Music executive and former VP of A&R for RCA, Tunji Balogun has joined Def Jam Records as the new CEO.
Tunji Balogun replaces Eminem’s longtime manager, Paul Rosenberg as CEO of Def Jam, ending a 6-year term at RCA.
Tunji spent 7 and half years at Interscope before joining RCA in 2015.
He is responsible for the signings of Normani, Khalid, Bryson Tiller and others to the label.
Along with Courtney Stewart, Jon Tanners and Jared Sherman, Tunji Balogun founded Keep Cool Records in 2018, a joint venture with RCA. He was elevated to Executive VP of A&R that same year.
Def Jam had been run by interim Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Harleston, who also serves as general counsel and executive VP of business and legal affairs at Universal Music Group.
Founded 35 years ago, Def Jam is home to Justin Bieber, Jay-Z, Rihanna, Kanye West, Big Sean, YG, Alessia Cara and Logic, among other artists.
Balogun’s hiring comes on the heels of Def Jam naming promotion veteran Nicki Farag executive vice president and general manager.
