Universal Music Group launches Swedish Def Jam record label.
leader Matthias Callisterpeople who run recently Virgin Music SwedenUMG said the label “will continue to follow the blueprint of the iconic Def Jam Recordings label,” which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.
Sweden is the world’s tenth largest exporter of top 10 hits in 2023, IFPI said in its EU Music Report released this week. Annual increase of 6.1% On the market last year.
Def Jam label launches in Sweden to coincide with launch of original US record label 40th anniversary, Marks the latest global market to receive a dedicated Def Jam brand branch.
In addition to Sweden, the Def Jam brand also operates in the UK through the 2020 launch of 0207 Def Jam.
Meanwhile, Def Jam Africa launched in May 2020, initially expanding to three markets in French-speaking Africa; Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Cameroon in July of the same year.
Earlier this year, Universal Music France and Binetou Syllaproducer and founder of the independent label Wèrè Wèrè Music. Through this partnership, Paris-based Binetou Sylla joins forces with Universal Music France and its Capitol France division to lead Def Jam Africa in the French-speaking market on the continent.
In 2019, Universal Pictures launched Def Jam in Southeast Asia.
Universal Pictures has also expanded the Def Jam brand to India and South Asia, launching Def Jam India in 2022. big duck Rapper from India Hanu humans.
The track reached number one on the Spotify US and global charts.
According to UMG, Def Jam Recordings Sweden will launch a flagship roster featuring “well-known artists” as well as new talent.
The label said the list includes “heavyweights” Asme and Saretti, rap veteran Sebastian Starkset and rising star Qi Kai.
Supported by a dedicated team including A&R and production – Def Jam Swedish boss Mattias Caliste will also join Hamid Jamshedi and Hermon Alemseged and will be supported by Universal Music Group’s regional and international label networks and corporate divisions.
Caliste’s experience includes being an artist in the band Fjärde Världen and having success as a producer and founder of a record label cityscape.
Def Jam Recordings represents “more than 35 years of being at the forefront of hip-hop music,” according to Universal, adding that it “originated as a maverick independent label inspired by the vibrant street culture and emerging scene of downtown New York City. the sound of music”. Hip-hop music pioneered by iconic stars such as LL Cool J, Slick Rick, The Beastie Boys and Public Enemy.
Over the next two decades, Def Jam collaborated with superstars such as Jay-Z, DMX, Ja Rule, Method Man & Redman, Ludacris, Rihanna and Jeezy.
The brand’s current “big names” and emerging stars include LL Cool J, Justin Bieber, Jeezy, 2 Chainz, Big Sean, Pusha T, Jhene Aiko, Teyana Taylor, Jadakiss, Muni Long, Armani White and more. Def Jam Recordings is led by Tungi Balogun (Chairman and CEO).
“I’m very honored to be able to start Def Jam Recordings in Sweden. Def Jam raised me.
Mattias Caliste, Def Jam Recordings Sweden
Mattias Caliste, Head of Def Jam Recordings Sweden, said: “I am extremely honored to be launching Def Jam Recordings in Sweden.
“Def Jam raised me! I grew up with artists like Public Enemy, EPMD, LL Cool J, Redman & Method Man, Warren G, etc., who have all released some of the best albums under the Def Jam label. The The label’s legacy is extremely important to hip-hop as a genre and subculture.
In other Def Jam-related global news, Def Jam Recordings has entered into exclusive global joint venture partnerships in 2022 with NATIVE Records in Lagos, Nigeria and the United Kingdom.global music business