method Man & Redman, Ludacris, Rihanna, Jeezy, and Kanye West. Now in its fourth decade, Def Jam’s music and lifestyle has grown into a global brand – synonymous with creativity, quality and authenticity – encompassing a diverse roster of stars like West, Justin Bieber, Jhene Aiko, Alessia Cara, Logic, Pusha T, Jadakiss, Jeremih, Big Sean, YG, 2 Chainz, Dave East, and more. Today, Def Jam has expanded its global brand reach to become the most- followed major label on all major social media platforms.