Epic Records
Epic Records | |
---|---|
Parent company | Sony Music Entertainment |
Founded | 1953 |
Founder | Columbia Records |
Distributor(s) | Sony Music Entertainment |
Genre | Various |
Country of origin | United States |
Location | New York City |
Official website | epicrecords |
Epic Records is an American
History
Beginnings
Epic Records was launched in 1953 by the
Expansion of genres and mainstream success
By 1960, Epic became better known for signing newer, fledgling acts. By the end of the 1960s, Epic earned its first gold records and had evolved into a formidable hit-making force in
Epic was involved in a notable "trade" of artists.
Epic's commercial success continued to grow and evolve in the 1970s with releases from
Corporate structure
During the 1960s, Epic oversaw the smaller subsidiary CBS labels including Okeh Records and Date Records. In 1968, Epic recordings began being distributed in the UK by CBS after the distribution deal with EMI expired that year;[4] Epic itself launched in England around 1971.[5]
Sony Corporation bought CBS Records in 1987, and the company was renamed Sony Music in 1991. It began splitting European operations into two separate labels, Epic and Columbia, in 1992, and in 1997, Sony Music Australia and New Zealand followed suit.[6]
In 2004, Sony merged with music distributor
1980s–2010
Epic was arguably one of the most successful labels of the 1980s and 1990s, and its mainstream successes were fueled by its signing and releasing of albums by notable acts such as
In 1999,
In February 2009, Sony Music Group chairman Rob Stringer appointed singer-songwriter Amanda Ghost as president of Epic.[18] Ghost, who had successfully promoted James Blunt to Grammy Award-winning status,[19] was an unconventional and controversial choice for president because she had no corporate executive experience.[20] She was expected to reverse the trend of declining sales at Epic by promoting the label's newer and mid-tier artists such as Augustana.[19] Stringer also merged Epic and Columbia to form the Columbia/Epic Label Group in 2009, with himself as acting chairman. Ghost scored hit records for the Fray, Modest Mouse, Matisyahu and Sean Kingston.[21] However, she delayed the scheduled release of Shakira's album She Wolf by insisting that the album contain another song – "Give It Up to Me" featuring Lil Wayne and uncredited Timbaland. This delay probably caused She Wolf to perform less well in the market. Epic staff members described Ghost as "abrasive" and a "loose cannon". She was fired in October 2010, with Stringer apologizing for his mistake: "I owe the people at Epic..."[19]
2011–present
In July 2011,
In 2013,
In November 2014,
In 2015, Def Jam Recordings parted ways with Mariah Carey and Carey reunited with Reid at Epic. She had worked with Reid at Def Jam under The Island Def Jam Music Group in 2004. Carey's deals with both Def Jam and Epic were at a fraction of the $80 million deal Carey had previously signed with Virgin Records; Virgin later rescinded that deal after poor sales.[29][30] That same month, it was announced that R&B group Jodeci had signed to the label and planned to release their first studio album in 20 years.[31][32]
Wondaland Records, singer Janelle Monáe's imprint, entered into a joint venture with Epic in 2015.[33] Acts on Wondaland include Jidenna, St. Beauty, Deep Cotton and Roman GianArthur.[34]
In 2016,
In January 2017, 21 Savage signed to Epic.[36] On May 11, 2017, it was announced that Reid would exit as the label's CEO.[37] Following his exit, it was reported that Reid had been accused of sexual harassment by multiple Epic employees.[38][39]
On April 23, 2019, it was announced that Rhone had been appointed as
Formerly and presently affiliated labels
- 550 Music (1993–2000)
- Blue Sky (1974–Present)
- Cactus Jack (2017–present)
- Caribou Records (1976–Present)
- Cold Chillin' Records (1993–1998)
- Date Records (1960s)
- Duble Kick Entertainment(2010–2015)
- Epic Records Nashville (? – May 2006)
- Epic Soundtrax (1992–Present)
- Epic Street(1993–1998-Legacy)
- Cleveland International Records (1976–1983-Present)
- CTI Records (1980-Present)
- Tuff City Records (1983–1984)
- Hidden Beach Records(1998–2007)
- Glacial Pace(mid–1990s)
- Invictus Records (1973–1976)
- Jet Records (1978–1983)
- Kirshner Records(1974–1983)
- MJJ Music (1988–2001)
- MLD Entertainment (2010–2017)
- MODHAUS (2021—Present)
- Nemperor Records (1977–1990)
- Ode Records (1967–1969, 1976–1979)
- OKeh Records(1965–1970, 1994–2000)
- Pasha Records (1979–1990)
- Philadelphia International Records (1971–1984)
- Portrait Records (1976–1992)
- Ruthless Records (1990, 1999–2009)
- Scotti Brothers(1979–1988)
- SOLAR Records (1989–1993)
- Stone Music Entertainment (1994–2015-Present)
- T-Neck Records (1972–1984)
- Tabu Records (1978–1991)
- The WORK Group (1994–1999)
- Virgin Records (1976–1978, 1982–1986)
Artists
Logos
Unlike sister label Columbia, Epic has gone through five different logos. Some logos were temporarily revived for period reissues. The years shown below list the time served as the label's primary logo.
-
First radial sound sunburst logo, 1953–1960
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Second radial sound sunburst logo, 1960–1973, 1998–2005 (still used by Epic Records Japan)
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Big "E" logo, 1973–1978
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Gradient script logo, 1978–1991 (used in tandem with outlined script logo)
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Outlined script logo, 1978–1991 (used in tandem with gradient script logo)
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Stacked-record logo, 1991–1998
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Simplified script logo, 2005–2011, 2015–present
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Red print logo, 2011–2015 (still used in Japan)
See also
- Epic Records Japan (Japanese branch of Epic Records)
- Immortal Records
- List of record labels
References
- ^ Billboard - Google Books Archived May 20, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. Books.google.com (1953-09-19). Retrieved on 2013-07-16.
- ^ Billboard - Google Books. September 19, 1953. Archived from the original on July 8, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
- ^ Robert Greenfield. The Last Sultan: The Life and Times of Ahmet Ertegun. Simon and Schuster. 2011. 202-3.
- ^ Billboard - Google Books. May 11, 1968. Archived from the original on July 8, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
- ^ "EPIC". Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
- ^ Barker, Michael (July 25, 1992). "Sony Germany Music Splitting Marketing Division". Billboard. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
- ^ Phillips, Chuck (July 20, 2004). "Merger of Sony, BMG Music Labels Wins Endorsement of European Commission". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 6, 2016. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
- ^ Wray, Richard (August 8, 2009). "Sony Buys Bertelsmann Out of Sony BMG". The Guardian. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
- ^ Lei, Richard (September 11, 1994). "IN HOLLYWOOD: A SONIC BOOM". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
- ^ Rosen, Craig (July 11, 1992). "There's Sizzle in Summer Soundtracks". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 20, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
- ^ Bozza, Anthony (February 15, 2001). "Jennifer the Conqueror". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 25, 2020. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
- ^ Powers, Ann (May 11, 2011). "The Return of J. Lo: How did this happen?". Slate Magazine. Archived from the original on October 30, 2020. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
- ^ Billboard. February 10, 2001. Archived from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
- ^ "Jennifer Lopez Biography Page". March 12, 2007. Archived from the original on March 12, 2007. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
- ^ "J. Lo Nabs Double No. 1s". Billboard. February 28, 2002. Archived from the original on April 14, 2013. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
- ^ a b Lambert, Molly (June 16, 2014). "Why Is Jennifer Lopez's 'A.K.A.' Poised to Flop?". Grantland. Archived from the original on June 15, 2020. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
- ^ Dance Again...The Hits by Jennifer Lopez, archived from the original on October 15, 2020, retrieved June 15, 2020
- ^ "Music label puts singer in charge". BBC News. February 3, 2009. Archived from the original on February 6, 2009. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
- ^ a b c Halperin, Shirley (November 17, 2010). "Who Destroyed Epic Records?". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
- ^ Sandoval, Greg (February 12, 2009). "Sony Music woes extend to digital sales". CNET. Archived from the original on May 3, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
- from the original on May 3, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
- ^ "Outkast, Ciara Headed for L.A. Reid's Epic Records, Sources Say". Billboard.biz. September 15, 2011. Archived from the original on November 25, 2011. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
- ^ "92.5 THE BEAT Montreal's Best Music Variety Radio Station". 925thebeat.ca. Archived from the original on 12 November 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
- ^ 'X Factor' Has Glitzy Premiere, Complete With Simon-Paula Bickering Archived October 30, 2020, at the Wayback Machine. Billboard (2011-09-15). Retrieved on 2013-07-16.
- ^ "It's Official: Sylvia Rhone to Run New Label Through Epic | Billboard". Billboard.biz. Archived from the original on February 16, 2012. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
- ^ Mitchell, Gail (February 5, 2013). "Exclusive: Sylvia Rhone Talks New Label Vested in Culture". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 16, 2018. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
- ^ Mitchell, Gail (March 19, 2014). "Sylvia Rhone Appointed President of Epic Records". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on September 26, 2019. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
- ^ "Timbaland's Mosley Music Group Is Joining Forces With L.A. Reid (Thanks to Michael Jackson)". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 21, 2019. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
- ^ "Mariah Carey signs with Epic Records". thehonestyhour.com. January 30, 2015. Archived from the original on January 31, 2015. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
- ^ "The Inside Story of How Mariah Carey and L.A. Reid Reunited (at a Fraction of Her Former $80 Million Deal)". Shirley Halperin and Andrew Hampp. January 30, 2015. Archived from the original on July 10, 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
- ^ "Jodeci Debuts New Single "Every Moment"". epicrecords.com. Epic Records. Archived from the original on 6 February 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
- ^ "Jodeci Inks Deal With Epic Records For Comeback Album". singersroom.com. Singers Room. January 28, 2015. Archived from the original on January 31, 2015. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
- ^ "Janelle Monae inks Joint Venture with Epic Records". theurbandaily.com. 2015. Archived from the original on February 19, 2015. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
- ^ "Janelle Monae's Wondaland Records And Epic Records Launch Landmark Joint Venture Partnership". prnewswire.com. 2015. Archived from the original on February 27, 2015. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
- ^ "Jennifer Lopez Signs New Deal With Epic Records". Billboard. United States. 2 March 2016. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
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ignored (help) - ^ "21 Savage Announces Deal with Epic Records, Calls Drake "A Genuine Person"". Archived from the original on April 25, 2017. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- ^ Rys, Dan (May 11, 2017). "L.A. Reid Out at Epic Records". Billboard. United States. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
- ^ Halperin, Shirley (May 15, 2017). "Sony Music Executive L.A. Reid Accused of Sexual Harassment". Variety. Archived from the original on October 11, 2019. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
- ^ Karp, Hannah (May 14, 2017). "L.A. Reid's Epic Records Exit Followed Allegations by Female Staffer". Billboard. United States. Archived from the original on April 22, 2019. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
- ^ Schneider, Marc (April 23, 2019). "Epic Records Names Sylvia Rhone Chairman and CEO". Billboard. United States. Archived from the original on April 23, 2019. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
- from the original on May 2, 2023. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
External links
- Official website
- Sony Music—parent company of Epic
- Epic Records album discography, 1962–1970