def jam

Logic sat down with HotNewHipHop.com recently and spilled some details on his upcoming debut album for Visionary Music Group/Def Jam. "The album. Expect the album," he said about his plans for 2014. "Been working on it with my homie 6ix, with C-Sick, with No I...

Former Def Jam and Warner Music Group chief Lyor Cohen has announced the full details of his new music company, which he's launching with old Def Jam pals Todd Moscowitz and Kevin Liles. Not quite a record label, not quite a marketing company, the new venture is trying to create a template for the future of the music industry—which is why Cohen has named it 300, after the famous Spartan battle aga

Rich Homie Quan was by HipHopSince1987 stopped on the green carpet at the BET Hip-Hop Awards last weekend in his hometown of Atlanta, where he was asked about his "Type of Way" remix and the new projects he's been working on. "I want to drop a new mixtape for the streets before the year is over before that debut album," he said when asked about new music...

Over the last 15 years, the combination of hip-hop and video games has had decidedly mixed results. While fans of rap and the electronic arts seem like an obvious match with their mutual love of colorful characters and escapist fantasy, hip-hop has often failed to translate across the gaming medium...

Over the last decade, DJ Don Cannon has become one of hip-hop’s most successful producers and mixtape DJs, working with hip-hop heavyweights including Lil Wayne “Cannon (AMG Remix),” Young Jeezy “Go Crazy” and OutKast “The Art Of Storytellin’ Part 4.” Working with his partner DJ Drama, C...

The-Dream Interview

Def Jam Records are shifting around their team a lot in 2013. Coming off the departure of Joie Manda and Senior Vice President of A&R Sha Money XL, Shawn “Pecas” Costner has been promoted to Executive Vice President. Previously, he served three years as Senior VP at Def Jam that houses hip-hop mainstays Kanye West, 2 Chainz and The Roots. "Def Ja...

Yesterday (May 13), it was announced that Michael Clervoix—better known as Sha Money XL—officially left his post as SVP of A&R for Island Def Jam to now become EVP of Urban A&R for Epic Records. Speaking exclusively with XXL recently, Sha touched on the new gig and the reasons behind the move.  Here's what he had to ...

Earlier today, Kanye West sent the Internets into a frenzy when he mysteriously sent out a Tweet that read "June Eighteen." Although a number of sources report that the Tweet is actually an announcement for the release date of his next solo project, nothing has been officially confirmed by either West or his label. Tha...

One of XXL's most anticipated members of the 2013 Freshman class is embarking on new tour. Visionary Music Group honcho and recent Def Jam Records signee Logic will be embarking on his "Welcome to Forever" tour beginning this May 14. The tour...

Fresh of his recent appearance on XXL's Freshman Class of 2013 cover, Maryland rapper Logic has signed with Def Jam Records. HipHopDX reports that the Visionary Music Group MC has inked a deal with Def Jam Records. Additionally, legendary Chicago producer No I.D. w...

In this podcast, XXL Editor-in-Chief Vanessa Satten & Lifestyle Editor Ralph Bristout talk XXL Freshmen, Smokers' Club and go behind the rap game with insiders Jonny Shipes, Head Chef at Cinematic Music Group, Sha Money XL, Senior VP of A&R at Def Jam and Brock Korsan, Marketing Exec & A&R Consultant. Find out wh...