Here is a little industry news for those of you needing a break from singles and tour updates…

Universal Music Group have announced that they have dissolved Island Def Jam. CEO Barry Weiss (not the Storage Wars one) has also stepped down. Moving forward, Motown Records, Island Records and Def Jam Recordings will consolidate as one operation, but the name of that operation has yet to be revealed.

Speaking to the press, Universal Music Group CEO Lucian Grainge explains:

At UMG, our labels are empowered to be entrepreneurial and take creative risks. By re-establishing Def Jam, Island and Motown as standalone labels within the UMG family, we’re positioning them to recapture the uniqueness of their brands and serve artists with the singularity of vision, focus and creativity that was at the core of their original success.”

In related news, Def Jam has appointed No I.D. and Kyambo “Hip Hop” Joshua as executive VPs and co-heads of A&R.

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James Shotwell

James Shotwell is the founder of Under The Gun Review. He loves writing about music and movies almost as much as he loves his two fat cats. He's also the co-founder of Antique Records and the Marketing Coordinator for Haulix. You should probably follow him on Twitter.

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