Music Industry Moves: Def Jam Celebrates Diverse Female Staff; Sony Music Publishing Partners With Girls Make Beats
variety.comThania Garcia Def Jam Recordings celebrated Women’s History Month — in partnership with LUCID Motors — with a special event recognizing its own female staff.
Held March 28 in Beverly Hills, “The Women of Def Jam” brought out the iconic label’s executive team, staff and VIP guests as well as artists like Kendra Jae, DaniLeigh, Pap Chanel, Nevaeh Jolie, Ilham and Kaash Paige, who joined a “Future Leaders” panel moderated by Variety executive editor Shirley Halperin.After closing statements from newly installed Def Jam chairman and CEO Tunji Balogun, the event concluded with a performance by Coco Jones, a new label signee and star of Peacock’s “Bel-Air.”Def Jam’s female execs were also celebrated earlier this month with the release of “The Women of Def Jam” — a 24-track compilation album showcasing music by Nikki D., Foxy Brown, Boss, Ashanti, Amerie, Teyana Taylor, Alessia Cara, Rapsody and Jhené Aiko, among others.
Of the major labels, Def Jam is a model of inclusivity and diversity as half of its employees are women, including seven women of color in senior executive positions.
In addition, for the first time since 2007, Def Jam boasts an all-female marketing staff.Pictured at top: Def Jam’s Nicki Farag, Khorey Washington and Natina Nimene; Coco Jones and Tunji Balogun can be seen below.+ Sony Music Publishing has partnered with the non-profit organization Girls Make Beats to host a songwriting and composing workshop for young girls in music.
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