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Def Jam Recordings, hip-hop’s most storied rap label, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. To celebrate, the record company, founded by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin, will hold a 30th anniversary concert in October.
The event will take place on Oct. 16 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
A slew of present and former artists on the Def Jam roster are slated to perform at the concert.
Rappers Rick Ross, 2 Chainz, DMX, Method Man Fabolous, Redman, Foxy Brown, Onyx, Ja Rule, Warren G and EPMD will take the stage in addition to R&B singers Jhene Aiko and Ashanti. More entertainers are expected to be announced.
“It’s very exciting to be able to be part of such a special announcement — Def Jam Recordings 30th Anniversary Concert at the iconic Barclay Center — which solidifies and continues forward the enduring mark the brand has made on pop culture,” said Steve Bartels, CEO of Def Jam, in a press release.
Tickets will go on sale Aug. 22 at 10AM ET.
Meanwhile, a month prior to the concert, Def Jam will release a special box set featuring all of Def Jam’s biggest hits.
The ‘Def Jam 30‘ collection boasts 30 classic songs from such artists as LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Slick Rick, Scarface, the Roots, Boss, Cam’ron, Jeezy, Big Sean, Jay Z, Kanye West and many more.
The box set will also include a 9,000-word liner note penned by hip-hop historian/journalist Dan Charnas.
Rick Rubin has curated a 13-song compilation called ‘Selections From the Roots of Def Jam,’ which features songs that mostly pre-date Def Jam’s formation in 1984. Rare songs like Mantronix’s ‘Fresh Is the Word,’ Treacherous 3′s ‘Body Rock’ and Afrika Bambaataa & the Soul Sonic Force’s ‘Looking for the Perfect Beat’ and more on featured on the collection.
‘Def Jam 30′ will be a two box-set including a 3-CD version plus the ‘Roots’ compilation that includes a book and a limited-edition T-shirt in a turntable style numbered box. And there’s a 6-piece vinyl collection that also includes a book and T-shirt in a limited edition turntable box.
‘Def Jam 30′ will be available for purchase Sept. 16 via Def Jam’s official webstore.
