Masicka Confirms Signing To Def Jam
Masicka has officially announced his signing to Def Jam Recordings, with Pieces featuring Jahshii as his first release under the newly minted deal.
“Pieces is a song of triumph. It’s a celebration of what you have worked hard for and motivates the listeners to keep going. You will be victorious,” Masicka said of the song, which received a new music video today.
“The song touches on overcoming challenges and obstacles you face along the way, as we navigate through this thing called life. The challenges you’re faced with make you stronger. They mold you into a warrior. The warrior which is needed to be successful,” the artist continued.
Tunji Balogun, Chairman and CEO of Def Jam Recordings, said in a release: “Def Jam has always been the home for great artists across the wide spectrum of Black music, and Masicka is very much emblematic of that vision.”
“Representing the new wave of Jamaican dancehall and reggae, Masicka’s versatility and unique sonic perspective has the potential to impact markets all over the world. It feels like the beginning of something very special. We’re excited to welcome him to our Def Jam family.”
LaTrice Burnette, Executive Vice President, Def Jam Recordings/President, 4th & Broadway, added: “As a lifelong fan of reggae and dancehall music, I’ve been tracking Masicka’s rise very closely. He’s a phenomenal artist, and one we’re proud to partner with as we continue our commitment to developing and supporting great artists from around the world.”
Def Jam, one of many divisions of Universal Music Group, is based in Manhattan, New York. Capleton was signed to the label, where he released two albums: Prophecy, which went on to peak at No. 65 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart in 1995, and I-Testament, back in 1997.
The record company’s current roster includes Buju Banton, and DJ Khaled, whose new partnership with the label was announced on Thursday. They are also home to 2 Chainz, Big Sean, Dave East, Jhené Aiko, Justin Bieber, Muni Long, Nas, and others, according to their official website.
The release noted that Masicka recently received a YouTube Gold Award for attracting over 1 million subscribers to his channel.
Masicka’s 438, released in December 2021, was the third best-selling Jamaican Reggae/Dancehall album in 2022.
The album debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart, and went on to rack up 30 million on-demand streams and 35,000 units in the United States by the end of 222, according to data provided to DancehallMag from Billboard’s sales tracker Luminate.
Masicka, whose real name is Javaun Nicholas Fearon, was previously associated with Corey Todd’s Take Ova Records and his own independent labels 1Syde/Genahsyde.
He is known for hit songs such as Infrared with Vybz Kartel, Leader with Dexta Daps, Top Form, Stay Strong, Promise, Update, I Wish, Suicide Note, and They Don’t Know.
His most commercially successful track was the Big Body Benz collaboration with German rapper/producer Bonez MC, which is certified Gold in Germany for sales/streaming exceeding 200,000 units.