Def Jam Africa

Def Jam Recordings Africa (marketed as Def Jam Africa), is the African division of the international record label Def Jam Recordings. The label is owned by Universal Music Africa, a flagship of Universal Music Group. Founded in 2020, and operating in South Africa, Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Cameroon.[1] Def Jam Africa specializes mainly on African hip-hop, Afrobeats and Trap music.[2]

Def Jam Recordings Africa
GenreAfrobeats, trap, Afro hip-hop
Founded2020 (2020)
HeadquartersJohannesburg, South Africa
Lagos, Nigeria
Key people
Larry Gaaga (VP & A&R)
Owner
Parent
Websitewww.defjam.africa

History

Def Jam Recordings Africa was founded in 2020, as the African division of Def Jam Recordings, operating in South Africa, and Nigeria. The label has a Johannesburg-based arm known as Universal Music South Africa and a Lagos-based arm known as Universal Music Group Nigeria,[3] both headed by Sipho Dlamini, the Chief executive officer of Universal Music Sub-Saharan Africa & South Africa.[4] The label is home to recording acts, such as Boity, Nasty C, Nadia Nakai, Larry Gaaga, Ricky Tyler, Tshego, Ténor, Tellaman, Luka Pryce, Tumi "Stogie T" Molekane, Omzo Dollar, Vector, Lucas Raps, Cassper Nyovest, Suspect 95, Asaph (Zimbabwean Rapper) and Stonebwoy.[5]

On 13 June 2022, Larry Gaaga, the CEO and founder of Gaaga Muzik, and the former general manager of YSG Entertainment, was announced as the vice president of Def Jam Africa, and the head of the A&R division across the English-speaking markets in Africa.[6]

Vice presidents

Artists

African artists signed to Def Jam Africa:[7]

Selected discography

Singles, Albums and Eps, released through Def Jam Africa:[8]

Singles
`List of singles released by artists signed to Def Jam Africa
Artist Title Year Album Release date
Cassper Nyovest "Good for That" 2020 A.M.N (Any Minute Now) September 11, 2020
"Amademoni"
Nasty C, & Rowlene "I Need You" From the Netflix Original series "Blood & Water") May 22, 2020
Ricky Tyler "Thirty K's" Small World July 17, 2020
Nasty C "Eazy" Zulu Man with Some Power August 28, 2020
Tellaman "Practice (Cuebur Remix)" Practice (Cuebur Remix) - Single March 13, 2020
"Cross My Heart (Remix)"

(featuring Alpha P)

 Non-album single

3 July 2020
Stonebwoy "Therapy"[9] 2022 5th Dimension 28 April 2023
The Kabal (mbr: 2Baba & Larry Gaaga) "Mad Over Hills"[10]

(feauring. Falz)

 TBA
"Bebe"[11]

(feauring. Mi Casa)

 2023

Albums & EPs
Incomplete list of album and ep releases for Dej Jam Recordings in Africa
Year Title Artist(s) Details Certifications
2020Small WorldRicky TylerJuly 17, 2020
Zulu Man with Some PowerNasty CAugust 28, 2020
2021Rhythms of ZamundaVarious artistsMarch 5, 2021
20235th DimensionStonebwoy28 April 2023

See also

References
  1. "Def Jam Africa expands into Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal and Cameroon". Music Business Worldwide. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  2. "Universal launches Def Jam Africa to sign hip-hop, Afrobeats & trap artists from across the entire continent". Music Business Worldwide. 26 May 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  3. "Def Jam Africa Launches in South Africa and Nigeria". OkayAfrica. 26 May 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  4. "Universal's Sipho Dlamini on music streaming's future in Africa". Music Business Worldwide. 6 January 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  5. Courage, Onyema (3 May 2022). "Universal Music Group signs Stonebwoy to Def Jam Africa". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  6. "Larry Gaaga appointed Vice President, A&R, at Def Jam Africa". Music Business Worldwide. 13 June 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  7. "Artists". Def Jam Africa. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  8. "Music". Def Jam Africa. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  9. "Stonebwoy releases 'Therapy', first single under Universal Music Group's Def Jam Recordings - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. 3 May 2022. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  10. Mudasiru, Wisdom (11 November 2022). "Larry Gaaga & 2Baba Introduce 'The Kabal' With Falz-assisted "Mad Over Hills"". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  11. Adebiyi, Adeayo (10 February 2023). "Larry Gaaga & 2baba team up with Mi Casa for new single 'Bebe'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
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