(AllHipHop News) As Def Jam continues to celebrate its 30th anniversary, the iconic Hip Hop label is undergoing major changes. Universal Music Group has announced that Def Jam, Island, and Motown Records will now operate as stand-alone labels.
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Besides the breakup of the Island Def Jam Music Group, other switches have taken place in the front offices as well. Former president and COO Steve Bartels is now the CEO of Def Jam. Longtime rap music insiders Kyambo “Hip Hop” Joshua and Dion “No I.D.” Wilson were named as executive vice presidents and co-heads of A&R of the company.
“At the heart of these great companies is the vision and creative instincts of a team of passionate professionals,” said UMG chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge. “At UMG, our labels are empowered to be entrepreneurial and take creative risks. By re-establishing Def Jam, Island and Motown as stand-alone 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.”
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