Harleston said, “It has been an honor and a pleasure to lead and grow Def Jam over these past two years. Jeffrey Harleston, UMG’s General Counsel and EVP of Business & Legal Affairs, who has been served as Def Jam’s interim Chairman & CEO since Paul Rosenberg left in early 2020, will continue to oversee the label until Balogun assumes his new role in January. I’m honored to lead Def Jam into its next chapter and thank Lucian and Jeff for their support and this incredible opportunity.” Def Jam remains one of music’s most iconic brands and has always represented forward-thinking artists and partners that continue to shift ideas and impact culture around the world. Not only does he bring a deep understanding and respect for the cultural significance of what Def Jam has created over the past four decades, but he also sees the boundless potential of what Def Jam can be to a new generation of artists and fans.”īalogun said, “I grew up on Def Jam’s music - collecting, listening to and studying their albums and singles - those early moments as a young fan have had a lasting influence on who I am today. In his new Def Jam role, Balogun will be based in Los Angeles and report to UMG Chairman & CEO, Sir Lucian Grainge, who said, “Tunji is part of a new wave of dynamic executives who view today’s artists and music through a unique creative lens. Concurrently, Balogun was promoted from SVP to Executive Vice President, A&R.

In April 2018 RCA Records entered into a joint venture with new label Keep Cool, which was founded by Balogun, Courtney Stewart, Jon Tanners and Jared Sherman, with Normani (Fifth Harmony) the first artist signed to the label.

Universal Music Group (UMG) formally announced the appointment of veteran A&R executive Tunji Balogun as the new Chairman & CEO of Def Jam Recordings, effective January 1, 2022. Balogun is currently EVP of A&R at RCA Records, where he has worked with artists including Bryson Tiller, Childish Gambino, Goldlink, Khalid and Wizkid among others, over his 17-year career.īalogun’s appointment marks a return to the UMG family, where he served as an A&R executive at Interscope Records from 2007 until 2015, when he joined RCA.

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