Def Jam Celebrates 30 Years!

Def Jam founders Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons have a lot to celebrate -- the pioneering hip-hop label is observing its 30th anniversary.

Founded in Rubin's college dorm room, Def Jam has become an international cultural powerhouse, responsible for fostering artists from LL Cool J and Public Enemy to Jay Z and Kanye West.

Simmons and Rubin expressed their mutual disbelief in their overall success in a joint statement that reads: "It's hard to believe it was 30 years ago when we first put the Def Jam logo on a hip-hop recording at an NYU dormitory.  Since that time we have seen this homegrown American music grow from a local underground scene to a worldwide phenomenon. Today Def Jam remains the gold standard for taste, culture and revolutionary thought.  To quote the Chuck D line: 'Def Jam tells you who I am…'"

To celebrate the feat, the label has unveiled a new #DefJam30 logo. Further updates on events and albums will be announced at a later time.

Other artists on the roster include Ludacris, The Roots, Nas, Frank Ocean, August Alsina, Big Sean, Jhene Aiko and 2 Chainz, among others.