Legendary hip hop label founded by Rick Rubin in 1983, later joined by Russell Simmons. Def Jam helped launch the careers of LL Cool J, Beastie Boys, Public Enemy and EPMD - amongst many others.

Def Jam's early influence and status in hip hop can be heard in the Public Enemy song "Rebel Without A Pause", with the line: "Def Jam - tells you who I am".

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