American global music corporation and the biggest music company in the world Universal Music Group UMG has launched Def Jam Africa, a pan-African label division following the blueprint of Def Jam Recordings today.
Def Jam Recordings is one of the numerous labels under the UMG and hitherto operates in United Kingdom and Japan.
Today, however, an African operation of the label has been launch, featuring a clutch of Nigerian and South African artists; Vector and Larry Gaaga from Nigeria, and Boity, Cassper Nyovest, Nadia Nakai, Nasty C, Tshego, Tillaman and Ricky Tyler all from South Africa.
Announcing this at a press briefing today, the Managing Director, UMG Sub-Saharan Africa & South Africa division Sipho Dlamini noted that it is a historic achievement that UMG is able to come up with Def Jam Africa. This according to him, will help to create an authentic and trusted home for those who aspire to be the best in hip-hop, Afrobeats and trap.
The UMG teams in Nigeria and South Africa will provide A&R, marketing, creative and digital services for the label while all will report to Sipho Dlamini.
Vector
Larry Gaaga
Boity
Casper Nyovest
Nasty C
Nadia Nakai
Tellaman
Ricky Tyler
Tshego
“Many of us in Africa grew up on music from legendary labels under the UMG umbrella. From Blue Note for jazz fans, to Mercury Records, which was Hugh Masekela’s first US label and Uptown Records, the home of Jodeci and Mary J Blige and many more. For those into hip-hop, no label has such cultural and historic relevance as Def Jam. From Run-D.M.C., to LL Cool J, Disturbing tha Peace, JAY-Z, Big Sean and Kanye West, Def Jam has always been the ultimate destination for hip-hop and urban culture worldwide. It is a historic achievement that we’re now able to bring this iconic label to Africa, to create an authentic and trusted home for those who aspire to be the best in hip-hop, Afrobeats and trap. Together, we will build a new community of artists, that will push the boundaries of hip-hop from Africa, to reach new audiences globally“, Sipho said.
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Taking to Twitter, Def Jam Recordings tweeted, “Universal Music Group announced they launch of Def Jam Africa A new label division with the continent dedicated to representing the best hip-hip, Afrobeats and trap talent in Africa. Def Jam Africa will follow the blueprint of the iconic Def Jam Recordings label.“
