Music labels and brand research

UMG





Def Jam Recordings was founded in 1984 by Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons, and has represented the very best in cutting edge music and youth culture for 30 years. Def Jam Recordings began as a maverick independent label inspired by a punk ethos and the emerging sound of hip-hop, pioneering iconic stars like LL Cool J, Slick Rick, The Beastie Boys and Public Enemy. Over the following two decades, Def Jam established its dominance with acts like Jay-Z, DMX, Ja Rule, Method Man & Redman, Ludacris, Rihanna, Jeezy, and Kanye West. Now in its 30th year, Def Jam’s music and lifestyle has grown into a global brand – synonymous with creativity and authenticity – encompassing a diverse roster of marquee and emerging stars like Kanye, Justin Bieber, Rick Ross, Frank Ocean, Iggy Azalea, Axwell  Ingrosso, YG, Afrojack, 2 Chainz, Alesso, The Roots, August Alsina, Jhene Aiko, among others.


Island records UK. More than 55 years on from its birth in Jamaica, Island is one of the most revered and respected labels in the world. Its unique ethos has provided the platform for launching some of the biggest artists from across the musical spectrum, including the UK launch of Amy Winehouse, Florence + The Machine and Mumford & Sons. Their UK roster remains as varied as ever with acts such as Disclosure, John Newman and Jessie J seeing global success.

Shady records. Shady Records is an American hip hop record label that was founded by Eminem and Paul Rosenberg in 1999 after the highly successful release of The Slim Shady LP. Over the years Shady Records has earned RIAA certificates of platinum or higher for a number of album releases and has been home to acts including D12, Slaughterhouse, Yelawolf and Bad Meets Evil.

Virgin EMI Records. Very few brands are as identifiable as Virgin. From its humble roots as a London based record store, the label has been at the forefront of musical disruptions for over 40 years – prog to punk, new romantics to rave, indie to girl-power. Bastille, Emeli Sande, Naughty Boy and Iggy Azalea continue to carry to torch for the label, making Virgin EMI one of the biggest in the UK today.