NYC DECLARES JANUARY 2024 DEF JAM MONTH
The New York City Council has officially declared January 2024 as “Def Jam Recognition Month” to commemorate the music label’s transcendent 40-year legacy of artistic excellence.
The Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations presented the declaration that promptly states the “contributions of Def Jam to the music industry” will be celebrated to kick-off the new year.
“Today, Hip-Hop continues to provide a space to dream, aspire, celebrate, grieve, and come together. Looking towards the future, Def Jam Recordings reaffirms its commitment to supporting and uplifting the great City of New York through the power of music,” said Tunji Balogun, Chairman & CEO, Def Jam Recordings. “As a proud New York cultural institution for nearly 40 years, Def Jam Recordings is honored to be recognized by the New York City Council through this resolution.”
Def Jam Recordings was founded in 1984.Throughout its four-decade history, the label has been a powerhouse for groundbreaking artists, who have gone on to shape the landscape of Hip-Hop, Contemporary music, film, television and entertainment.
Honoring Def Jam with an official declaration not only serves as an ode to New York City’s significance in birthing and nurturing Hip-Hop’s first cultural hub, but underscores NYC’s commitment to its cultural heritage, which encourages future generations to celebrate the voices who defined the city's rich artistic history.
“From our artists to our movie soundtracks to our video games to our partnerships from Def Comedy Jam to Marvel, we are a household name dedicated to bringing quality entertainment,” says Dr. Charlene Thomas, VP of Marketing, Def Jam Recordings. “And within all our efforts one thing stands out and remains true through every decade: Def Jam is New York.”
Def Jam's 40th anniversary celebration not only honors the label's illustrious history but also symbolizes the enduring influence of Rick Rubin's vision, highlighting how a New York University dorm room startup, could evolve into a cultural powerhouse that has left an indelible impact on music’s global scene for four decades and counting.
The declaration of “Def Jam Recognition Month” in January 2024 marks a pivotal and full-circle beginning to a year-long celebration for the dynamic label’s 40 year history, that laid their foundation with the release of its first 12” rap single, T La Rock “It’s Yours” on January 28, 1984.