Def Jam preps 2LP comp for anniversary, Record Store Day

Hip-hop is in a collaborative frenzy right now. Nearly every big-name release has a small horde of featured artists, and producers and emcees are passed around the studios like so many communion chalices. Even so, uniting an entire label's best and brightest is no mean feat, since so many titanic egos would have to play nice to squeeze onto a single album. Def Jam, rap mecca that it is, is artfully sidestepping this problem by releasing a double-vinyl compilation in celebration of the label's 25th anniversary.

Titled DJ Bring That Back, the limited-edition compilation cribs from the tracks of pretty much every major artist to set foot in the Def Jam studios over the last quarter century. (It's a good thing DMX and Ja Rule shelved their beef, because the malice-by-proxy could have sparked another round of terrible diss tracks.)

"25 years as a thriving, successful hip-hop and R&B label - a company that has always put its artists first and maintained deep roots in the Urban community - is a giant accomplishment in anyone's book," said Antonio Reid, Chairman of Island Def Jam, in a statement. "From a personal standpoint, I can say that Def Jam had tremendous meaning and significance in my own career as a musician, producer and independent label head, long before I actually arrived at these offices five years ago. Let's celebrate the next 25 years of Def Jam right now!"

Vol. 1: 2008-1997
1. Disturbia - Rihanna
2. I Luv Your Girl - The Dream
3. Hustlin' - Rick Ross
4. Go Crazy - Young Jeezy
5. Jesus Walks - Kanye West
6. Splash Waterfalls - Ludacris
7. Foolish - Ashanti
8. Put it on Me - Ja Rule feat. Vita
9. Just Friends (Sunny) - Musiq Soulchild
10. What's My Name - DMX
11. Money Ain't a Thing - Jay-Z feat. Jermaine Dupri
12. Big Bad Mama - Foxy Brown feat. Dru Hill

Vol. 2: 1996-1984
1. Whateva Man - Redman
2. This is How We Do It - Montell Jordan
3. Bring the Pain - Method Man
4. Slam - Onyx
5. Deeper - Boss
6. Hip Hop Junkies - Nice & Smooth
7. 911 is a Joke - Public Enemy
8. Pop Goes the Weasel - 3rd Bass
9. Children's Story - Slick Rick
10. I Need Love - LL Cool J
11. The Rain - Orange Juice Jones
12. My Radio - LL Cool J
13. It's Yours - T la Rock feat. Jazzy Jay

DJ Bring That Back drops April 18 (Record Store Day!) on Def Jam Records.

Related links:
Review: Ludacris: Theater of the Mind
DefJam.com
YouTube: DMX (Def Jam Poetry)

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