The Island Def Jam Music Group

The Island Def Jam Music Group (IDJMG) was an American record label group formed in 1998 by combining the operations of more than 14 record labels including: Island Records, Def Jam Recordings, and Mercury Records. In 2011, Motown Records was split from The Universal/Motown Records Group and subsequently became a division of the Island Def Jam Music Group.[1][2] On April 1, 2014, Universal Music announced that Island Def Jam's operations would be split between three entities: Island Records, Motown Records and Def Jam Recordings.

The Island Def Jam Music Group
Parent companyUniversal Music Group
Founded1998
Defunct2014
StatusDefunct
Distributor(s)Universal Music Distribution
(In the US)
EMI Records
(In the UK)
Universal Music Group
(Worldwide)
GenreVarious
Country of originUnited States
LocationNew York City
Official websiteislanddefjam.com

History

In 1998, The Seagram Company acquired the PolyGram Group Distribution, Inc. family of labels and merged them with the Seagram owned MCA Music Entertainment family of labels, forming what is now known as Universal Music.

Following the formation of the Universal Music Group came the creation of the Island Def Jam Music Group, a company founded through the integration of more than 14 record labels, including former PolyGram flagship labels: Island Records, Mercury Records, and Def Jam Recordings.

In 2000, IDJMG launched Def Jam Germany, the first international Def Jam label. In 2001, Island Def Jam created a country label, Lost Highway Records. The label operated as an imprint of IDJ's Mercury Records division.

In Summer 2001, Island Def Jam acquired a controlling interest in the rock label, Roadrunner Records.

In December 2004, Island Def Jam acquired the remaining 50% interest in Roc-A-Fella Records, the other 50% had been purchased by former Def Jam parent company, PolyGram in 1997.

In 2011, Motown Records became an imprint of the Island Def Jam Music Group.

In April 2014, UMG announced that Island Def Jam would cease to exist. IDJ's operations were split up/separated between its flagship labels: Island Records, Def Jam Recordings, and Motown Records.

Awards and accolades

According to the 2012 radio airplay analysis of music industry service Mediabase, IDJMG became the number-one rhythmic label with seven number one songs played on Rhythmic radio stations including songs from Rihanna, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Ne-Yo, and Justin Bieber.[3]

Divisions/Labels
  • American Recordings (now distributed by Republic Records)
  • Capricorn Records
  • Casablanca Records (pre-2000 recording catalogue)
  • Chocolate City Records
  • Artium Recordings
  • Desert Storm Records
  • Disturbing tha Peace
  • GOOD Music
  • Radio Killa Records
  • Murder Inc. Records
  • Russell Simmons Music Group
  • Violator Records
  • Roc-A-Fella Records
  • Dame Dash Music Group
  • Def Jamaica
  • Def Jam Germany
  • Def Jam Japan
  • Def Jam UK
  • Def Jam South
  • We The Best Music Group (former label, now a joint-venture of Epic Records, a division of Sony Music)
  • Disturbing tha Peace
  • Tuff Gong
  • Margaritaville Records
  • 4th & B'way Records
  • Teen Island
  • Island Urban Music
  • MonarC Entertainment
  • Photo Finish Records
  • PolyGram TV (record label)
  • So So Def (2007-2009)
  • TAG Recordings
  • Mercury Nashville
  • Mercury Classics
  • Mercury International
  • Total Experience Records (1982-83 catalogue)
  • Rocket Records
  • Smash Records
  • EmArcy Records
  • Limelight Records
  • Intrepid Records
  • Chemistry Records
  • Wing Records
  • Motown Gospel
  • Roadrunner Records
In 2001, Island Def Jam purchased a majority stake in the heavy metal label Roadrunner Records.[4]
On December 18, 2006, Warner Music Group acquired Island Def Jam's stake in Roadrunner.[5] As of 2010, Roadrunner is fully owned by WMG, as an imprint of Elektra Music Group.
  • Roc-A-Fella Records
  • Roc-La-Familia
  • Rounder Records
  • Heartbeat Records
  • Zoë Records
  • Flying Fish Records
  • Rush Associated Labels
  • Vertigo Records

Notable artists

References
  1. "Ethiopia Habtemariam Named Senior Vice President of Motown Records | Billboard". Billboard.biz. 2011-08-10. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  2. Sisario, Ben (2011-08-10). "A Young Music Executive Takes Over at Motown". The New York Times.
  3. "Mediabase Year-end Edition 2012" (PDF). Mediabase. Clear Communications, Inc. 2012. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
  4. "Roadrunner lands at Island Def Jam".
  5. Warner Music Group (2006-12-18). "Warner Music Group to Acquire Majority Stake in Roadrunner Music Group". Warner Music Group. Retrieved 2007-02-12.
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