Def Jam just leveled up its global reach with Native Records

In 2022, the argument for major record labels and deals seems to be more in favor of going the independent route. But for a few iconic powerhouses like Def Jam Recordings, there are still new level ups and achievements on the horizon so the joint venture partnership with Native Records is impressive to say the least.

Native Records teams up with Def Jam

While the details are still coming together, it’s official - Def Jam has entered into an exclusive worldwide joint venture partnership agreement with the Lagos, Nigeria and UK-based Native Records - announced today by Tunji Balogun, Chairman & CEO, Def Jam Recordings, and Seni ‘Chubbz’ Saraki andTeni ‘Teezee’ Zaccheaus, Co-Presidents and Co-Founders of NATIVE Networks.

NATIVE Records is the music division of NATIVE Networks, the black-owned and operated, multi-platform, multi-disciplinary media and content company dedicated to the discovery and development of young African artists and youth culture. Founded in 2016 by Seni Saraki, Teni Zaccheaus, Shola Fagbemi, Addy Edgal & Suleiman Shittu, NATIVE has amassed a track record of breaking boundaries and popularizing new sounds through discovery and development of home-grown artists from the community, with special attention to the burgeoning Afrobeats movement. 

Saraki, Zaccheaus and Fagbemi - in collaboration with Balogun, who has had groundbreaking success with artists like WizKid and Tems - will use their proven A&R-sensibilities and extensive expertise and contacts in the creative community to sign and develop talent across the African musical diaspora.

Power executives from both sides have since stepped forward to dish on the huge venture.

“As we build a culture here at Def Jam that connects the best in the global black music diaspora - from hip-hop and R&B to reggae, afrobeats and more - clearly some of the best, most vital, interesting and cutting-edge new artists and sounds in music today are coming out of the continent,” said Tunji Balogun. “Seni, Teni and the Native crew have their fingers on the pulse of what's truly happening in the scene, as an engine for discovery, and as a hub for creators and artists. I’ve been a fan of their platform, and have been connected to the guys for some time. Our partnership feels authentic and natural, and I believe we’re going to discover and develop some amazing talent together.”

“We’ve known Tunji for quite a while now, and his ear & track record for breaking black artists from all over the world to a global audience, is second to none,” said Seni ‘Chubbz’ Saraki and Teni ‘Teezee’ Zaccheaus. “We are honored to be invited into his new home, and to be the first joint venture partnership with an African company in Def Jam’s legendary history. We truly believe that for music, the continent is the most exciting place in the world right now. We want NATIVE Records to be about artistic freedom, and as a company, we’ve always been passionate about discovering and working with artists that don’t quite color within the lines, and helping them to express themselves and build community. Africa is not a monophonic continent, and we believe this partnership will prove just that.” 

L-R: Teni “Teezee” Zaccheaus, Shola “Sholz” Fagbemi, Tunji Balogun, Seni Saraki

Photo: Geo Davis

Big Sean's Detroit mixtape drops again for its 10th anniversary

Remember when it was all G.O.O.D for Big Sean? The Music is still going strong and what better way to get into the Labor Day Weekend vibes than celebrating his Detroit mixtape’s 10-year anniversary with its re-release?

Big Sean’s Detroit mixtape hits the 10-year mark

Sean Don’s embracing the milestone date by putting the project out to the masses again through Def Jam Recordings. The expanded edition comes with the ‘More Thoughts’ bonus song and has an exclusive limited edition CD for those needing the physical attachment.

Grammy®-nominated; multi-platinum artist Big Seancelebrates the 10th anniversary of his DETROIT mixtape –– with a newly expanded re-release available on all streaming services today via Def Jam Recordings. The new commemorative edition includes an additional bonus track, “More Thoughts” and an exclusive, limited-quantity CD which can be found at DefJamShop.com.  

Following the landmark arrival of DETROIT, which features J Cole, Jhene Aiko, Chris Brown and more, saw nearly a million first-day downloads causing the DatPiff site to crash, Complex included the mixtape in its tally of The 50 Best Albums Of 2012.  DETROIT went on to win Best Mixtape honors at the 2013 BET Hip-Hop Awards.

In 2020, Big Sean went on to release DETROIT 2, which became his third consecutive solo album to reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200, and the set’s Nipsey Hussle-featuring single, “Deep Reverence,” earned a nomination for Best Rap Performance at the 2021 Grammys.

And it’s packed with tons of features, too. From J. Cole and Juicy J to French Montana and Wale, there’s ample tunes totaling up nearly 20 songs deep.

DETROIT 10th ANNIVERSARY track listing:

1. Higher

2. 24K Of Gold feat. J. Cole

3. More Thoughts (2019)

4. Story by Common

5. How It Feel

6. Woke Up Feat. Sayitainttone, Earlly Mac, Mike Posner & James Fauntleroy 

7. Experimental feat. Chip tha Ripper & Juicy J

8. Mula feat. French Montana

9. Story by Young Jeezy

10. 100 feat. Royce da 5'9” & Kendrick Lamar

11. Sellin' Dreams feat. Chris Brown

12. I'm Gonna Be feat. Jhené Aiko

13. FFOE

14. Story by Snoop Lion

15. RWT

16. Once Bitten, Twice Shy

17. Life Should Go On feat. Wale

18. All I Know feat. Wiz Khalifa

If you’re just now getting put onto Big Sean, it’s safe to say he’s been doing this a lot time. How long? Well, easily over 10 years with 2011 being one of the most memorable times for him.

Big Sean consistently asserts himself as an elite rapper and a vital voice for the culture, at large, since he emerged in 2011, with his debut album Finally Famous on Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music / Def Jam imprint. The album spun off consecutive top-charted pop/R&B/rap crossover smashes with “My Last” featuring Chris Brown (platinum), “Marvin & Chardonnay” featuring Kanye West and Roscoe Dash (platinum), and “Dance (A$$)” featuring Nicki Minaj (4x-platinum). Sean was a major collaborator on Kanye’s groundbreaking Cruel Summer album in 2012, and shared multi-platinum success with Kanye on the Grammy®-nominated “Mercy” (also featuring Pusha T and 2 Chainz), and “Clique” (with Jay-Z).

After an impressive debut, the roller coaster journey continued through multiple platinum projects and unforgettable classics.

Sean’s Hall Of Fame album followed in 2013, including “Guap” (platinum) and “Beware” featuring Lil Wayne and Jhené Aiko (3x-platinum). Dark Sky Paradise (2015) was Sean’s first platinum and first album to debut #1 on Soundscan. It reigned on the charts with the #1 “IDFWU” featuring E-40 (7x-platinum), “Blessings” featuring Drake and Kanye West (4x-platinum), and “One Man Can Change the World” featuring Kanye West and John Legend (platinum). I Decided. (released Feb 2017, platinum) debuted at #1 on the momentum of the two pre-order instant grat tracks that turned into smash singles, “Bounce Back” (6x-platinum with over 300 million streams globally), and “Moves” (2x-platinum). In 2020, he logged his third consecutive #1 debut on the Billboard Top 200 and fifth straight #1 entry on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart with the critically acclaimed Detroit 2.