Longtime Eminem manager Paul Rosenberg helped propel their Shady Records imprint to Hip Hop hallowed territory and he’s poised to do the same with a legendary label that needs no introduction.
Variety has spilled the beans that Rosenberg, 47, will take Def Jam’s top position as CEO starting January 2018. Their current roster includes A-list Hip Hop hitmakers such as Kanye West, Big Sean, 2 Chainz and YG, as well as a plethora of pop & R&B talent including Justin Bieber, Jhené Aiko and Jeremih.
A source tells Variety, “[Rosenberg is] super smart and will steer the company in the right direction.”
The Detroit native will also continue to run Shady Records and his Goliath Artist Management company, which has a combined roster that boasts the newly signed Westside Gunn and Conway, Danny Brown, Action Bronson, Yelawolf and of course, Marshall Mathers.
Founded in 1983 by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin, Def Jam would go on to be the premier Hip Hop label for years to come, ushering in acts such as LL Cool J, Beastie Boys, JAY-Z, Public Enemy Jeezy, Method Man & Redman, Rihanna and countless others in the prime years of their recording careers.
The news just adds an additional layer of icing to the potential cake Shady has baked up this week. Eminem recently signed on to produce an inevitable blockbuster film about battle rap opposite famed music director Joseph Kahn and Slim Shady’s greatest hits, 2004’s Curtain Call, was recently discovered to be the longest charting Billboard rap album.
Current Def Jam CEO Steve Bartels will continue to steer the ship until the Rosenberg change over.
Westside Gunn wasted no time congratulating his boss on Instagram.
Great. He’s gonna ruin Def Jam now too.
He manages who many will argue is the best emcee alive, as well as other successful hip hop acts. Im thinking he can fix up Def Jam and maybe make it the powerhouse it was back in the day. Im curious to see the changes.
You actually think he can fix up Def Jam with today’s artists?!?! Do you know how many CEOs that record company went thru in the last 12 years?!?! He will be replace by January 2019!
yo “….” Keep quiet b! lol! Def Jam is a pillar that many aim to improve b/c of how much of a staple it was on the culture. A lot of people on here critique business moves and never been to business class lol
They hate the Je wish ppl, that’s why. Mad racists on HHDX. Sickening
And what exactly did he ‘ruin’ until now?
who woulda thought? it’s not like he represents a certain abrahamic desert religion from the middle-east (hint: not talkin about is1am or christianity)
How you gonna shun Slaughterhouse
Ahhhh, a racist running Def Jam. Makes sense.
Evidence of this alleged “racism”? Proof and context. It’s important
These terror supporters don’t like sources and proof and stuff, they like hating on us Je wish ppl. LOL!
No surprise that the Zionist pigs have infiltrated everywhere and anything.
You know why? Because Je wish people are educated, smart and get it done. Stay mad while we GET IT!
The antisemitism is real in the comments. Sickening.
The party is about to be over for the mumble rappers on Def Jam. Rosenberg is not the most popular choice in the world, but it is a start.
Needs to get Westside Gunn and Conways albums out.Then on Def Jam id focus on Nas,Pusha T and Jadakiss
Does anyone have Paul’s number? I would like to talk to him. And for you haters … just stop
Kinda crazy how these outsiders control the work of others.i guess some people are made to pic koton.