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. It specializes mainly in African hip-hop, Afrobeats, and trap music.
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, both headed by Sipho Dlamini, the Chief executive officer of Universal Music Sub-Saharan Africa & South Africa. 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, and Stonebwoy.
On 13 June 2022, Larry Gaaga, the CEO and founder of Gaaga Muzik, and the former general manager of YSG Entertainment were announced as the vice president of Def Jam Africa and the head of the A&R division respectively across English-speaking markets in Africa.
Vice presidents Larry Gaaga
Artists Current African artists signed to Def Jam Africa:
Hamms Bongani Gwiliza Frxddy young Boity Thulo Nadia Nakai Larry Gaaga Ricky Tyler Tellaman Luka Pryce Stogie T Suspect 95 HIMRA Vector Omzo Dollar Cassper Nyovest Lucas Raps Tshego Cleo Ice Queen Ténor Stonebwoy Asaph (Zimbabwean Rapper)
Past Nasty C (2020-2024)
Selected discography Singles, Albums and Eps, released through Def Jam Africa:
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" 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) 3 July 2020 Stonebwoy "Therapy" 2022 5th Dimension 28 April 2023 The Kabal (mbr: 2Baba & Larry Gaaga) "Mad Over Hills" (featuring Falz) rowspan="2" "Bebe" (featuring Mi Casa) 2023
Albums & EPs
+ Incomplete list of album and ep releases for Dej Jam Recordings in Africa Year Title Artist(s)DetailsCertifications 2020 Small World Ricky Tyler July 17, 2020 Zulu Man with Some Power Nasty C August 28, 2020 2021 Rhythms of Zamunda Various artists March 5, 2021 2023 5th Dimension Stonebwoy 28 April 2023
See also Def Jam Recordings
References