ISAACSON BIDS A FOND FAREWELL

HITS has obtained the following note from Def Jam GM Rich Isaacson to company staff, penned as he prepared to depart the label.

Today is my last day as General Manager of Def Jam. The company is going in a new direction, and it is time for me to move on.

When Paul [Rosenberg] asked me to join him at Def Jam and take my first "job" in 25 years, I jumped at the chance to work with him at this most iconic of record labels. Although these past three-and-a-half years have never been easy, my experience here has been amazing on so many levels. First among them, I have loved and valued the camaraderie and excitement of being part of a team, leading a team and the thrill that comes with that.

Together we met the many challenges our business demands: delivering for our artists, competing for number one records (and successfully achieving many), and attempting to develop and break new talent. And together we faced adversity through leadership changes, political upheaval, a social and cultural reckoning around systemic racism, a global pandemic and more. But through it all, and despite our differences and these difficulties, we managed to come together and even beat our business plan, as the family we are—Def Jam.

For that, I am so grateful. I have made life-long friendships, learned from super smart people, worked with legendary artists, and have had the privilege of being in the trenches with some of the best executives I have known in my almost 30 years in the business. I will miss you all (well almost all of you), and I am here for you all. You know how to find me. I will be around in the wings for a brief period to help with the transition to new leadership, so please don't be strangers.

I wish you all only the best of everything.

Now get back to work.

Rich