There’s a new sheriff in the Def Jam offices. It was officially announced today that former Warner Bros. executive Joie Manda has taken over the presidential duties of Def Jam. Manda says: “Running Def Jam is the greatest challenge of my career and I am appreciative to Barry Weiss for his faith in appointing me to this position. I’m excited to work alongside Steve Bartels, who is one of the most talented music execs in the business and who has […]

As Al Lindstrom‘s one-on-one interview with

In part one of Al Lindstrom’s

[vodpod id=Video.15642951&w=540&h=350&fv=] Irv Gotti’s got some backing. After pitching for the presidency at Def Jam last month, Jadakiss, who is signed to the label, told MTV that he thinks the Murder Inc. CEO would be a good fit. Hail to the chief? “He said a lot of stuff that doesn’t get said. He was able to [vent] without hating on the record labels or channeling any hate. … Everything he said — me being on the inside looking out and […]

shot: Canon Eos 60d |The Dark Nyte A few days ago, we had the pleasure of chopping it up with Def Jam’s founding publicist, Bill Adler. Along with Cey Adams and Dan Charnas the triumvirate released their new tome, Def Jam Recordings: The First 25 Years Of The Last Great Record Label. The book beautifully chronicles Def Jam’s rise with featured interviews from founders Rick Rubin, Russell Simmons and label executives Lyor Cohen, Juile Greenwald, Kevin Liles, Chris Lighty, and others. From his Midtown […]

Friday night, Def Jam celebrated their 25th anniversary with a private dinner at Hov’s The Spotted Pig in New York with the likes of the label’s founders Russell Simmons, Rick Rubin as well as Jay-Z, Kevin Liles, Young Jeezy and more.

Rick Ross got on the Def Jam conference call this afternoon to promote his new album, God Forgives I Don’t. Believe it or not, yours truly actually got though this time around and asked him about his shelved movie. Listen to the call below and cop the album December 13th.

[vodpod id=Video.15514529&w=540&h=350&fv=] The GOP ain’t got nothin’ on Irv. Yesterday on MTV Rap Fix, Murder Inc. founder Irv Gotti, made a compelling pitch for Presidency at Def Jam. This sounds like change we can believe in.

The G.O.O.D. Music signee has

For years, producer No I.D. has been the man behind the boards. But now, he’s taking his talents to the boardroom as an Executive Vice President of A&R at Def Jam. “I’m (now) executive VP of Def Jam. I’m going to keep on doing what I’m doing and take it to another level.Def Jam is a cultural staple. It’s not just a label, it’s part of the culture that I came up in and that I’ve been involved with for […]

[vodpod id=Video.12358108&w=540&h=350&fv=] Def Jam is continuing their vlog series and next up is Ace Hood. He speaks on signing with Def Jam, performing at Summer Jam 2011 and his new album, Blood Sweat & Tears which hits stores on August 9th.

[vodpod id=Video.7240329&w=425&h=350&fv=autoPlay%3Dfalse%26amp%3Bsid%3DMTV_rapfix%26amp%3BconfigParams%3Dvid%3D646497%26amp%3Binstance%3Dwp%26amp%3BfreewheelId%3DMTV_rapfix] Believe it or not, Havoc tells MTV that he hasn’t yet read Prodigy’s book, My Infamous Life. Despite the surrounding controversy, he says that he supports his Mobb Deep Co-D. He then goes on talk about accidentally shooting a Def Jam employee—at Def Jam!

In the wake of Shyne and Nas‘ alleged gripe with Def Jam, Big Sean was a guest on Angela Yee‘s weekly program, Lip Service last night and spoke out on his label’s lack of support. Girdle.

Nas allegedly wrote this email to the bigwigs at Def Jam demanding the release of Lost Tapes Vol. 2 this winter. Supposedly, they offered him $200,000 to fund the project. Until we receive confirmation, believe half of what you read after the jump.