So So Def Recordings

Beginnings

So So Def was established in 1993 as a spin-off of Dupri's production company of the same moniker, through a joint venture with Sony and Columbia. Its first act was Xscape, whose debut album was released in the fall of the same year and went Platinum—as did their 2nd and 3rd albums, released in 1995 and 1998. In 1994, the label released the debut album of Da Brat, who became the 1st solo female emcee to be certified for Platinum album sales. In 1996, Kandi Burruss brought Jagged Edge to the attention of the label; their debut album, A Jagged Era, was released in 1997. So So Def later released the triple platinum debut album by Lil' Bow Wow in 2000. Other acts on the label have included: Dem Franchise Boyz, Maestro Harrell, The Ghost Town DJs, INOJ, J-Kwon, Trina Broussard, 3LW, and Anthony Hamilton.

Distribution

In late 2002, So So Def's distribution deal with Columbia ended. The following year, Dupri moved So So Def to Arista. While many of So So Def's acts moved with the label to Arista, Bow Wow and Jagged Edge were forced to remain at Columbia, due to their contracts having been with that company primarily. In 2004, per the re-consolidation of labels caused by the merger of its former Sony parent and BMG, So So Def was shifted from Arista to Zomba.

In 2005, Dupri was appointed Executive Vice President of Urban Music at Virgin, causing So So Def to move again, this time over to Virgin and EMI—resulting in the loss of Bone Crusher and YoungBloodZ. So So Def, meanwhile, was able to retain J-Kwon and Anthony Hamilton, despite them still being signed to Zomba. In 2006, Dupri had a falling-out with Virgin, resulting in him leaving his post at the company. Intermittent, he was appointed President of urban music at Universal's Island, resulting in So So Def once again making a move to UMG's The Island Def Jam.

In 2009, it was reported that Dupri had been terminated from his post at Island. Later in the same year, it was rumored that So So Def had moved back to Sony, where it reportedly operated under Zomba once more. In 2010, Mississippi-based independent label Malaco Records distributed So So Def's release of the Why Did I Get Married Too? soundtrack.

In 2014, So So Def partnered with Primary Wave for the release of Jagged Edge's album J.E. Heartbreak 2. In June 2016, So So Def partnered with Epic for current distribution. In 2024, Dupri signed a multi-year distribution deal with Create Music Group for the So So Def label.

In April 2025, So So Def signed a distribution deal with Hybe America, reuniting Dupri and Hybe America CEO Scooter Braun, who began his music career working for So So Def. On June 2, 2025, Dupri announced the signing of R&B duo Dvsn, the first artists signed to So So Def and Hybe America under the venture.

Discography

Artists

• Kris Kross
• Trina Broussard
• Xscape
• Monica (management only)
• Bow Wow
• Whodini
• Dem Franchize Boyz
• Harlem World
• Ghost Town DJ's
• TLC (management only)
• YoungBloodZ
• Bone Crusher
• Anthony Hamilton
• Daz Dillinger
• 3LW
• Rocko
• DJ Felli Fel
• Hot Dollar
• Johntá Austin
• Leah Labelle (deceased)
• R.O.C.
• Jagged Edge
• J-Kwon
• dvsn

References

References

1. Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie. (April 7, 2025). "Dvsn Signs to Jermaine Dupri's So So Def Recordings".
2. "JD Moves So So Def To Sony".
3. "Janet Jackson "Nothing" (So So Def/Malaco Music)".
4. "AddBoard - Sign In".
5. "Jermaine Dupri & So So Def Label Team with Epic Records & L.A. Reid".
6. "Jermaine Dupri’s So So Def Recordings Strikes Multiyear Deal With Create Music Group". Penske Media Corporation.
7. Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie. (April 7, 2025). "Dvsn Signs to Jermaine Dupri's So So Def Recordings".
8. Samuels, Keithan. (June 2, 2025). "Dvsn Signs to Jermaine Dupri’s So So Def Recordings".