As the chairman and CEO of Island/Def Jam, Barry Weiss sits at the head of hip hop's most iconic record label. Nonetheless, it is never easy to replace a legend-- and that's just what Weiss has had to do at Def Jam. Weiss took over for the departed L.A. Reid in spring of 2011, instantly becoming the most envied and the most scrutinized executive in music. Weiss had previously been the chairman/CEO at RCA/Jive before assuming the big chair at Def Jam.
As head of both Island/Def Jam and Universal Motown, Weiss has come to oversee Universal Republic, Mercury Record and Universal Motown. He is a multidimensional executive and entrepreneur, who possesses a deep love of music and an incredibly successful track record in building the careers of premiere artists," said UMG Chairman Lucien Grange. "He has the talent and commitment to help take these two great companies to new heights."
The label's successes over the past year have been many; with imprints like Rick Ross' Maybach Music under its umbrella and blockbuster albums like Jay-Z and Kanye West's Watch the Throne juggernaut keeping Def Jam at the forefront of the industry, and newcomers like Big Sean and Frank Ocean assuring that the hits will keep coming, Def Jam shows no signs of slowing.
"We are looking to maximize our potential and are in search of additional African- American leadership to take us to the next level," Weiss said shortly after he took the CEO position. "But, let me be clear, Def Jam is on fire."
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As the chairman and CEO of Island/Def Jam, Barry Weiss sits at the head of hip hop's most iconic record label. Nonetheless, it is never easy to replace a legend-- and that's just what Weiss has had to do at Def Jam. Weiss took over for the departed L.A. Reid in spring of 2011, instantly becoming the most envied and the most scrutinized executive in music. Weiss had previously been the chairman/CEO at RCA/Jive before assuming the big chair at Def Jam.
