Definitive Jux Records -

Classic Video Friday

drakej — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:18:45 -0500

From El-P's debut album, Fantastic Damage:

Become a fan on Facebook, follow on Twitter.

drakej — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 03:00:01 -0500

Ever heard of Facebook? Twitter? Well, we have too and we'll meet you there!

Facebook

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Def Jux MCs Teach Fans “How To Rap” In New Book

drakej — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:27:18 -0500

Over 100 Hip-Hop legends teach the art form of MCing in a new book recently released by Chicago Review Press, including Def Jux artists Aesop Rock, Cage, Cannibal Ox, Del, MURS, and Mr. Lif. “How to Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC” guides the reader through the science of rap in the words of the artists, giving an inside look behind their creative processes and techniques.

Other acts interviewed exclusively for the book include classic MCs and groups such as Public Enemy, Big Daddy Kane, Mobb Deep, AZ, Cypress Hill, Pharoahe Monch, Boot Camp Clik, Masta Ace, and A Tribe Called Quest, as well as recent acts such as Clipse, Styles P, The Black Eyed Peas, Crooked I, Immortal Technique, Royce Da 5’9”, Papoose, Nelly, and Jurassic 5.

The foreword to the book was written by Kool G Rap, an MC named as a major influence by most of the current generation of Hip-Hop artists, including Eminem and Jay-Z.

How to Rap breaks rapping down into content, flow, writing, and delivery—with topics such as writing in your head, punching-in vocals, and interacting with the crowd all tackled from different angles by numerous MCs.

The book also features the first complete breakdown of rap’s “flow”, allowing readers to create tongue-twisting compound rhyme styles like Kool G Rap and Eminem, complex conversational flows like Nas, Jay-Z, and OC, the classic old school patterns of Melle Mel, and everything in between.

Top US poet Dana Gioia has stated, “How to Rap marks a cultural coming-of-age for Hip-Hop—the first comprehensive poetics of this new literary form.”

Chicago Review Press is also known for releasing classic work on African-American culture by H. Rap Brown and Assata Shakur.

Available at all good bookstores, or from amazon.com at –
http://www.amazon.com/How-Rap-Art-Science-Hip-Hop/dp/1556528167

For more info on the book, visit - http://www.howtorapbook.com

Def Jux Belt Buckles - SALE!

drakej — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:15:37 -0500

Get one before they're gone! The classic 'Def Jux' brass belt buckle is now on sale. These won't be around for long so grab one here.

Classic Video Friday

drakej — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:13:39 -0500

From Aesop Rock's Fast Cars, Danger, Fire, & Knives EP. Classic.

Pullover hoodies!

drakej — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:30:38 -0500

11 new pullover hoodies availble in the store! Take a look at our favorites: "Rhinobus" designed by Jeremy Fish and "Guns" designed by Travis Millard. Check out the rest of the designs here.

OF HOOPTYS AND HOVERCRAFTS

drakej — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:21:09 -0500

Dear Inter-web, fans, friends and JUX family,

People keep asking me what's up with JUX. There's been some talk, there have been some rumors. Some half true, some way off. Reports of our demise have been mildly exaggerated. Here's what it really all boils down to: (read on)

This year, a decade after starting DEF JUX and after overseeing the releases of some incredible albums including the forthcoming release of my dear late and great friend Camu Tao's brilliant "KING OF HEARTS" LP, I'm stepping away from my duties as artistic director for the label to concentrate on what I love most: being a producer and an artist full time. This is something I've been contemplating for a few years now, and can't think of a better time or, with the eventual release of Camu's record, a more poetic way to transition into a new direction.

This means change for JUX. Of course we'll still have our website, we will still sell our catalog, merch and more as well as bring you news and updates on all our projects and artists. We will be releasing "KING OF HEARTS", a DEF JUX remix compilation, a 10 year anniversary retrospective and some other goodies. But then as a traditional record label DEF JUX will effectively be put on hiatus. We are not closing, but we are changing. The process is already underway, and the last several months (for those wondering what the hell we've been up to) have been spent dealing with the technical aspects of wrapping up the label in it's current form and re-imagining our collective and individual futures.

In 2000 starting a traditional record label made a lot of sense. But now, in 2010, less so and I find myself yearning for something else to put my energy into. I also see newer, smarter, more interesting things on the horizon for the way art and commerce intersect, and as an artist and an entrepreneur, I'm eager to see them unfold. The evolution of this industry is, in my opinion, exciting, inevitable and it would be nice to see the DEFINITIVE JUX brand be a part of it. In other words, maybe we can turn this hoopty in to a hovercraft.

All business aside, and regardless of what form JUX may inevitably take, my focus for the immediate future is going to be back-to-basics. The fun stuff: sitting in the studio and immersing myself in music, performing it for for my fans when the time comes and whatever (or wherever) else might be out there creatively for me. Thats how it all started and that's how the next phase will begin. The days of me dedicating the majority of my time and energy into providing JUX with a constant stream of physical releases from multiple artists are on hold for the time being. My heart (and what little common sense I possess) is telling me to simplify my focus and it has always been my policy to listen to my heart.

Truly, DEF JUX has been amazing to be a part of. So many good people. So much fun. I feel very lucky to be friends and collaborators with people who have affected and continue to affect my life and work deeply and indelibly. Working with the likes of Amaechi Uzoigwe, Jesse Ferguson, Jason Drake, and Katy Eustis at JUX as well as allies like Kathryn Frazier (biz3), Michael Bull and Lisa Socransky-Austin (to name only a few) has been incredible. These are people who worked for generally meager wages because they loved what they did and they believed in the artists and the idea of DEF JUX. Anyone would be lucky to have worked with even one person as dedicated and passionate as all of them are. They are true champions of indie music and they (and too many others to mention here) have my gratitude and loyalty forever.

None of it would have existed, though, if not for the artists. Artists who rolled the dice on us the same way we did on them, and were there with us as we battled it all out. CAMU, MR LIF, AESOP ROCK, MURS, CAGE, ROB SONIC, HANGAR 18, CHIN CHIN, CANNIBAL OX, THE PERCEPTIONISTS, RJD2, DESPOT, SA SMASH, YAK BALLZ, CRAYZ, THE MIGHTY UNDERDOGS, DIZZEE RASCAL, DEL, P.F.A.C, ACTIVATOR, COOL CALM PETE ... the list goes on. I consider them all geniuses at what they do. Every victory that they have had and will have will always feel like a victory for myself and all of us at JUX. It's been a joy to create and even struggle with them all. It has not always been easy, but it's almost always been fulfilling. I only hope the work we put in together helped build a path to their collective futures. They have my sincerest well wishes and genuine respect.

Lastly and most importantly are the fans... holy shit THE FANS! Our fans are no joke. I can't tell you how humbled I am to have felt the love and respect that they have shown us all. Even when we did things they didn't like, they stuck around. This was their label as much as ours. We answered to them, and yet they respected that we did what we loved, nothing more and nothing less. We always will. You are why we do any of this, and I'll never be able to express how much your support means to all of us. I think I speak for all of us Jukies when I say I love making music for you and can't wait to make more.

Until then, on behalf of everyone here at JUX and from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

EL-P
Founder/Artistic Director/Recording Artist
DEFINITIVE JUX

Can You Own A Sound?

drakej — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 15:38:47 -0500

COPYRIGHT CRIMINALS, a documentary produced by Benjamin Franzen and Kembrew McLeod, examines the commercial and creative value of musical sampling, including the ongoing debates about artistic expression, copyright law and money. Read on....

COPYRIGHT CRIMINALS showcases many of Hip Hop music's legendary figures like Public Enemy, De La Soul, El-P and Digital Underground along with emerging artists such as audiovisual remixers Eclectic Method. The film also provides an in-depth look at artists who have been sampled, such as renowned drummer Clyde Stubblefield, the world's most sampled musician, best known for his work with James Brown, as well as commentary by Funk legend George Clinton.

JAN 19: Broadcast & DVD Release Party with ECLECTIC METHOD, MR. LEN & DJ SPOOKY
FREE with RSVP at IndiePix Evite. Doors at 8pm. Broadcast Premiere on Independent Lens at 10pm. Brooklyn Bowl 61 Wythe Ave Brooklyn NYC 11211. Facebook Event Page

View the Trailer and promo video for the Broadcast & DVD release party at copyrightcriminals.com.

Watch on JAN. 19th PBS TV!
Check local PBS listings for the COPYRIGHT CRIMINALS broadcast on Independent Lens.

Pre-Order! The Copyright Criminals DVD is currently available for discounted pre-order from IndiePix, which manages the distribution of this film in theatrical, DVD, digital and new media markets throughout North America. The DVD will also be available at Amazon and from local video retailers January 26, 2010.

Happy New Year!

drakej — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:26:33 -0500

Definitive Jux Records would like to thank all of our fans a very happy and healthy New Year.

Best of the Decade

defcon — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 01:57:50 -0500

Aesop Rock's Bazooka Tooth has been nominated for album of the decade by URB!!'None Shall Pass' is up for song of the decade as well AND we are very honored to announce that Def Jux is up for label of the decade.

Do head over to URB's Best Of The Decade poll and vote for your old friends:

"VOTE FOR THIS GUY"~

AND THESE GUYS: