The success of record labels is based on the number of albums they sell. Selling many music albums over a short duration of time is one of the things that promote the success of a record label.Some of the most successful hip-hop record labels include;
Def Jam Recordings
Prevailing as an American record label, Def Jam Recordings predominantly focuses on urban and hip-hop music, with the Universal Music Group being the sole owners.Def Jam exists in the UK and in Japan where it is referred to as Def Jam UK and Def Jam Japan respectively. In the UK the label is run via the Virgin EMI while in Japan, the label is run viathe Universal Sigma Music. The label serves by distributing different record labels. Some of the famous artists currently working with Def Jam include; Kanye West, 2 Chainz, Ludacris, Iggy Azalea, Desiigner, Big Sean, August Alsina, YG, Mother Mother, Afrojack, Kacy Hill, and Babyface.
Young Money
Young Money was founded by Lil Wayne and is one of the famous record labels in America. Mack Maine serves as the record label’s president with the distribution conducted by the Republic Records. Young money currently comprises of artists such as Drake, Nicki Minaj, Mack Maine, Lil Wayne, GuddaGudda, Flow, Lil Twist, Shanell, and Jae Millz among others.
Roc-A-Fella
Roc-A-Fella is record label based in America founded in the year 1996. Its founders were Kareem “Biggs” Burke, Damon Dash, and Jay-Z. It was a dissection of the Def Jam/IDJMG. The record label features various genres with Def Jam Recordings and the Virgin Emi Records serving as its distributors.
Jive
Founded in 1981 by Clive Calder, Jive Records operates as an American record label featuring various genres. The label became most successful in hip hop during the 1980s. It was later successful in teen pop and boy bands in the 1990s and early 2000s respectively. Its headquarters was based in the city of New York. The record label currently features artists such as Usher, Chris Brown, Justin Timberlake, T-Pain, Jordin Sparks, Britney Spears, Priscilla, Miguel, and R. Kelly among others.
Bad Boy
Bad Boy is a hip hop record label based in America. Sean Combs founded the label in the year 1993 and currently run as an indentation of Epic Records which is a dissection of the Sony Music. Bad boy features R&B and Hip hop music genres.Some of the artists currently working in this label include; Puff Daddy, French Montana, Cassie, Bow Wow, Quincy, Machine Gun Kelly, and Don Trip.
Grand Hustle
Grand Hustle was founded by American artists, T.I and Jason Geter in the year 2003. The label is based in Atlanta, Georgia.Grand Hustle exists as an independent label and has suppliedseveral studio albums, approximated at 26. The label currently features artists such as B.o.B, Young Dro, Mac Boney, RiccoBarrino, Zonnique, and Travis Scott among others.
Shady
Shady was founded by Eminem in the year 1999 together with Paul Rosenberg. The label currently host actors such as Eminem, Yelawolf, D12, Bad Meets Evil, and Slaughterhouse.
Ruffhouse
Ruffhouse Records was founded by Joe Nicolo and Chris Schwartz in the year 1989. The record label has acquired attention through various publications such asthe New York Times, Forbes, Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, and The Wall Street Journal.
Cash Money
Cash Money Records was founded by Ronald “Slim” Williams and Bryan “Birdman” Williams, who are related as brothers. The label has garnered a considerable fame by featuring the most influential hip hop artists such as Drake, Lil Wayne, and Nicki Minaj. Cash money currently features artists such as Birdman, Soulja Boy, Caskey, J-Soul, Compton Menace, and Ralo.
Columbia
Columbia Records was founded in the year 1887 and is currently owned and managed by Sony Music. The label’s administration is run by Rob Stringer who acts as the chairman and Joel Klaiman who acts as the general manager and executive vice president.
