What Hip Hop Music Publishing Companies Are You Checking Out?
Contents
There are a lot of different hip hop music publishing companies out there. So which ones are worth checking out? Here are a few that we recommend:
Def Jam Recordings
History
In the beginning, there was only one major player in the hip hop music publishing game, and that was Def Jam Recordings. Established in 1984 by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin, Def Jam was responsible for putting out some of the most iconic rap albums of all time by artists like Run-DMC, Public Enemy, and Beastie Boys.
Artists
Since its inception in 1984, Def Jam Recordings has been home to some of the most influential and iconic Hip Hop artists of all time. From early releases by LL Cool J and Public Enemy, to more recent chart-toppers by Kanye West, Rihanna, and Vince Staples, Def Jam has always been at the forefront of the Hip Hop landscape.
Here is a list of just some of the artists that have called Def Jam home throughout the years:
LL Cool J
Public Enemy
Slick Rick
EPMD
Warren G
Foxy Brown
Method Man
Redman
Ja Rule
DMX
Jay-Z
Rihanna
Kanye West
Vince Staples
Recent Releases
Def Jam Recordings is an American record label focused on hip hop and urban music, owned by Universal Music Group. It was founded in 1984 by Run-DMC rapper Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin, who went on to found Def Jam Germany and American Recordings. The label has featured artists such as Jay-Z, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, DMX, The Roots, Ja Rule, Busta Rhymes, Redman,Method Man, Nas, 2Pac, Warren G, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Ludacris,Rihanna and Kanye West.
Roc-A-Fella Records
Roc-A-Fella Records was founded in 1995 by Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, Damon Dash, and Kareem “Biggs” Burke. The company was created as a way to release Jay-Z’s debut album, Reasonable Doubt. Roc-A-Fella Records has since gone on to release albums by a number of other artists, including Beanie Sigel, Memphis Bleek, Freeway, and Young Gunz.
History
Roc-A-Fella Records was an American record label founded by Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, Damon “Dame” Dash and Kareem “Biggs” Burke in 1995. It was later home to a roster of eminent hip hop artists that included Jay-Z, Beanie Sigel, Memphis Bleek, Freeway, and Kanye West. The label operated as a subsidiary of Island Def Jam Music Group until Roc Nation LLC purchased it in 2013.
The label was founded in 1995 by Shawn Carter, Damon Dash and Kareem Burke. The trio had met while working on Reasonable Doubt (1996), Jay-Z’s debut album for Roc-A-Fella/IRS Records. In 1996, they released the compilation album Reasonable Doubt Vol. 1: In the Ghetto featuring tracks from Jay-Z, memphis bleek, freeway & sigel.
In 1997, Jay-Z’s second album for Roc-A-Fella records was released to critical acclaim and commercial success. Titled In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 it featured the hits “Can I Get A…” and “Street Dreams”.
In 1998, Roc-A-Fella Records released Volume 2… Hard Knock Life which featured several hit singles including “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)” and “Nigga What Nigga Who (Originator 99)”. The album was nominated for five Grammy Awards including Album of the Year.
In 1999, the company released Vol. 3… Life and Times of S. Carter which went on to sell over four million copies in the United States. The album features the hits “Big Pimpin'” and “Do It Again (Put Ya Hands Up)”.
In 2000, Jay-Z released his final album for Roc-A-Fella Records titled The Dynasty: Roc La Familia which featured several artists from the label including Beanie Sigel, Memphis Bleek and Amil. The album was a commercial success selling over two million copies in the United States.
In 2001, Roc-A-Fella Records entered into a partnership with Def Jam Recordings resulting in Jay-Z becoming President of Def Jam Recordings in addition to his duties as CEO of Roc Nation LLC.As part of the deal Jay-Z agreed to relinquish his stake in the company and Dame Dash agreed to sell his share for $10 million..All future releases on Roc-A-Fella would be distributed through Def Jam Recordings until further notice..On February 14th 2014 it was announced that Shawn “Jay Z” Carter had sold his 50% stake in Roc Nation LLC to Live Nation Entertainment for $200 million making it one of Hip Hop’s most valuable publishing companies .
Artists
Roc-A-Fella Records was an American record label founded by Shawn Carter, Damon Dash and Kareem Burke. It was created as a showcase for Carter’s rapping and urban music, and the label’s first release was Jay-Z’s 1996 debut album, Reasonable Doubt. The label was distributed by parent company Priority Records until 2002 when Greg Young became CEO and took the helm, moving Roc-a-Fella to Def Jam Recordings.
Over its history the label signed artists such as Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Memphis Bleek, Supreme Clientele and State Property.
Recent Releases
Roc-A-Fella Records was an American record label founded by Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, Damon Dash and Kareem “Biggs” Burke in 1995. It was a public company with Jay-Z owning a controlling stake, prior to his full buyout in 2004. The label’s assets were then absorbed into Jay-Z’s new venture, Roc Nation.
In 2019, the label returned under the aegis of Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez. The relaunch includes artists such as Lil Uzi Vert, Meek Mill, ReASONS, Lenny S and Belly.
Bad Boy Records
Bad Boy Records was founded in 1993 by Sean “Diddy” Combs. The company is a record label, talent agency, music production company, and music publishing company. The company’s roster includes some of the biggest names in hip hop, such as Lil’ Kim, P. Diddy, Biggie Smalls, and French Montana.
History
Bad Boy Records is an American record label founded in 1993 by Sean Combs. It is a subsidiary of Interscope Geffen A&M Records, a division of Universal Music Group. The label’s first release was “Flava in Ya Ear” by Craig Mack, followed quickly by Mack’s debut album, Project: Funk Da World in 1994. On the heels of these releases came Juicy J’s multiplatinum debut album Ready to Die (1994), which made The Notorious B.I.G. one of the genre’s biggest superstars.
Artists
Bad Boy Records is a record label founded in 1993 by Sean “Diddy” Combs. The label’s roster includes some of the biggest names in hip hop, including Biggie Smalls, Lil’ Kim, Ma$e, French Montana, and Puff Daddy himself. Bad Boy Records has been home to many of hip hop’s most iconic moments, and the label show no signs of slowing down any time soon.
Recent Releases
-In 2018, Bad Boy Records released several albums, including “Tha CarTER V” by Lil Wayne and “Victory” by Puff Daddy and the Family.
-In 2019, the label released “Free TC” by Ty Dolla $ign, “No Ceilings 2” by Lil Wayne, and “Moneybagg Yo” by Moneybagg Yo.
-In 2020, the label released “Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial” by Roddy Ricch and “What’s Free” by Meek Mill featuring Jay-Z and Rick Ross.
Aftermath Entertainment
Aftermath Entertainment is an American record label founded by rapper and producer Dr. Dre. It operates as a subsidiary of, and is distributed through, Universal Music Group’s Interscope Records. Current acts include Dr. Dre himself, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and Anderson .Paak.
History
Aftermath Entertainment is an American record label founded by rapper and producer Dr. Dre in 1996, and distributed by Interscope Records. Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, the label was founded in 1996 as a boutique label by James “Jimmy Iovine and Ted Field as a subsidiary of their Interscope Records. The label has since release nine studio albums by original artists, as well as releasing several other albums and singles.
In 2002, Aftermath released the commercially and critically acclaimed album, The Eminem Show, by Eminem. Dre had helped sign Eminen to Interscope Records earlier that year. This was followed by another successful album by 50 Cent, Get Rich or Die Tryin’, in 2003. Since these releases, Aftermath has signed multiple other artists including: game mixtapes Rapper Game’s The Documentary (2005) andstat Quo’s Autobiography (2006). Though not always well received critically, these releases were commercially successful.
Artists
Aftermath Entertainment is an American record label founded by hip hop producer and rapper Dr. Dre. It operates as a subsidiary of, and is distributed through, Universal Music Group’s Interscope Records. Current acts include Dr. Dre himself, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and Anderson .Paak. The label has produced 15 number-one albums on the Billboard 200 chart, including six consecutive albums by Eminem.[1]
The label was founded in 1996 by Dr. Dre, who had previously found success with the gangsta rap group N.W.A., and Jimmy Iovine, as a joint venture between Death Row Records and Interscope Records.[2][3][4] Initially an exclusive licensing deal for Death Row releases for Interscope in 1996–1997,[5] the agreement eventually expanded to full-fledged production and joint venture status by 1999,[6][7][8] allowing for joint marketing of artists between Interscope’s core labels and the newly reactivated Death Row imprint.[9]
In its early years Aftermath was notably successful with novelty hit singles from acts such as rapper Tupac Shakur[10] (“California Love”, “How Do U Want It”), The Firm (“Firm Biz”), Snoop Dogg (“Still D.R.E.”),[11][12] and R&B trio Blümchen (“Boom Boom Boom”).[13][14] Propelled by hits such as Eminem’s “My Name Is” (1999) and “The Real Slim Shady” (2000),[15][16] Dre’s own “Forgot About Dre” (2000),[17][18] and Eminem’s “Stan” (2000),[19][20] the success of these singles helped build mainstream awareness for Aftermath artists such as 50 Cent,[21][22 Especially 50 Cent], Busta Rhymes,[23 non-primary source needed]] Lloyd Banks,[24 non-primary source needed]] Bobby Creekwater,[25 non-primary source needed]] Stat Quo,[26 non-primary source needed]] Young Buck[27])
Recent Releases
Aftermath Entertainment is a record label founded by Dr. Dre in 1996. The label’s current roster includes Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, 50 Cent, and Busta Rhymes. Recent releases include Kendrick Lamar’s DAMN., 50 Cent’s The Kanan Tape, and Busta Rhymes’ Thank You 4 Your Service.
Interscope Records
Interscope Records was founded in 1990 and is a subsidiary of Universal Music Group. The company is home to many popular hip hop artists, including Dr. Dre, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and Snoop Dogg. Interscope Records has a long history of success in the music industry, and they continue to be a major player in the hip hop scene.
History
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group. It operates as one of the four major record labels in the music industry, alongside Sony Music, Warner Music, and EMI.
The label was founded in 1990 by Jimmy Iovine and Ted Field as a merger of their respective record labels, Interscope Communications and Geffen Records. In 2014, Interscope was acquired by UMG as part of a larger deal involving the purchase of its parent company, Universal Studios.
Interscope has released music by a variety of artists across multiple genres, including hip hop, pop, rock, indie, and electronic. The label’s roster includes Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Dr. Dre, Metro Boomin’, Imagine Dragons, Juice WRLD, Billie Eilish, Blackpink, and many others.
Artists
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group. It operates as one of Interscope Geffen A&M’s four major labels, alongside Capitol Records, UMG Recordings, and Def Jam Recordings.
The label was founded in late 1990 by Jimmy Iovine and Ted Field as a $20 million joint venture with Warner Bros. Records. The label has grown to become one of the most successful in the industry, with a roster that includes some of the world’s biggest superstars in hip hop, such as Dr. Dre, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and Snoop Dogg.
Interscope is home to a number of successful imprints and subsidiaries, including Beats Electronics, Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment, and G-Unit Records. The label has also been involved in a number of controversies over the years, most notably the attacks on 1990s rappers Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G., as well as more recent accusations of sexual misconduct by members of its roster.
Recent Releases
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group through its Interscope Geffen A&M imprint. It was founded in late 1990 by Jimmy Iovine and Ted Field as a $20 million joint venture with Warner Bros. Records. The label rose to prominence the following year with the release of Dr. Dre’s landmark album The Chronic.
Interscope’s hip hop music publishing companies recent releases include Kendrick Lamar’s DAMN., J. Cole’s “4 Your Eyez Only”, Chance the Rapper’s Coloring Book, Big Sean’s I Decided., Logic’s Everybody, and Tyler, the Creator’s Scum Fuck Flower Boy.
