Eminem's Manager Paul Rosenberg Named Def Jam CEO

Def Jam has a new CEO.

Starting January 2018, the Universal Music Group imprint will be led by Paul Rosenberg, Eminem’s longtime manager and CEO of Goliath Artist Management, according to Variety.

As the co-founder of Shady Records, Rosenberg oversaw releases by Eminem, 50 Cent, D12, and Obie Trice. Through his Goliath Artist Management company, he’s worked with Slim Shady, Action Bronson, and Danny Brown.

Steve Bartels has been Def Jam’s CEO since 2013 and will continue in his post until the end of the year. It is unclear what his role, if any, will be after that. In the past, the label was under Island Def Jam and it was led by the likes of L.A. Reid and Lyor Cohen.

Founded by Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons in 1983, Def Jam has become one of rap’s most storied brands, yielding works by LL Cool J, Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, Slick Rick, Rihanna, Kanye West, and more.

Rosenberg, who appears on various Slim Shady albums, is expected to continue managing Eminem at least until his work as Def Jam CEO begins at the top of 2018. Em is in the studio working on his long-awaited eighth album, the first since 2013’s The Marshall Mathers LP 2.

Congrats to the great @rosenberg on the new adventure!!!!

— Alchemist Type Beat (@Alchemist) August 3, 2017

Congrats @rosenberg on your new endeavors at Def Jam!! 🙌🏽 "HouseJam" would be a dope album title. 😂👀

— Joell Ortiz (@JoellOrtiz) August 3, 2017