Def Jam Records: Golden Age releases and signings (1985–1994)

1. Def Jam Recordings co-founded by Rubin and Simmons

   Jan 1, 1984Labels: Def Jam, Rick Rubin, Russell Simmons

   • Guardian
   • Def Jam

2. Single “I Can’t Live Without My Radio” issued

   Oct 6, 1985Labels: LL Cool, Def Jam, Columbia

   • Radio Single
   • Radio

3. LL Cool J releases Def Jam’s first LP, *Radio*

   Nov 18, 1985Labels: LL Cool, Radio album, Def Jam

   • Radio
   • Def Jam

4. Run-D.M.C. and Rubin/Simmons break through with *Raising Hell*

   May 15, 1986Labels: Run-D M, Raising Hell, Rick Rubin

   • Raising Hell

5. Beastie Boys debut *Licensed to Ill* released

   Nov 15, 1986Labels: Beastie Boys, Licensed to, Def Jam

   • Licensed
   • Pitchfork

6. Public Enemy issues debut album *Yo! Bum Rush the Show*

   Mar 1, 1987Labels: Public Enemy, Yo Bum, Bomb Squad

   • Yo Bum Rush
   • Nation

7. Eric B. & Rakim release *Paid in Full* via Island affiliate

   Jul 7, 1987Labels: Eric B, Paid in, 4th &

   • Paid in Full
   • Paid Single

8. Public Enemy releases *It Takes a Nation of Millions…*

   Jun 28, 1988Labels: Public Enemy, It Takes, Def Jam

   • Nation
   • EW

9. Slick Rick releases *The Great Adventures of Slick Rick*

   Nov 1, 1988Labels: Slick Rick, The Great, Def Jam

   • Slick Rick
   • Slick Rick Bio

10. LL Cool J releases *Walking with a Panther*

    Jun 9, 1989Labels: LL Cool, Walking with, Def Jam

    • Panther

11. Public Enemy releases *Fear of a Black Planet*

    Apr 10, 1990Labels: Public Enemy, Fear of, Bomb Squad

    • Fear
    • Pitchfork

12. LL Cool J releases *Mama Said Knock You Out*

    Sep 14, 1990Labels: LL Cool, Mama Said, Marley Marl

    • MSKYO

13. Redman debuts with *Whut? Thee Album*

    Sep 22, 1992Labels: Redman, Whut Thee, Def Jam

    • Whut

14. Onyx releases debut album *Bacdafucup*

    Mar 30, 1993Labels: Onyx, Bacdafucup, JMJ

    • Bacdafucup
    • Onyx Site

15. Warren G’s *Regulate... G Funk Era* distributed by Def Jam

    Jun 7, 1994Labels: Warren G, Regulate G, Violator

    • Regulate LP
    • WarrenG