The Men Behind Def Jam

By Alex Ogg

Book Overview

(Omnibus Press). Having introduced the world to LL Cool J, the Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, DMX, and Jay-Z, the label formed by hustler-incarnate Russell Simmons and A & R maverick Rick Rubin has now successfully marketed what was a ghetto phenomenon into the most pervasive youth culture of the late 20th century. This book documents the growth of Def Jam from humble origins to its current status as the pre-eminent black music label of the 1980s and 1990s.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0711988730
• ISBN13: 9780711988736
• Release Date: June 2002
• Publisher: Omnibus Press
• Length: 276 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Off the hook, read this book

Alex Ogg did a superb job in his book on Russel Simmons and Rick Rubin, founders of the record label, "Def Jam". Ogg gave the men who launched the careers of Jay-Z, LL Cool J, Run-DMC, the Beastie Boys, and other stars of hip hop their props. While I found it was an insightful read, I discovered that homorous touches and memorable moments abound throughout the book. Since I am an fan of the Beastie Boys, I enjoyed the early part of the book which dealt with the rap/rock phenomenon in the 1980's, although I was a bit dissapointed that Ogg didn't delve more deeply into how Rubin got to be friends and roomates with Adam Horovitz (Ad-Rock of Beastie-Boy fame.) Nevertheless, Alex Ogg, a gifted writer, knows how to put together a good Def Jam history book, and without a doubt loves hip-hop very much.