def jam recordings

Today in Hip-Hop History: LL Cool J Dropped His Debut Album ‘Radio’ 38 Years Ago

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TodayinHip HopHistory:LLCoolJDroppedHisDebutAlbum'Radio'YearsAgo

TodayinHip HopHistory:LLCoolJDroppedHisDebutAlbum'Radio'YearsAgo

On this date in 1985, James Todd Smith better known as LL Cool J dropped his first full-length LP on Def Jam Records. Primarily produced by Rick Rubin besides “I Need A Beat”, which was produced by DJ Jazzy Jay, Radio was a pivotal LP for not only LL and Def Jam, but for an evolving Hip Hop landscape that had just seen the rapid decline of b-boying and jams in the park. This was also the era in which the crack epidemic hit the streets and all of the major players used LL Cool J as the prototype image of how a hustler is supposed to look.

Songs like “I Can’t Live Without My Radio” and “Rock The Bells” dominated airwaves as well as influenced other artists of that time period with his braggadocios content and virtually forceful delivery. The song that actually got Cool J the deal with Def Jam, “I Need A Beat”, was written and recorded when LL was only 15 years old, making him not only Def Jam’s first solo artist but also their youngest.

Salute to Cool J, Rick Rubin, Russell Simmons, Jazzy Jay, and everyone at Def Jam from that era that helped put together this timeless classic!

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Today in Hip-Hop History: The Beastie Boys’ Dropped Their Sophomore LP ‘Licensed To Ill’ 38 Years Ago

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tumblr d7e2bfd4d0dc1b4cfe12f2ff20a32938 4ba2a1bc 1280

On this date 38 years ago, Adam Horowitz (Ad Rock), Adam Yauch (MCA), and Michael Diamond (Mike D) aka The Beastie Boys, dropped their sophomore LP Licensed To Ill, on the Def Jam Imprint under Columbia Records.

On the heels of the successful LL Cool J Radio album and the cult classic flick Krush Groove, Def Jam head honcho Russell Simmons decided to head in the most unconventional direction with the quasi-punk rock/Hip-Hop trio for Def Jam’s follow-up to those monumental releases. The original title of this release was Don’t Be A Faggot, but Columbia Records pushed Simmons to change the homophobic title.

Rated as one of The Source Magazine‘s Top 100 Best Albums, Licensed To Ill received the coveted five-mic status, a precedent for Jewish Hip Hop artists. In less than six months after its release, this critically acclaimed project earned the Beastie Boys a platinum plaque, lead by the singles “Brass Monkey,” “No Sleep Til Brooklyn,” “Hold It Now, Hit It” and the storytelling smash “Paul Revere.”

Unfortunately, crew member MCA lost his battle with cancer in 2012, which actually caused a resurgence in the album’s popularity and sales.

Salute to Def Jam, Russell Simmons, Ad Rock, Mike D and the continued legacy of MCA for creating such a timeless Hip Hop classic!

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: The Beastie Boys’ Dropped Their Sophomore LP ‘Licensed To Ill’ 38 Years Ago appeared first on .

Today In Hip Hop History: 3rd Bass’ Debut LP ‘The Cactus Album’ Turns 35 Years Old!

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Screenshot 2024 11 10 at 3.34.30 PM

Screenshot 2024 11 10 at 3.34.30 PM

On this date in 1989, Bed Stuy emcee Pete Nice joined forces with Far Rock mic ripper MC Serch and DJ RIchie Rich for the release of 3rd Bass’ debut LP The Cactus Album on the Def Jam/Columbia imprint. Produced primarily by Sam Sever alongside Pete and Serch, Prince Paul and the Bomb Squad, The Cactus Album contained more songs than any other album that dropped that same year and its kaleidoscopic production made it one of the most recognized LPs of the year. Not bad for a couple of white boys in Hip Hop’s “Golden Era”.

Standout tracks on that album include the lead single “Steppin’ to the A.M.”, “Brooklyn Queens” and “The Gas Face”, which was produced by Prince Paul and featured the late MF DOOM who was then known as Zev Love X of the group KMD(Kausin Much Damage). The album featured several skits which added to the album’s allure because outside of De La Soul’s 3 Ft. High and Rising, there weren’t any concept albums in Hip Hop during that time period.

Salute to Sam Sever, Prince Paul, The Bomb Squad, Pete, Serch and Rich for this important piece of Hip Hop history! What makes it even more exclusive is this year in New Jersey at the Prudential Center in Newark, Pete and Serch reunited for the first time in over two decades to launch a 25-city 3rd Bass tour.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: 3rd Bass’ Debut LP ‘The Cactus Album’ Turns 35 Years Old! appeared first on .

Today in Hip-Hop History: Slick Rick Released His Debut Album ‘The Great Adventures Of Slick Rick’ 36 Years Ago

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tumblr f9ae434dec09507b4e9bb708058d8c71 00293743 1280

On this date thirty six ago, Hip-Hop’s greatest storyteller Slick Rick dropped his debut LP The Great Adventures Of Slick Rick on the Def Jam imprint.

MC Ricky D came on the scene with the “Original Human Beat Box” Doug E. Fresh in 1985 with the party anthem “The Show” and the X-rated flip side “La Di Da Di”. His highly anticipated debut LP is one of Hip Hop’s iconic projects that presented a concept, maintained a tempo with timeless lyrics and unforgettable beats courtesy of The Bomb Squad and Rick himself.

Being one of the few albums in the history of The Source that received the coveted Five Mics, it’s hard to pinpoint just a handful tracks that made the album stand out, however, there are some all-time favorites that still ring relevant three decades later. Storytelling tracks like “The Moment I Feared,” “Treat Her Like A Prostitute” and “Indian Girl” were reminiscent of his “La Di Da Di” days of X-rated rap. Rick served up some classic songs that are still bangin’ in the clubs to this day, including “Children’s Story”, “Mona Lisa” and the epic “Young World”.

Salute The Ruler, his DJ Vance Wright, Rick Rubin, The Bomb Squad and the entire Def Jam squad from the heyday for this timeless classic!

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Slick Rick Released His Debut Album ‘The Great Adventures Of Slick Rick’ 36 Years Ago appeared first on .

Happy 67th Birthday To Hip Hop’s First Mogul Russell Simmons!

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Russell Simmons' Anonymous Rape Accusers Loses Lawsuit Because Claims Fell Outside The Statute of Limitations

Russell Simmons' Anonymous Rape Accusers Loses Lawsuit Because Claims Fell Outside The Statute of Limitations

Today we celebrate the 67th birthday of Hip Hop pioneer Russell Simmons!

Since the founding of Def Jam Recordings in 1983, Russell Simmons has been an instrumental part in the advancement of Hip Hop culture. Over his illustrious career Russell has launched the careers of multi-platinum artists (LL Cool J, Beastie Boys, and Public Enemy to name a few), co-founded top-selling clothing lines Baby Phat and Phat Farm, created financial institutions with the Rush Card, and award-winning television shows Def Poetry Jam and Run’s House. It is nearly impossible to say what the state of rap music and Hip Hop culture would be today with the Russell Simmons influence.

Lately, Uncle Rush has even begun taking large strides outside of the entertainment and financial industries, becoming Hip Hop’s new-age spiritual guru. Since 2010, Simmons has released self-help books sharing his views on religion, spirituality, and even health. Through his Hindu and vegan lifestyles, Uncle Rush has assumed the role of mentor to a vast majority of today’s top recording artists.

Over the years, Hip Hop empires have risen to power and fallen from the mountaintop. Russell Simmons, however, has always been able to brave the tide and stand strong as one of the most impregnable forces of marketing and branding expertise. Since his first project, Run D.M.C., it has been obvious that no one truly understands Hip Hop the way that Russell Simmons does. His Midas touch continues to transform the culture into something new (and more profitable) with every idea he brings to fruition. He is truly a rap genius.

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Today in Hip-Hop History: Warren G’s Debut Album ‘Regulate…G Funk Era’ Turns 30 Years Old!

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On this date three decades ago, Death Row Records producer and Dr. Dre’s brother Warren G dropped his debut album ‘Regulate…G Funk Era’.

Executive produced by the late Chris Lighty, The Def Jam/Violator signee took his solo act on the road and brought it cross country to NYC to distinguish himself from the rest of his legendary peers from Death Row Records. The strategy worked, with the album being certified platinum by the RIAA two years following its release.

The album’s title track is by far the most memorable track from the album, however, another track entitled “So Many Ways” made it into the 1995 Martin Lawrence/Will Smith silver screen smash Bad Boys.

Salute to Warren G, the late Nate Dogg, the late Chris Lighty, Dr. Dre, the Violator squad and Def Jam for this timeless piece of Hip Hop History!

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Warren G’s Debut Album ‘Regulate…G Funk Era’ Turns 30 Years Old! first appeared on The Source.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Warren G’s Debut Album ‘Regulate…G Funk Era’ Turns 30 Years Old! appeared first on The Source.

Today in Hip-Hop History: LL Cool J Dropped His ‘Bigger and Deffer'(B.A.D.) LP 37 Years Ago

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On this date in 1987, LL’s Bigger And Deffer album was released via Def Jam/Columbia/CBS Records. As his second release, the critics expected the “sophomore jinx”, but received the exact opposite. In fact, B.A.D. was the album that catapulted Cool J to superstar status immediately following his cameo appearance as a crate carrying, up and coming “LL Kool J” in Krush Groove. At the time, LL also had two DJs; DJ Cut Creator and West Coast super-producer DJ Bobcat.

Recorded at the legendary Chung King Studios and produced by DJ Pooh and L.A. Posse, Bigger And Deffer contained two of LL’s biggest singles to date; “I’m Bad” and the feminine driven “I Need Love”. This was the first successful Hip Hop love song, however, it set the precedent for many more to follow.

The album made our Top 100 Best Rap Albums list while selling over 3 million copies here in the U.S. Salute to Uncle L, DJs Cut Creator and Bobcat, E Love, and the whole Def Jam team for this classic!

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: LL Cool J Dropped His ‘Bigger and Deffer'(B.A.D.) LP 37 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: LL Cool J Dropped His ‘Bigger and Deffer'(B.A.D.) LP 37 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Today in Hip-Hop History: Cam’Ron Released Third Solo Album ‘Come Home With Me’ 22 Years Ago

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On this date in 2002, Dipset General Cam’Ron kept the Harlem legacy rolling when he dropped his third solo album aptly entitled Come Home With Me on the Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam imprint.

This was the Harlem natives first release under the Roc-A-Fella banner and coincidentally, his most critically acclaimed full-length release to date, being Cam’s only certified platinum album to date. The album features include rap heavyweights such as The Diplomats, DJ Kay Slay, Daz Dillinger, label head Jay-Z as well as labelmates Memphis Bleek and Beanie Sigel.

This 15-track banger released a slew of hard-hitting singles including the infectious “Oh Boy”, which led the soulful voice-sampling revolution, the mainstream hit “Hey Ma” and the only song ever recorded with Jigga before their highly publicized fallout “Welcome To New York City”.

Thanks to Cam, Jim, Juelz, Freekey, Just Blaze and Kanye West for their production and everyone else involved in creating this timeless Hip Hop classic!

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Cam’Ron Released Third Solo Album ‘Come Home With Me’ 22 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Cam’Ron Released Third Solo Album ‘Come Home With Me’ 22 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Today in Hip-Hop History: Run-D.M.C.’s Self Titled Debut Album Turns 40 Years Old!

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On this date in 1984, the Kings from Queens released their first self-titled album on Def Jam Recordings under Rush Management.

This monumental album put Daryl McDaniels (DMC), Joseph Simmons (DJ Run), and Jason Mizell (Jam Master Jay) on the map, and launched one of the most successful careers Hip-Hop has ever seen.

With songs like “Sucker MCs,” “It’s Like That,” “Hard Times” and “Rock Box,” the record was an accurate reflection of the lives of three ambitious kids from Hollis, Queens in New York City in a time before the crack epidemic.

Simmons and McDaniels used to hang around Two-Fifths Park in Hollis in late 1980, hoping to rap for the local DJs who performed and competed there. The most popular one just happened to be Mizell, then known as “Jazzy Jase” because of his flashy wardrobe and b-boy attitude. Eventually, Simmons and McDaniels rapped in front of Mizell at the park, and the rest is history.

As a group, they soon strapped on a pair of Adidas, threw on a rope chain and topped it off with a Kangol hat. Little did they know, they were crafting a signature style, one that has stood the test of time and is widely recognized around the world.

Run-D.M.C. went on to release six more albums, including 1985’s King of Rock and 1986’s Raising Hell. Tragically, Mizell was gunned down on October 30, 2002, at his recording studio in Queens. Countless fans left Adidas sneakers, albums and flowers for the legendary DJ outside of the studio, where the murder occurred. The homicide has yet to be solved.

Run-D.M.C. was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009, making them one of only two Hip Hop acts given that honor at the time.

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The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Run-D.M.C.’s Self Titled Debut Album Turns 40 Years Old! first appeared on The Source.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Run-D.M.C.’s Self Titled Debut Album Turns 40 Years Old! appeared first on The Source.

Benny The Butcher Drops New Single, Announces Release Date For Def Jam Debut Album

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Benny The Butcher – the Grammy-Nominated and Emmy-Award-winning member of Buffalo’s acclaimed Griselda collective – unleashes a new single and music video entitled “One Foot In” ft. Stove God Cooks, produced by HIT-BOY, via Def Jam Recordings. 

“One Foot In” turns up the volume and sets the stage for the release of the Butcher’s highly anticipated new album EVERYBODY CAN’T GO, arriving on January 26, 2024. 

A head-nodding beat sets the tempo for the track as he lays down some ground rules. “Everybody can’t go, and you probably won’t make it.” He threads together one quotable rhyme after another with a precise flow. Taking a victory lap, he gets braggadocious, “You beat out the best, and then you weed out the rest,” and he confesses, “Now look at God, I wrote this verse in my GRAMMY outfit.” Meanwhile, the hook illustrates his duality as he examines a life with one foot in the streets and one in the rap game. The accompanying visual illustrates this vibe on-screen as Benny simply shines.

The post Benny The Butcher Drops New Single, Announces Release Date For Def Jam Debut Album first appeared on The Source.

The post Benny The Butcher Drops New Single, Announces Release Date For Def Jam Debut Album appeared first on The Source.