Murder Inc. Records, a Hip Hop record label, was founded by brothers Chris Gotti and Irving Domingo “Irv Gotti” Lorenzo Jr. in 1998. It signed artists such as Jeffery Bruce “Ja Rule” Atkins, Ashanti Shequoiya Douglas, Tiffany “Charli Baltimore” Lane, Ramel Leroy “Black Child” Gill, … Read MoreMurder Inc. Records (1998-)
Uptown Records, one of the earliest hip-hop labels, was founded in 1986. It signed artists such as Mary J. Blige, Jodeci, Heavy D and the Boyz, and Father M.C. Uptown Records was founded by Andre Harrell, a former member of the group Dr. Jackell and … Read MoreUptown Records (1986-1999)
Death Row Records is a West Coast record label which pushed the genre of gangsta rap to the top of the mainstream charts in the early 1990s. Founded by Marion “Suge” Knight and Andre “Dr. Dre” Young in 1992, the successes of Death Row Records established the legitimacy of rap music. The origins … Read MoreDeath Row Records (1992- )
Founded and incorporated by Sean “Diddy” Combs in 1992, Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment Group has grown from a small record label into a massive, highly successful entertainment company. Sparking the careers of superstars like Craig Mack, Christopher “Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace, and Lil’ Kim, Bad Boy has left a charismatic imprint on … Read MoreBad Boy Entertainment (1992- )
Black Swan Records was the first black-owned recording company that sold popular music to black audiences. Black Swan Records specialized in jazz and blues recordings, but it also became the first company to record black classical musicians. During its brief existence from 1921 and 1923, … Read MoreBlack Swan Records (1921-1923)
Founded in 1959 by former auto-worker and songwriter Berry Gordy, Jr. in Detroit, Michigan, Motown Records would become the most successful black-owned record label in history. After co-writing hits for Smokey Robinson and Jackie Wilson, Gordy purchased a house at 2648 West Grand Boulevard and … Read MoreMotown Records
