Def Jam Recordings has much to celebrate. According to a new study done by Matt Daniels of Polygraph, the label is the most successful in the history of hip-hop. Daniels focused his study on the history of hip-hop music labels, comparing them according to their success on Billboard charts. Billboard kicked off the Hot Rap Singles chart in 1989.

"By highlighting the labels who produced the most hits at any given time, we’d understand who was wielding enormous influence on hip hop's sound, distribution, and direction," said Daniels on the graphs.

With 152 tracks topping the charts, Def Jam leads the way. Next up on the list is Lil Wayne's Young Money Entertainment, followed by Roc-A-Fela, Jive and Bad Boy. Young Money has only been around for the last six years, so their No. 2 spot on the new study is quite impressive. Check out the interactive maps here, which gives data on the leading labels over the course of several years.

 

 

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