samedi 7 octobre 2017

A Brief Overview Of The Most Dominant Hip Hop Record Labels

By Amy Robinson


The performing arts industry is one that generates billions of dollars in revenue each year in the US. Some of the best artists started out of nowhere and have made a fortune for themselves using their talent. However popular some rappers are, the untold truth is that their fame is heavily pegged on the strength of the hip hop record labels they represent.

Over the years, labels have come and gone. However, those that have stood tall against competition are the ones that are famous today. This list, in no particular order, expounds on some of them and their associated artists. Many renowned labels began in the nineties and at the turn of the new millennium.

First of on the list is Shady Records. Its acknowledged founders are Eminem and Paul Rosenberg who steered it to success soon after its inception in 1999. It officially hit the ground running after the first album by the then little known Eminem was launched. While its signed artists are few, it keeps releasing international hits every once in a while.

The next label to look into is Aftermath. It is widely acknowledged for playing a major role in the serialization of Shady Records. Aftermath was founded in 1996 by the billionaire artist cum businessman Dr. Dre. Back in the days, he used to be a mentor to Eminem. He is renowned for anchoring Eminem into mainstream music through this label.

Rap enthusiasts often feature the name of Death Row Records when discussing about successful groups. The group houses rappers who are talented and produce classic hits. They are also unique in terms of composition and style. However, the group found itself in a lot of controversy soon after the famous rappers Tupac and Biggie died.

Def Jam is another music house worthy of note. Its influence has been felt globally through its famous artists. They include Jay Z, Nas, DMX, Beastie Boys and Ja Rule. The new millennium ushered in equally famous entrants like Rick Ross, Kanye West, Young Jeezy and Pusha T. It is arguably the best recording house in modern music owing to its global success.

Another great addition to the list is Cash Money Records. Some of the top acts associated with the group include Lil Wayne, Drake and Hot Boyz. Its artists have remained true to the genre despite the allure of other popular genres such as RnB.

Capping the list is Maybach Music Group. Rick Ross is credited with its founding. While its music is top notch, its distribution branch is overseen by Atlantic Records. The group has great acts like Wale, Meek Mill, Ross himself and Omarion. It has produced 21 albums from the time it began in 2009.

Many other groups are fast gaining traction and may be mentioned in other platforms. The sector undeniably has plenty of rewards in store for aspiring musicians and investors. As time goes, new classy music will keep hitting the airwaves.




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