| Definitive Jux | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Founder | Jaime "El-P" Meline Amaechi Uzoigwe |
| Defunct | 2010 |
| Distributors | Capitol Music Group The Orchard |
| Genre | |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Location | New York City |
Definitive Jux was a record label based in New York City, co-founded in 1999 by El-P and Amaechi Uzoigwe.[1]
History
Definitive Jux was initially known as Def Jux. However, Def Jam Recordings sued Def Jux over the similarity of their name in 2001. This lawsuit was settled out of court[1] and the name was officially changed to Definitive Jux.
In 2003, the label released Revenge of the Robots, a documentary based on their tour of the same name from the previous year, featuring El-P, Mr. Lif, RJD2 and Murs. The DVD includes touring footage, live performances, interviews and five music videos. It was also packaged with a four track CD, including three live songs and a DJ mix by RJD2.[2]
In February 2010, El-P announced that the label, although it would carry on selling its catalog and merchandise, would be put on hiatus as a traditional record label. He also announced that he was stepping down as artistic director of Definitive Jux to focus on producing and being a full-time artist.[3][4][5] Ultimately, the label did not release any more music.[6]
In 2011, The Guardian cited the label as "the beginning of backpacker hip-hop" and ranked it as the number 41 key moment in rap and R&B history.[7]
Roster
Discography
See also
References
- ^ a b Braunshhweiger, Amy (2004-09-10). "Recording Lyrics to Change the World". The New York Sun. Retrieved 2007-10-02.
- ^ Heaton, Dave (2003-08-17). "Various Artists: The Revenge of the Robots [DVD]". PopMatters.
- ^ EL-P (February 2, 2010). "Of Hoopty's and Hovercrafts [sic]". Definitive Jux Recordings. Archived from the original on February 4, 2010. Retrieved February 3, 2010.
- ^ Breihan, Tom (2010-02-03). "Definitive Jux Goes "On Hiatus"". Pitchfork.
- ^ Thiessen, Brock. "Update: Definitive Jux Going "on Hiatus" as El-P Leaves His Post". Exclaim!.
- ^ "How Def Jux Records Was Killed By Backpackerism In 2005". Strettoblaster. 2021-05-18.
- ^ Batey, Angus (2011-06-12). "Def Jux marks the beginning of backpacker hip-hop". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077.
- ^ Pedroche, Ben (2025-03-10). ""Independent as F***: Underground Hip-hop from 1995-2005"". Pow Mag.
