UMG Names Tunji Balogun Def Jam Chairman/CEO

Tunji Balogun (Photo: LinkedIn)

UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP (UMG) has named TUNJI BALOGUN Chairman/CEO of DEF JAM RECORDINGS, effective JANUARY 2022. He succeeds PAUL ROSENBERG, who resigned in FEBRUARY 2020 (NET NEWS 2/24/20).

UMG General Counsel JEFF HARLESTON has been serving as Interim CEO of DEF JAM and will continue to do so until JANUARY. BALOGUN is making the move from his position as RCA EVP/A&R. He'll be based in LOS ANGELES and report to UMG Chairman/CEO SIR LUCIAN GRAINGE.

GRAINGE said, “TUNJI is part of a new wave of dynamic executives who view TODAY’s artists and music through a unique creative lens. Not only does he bring a deep understanding and respect for the cultural significance of what DEF JAM has created over the past four decades, but he also sees the boundless potential of what DEF JAM can be to a new generation of artists and fans.”

BALOGUN commented, "I grew up on DEF JAM’s music collecting, listening to, and studying their albums and singles those early moments as a young fan have had a lasting influence on who I am today. DEF JAM remains one of music’s most iconic brands and has always represented forward-thinking artists and partners that continue to shift ideas and impact culture around the world. I’m honored to lead DEF JAM into its next chapter and thank LUCIAN and JEFF for their support and this incredible opportunity.”

HARLESTON added, “It has been an honor and a pleasure to lead and grow DEF JAM over these past two years. Having had the privilege of working with TUNJI for more than a decade, I couldn’t be happier to hand the reins over to him. TUNJI has all the tools to take the DEF JAM brand and artists to new levels of success. He has the vision. He has a track record of signing the best and brightest new talent who ‘move culture’ around the world and has always been an incredible advocate for artists.”

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