Universal Music Sweden, a division of Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, today announced the launch of Def Jam Recordings Sweden. Led by Mattias Caliste, the label will continue to follow the blueprint of the iconic Def Jam Recordings label, which has led and influenced the cutting-edge in hip-hop music culture worldwide for four decades and extends to global label partners in the UK, Africa, India and Southeast Asia.

Def Jam Recordings Sweden will launch with a flagship roster made up of both well-established artists and new talent. The roster includes heavy-hitters Asme and Sarettii, rap-veteran Sebastian Stakset and rising star Zikai. Supported by a dedicated team encompassing A&R and production – Caliste will be joined by Hamid Jamshidi and Hermon Alemseghed and will be bolstered by UMG’s regional and international network of labels and corporate divisions.

Mattias Caliste brings a wealth of experience, first as an artist in the group Fjärde Världen, as well as success as a producer and founder of the record label Stadsbild. Most recently, he ran Virgin Music Sweden, releasing a number of acclaimed albums by artists including 23 and Asme.

Mattias Caliste, Head of Def Jam Recordings Sweden said: “It is a great honour for me to start up Def Jam Recordings in Sweden. Def Jam raised me! I grew up on artists like Public Enemy, EPMD, LL Cool J, Redman & Method Man, Warren G and many others who all released some of their most outstanding albums under Def Jam. The label has a legacy that is incredibly important for hip hop as both a genre and a subculture.”

Further announcements on signings and projects are to follow in due course.

Founded in 1984, Def Jam Recordings has represented the cutting-edge in hip-hop music for more than 35 years. Def Jam began as a maverick independent label inspired by downtown New York City’s vibrant street culture and the emerging sound of hip-hop, pioneered by iconic stars like LL Cool J, Slick Rick, The Beastie Boys and Public Enemy. Over the following two decades, Def Jam established its dominance with superstar acts like Jay-Z, DMX, Ja Rule, Method Man & Redman, Ludacris, Rihanna and Jeezy, Now in its fourth decade, Def Jam’s music and lifestyle have grown into a global brand – synonymous with creativity, quality and authenticity – encompassing a diverse roster of marquee and emerging stars like LL Cool J, Justin Bieber, Jeezy, 2 Chainz, Big Sean, Pusha T, Jhene Aiko, Teyana Taylor, Jadakiss, Muni Long, Armani White and many more. Today, Def Jam’s passion for and commitment to hip-hop culture extends to global label partners in the UK, Africa, India and Southeast Asia. Around the world, Def Jam continues to be the most recognizable brand in hip-hop, boasting the most followers and engagement of any major label across all major social media platforms.