Simmons is best known as the co-founder of Def Jam Recordings, a label that helped launch the careers of iconic artists like LL Cool J, Beastie Boys, and Run-D.M.C.

But Def Jam had been picking up steam and in 1985-86, the label was more focused on Beastie Boys’ explosive debut, Licensed To Ill, the first rap album to top the Billboard 200 and second to ...

Former Def Jam Recordings executive Drew Dixon has alleged for years that she was raped by Russell Simmons in 1995. Now, Dixon is suing him. On Thursday, she filed a lawsuit in New York’s state ...

The case follows accusations from Drew Dixon, a former Arista Records and Def Jam executive who in 2017 accused Simmons of raping her in 1995 and Antonio “L.A.” Reid of harassing her.

Russell Simmons Sued for Rape by Former Def Jam Producer The woman, identified as Jane Doe, says the alleged incident happened while working for the record company in the late 1990s ...

Lyor Cohen, who held key executive roles at Def Jam Recordings from 1988 to 2004, has addressed Kanye West in an open letter. Cohen is known for his influential role in hip-hop. He started his ...

Several other artists have been under the Def Jam umbrella through partnerships with Jay-Z's Roc-a-Fella Records in 1996 and Murder Inc. in 1997, including Kanye West, Ja Rule, Cam'ron and others.

The deal with Def Jam and Universal Music Group could be worth as much as $13 million and gives Ball full ownership of his music and his own record label, sources told ESPN insider Shams Charania.