Record Label
**The New Soul of R&B Flavor** Def Jam's third attempt at expanding its R&B and soul roster of artists, after the closure of [Original Black Recordings](https://www.discogs.com/label/36707) and disassociation from the R&B division of [[label:OutBurst Recordings]]. The division was founded in 1996 by [Def Jam](https://www.discogs.com/label/4241) co-founder [[artist:Russell Simmons]] and then-president [[artist:Kevin Liles]]. Artists included [[artist:Montell Jordan]], [[artist:Case]], [[artist:Playa]], [[artist:Musiq Soulchild]], [[artist:Dru Hill]] ([[artist:Nokio]], [[artist:Sisqo]], [[artist:Jazz (3)]], [[artist:Woody Rock (2)]] and [Scola](https://www.discogs.com/artist/223112)), [[artist:Kelly Price]], [[artist:Kandice Love]], [[artist:Christina Milian]], [[artist:Jonell]], [[artist:3rd Storee]], [[artist:LovHer]], [[artist:112]], [[artist:K. Fox]] and [[artist:Ingrid Smalls]]. [[label:Def Soul UK]] was formed in 1999 under [[label:Mercury Records]], the UK division of Def Jam's parent company, [[label:Universal Music Group]]. Its artist roster consisted of [[artist:Terri Walker]], [[artist:Warren Stacey]] and [[artist:Aaron Soul]]. This division closed in 2006 following the reorganization of Def Jam, which [[artist:Jay-Z]] was president of at the time. [[label:Def Jam Germany]] launched [[label:Def Soul Germany]] as its own division in 2000 with [[artist:Bintia]], [[artist:Deema]] and [[artist:Danacee]] as its core artists until it folded in 2002. [[label:32595]] was launched as an "Oldies" or compilation/reissue division of Def Soul in 2003. Def Soul Classics' artists included [[artist:Gladys Knight]], [[artist:Patti LaBelle]] and the [Isley Brothers](https://www.discogs.com/artist/47512) (at the time, the group only consisted of brothers, guitarist [Ernie](https://www.discogs.com/artist/218691) and vocalist [Ronald](https://www.discogs.com/artist/144910) respectively). In May 2011, after eight years of commercial decline, Def Soul was absorbed into the R&B division of Def Jam, therefore ending the label completely; the remains of Def Soul's artist roster (including Classics) were transferred to its parent label following its disfunction. Reissues under this imprint will be handled by [[label:Universal Music Enterprises]].