DJ Khaled has left Sony Music’s Epic Records and signed with Def Jam, a subsidiary of Universal Music Group (UMG).
In addition to releasing his music through Def Jam, he has been named Global Creative Consultant for UMG, working across all the labels at the company.
This marks a full-circle moment for Khaled, who started his career as an A&R executive at Def Jam South. He will be reuniting with LaTrice Burnette, the EVP at Def Jam, who played a key role in his success at Epic Records, where he released five albums, four of which reached No. 1 on the Billboard album chart.
In January Khaled’s frequent reggae collaborator Capleton, who was signed with Def Jam in the late 1990s says the label didn’t have the wherewithal to market him to the right “grassroots” audiences in the 90s.
“Because its a 100% hip hop company them never really know how fi gimme dah market deh through grassroots, that’s why we did even end up back a VP, but as me seh anything for the music.”- Capleton
Still he gives the Universal Music Group subsidiary props for helping him to reach new audiences outside of the niche with his biggest hit:
“Big up DefJam same way because them really cross me over where even the kids in America singing ‘hold up wait a minute’,”
as he sings a few lines from his popular hit “Tour”.
With a career spanning more than 30 years, Capleton is featured on DJ Khaled’s 2023 Grammy nominated album God Did on the track The Streets Know My Name with Skillibeng, Sizzla, Bounty Killer, and Buju Banton.
He was also on Khaled’s previous album Khaled Khaled on the track Where You Come From along with Buju Banton, Barrington Levy, and Bounty Killer. The We The Best lead man always used Jamaica and reggae music as a backdrop to market and promote his albums released under Sony/Epic records.
It is not know whether this strategy will continue under DefJam but last May Ghanian singer Stone Bwoy real name Livingstone Etse Satekla, also signed to Def Jam Recordings’ African imprint and released the first single in the deal Theraphy.
Therapy via Def Jam Recordings, 0207 Def Jam and Def Jam Africa, is supported by UMG labels around the world. His album was set to drop mid-2022 according to a statement from the label but it is yet to be released or a date announced.
DJ Khaled is a multi-platinum, award-winning artist, producer, and cultural icon. UMG chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge praised Khaled for his “brilliant creative instincts and unique vision”. DJ Khaled believes in teamwork and feels he can help UMG not just musically but also in TV, films, and marketing.
The Miami DJ gearing up for big things, including his partnership with Air Jordan and his alignment with streetwear retailer Snipes.
