Def Jam Records is the most dominant and successful record label in the music industry today. Def Jam lives and breathes by one rule: continuity, and the men behind the legendary label are: Kevin Liles, Lyor Cohen, and founder/CEO Russell Simmons are the brains and life behind the label. Def Jam is the home of many of raps greatest names like LL Cool J, Run-DMC, Jay-Z etc. these are the names and this the label that brought rap music to the mainstream without changing or sugar-coating anything just to get to the top.
Lyor Cohen co-president of Island Def Jam music who oversees black music at Universal Records. In a January 2001 interview in “The Source” magazine Cohen says “we tend to our own gardens here, we don’t look into our neighbors garden. We are happy to see them do whatever they want to do, drive whatever they want to drive. No matter how much they “bling-bling” we don’t care about that”. This is what makes Def Jam so successful, they don’t “lean” with the trends that other labels and artists set, they make their own trends and do a great job at it. Cohen, ex-manager of Run-DMC, and longtime partner of Russell Simmons has been with Def Jam since almost Day one. Cohen Says “not only are we selling the most records consistently for the longest period of time” he points out “ we have the most diversified hip-hop empire period.” Cohen is an up in your face businessman and compliments the laid back demeanor of his two other partners. Cohen who seeked out most of the “power artists’ that Def Jam has on their legendary label, he also oversees money and the contract of all the artists on the label. His greatest asset, according to insiders is his ability to persuade white execs for extra money. But Cohen’s a big talker who can be heavy handed and it makes working with the powerhouse a bit hard to work with.
Kevin Liles who is over Def Soul Records, who started out as an intern, is now part of the three-headed monster and when the 5’3 giant barks people listen. Liles states in the January 2001 “The Source” magazine “ Def Jam is more than a company name and logo it’s a lifestyle. It all comes back to foundation, Def Jam just keeps it in the trenches”. Liles says later in the interview “we spent 18 years building a brand that represents the best of hip-hop.
Kanye Omari West, rapper, producer, professional celebrity, and with an ego to match, has forced himself into the limelight of the music industry. Kanye West has made a lasting impression on all of those around him, whether it be a good one or bad. With seven full length albums, a multimillion record label company, and a successful fashion business all under his belt, it’s fair to say that Kanye has done his fair share of creating. Over the last twelve years Kanye went from a young Chicago kid just trying to get his flows off, to one of the most decorated musicians of all time. With over 20 Grammy’s and 3 of his albums ending up on the Rolling stones “500 greatest albums of all time”. He has continuously created, entertained, and spoken his mind for years. Whether it be “George Bush does not care about black people” or “Taylor imma let you finish, but Beyoncé had
Berry Gordy played a significant role in the 1960’s African American shift into the American Music Industry through the establishment of the highly recognised company and genre “Motown”. As the Founder of Motown Records Berry Gordy introduced to the American Music Industry some of the biggest artists of all time take the stage and within a decade created the “Black Pop” genre, which was listened to and purchased from a segregated audience. The business changed the way record labels would polish, nurture and distribute their artist, having an impact on the number of jobs that were introduced into the Music Industry, dealing and consulting with marketing, artist development, choreography, stylists and costume designers. With Berry Gordy’s all
Founded in New York City,1984,by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin, Def Jam Records is now one of hip hop’s most influential record labels. Famous for dragging a once underground genre into the mainstream.Def Jam Record’s first release under the label was Jazzy Jay and T La Rock's "It's Yours." This was the initial fuel that launched the label to fame in 1984. Singles produced by Def Jam such as ‘I Need a Beat’ by LL Cool J in 1985 closely followed by ‘Rock Hard’ by the Beastie boys allowed Def Jam to gain a distribution deal with CBS records which boosted the popularity of the record label dramatically.
Dogg and Dr. Dre (Placid n.p.). He made some songs and music videos with them that
Raz, Guy. "Lupe Fiasco: Two Sides To Everything." NPR. NPR, 11 Mar. 2011. Web. 23 May
After their deaths, Wallace and Shakur’s music can be found in many different cinematic works (examples). With the connecting over a common enemy, hip-hop has become an accepted idea that both whites and blacks enjoy today. In fact, shortly after Wallace’s death, a fresh face came into the game—Marshall “Eminem” Mathers. He went on to become one of the most significant and influential rappers of all time. Mathers is white, and would not have been able to become a part of the hip-hop scene without the conflict between the east coast and the west coast and everyone coming together because of it.
The rappers within my core group are all from these inner cities, who know first hand about what the members of these communities are dealing with. Similarly, the very same way Rap music was used as a tool to aid young African Americans in their times of social oppression in the 1970s, is the same way it is now being used to assist the African American youths today, during their difficult times of adversity. JayZ, J. Cole, and Kendrick all possess the aura and integrity to create what is considered “conscious” hip hop that provides messages of struggle and liberation. In general, the difference better conscious and commercial rap music is simple; Conscious rap or hiphop is a lifestyle inspired by culture, togetherness, and social change. Whereas, commercial rap is perceived as music produced for the sole purpose of financial profit that primarily consists of the demeaning of women and popular references to buying expensive cars and
Light, Alan. "About a Salary or Reality? – Rap’s Recurrent Conflict." Rpt. in That’s the Joint!: The Hip-Hop Studies Reader. Ed. Murray Forman and Mark Anthony Neal. New York, NY: Routledge, 2004. 137-146. Print.
Kanye West has been an icon in American hip-hop culture for over a decade. His music, fashion line, producing skills, and flamboyant personality has influenced many people for generations to come. Coming out of Chicago, many people in the music industry didn't even think Kanye had a chance to become a figure in hip-hop, but his hard work and persistence paid off. Kanye started off his music career as a producer. He produced music for the likes of major artists such as Common and Jay-Z. His first major breakthrough came from producing Jay-Z’s “The Blueprint”— which is certified 2x platinum. Kanye believed he could be a successful rapper as well, but music executives didn't believe he had it in him. That all changed when Roc-A-Fella records signed Kanye to their label, and gave him a chance to shine as a rapper. Kanye’s background, critical analysis, and importance all shows that he has become one of the most important characters in American hip-hop culture to this day.
The leader of the “ Dirty South Striver Rap Group”. Kevin Gates is a Louisiana rap artists who sings and harmonizes . His first official recording career began in 2006. Where he landed on debut of “ It's My Time” mixtape . He met with other louisiana artist like “ Lil Boosie” and “Webbie”. In 2008 Gates gets attention for his single “ Get In The Way” ft Lil Boosie . Gates growing up didn't know his biological father , and his step father treated him differently . So he spent most of his time at his grandparents house where he built his studio. He grew up in a sticky spot of New Orleans Louisiana more specific in a place where “hard” was expected .” Bloody Sticks” it was the street Gates lived on . Gates trying to promote his music because he loved it and had to deflect his anger away from the guns, gangs, and drugs he was surrounded by. Soon after the single dropped in 2008” Kevin Gates “ and his feature “Lil Boosie” were incarcerated again on a drug charge ( separate cases). Though this was bad Gates never stop working . He dropped 3 mixtapes while in prison: “All In 2009”, “Behind Enemy Lines 2010”, and “The Leak 2010, Released from prison in 2011 Gates caught the attention of “Lil Wayne” and began to manage with “Young Money Entertainment”. The Young Money Entertainment corporation releasing 10 number 1 albums .Gates was only at the beginning of his expedition. He dropped a mixtape “The Luca Brasi Story” in 2013.
You see it all the time. Go to any club. People are intermingling, hanging out, having fun, and enjoying the same music. Hip-hop is not just in the Bronx anymore. It 's worldwide. Everywhere you go, people are listening to hip-hop and partying together. Hip-hop has done that.” Hip hop has truly defined the musical world. No longer is hip hop just considered the black mans music, it is spreading. Mos Def writes “I can 't control what people think. I 'm not trying to manipulate people 's thoughts or sentiments. I write all the time. You have to experience life, make observations, and ask questions. It 's machine-like how things are run now in hip-hop, and my ambitions are
More than any other rapper, Dr. Dre was responsible for moving away from the avant-noise and political stance of Public Enemy and Boogie Down Productions, as well as the party vibes of old school rap. Instead, Dre pioneered gangsta rap and his own variation of the sound, G-Funk. BDP's early albums were hardcore but cautionary tales of the criminal mind, but Dre's records with N.W.A. celebrated the hedonistic, amoralistic side of gang life. Dre was never much of a rapper -- his rhymes were simple and his delivery was slow and clumsy -- but as a producer, he was extraordinary.
... for my paper because of distinctive, systematic composition of the song. The group members collaborated to create different styles and sounds of hip hop music without using samplings. The lyrics not only convey meaningful messages by using metaphors, but also flow smoothly by using rhymes. Also, by using call and response, RUN DMC made the song livelier and was able to easily excite the crowds. The unique beats, rhythms, and sounds were perfectly arranged by the members to bring originality to the music. Even though RUN DMC had a long hiatus, the group got back together and released new records. Sadly, the group called it quits when Jam Master Jay was murdered in his recording studio. Even though the remaining two members retired after Jay’s death, RUN DMC is still remembered as the legendary rap group that was responsible for popularizing rap and hip hop music.
Music producers have an influence on the music that today’s youth listen to that many are affected by even though the producers are unaware of it. Today there’s a lot of drug abuse, violence, and sex all on the rise even though hip hop itself is not to blame.
Hip- hop is a standout amongst the most compelling musical sorts on the globe. There are rappers everywhere that know what amount of an impact their music can have. Some entertainers attempt to utilize that force of impact to do great (Ruiz INT).