Institutional Research

Def Jam Recordings:

Island Def Jam Music Group was formed in 1999 when Universal Music Group merged Island Records and Def Jam Recordings. Def Jam Recordings is an American record which is focused primarily on hip hop and urban music. Def Jam was created by Rick Rubin and its first release was a single by his punk-rock group ‘Hose’. The first few singles released did well, leading to a distribution deal with CBS Records (this later became Sony Music Entertainment). Def Jam signed its first and only heavy metal band ‘Slayer’ in 1986. Soon after the label signed ‘Public Enemy’, whose controversial lyrics earned the label a reputation. In 1988 Lyor Cohen became president of Def Jam and Rub left to form Def American Recordings (now known as American Recordings). Def Jam Recordings currently signs artists such as; Jennifer Lopez, Kanye West and Gorillaz.

Polydor:

Polydor is owned by Universal Music Group and has its headquarters based in the UK. Polydor first became a pop music label in 1946. During the 1970’s Polydor became a major rock label but also had many disco artists. They had platinum-selling disco acts such as the Bee Gees and Gloria Gaynor. In the early 1980’s the label signed The Who and  The Jam. Although the American branch did not do well, in the UK, Polydor is still one of the strongest labels in the country.  Polydor has signed artists such as, Cheryl Cole, Duffy, Ellie Goulding as well as indie artist such as Snow Patrol and The Maccabees. In Spring 2006 Polydor launched Fascination Records. Both Girls Aloud and Sophie Ellis-Bextor transferred to the new label as well as new artists such as The Saturdays and Girls Can’t Catch. Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato are some of the newest artists to transfer from the US label Hollywood Records, to Fascination.

Roc Nation:

Roc Nation was established in April 2008 when Live Nation partnered with Jay-Z. Roc Nation also has an entertainment company named Takeover Roc Nation, located in the UK. Records are released with Sony Music Entertainment and partners with Live Nation. Since it was first established Roc Nation has signed artists such as, Rita Ora, Alexis Jordan and Sugababes. Roc Nation also manages artists such as Shakira, Kylie Minogue and Rihanna. As well as managing and signing artists, Chase and Status and Timbaland are just a few producers as well as DJ’s such as Solange Knowles.