Empire Distribution

Empire Distribution, Records and Publishing Inc. (stylized as EMPIRE) is an American distribution company and record label founded in 2010 by Ghazi Shami [1] located in San Francisco with offices in New York City, London, Nashville, and Atlanta. It has released albums in various genres but it is predominantly focused on hip hop music. Many prominent companies and artists have partnerships with EMPIRE (see below), with music being distributed across platforms such as iTunes, Google Play, Amazon, Deezer, Spotify, Vevo, SoundCloud, and Rdio, along with physical CDs and vinyl being distributed to traditional record stores.

Not to be confused with Empire Records.
Empire
Founded2010
FounderGhazi Shami
Distributor(s)Self-distributed (digital)
AMPED Distribution (physical)
GenreVarious
Country of originUnited States
LocationSan Francisco, California, U.S.
Official websiteempi.re

EMPIRE has supported the debut albums and early singles of a number of early artists, frequently signing young talent. In the Atlanta scene, orchestrated by their SR. Marketing Executive John Hill, 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, Snoop Dogg, and Crooked I. They've also been involved in New York with releases from Fat Joe, 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]

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.[3]

History

Founding

EMPIRE was founded in 2010 by CEO Ghazi Shami,[4] 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. [7]

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[8] and at #1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart.[9]

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.[10] 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.[11] 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.[12]

In 2017, it was announced that Rayya Lioness launched a new Independent label called Lioness Music Style Records, LLC, which will be distributed by Empire. LMS Records is home to such artists as Albino Redz, BLK XLNZ, and more...

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] In the same year, Australian and rapper Iggy Azalea announced her own record label originally titled New Classic Records and later renamed to Bad Dreams with its distribution being handled by Empire.[15][16]

On August 5, 2021, Blackground Records signed a distribution deal with EMPIRE to re-release its discography, most notably the catalogue of singer Aaliyah.[17]

On January 23, 2023, EMPIRE announced a partnership with Web3 music investment platform Nebula.[18]

Awards and nominations

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

Artists

Notable artists who have released music on EMPIRE:

Selected discography

G-Town BlackTrab
Incomplete list of album releases for EMPIRE Distribution
Year Cat Title Artist(s) Details Certifications
2010EREAuthenticityThe Foreign ExchangeOct 12, 2010#145 on the Billboard 200
#23 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
2011ERESetbacksScHoolboy QJan 11, 2011#100 on the US Billboard 200
ERELongterm MentalityAb-SoulApril 5, 2011#32 on the US Top Heatseekers
#73 on the US Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums
ERESection.80Kendrick LamarJuly 2, 2011#113 on the US Billboard 200
#1 on the US Top Heatseekers Albums
ERECharity Starts At HomePhonteSep 27, 2011
EREElement of SurpriseP.WattsOct 25, 2011
EREIn None We TrustCrooked INov 17, 2011
EREGift Of Gab 2RockoNov 24, 2011
2012EREDirty SlumsSlum VillageMar 27, 2012
EREStoner's EPSnoop DoggApril 17, 2012#31 on the US Independent Albums
#33 on the US Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums
EREDon't Be S.A.F.E.Trinidad JamesSep 18, 2012#103 on the US Billboard 200
#8 on the US Top Heatseekers Albums
EREBaby Face KillaFreddie GibbsSep 25, 2012
2013EREStill Goin In (Reloaded)Rich Homie QuanFeb 8, 2013Named tenth best mixtape of 2013 by Rolling Stone.[11]
EREThe Year of the UnderdogzYoung Noble & Gage GullyMay 7, 2013
EREWest Coast Gangsta ShitDaz Dillinger and WCJune 19, 2013
EREESGN (Evil Seeds Grow Naturally)Freddie GibbsJune 20, 2013#8 on US Top Heatseekers Albums[19]
#24 on US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
ERECold TurkeyStarlitoJuly 2, 2013
ERE108 Apex PredatorCrooked IJuly 30, 2013#33 on US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[20]
ERE1103ChordFoldTerrace MartinAug 13, 2013#43 on US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
#9 on US Top Heatseekers Albums
ERETravis GarlandTravis GarlandSep 10, 2013
EREGas Pedal EPSage The GeminiSep 10, 2013
EREO.K.E. (Deluxe Edition)The GameOct 8, 2013#89 on the US Billboard 200
#19 on the US Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums
EREKnock MadnessHopsinNov 24, 2013#1 on US Top Heatseekers Albums[21]
#7 on US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
#6 on US Independent Albums
2014ERE135Tortoise and the Crow CDGrouch, ElighMar 04, 2014
ERE136Keep It On the D-LoD-LoApr 01, 2014
ERE139Phantom and the GhostStyles PApr 29, 2014#74 on US Billboard 200
#14 on US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
#18 on US Independent Albums
EREBarrel BrothersSkyzoo and ToraeMay 27, 2014
ERE141 VeniceAnderson .PaakOct 28, 2014
2015EREStrictly RootsMorgan HeritageJune 8, 2015Grammy Award Winning : Best Reggae Album
ERE141 Fuk Wat They Talkin BoutTygaAug 24, 2015
ERE141Shadow of a DoubtFreddie GibbsNov 20, 2015#76 on US Billboard 200
2016ERE141 MalibuAnderson .PaakJan 15, 2016#79 on US Billboard 200
ERE141 King of MemphisYoung DolphFeb 19, 2016#49 on US Billboard 200
EREHighway Music: Stuck in TrafficDJ Luke NastyMay 13, 2016
ERE256RosecransDJ Quik & Problem2016
2017ERE310Plata O PlomoFat Joe and Remy MaFeb 17, 2017#44 on US Billboard 200
EREAcoustic LevitationDevin The DudeMar 10, 2017
ERE344 Neva Left Snoop Dogg May 19, 2017 #54 on US Billboard 200
ERE For Your Girl Too SELFISH. May 23, 2017
EREBitchImTheShit2TygaJul 21, 2017
ERE17XXXTentacionAug 25, 2017#2 on US Billboard 200
2018ERE381KyotoTygaFeb 16, 2018
ERE453Tru LPLloydAug 31, 2018
EREDancing ShadowsMarioOct 5, 2018
ERESkinsXXXTentacionDec 7, 2018#1 on US Billboard 200
2019EREWalk with MeRotimiMay 24, 2019
ERELegendaryTygaJun 7, 2019#17 on US Billboard 200
EREIn My DefenseIggy AzaleaJul 19, 2019#50 on US Billboard 200
ERE524I Wanna Thank MeSnoop DoggAug 16, 2019#76 on US Billboard 200
EREWicked LipsIggy AzaleaDec 2, 2019
ERE537Bad Vibes ForeverXXXTentacionDec 6, 2019
2019ERES.O.L.A.R Inayah LamisDec 12, 2019


Singles

Notable singles released by EMPIRE

See also

References
  1. Payne, Ogden. "Empire: The Distribution Company That Turned Music Streaming Pennies Into Profit". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2023-01-19. Retrieved 2023-01-21.
  2. "J Boog – Chart history". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2015-09-19. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
  3. "Top Artists". Empire Distribution. Archived from the original on 2014-06-06. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
  4. "EMPIRE: The Music Industry's Quiet Giant". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on 2020-01-12. Retrieved 2016-09-06.
  5. "Ghazi Shami". LinkedIn. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
  6. "Nima Etminan: The Man Behind DubCNN". 2DBZ. 2011-12-01. Archived from the original on 2014-08-09. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
  7. "EMPIRE: A Music Industry Giant in an Unlikely City". 14 August 2019. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  8. "Hopsin – Chart history". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2016-06-24. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
  9. "Hopsin – Chart history". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2015-07-30. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
  10. Caples, Garret (December 11, 2012). "YEAR IN MUSIC 2012: Waiting for Four-O". San Francisco Bay Guardian. Archived from the original on 2014-07-29. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
  11. "10 Best Mixtapes of 2013: Rich Homie Quan, 'Still Goin' In Reloaded'". Rolling Stone. 9 December 2013. Archived from the original on 2014-03-15. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
  12. "Bay Area's Sage The Gemini Signs Deal with EMPIRE/Republic Records". DubCNN.com. 2013-08-22. Archived from the original on 2019-04-14. Retrieved 2019-04-14.
  13. Karp, Hannah (26 March 2018). "L.A. Reid's Hitco Ramps Up With 25 Hires and Handful Of New Acts". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2018-03-27. Retrieved 2018-04-21.
  14. Halperin, Shirley (2018-03-22). "L.A. Reid's First Post-Sony Signing Is a Member of Outkast (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on 2018-07-24. Retrieved 2018-07-21.
  15. "Iggy Azalea has announced that her new label is named 'Bad Dreams'". Twipu. Archived from the original on 20 April 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  16. "Iggy Azalea Signs New Partnership Deal With EMPIRE". hotnewhiphop.com. Archived from the original on 29 May 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  17. McIntyre, Hugh (August 5, 2021). "20 Years After Her Passing, Aaliyah's Music is Finally Coming to Streaming Services". Forbes. Archived from the original on August 5, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  18. "EMPIRE partners with Web3 music investment platform Nebula". Music Business Worldwide. 2023-01-23. Archived from the original on 2023-03-02. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
  19. "Heatseekers Albums : Jul 06, 2013 | Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard. 2013-07-06. Archived from the original on 2013-08-07. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
  20. "Crooked I – Chart history". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2018-12-17. Retrieved 2013-10-15.
  21. "Hopsin – Chart history". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2015-07-30. Retrieved 2014-01-26.
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