(AllHipHop News) Every 30th birthday party should involve Method Man and Redman. Earlier today (August 14th), Def Jam announced plans to release a multi-CD box set as well as a star studded performance to commemorate its 30th year of existence .
Def Jam released their first songs, LL Cool J’s “I Need A Beat” and Beastie Boys’ “Rock Hard” in 1984. In those 30 years, Def Jam has signed and released an extensive list of hitmakers and Hip Hop legends including Ja Rule, Method Man, Redman, Jay Z, Nas, The Roots and DMX. On October 16th at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, Def Jam will put on a 30th anniversary party including performances from Foxy Brown, Warren G, Onyx, Jhene Aiko and a litany of other Def Jam artists.
In addition, a 30-song box set will be released including songs from its storied past. Additionally, Def Jam co-founder Rick Rubin will curate a 13-song compilation of songs which influenced the Def Jam era for Selections From The Roots Of Def Jam, included with certain box set offers. In Selections From The Roots Of Def Jam, songs such as Fearless Four’s 1982 “Rockin’ It”, Treacherous 3’s 1980 “Body Rocky”and more.
Def Jam released a similar package five years ago for their 25th anniversary. According to the Def Jam press release, there will be multiple box set offers:
DEF JAM 30 will be commercially available in two box set configurations: A 3-CD version (the basic two volumes of 30 Def Jam selections plus Roots) that includes the book and a collectable t-shirt in a limited edition turntable style numbered box; and a 6-LP version (the basic 30 Def Jam selections on 4 LPs, with Roots covering 2 LPs), also including the book and a collectable t-shirt in a limited edition turntable style numbered box.
Tickets for the Def Jam 30 concert go on sale August 20th. The box set will be released on September 16th.