From the very beginning of Eminem’s late 1990s meteoric rise, Paul Rosenberg became more than a manager. Even for those disinterested in industry figures, “Paul” is widely known through his skits on every Em’ album dating back to 1999’s The Slim Shady LP of that name. Variety reports that Rosenberg is to be Def Jam Records’ latest CEO, beginning at the top of 2018.

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Rosenberg, who is also an attorney, will be replacing Steve Bartels, the latest in a line of CEOs that dates back to the label’s co-founder, Russell Simmons.

Paul Rosenberg and Eminem started in business together in 1997, ahead of Em’s Aftermath Entertainment/Interscope Records partnership. Both Michigan-based at that time, the pair would launch Shady Records in 1999. That label has been attached to success from 50 Cent, D12, Slaughterhouse, Yelawolf, and Bad Meets Evil, among other groups. Besides a 50 compilation, the label’s last release was 2015’s Southpaw soundtrack.

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Outside of Shady, Paul co-founded the Shade 45 radio station and runs Goliath Management. Besides many artists tied to the label, the firm also includes Action Bronson and Danny Brown.

In 2017, Def Jam has released Hip-Hop albums including Big Sean’s #1 I Decided, Logic’s #1 Everybody, and 2 Chainz’ #2 Pretty Girls Like Trap Music.

Footage of Rakim and Nas performing at Paul Rosenberg’s Birthday

On a related note, Eminem’s 2005 Curtain Call: The Hits compilation recently became the longest-charting Hip-Hop album, ever. It achieved 350 weeks on the Billboard Top 200. That release featured three new songs, plus a properly released version of Eminem’s “Stan” duet at the 43rd Grammys with Elton John.