February 21, 2020, Paul Rosenberg stepped down on his positions as chairman and CEO of Def Jam. He was replaced by the head of business affairs at Universal Music, Jeffrey Harleston, who instead assumed interim control over the label. That November, Def Jam teamed up with Alex and Alec Boateng to create a new UK spin-off label called 0207 Def Jam under Universal Music UK's EMI Records. The UK roster currently consists of Stormzy. Def Jam also expanded to Africa with the creation of Def Jam Africa. On April 9, 2021, returning label veteran DMX died in a White Plains hospital a week after suffering from drug overdose succumbing him to a fatal heart attack. A month later, Def Jam released his posthumous album, Exodus. Two digital greatest hits albums by DMX were also available for streaming under the label throughout the final quarter of the year: A Dog's Prayer and The Legacy. Later that year, Harleston conference-called hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg and named him the executive consultant of Def Jam. Snoop agreed to Harleston's request and took over the consultancy role in July. In August 2021, Harleston announced that he will replace himself as the interim president of Def Jam with former Interscope/RCA executive and Keep Cool founder Tunji Balogun, who agreed to take on the role as chairman and CEO, which he did on New Year's Day 2022. In late-October 2022, Def Jam ended their partnership with GOOD Music, Kanye West's label, in response to the founder's online and public media outbursts, including his 2024 presidential campaign, antisemitic and pro-race remarks. Although, West had already been exiled from the label after releasing Donda on August 29, 2021, as so Pusha T after It's Almost Dry on April 22 earlier that year, making 070 Shake's You Can't Kill Me the final release under the GOOD/Def Jam partnership. Presidents Lyor Cohen (1988–1998) Kevin Liles (1998–2004) Jay-Z (2005–2007) L.A. Reid (2008–2012) Joie Manda (2012–2013) Steve Bartels (2013–2017) Paul Rosenberg (2018–2020) Jeffrey Harleston (acting, 2020–2022) Tunji Balogun (2022–present) Executive Vice Presidents No I.D. (2012–2014) Current artists 070 Shake Alessia Cara Alif Amir Obè Armani White Benny the Butcher Beau Young Prince Big Sean Bru-C Coco Jones Daboyway Dave East DJ Khaled Fabolous Fredo Bang Hit-Boy Jadakiss Young Jeezy Jeremih Jhené Aiko Justin Bieber Kaash Paige Krept and Konan Lady Sovereign LL Cool J Muni Long Nasty C Public Enemy Pusha T Rihanna