Empire Distribution

EMPIRE
Founded 2010 (2010)–present
Founder Ghazi Shami
Status Active
Distributor(s) Self-distributed
Genre
Country of origin United States
Location San Francisco, California
Official website www.empi.re

EMPIRE Distribution, Records and Publishing Inc. (marketed as EMPIRE) is an American distribution company and record label founded in 2010 by Ghazi Shami[1] and headquartered in San Francisco, California with offices in New York City and Atlanta. It has released albums in the genres of hip hop, R&B, reggae, rock, gospel, Latin, country and pop. Companies and artists such as Top Dawg Entertainment (Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul), Steel Wool (Anderson Paak, Watsky, Jez Dior), Jazz Anderson, Cody Wolfe, Kane Brown, Funk Volume (Dizzy Wright, Jarren Benton), ESGN (Freddie Gibbs), Think It's A Game Entertainment (Rich Homie Quan, YFN Lucci), Paper Route Empire (Young Dolph), Trill Entertainment (Boosie Badazz, Webbie), Last Kings Records (Tyga), Taylor Gang Entertainment (Berner, Chevy Woods), Hustle Gang (T.I., B.o.B, Trae tha Truth), No Limit Forever Records (Master P, Choppa, Romeo Miller, G5-J, Cymphonique, Silkk the Shocker), Nature Sounds (J Dilla, Devin the Dude, Pete Rock), Jamla Records (9th Wonder Rapsody), Bad Vibes Forever (XXXTentacion) and Mastered Trax (C-Kan), Rich Broke Entertainment (Lil Duval) have partnerships with Empire, with music being distributed across platforms such as iTunes, Google Play, Amazon.com, Deezer, Spotify, SoundCloud and Rdio, along with physical CDs and vinyl being distributed to traditional record stores.

Empire has supported the debut albums and early singles of a number of early artists, frequently signing young talent. In the Atlanta scene, they were the first label to release Trinidad James, Rich Homie Quan, Migos, Rocko and K Camp. In Los Angeles, they have distributed and/or are still distributing artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Problem, Skeme and Crooked I. They've also been involved in New York with releases from Troy Ave, Styles P, Cam'ron and Busta Rhymes. On the R&B side, they have signed artists such as Eric Bellinger, Jacquees, Jesse Boykins III, Jonn Hart and Lyrica Anderson. Empire has also had several chart topping reggae albums, including reggae artist J Boog's album Backyard Boogie[2] and Shaggy's 2013 release Out of Many, One Music.[3]

A number of albums and singles distributed by Empire have charted on Billboard, including "Taste" by Tyga featuring Offset, "Look at Me" by XXXTentacion, "All the Way Up" by Fat Joe and Remy Ma, "Broccoli" by DRAM, "Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh)" by Rich Homie Quan, "Might Be" and "OTW" by DJ Luke Nasty, Malibu by Anderson Paak, Section.80 by Kendrick Lamar, "Gas Pedal" by Sage the Gemini, Phantom and the Ghost by Styles P, "#IWantDat" by Mindless Behavior, Knock Madness by Hopsin, and Stoner's EP by Snoop Dogg.[4]

History

Founding

EMPIRE was founded in 2010 by CEO, Ghazi Shami,[1] a music technology graduate of San Francisco State University and the former Director of Urban Music at INgrooves.[5] In operating the company, Shami was joined by Nima Etminan, an MBA graduate in Media Management from Hamburg Media School. Etminan, co-founder of the hip hop platform DubCNN.com,[6] worked to expand the mission and services, and as of 2011 was handling Marketing and A&R. Etminan now serves as Vice President of Operations and A&R.

Partnerships

EMPIRE has a joint venture with Atlantic Records for certain artists on the EMPIRE roster.

Releases

One of the label's first charting releases was Authenticity by hip hop duo The Foreign Exchange, released on October 12, 2010. It peaked at #145 on the US Billboard 200, and #23 on the US R&B chart. Rapper ScHoolboy Q's album Setbacks, released on January 11, 2011, also charted, reaching #100 on the Billboard 200. Longterm Mentality by Ab-Soul, released the following April, peaked at #32 on the US Billboard Top Heatseekers. In November 2013, Hopsin's Knock Madness album peaked at #76 on the Billboard 200[7] and at #1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart.[8]

Nima Etminan soon signed California hip hop artist Kendrick Lamar to the distribution company, and as of early 2012 EMPIRE began handling distribution for all the projects by Top Dawg Entertainment, including Lamar's Section.80.[6] Released on July 2, 2011, the album reached #113 on the US Billboard 200 and #1 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers Albums.

2012 saw releases by artists such as Slum Village, Trinidad James, Snoop Dogg, and Freddie Gibbs, several of which charted. In 2012 the label helped organize a 2013 tour between Trae tha Truth and J. Stalin.[9] Also in 2013, EMPIRE distributed the album Still Goin In (Reloaded) by Rich Homie Quan, which was named tenth best mixtape of 2013 by Rolling Stone.[10] Recent albums include Phantom and the Ghost by Styles P, released on April 29, 2014. It charted at #74 on US Billboard 200, and #14 on US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.

In 2013, EMPIRE established its recording division, with Fairfield, CA native Sage The Gemini being the first signee.[11] Sage's two debut singles "Gas Pedal" and "Red Nose" became nationwide hits, earning him and the label a platinum plaque for "Gas Pedal" and a gold plaque for "Red Nose". Sage's debut album Remember Me was released in March 2014 under EMPIRE Recordings/Republic Records. Other artists on Empire Recordings include Rayven Justice, Jonn Hart, D Lo, Emilio Rojas, Baeza, Dmac, M.I.C.Show Banga, Smoovie Baby and Priceless Da Roc. At 2014's SXSW Festival in Austin, TX, EMPIRE hosted their first official showcase, featuring performances by Slim Thug, Eric Bellinger, Problem, Dorrough Music, Emilio Rojas and the EMPIRE Recordings roster.[12]

In 2015 and 2016 EMPIRE saw tremendous success at radio with Rich Homie Quan’s “Flex (Ooh Ooh Ooh)” charting at #1 on Urban Mainstream Radio, DJ Luke Nasty’s single “Might Be” charting at #5 on Urban Mainstream Radio, Fat Joe & Remy Ma’s hip hop anthem, "All the Way Up" charting at #5 on both Rhythmic and Urban radio charts and Colonel Loud’s “California” charting at #8 on Urban Mainstream radio.

In 2018, it was announced that record producer and label executive L.A. Reid founded a new label Hitco Entertainment, which will be distributed by EMPIRE.[13][14]

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

Year Nominee/work Award Result
2015"Out of Many, One Music" (Shaggy)Grammy Award for Best Reggae AlbumNominated
2016"Strictly Roots" (Morgan Heritage)Grammy Award for Best Reggae AlbumWon
2017"Malibu" (Anderson .Paak)Grammy Award for Best New ArtistNominated
2017"Malibu" (Anderson .Paak)Best Urban Contemporary AlbumNominated
2017"All The Way Up" (Fat Joe & Remy Ma)Best Rap PerformanceNominated
2017"All The Way Up" (Fat Joe & Remy Ma)Best Rap SongNominated
2017"Broccoli" (DRAM)Best Rap/Sung PerformanceNominated
2017"Rose Petals EP" (J Boog)Best Reggae AlbumNominated

Artists

Notable artists who have released music on EMPIRE:[15]

Discography

Incomplete list of releases for Empire Distribution
Yr Cat Title Artist(s) Details Certifications
2010EREAuthenticityThe Foreign ExchangeOct 12, 2010#145 on the Billboard 200
#23 US R&B
2011ERESetbacksScHoolboy QJan 11, 2011#100 on the US Billboard 200
2011ERELongterm MentalityAb-SoulApril 5, 2011#32 on the US Billboard Top Heatseekers
#73 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums
2011ERESection.80Kendrick LamarJuly 2, 2011#113 on the US Billboard 200
#1 on the US Billboard Top Heatseekers Albums
2011ERECharity Starts At HomePhonteSep 27, 2011
2011EREElement of SurpriseP.WattsOct 25, 2011
2011EREIn None We TrustCrooked INov 17, 2011
2011EREGift Of Gab 2RockoNov 24, 2011
2012EREDirty SlumsSlum VillageMar 27, 2012
2012EREStoner's EPSnoop DoggApril 17, 2012#31 on the US Billboard Independent Albums
#33 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums
2012EREDon't Be S.A.F.E.Trinidad JamesSep 18, 2012#103 on the US Billboard 200
#8 on the US Billboard Top Heatseekers Albums
2012EREBaby Face KillaFreddie GibbsSep 25, 2012
2013EREStill Goin In (Reloaded)Rich Homie QuanFeb 8, 2013Named tenth best mixtape of 2013 by Rolling Stone.[10]
2013EREThe Year of the UnderdogzYoung Noble & Gage GullyMay 7, 2013
2013EREWest Coast Gangsta ShitDaz Dillinger and WCJune 19, 2013
2013EREESGN (Evil Seeds Grow Naturally)Freddie GibbsJune 20, 2013#8 on US Billboard Heatseekers Albums[16]
#24 on US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
2013ERECold TurkeyStarlitoJuly 2, 2013
2013ERE108 Apex Predator Crooked I July 30, 2013#33 on US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[17]
2013ERE1103ChordFoldTerrace MartinAug 13, 2013#43 on US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
#9 on US Billboard Heatseekers Albums
2013ERETravis GarlandTravis GarlandSep 10, 2013
2013EREGas Pedal EPSage The GeminiSep 10, 2013
2013ERE119Take It Or Leave ItCory Mo2013
2013EREO.K.E. (Deluxe Edition)The GameOct 8, 2013#89 on the US Billboard 200
#19 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums
2013EREKnock MadnessHopsinNov 24, 2013#1 on US Billboard Heatseekers Albums[18]
#7 on US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
#6 on US Billboard Independent
2014ERE135Tortoise and the Crow CD Grouch, ElighMar 04, 2014
2014ERE136Keep It On the D-LoD-LoApr 01, 2014
2014ERE139Phantom and the Ghost Styles PApr 29, 2014#74 on US Billboard 200
#14 on US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
#18 on US Billboard Independent
2014ERE141Mafia Royalty 2K14AWOLApr 29, 2014
2014EREBarrel BrothersSkyzoo and ToraeMay 27, 2014
2014ERE141 Venice Anderson .PaakOct 28, 2014
2015EREStrictly RootsMorgan HeritageJune 8, 2015Grammy Award Winning : Best Reggae Album
2015ERE141 Fuk Wat They Talkin Bout TygaAug 24, 2015
2015ERE141Shadow of a Doubt Freddie GibbsNov 20, 2015
2016ERE141 Malibu Anderson .PaakJan 15, 2016
2016ERE141 King of Memphis Young DolphFeb 19, 2016#49 on US Billboard 100
2016ERE256RosecransDJ Quik & Problem2016
2017EREAcoustic LevitationDevin The Dude2017
2017 ERE For Your Girl Too SELFISH. May 23, 2017
2017ERE17XXXTentacionAug 25, 2017#2 on US Billboard 200

Singles

Notable singles released by EMPIRE

  • 2011
    • Kendrick Lamar – "ADHD"
  • 2012
  • 2013
    • Alexis y Fido" – "Rompe La Cintura"
    • Problem – "Like Whaaat"
    • Rocko – "U.O.E.N.O."
    • Sage The Gemini – "Red Nose"
    • T.I. – "Memories Back Then"
  • 2014
    • Busta Rhymes – "Calm Down" ft. Eminem
    • Rayven Justice – "Hit or Nah"
    • Rich Homie Quan – "Walk Thru"
    • Sage The Gemini – "Gas Pedal"
    • Troy Ave – "About The Money"
  • 2015
    • Alexis y Fido – "Una en un Millon"
    • Colonel Loud – "California" ft. T.I., Young Dolph & Ricco Barrino
    • D.R.A.M. – "Cha Cha"
    • Jermaine Dupri – "WYA" ft. Bow Wow
    • Kane Brown – "Used To Love You Sober"
    • Nef The Pharaoh – "Big Tymin’"
    • P Diddy – "Finna Get Loose" ft. Pharrell
    • Popcaan – "Never Sober"
    • Rich Homie Quan – "Flex" (Ooh Ooh Ooh)
    • Rich Homie Quan – "The Most"
    • Tyga – "Stimulated"
  • 2016
    • D.R.A.M. – "Broccolli" ft. Lil Yachty
    • Fat Joe & Remy Ma – "All The Way Up" ft. French Montana & Jay-Z (Remix)
    • Lloyd – "Tru"
    • Luke Nasty – "Might Be"
    • Luke Nasty – "OTW"
    • Wizkid – "Shabba" ft. Chris Brown, Trey Songz & French Montana
    • Young Dolph – "Get Paid"
  • 2017
    • Sammie – "Coa"
    • Lamont Sincere – "Where It Came From"
    • Eric Bellinger – "Be The Change"
    • Mario – "Let Me Help You"
    • Trinidad James – "Father FiGGA"
    • Lamont Sincere – "Broken"
    • Xai Beats – "Can't Relate" ft. Ellah & Young Gully
    • J-HAZE - "The Body Guard"
  • 2018

See also

References

  1. 1 2 EMPIRE: The Music Industry's Quiet Giant | HipHopDX
  2. ↑ "J Boog – Chart history | Billboard". billboard.com. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
  3. ↑ http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/global/5755446/shaggyreleasesfirst-allreggaealbumatkingstonslegendaryrae
  4. ↑ "Top Artists". Empire Distribution. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
  5. ↑ "Ghazi Shami". Linkedin. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
  6. 1 2 "Nima Etminan: The Man Behind DubCNN". 2DBZ. December 1, 2011. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
  7. ↑ "Hopsin – Chart history | Billboard". billboard.com. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
  8. ↑ "Hopsin – Chart history | Billboard". billboard.com. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
  9. ↑ Caples, Garret (December 11, 2012). "YEAR IN MUSIC 2012: Waiting for Four-O". San Francisco Bay Guardian. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
  10. 1 2 "10 Best Mixtapes of 2013: Rich Homie Quan, 'Still Goin' In Reloaded'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
  11. ↑ http://www.dubcnn.com/2013/08/22/bayareas-sagethegeminisignsdealwithempireuniversalrepublic/%5Bpermanent+dead+link%5D
  12. ↑ "EMPIRE Presents: YNGCA x YNGTX – The Tap Room – Austin, TX on 3/14/2014 – 25 photos, pictures and videos on CrowdAlbum". crowdalbum.com. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
  13. ↑ Karp, Hannah. "L.A. Reid's Hitco Ramps Up With 25 Hires and Handful Of New Acts". billboard.com. Billboard Magazine. Retrieved 2018-04-21.
  14. ↑ Halperin, Shirley. "https://variety.com/2018/music/news/l-a-reid-signs-big-boi-outkast-hitco-1202733122/". variety.com. Penske Business Media LLC. Retrieved 2018-04-21. External link in |title= (help)
  15. ↑ "New Artists". Empire Distribution. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
  16. ↑ "Heatseekers Albums : Jul 06, 2013 | Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard.com. 2013-07-06. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
  17. ↑ "Crooked I – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 2013-10-15.
  18. ↑ "Hopsin – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 2014-01-26.
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