5 Hip Hop Music Record Labels You Should Know
Contents
In the world of hip hop, these are the 5 record labels you should know about.
Def Jam Recordings
Def Jam Recordings is an American record label founded by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin in 1984. The label is home to some of the most popular hip hop artists in the world, including Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Rihanna. Def Jam has been a major force in the hip hop industry for over 30 years and shows no signs of slowing down.
History
Founded in 1984, Def Jam Recordings is one of the most iconic hip hop music labels of all time. Over the course of its 35 year history, the label has launched the careers of some of the biggest names in rap and hip hop, includingLL Cool J, Public Enemy, Beastie Boys, Jay-Z, and seminal producer Rick Rubin. Since being acquired by Universal Music Group in 1999, Def Jam has continued to be a major force in hip hop, with a roster that currently includes Kanye West, Justin Bieber, Logic, and 2 Chainz.
Notable Artists
Def Jam Recordings has been home to some of the most iconic and influential hip hop artists of all time. With a roster that includes the likes of Jay-Z, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Beastie Boys, and more, it’s no wonder that the label has been so successful over the years. Here are five of the most notable artists that have called Def Jam home at one point or another in their careers.
1. Jay-Z: Arguably the most successful rapper of all time, Jay-Z got his start as a member of Roc-A-Fella Records before eventually signing with Def Jam in 1996. He would go on to release some of his most iconic albums on the label, including Reasonable Doubt, The Blueprint, and The Black Album. He is currently the CEO of Roc Nation.
2. LL Cool J: One of Def Jam’s first signings, LL Cool J was just 17 years old when he released his debut album Radio. He would go on to release thirteen more studio albums, cementing himself as one of the most prolific rappers in history. His hits include “Mama Said Knock You Out,” “I Need Love,” and “Headsprung.”
3. Public Enemy: One of the most politically charged hip hop groups of all time, Public Enemy made a huge impact with their 1988 album It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back. The album is considered one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time and helped to define the sound of socially conscious rap. Other notable albums from the group include Fear of a Black Planet and Apocalypse 91…The Enemy Strikes Black.
4. Beastie Boys: Originally signed to Def Jam as a group specializing in hardcore punk rock, Beastie Boys would quickly transition into hip hop with their 1986 debut album Licensed to Ill. The album would go on to become one of the best-selling rap albums of all time and catapulted the group to superstardom. They would go on to release several more classic albums throughout their career, including Paul’s Boutique, Check Your Head, Ill Communication, and Hello Nasty.
5. Kendrick Lamar: One of the biggest stars in hip hop today, Kendrick Lamar first made waves with his independent releases Section
Roc-A-Fella Records
Roc-A-Fella Records was founded in 1996 by American rapper and businessman Jay-Z. The label was home to some of the most famous hip hop artists of all time including Jay-Z, Memphis Bleek, Beanie Sigel, and Freeway. Roc-A-Fella Records was known for its lavish lifestyle and for putting out some of the best hip hop music of all time.
History
Roc-A-Fella Records was an American record label founded by Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, Damon “Dame” Dash and Kareem “Biggs” Burke in 1996. The label was created as a subsidiary of Roc-A-Fella Films, a film production company also founded by the trio. The label’s releases include Jay-Z’s critically acclaimed debut album Reasonable Doubt (1996), as well as Dame Dash and Biggs’ projects such as Roc la Familia (2000) and Paid in Full (2002).
Roc-A-Fella Records abruptly ended in early 2004, following a legal dispute between Jay-Z and Dash. After Jay-Z’s departure from the label, it was taken over by Def Jam Recordings, which still distributes Roc-A-Fella’s material.
Notable Artists
Roc-A-Fella Records was an American record label founded by Jay-Z, Damon Dash, and Kareem “Biggs” Burke in 1996. The label was notable for its success with hip hop artists such as Jay-Z, Beanie Sigel, Memphis Bleek, Freeway, and Rhymefest. The label also released singles by R&B artists such as Kanye West, Mariah Carey, and Usher. Roc-A-Fella Records was dissolved in 2013 after Jay-Z sold the rights to the label to Def Jam Recordings.
Bad Boy Records
History
Bad Boy Records is a record label founded in 1993 by Sean Combs. The label’s first release was “Flava In Ya Ear” byCraig Mack, followed quickly by Mack’s debut album, Project: Funk Da World in 1994. On the heels of these releases came “Juicy” and “Big Poppa” from The Notorious B.I.G., as well as his debut album Ready to Die. Other successful releases from the label included albums and singles fromTotal, Faith Evans, 112, Carl Thomas, Mario Winans, Janelle Monáe, Danity Kane, Cassie, Yung Joc, frequent collaborator French Montana and Guy. The label has released three platinum-selling albums: Life After Death (1997), No Way Out (1997) and Born Again (1999).
Notable Artists
Bad Boy Records was founded in 1993 by Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs. The label’s first release was “Flava In Ya Ear” by Craig Mack, followed by Notorious B.I.G.’s debut album Ready to Die. Other notable artists on the label have included Mariah Carey, 112, Total, The Lox, Carl Thomas, Faith Evans, Janelle Monáe, and French Montana.
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record company that is home to some of the biggest names in hip hop music. The label was founded in 1989 and has since gone on to release some of the most successful hip hop albums of all time. Interscope is also responsible for breaking some of the biggest hip hop artists in the world, such as Dr. Dre, Eminem, and 50 Cent.
History
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group. It was founded in 1990 by Jimmy Iovine and Ted Field as a $20 million joint venture with Warner Music Group’s Atlantic Records. At the time, it differed from most record companies by giving decision-making authority to its A&R staff, rather than specializing in certain genres. Its first hit was Tone Lōc’s “Wild Thing”, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1989.
Iovine served as chairman and CEO until May 2014, when he was succeeded by John Janick. Interscope Geffen A&M was formed in 1999, combining the larger volume operations of Geffen Records with Interscope, which became a subsidiary label of the group. The labels were forced by Universal to merge back into one company in 2014; UMG then absorbed Republic Records, which formerly operated as an imprint under Universal.
Notable Artists
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group. It was founded in 1990 by Jimmy Iovine and Ted Field as a $20 million joint venture with Warner Bros. Records. In 2014, UMG acquired a controlling stake in the label from its previous owner, the Italian-American Entertainment Company Seagram.
Interscope’s hip hop artists include 50 Cent, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Tupac Shakur, and Wiz Khalifa. Other notable artists signed to the label include Maroon 5, No Doubt, Imagine Dragons, and Halsey.
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is a major player in the hip hop industry and has been for many years. They are home to some of the biggest names in hip hop, including Jay-Z, Nas, and Missy Elliott. Atlantic Records is also responsible for breaking new artists, such as Cardi B and Lil Uzi Vert. If you’re looking to get into the hip hop industry, Atlantic Records is a great place to start.
History
Atlantic Records is an American record label founded in October 1947 by Ahmet Ertegün and Herb Abramson. Over its 70-year history, the label has released music by some of the most popular recording artists in the world, including Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, John Coltrane, Led Zeppelin, and Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Atlantic has also been home to influential recording artists such as Crosby, Stills & Nash, Janis Joplin, Cream, Yes, Phil Collins, Genesis and Tupac Shakur.
Notable Artists
Atlantic has been home to some of the most influential artists in hip hop, including J. Cole, Cardi B, and Wiz Khalifa. The label has also been instrumental in the careers of other genres, such as rock (Led Zeppelin and Nickelback) and country (Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan).
