Celebrating The Women Of Def Jam
• On Monday evening, Def Jam Recordings, in partnership with LUCID Motors, hosted The Women Of Def Jam— a special evening in celebration of Women’s History Month, held at LUCID’s Beverly Hills studio to pay homage to the musical legacy of Def Jam’s iconic female artists past and present, gathering together the label’s entire female executive team, staff and their VIP guests to honor their incredible contributions to the company and the industry at large. Def Jam’s ranks, at every level, comprise one of the most inclusive and diverse group of female executives in the music industry today.
In attendance were Def Jam stars like Kaash Paige, who joined a “Future Leaders” panel moderated by Variety editor Shirley Halperin and featuring some of the label’s youngest and brightest staff, as well as Kendra Jae, DaniLeigh, Pap Chanel, Nevaeh Jolie and Ilham. After remarks from Def Jam Chairman & CEO Tunji Balogun, the event concluded with Coco Jones performing her new single “Caliber.” DJ Rosegold kept the party going with music from Def Jam’s deep catalogue of hits.
Pictured, above, (l-r): Pap Chanel, Ilham, DaniLeigh, Tunji Balogun, Nevaeh Jolie, Kendra Jae, Def Jam EVP/GM Nicki Farag and Kaash Paige. [Photo by Anna Webber / Getty Images for Lucid Motors]
As widely acknowledged, Def Jam is virtually unique in the industry for the inclusivity and diversity of its female staff — over half of its employees are women, including seven women of color in senior executive positions. Two of the three executive leaders are women. Of the ten department heads, eight are women. Def Jam also has an all-female marketing staff, and the label has never had as many women on its A&R staff as it does today.
Pictured, above, (l-r): Def Jam EVP/GM Nicki Farag, Director of Content Khorey Washington and SVP Urban Promotion & Artist Relations Natina Nimene. [Photo by Vivien Killilea / Getty Images for Lucid Motors]
In proud celebration of its accomplishments, the label recently released The Women Of Def Jam — a 24-track compilation showcasing some of the greatest female artists in the label’s storied history. Available as a collector’s-edition triple-LP box set, the anthology features a who’s-who of multi-platinum-selling and Grammy®-winning artists, from Nikki D., Foxy Brown, Boss, and Ashanti, to Amerie, Teyana Taylor, Alessia Cara, Rapsody, Jhené Aiko, and more.
