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Def Jam Chairman/CEO Tunji Balogun Lays Out His Plan for the Label’s Future
Def Jam chairman/CEO Tunji Balogun on his plans for the label's future, including developing artists like Muni Long, Coco Jones and Armani White.
Jeffrey Harleston, executive vp of business affairs/general counsel of the label’s parent company, Universal Music Group (UMG), ran Def Jam on an interim basis — which coincided with the pandemic — until Balogun was hired. Balogun quickly set to work reshaping the roster, signing Muni Long, Coco Jones and Armani White while expanding into dancehall with Masicka and into Afrobeats with Adekunle Gold and Odumodublvck, in partnership with Native Records. The plaque commemorating Childish Gambino’s “This Is America” going two-times platinum reminds Balogun “of one of the most unique and impactful records I’ve been lucky enough to play a small part in bringing to the world.” DeSean McClinton-Holland
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