Epic Records

Epic Records is an American record label owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, the North American division of Japanese conglomerate Sony. The label was founded predominantly as a jazz and classical music label in 1953, but later expanded its scope to include a more diverse range of genres, including pop, R&B, rock, and hip hop. Epic Records has released music by major artists including Bobby Vinton, Glenn Miller, Tammy Wynette, George Michael, The Yardbirds, Donovan, Shakin Stevens, Europe, Cheap Trick, Meat Loaf, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Ted Nugent, Shakira, Sly & the Family Stone, The Hollies, Celine Dion, ABBA, Culture Club, Boston, The Dave Clark Five, Gloria Estefan, Pearl Jam, Rage Against the Machine, Ginuwine, Jennifer Lopez and Michael Jackson.[1] Along with Arista, Columbia and RCA Records, Epic is one of Sony Music Entertainment's four flagship record labels.
Artists who have signed to Epic Records include Mudvayne, Fuel, Fiona Apple, Sara Bareilles, Mariah Carey, Future, Fifth Harmony, Zara Larsson, Jennifer Hudson, Keyshia Cole, Franz Ferdinand, Revis, Outkast, Bella Thorne, Ozzy Osbourne, Judas Priest, Cheyenne Kimball, Busta Rhymes, Verbow, Rick Ross, 21 Savage, Bernard Butler, Travis Scott, DJ Khaled, Silverchair, French Montana, Ultraspank, Meghan Trainor, Camila Cabello, Wrabel, Swizz Beatz, Pearl Jam, The Black Eyed Peas and Louis Tomlinson.[2]
==History==
===Beginnings===
Epic Records was launched in 1953 by the Columbia Records unit of CBS for the purpose of marketing jazz, pop and classical music that did not fit the theme of its more mainstream Columbia Records label. Initial classical music releases were from Philips Records which distributed Columbia product in Europe.[3] Pop talent on co-owned Okeh Records were transferred to Epic which made Okeh a rhythm and blues label.[4] Epic's bright-yellow, black, and blue logo became a familiar trademark for many jazz and classical releases. This has included such notables as the Berlin Philharmonic, Charles Rosen, the Juilliard String Quartet, Antal Doráti conducting the Hague Philharmonic and George Szell conducting the Cleveland Orchestra.
===Expansion of genres and mainstream success===
By 1960, Epic became better known for its signing of 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 rock and roll, R&B and country music. Among its many acts, it included Roy Hamilton, Bobby Vinton, The Dave Clark Five, The Hollies, Tammy Wynette, Donovan, The Yardbirds, Lulu, July, Helen Shapiro and Jeff Beck. Several of the British artists on the Epic roster during the 1960s were the result of CBS's Epic/Okeh units' international distribution deal with EMI; Epic recordings were issued by EMI on the Columbia label.
Epic was involved in a notable "trade" of artists. Graham Nash was signed to Epic because of his membership in The Hollies. When the newly formed Crosby, Stills & Nash wanted to sign with Atlantic Records, Ahmet Ertegun worked out a deal with Clive Davis whereby Richie Furay's new band Poco (having signed with Atlantic due to Furay's contract from being in Buffalo Springfield) would sign with Epic.[5]
Epic's commercial success continued to grow in the 1970s with releases from ABBA (in the UK), Boston, Cheap Trick, The Clash, Charlie Daniels, Gabriel, Heart, Heatwave, The Isley Brothers, The Jacksons, George Jones, Labelle, Meat Loaf, Johnny Nash, Ted Nugent, REO Speedwagon, Minnie Riperton, Pegasus, Charlie Rich, Sly & the Family Stone, Steve Vai, and Edgar Winter. Also contributing to the label's success was its distribution of Philadelphia International Records, which produced additional hit records by acts such as The Three Degrees and McFadden and Whitehead.[6]
===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;[7] Epic itself launched in England around 1971.[8]
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.[9]
In 2004, Sony merged with music distributor BMG, bringing Arista Records, Columbia Records, Epic Records, J Records, Jive Records, RCA Records, and Zomba Group of Companies to one parent company known as Sony BMG Music Entertainment.[10] In 2008, Sony bought out BMG for $1.2 billion, bringing all affiliated labels together as Sony Music Entertainment International, SMEI. The merger was approved by the European Union in 2009.[11]
===1980s–2010 & present===
Epic's 1980s and 1990s mainstream success were fueled by its signing and releasing of albums by notable acts such as Michael Jackson, Culture Club, the Miami Sound Machine and Gloria Estefan, Wham! and George Michael, Adam Ant, Living Colour, Incubus, Dead or Alive, Europe, Cyndi Lauper, Ozzy Osbourne, Korn, Pearl Jam, Sade, Luther Vandross, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Rage Against the Machine, Céline Dion, Ginuwine, and Oasis among others. Michael Jackson's "Thriller " was the best-selling album of all time. Another one of the label's greatest financial payoffs came via George Michael's debut solo album “Faith” which is estimated to have sold 30 million copies worldwide. “Faith” also received many awards including the Grammy for album of the year as-well as 3 American music awards.
Epic Soundtrax was founded in 1992. It was central to Epic's 1990s success, with 11 releases cumulatively selling more than 40 million records over a three-year period. Notable releases included soundtrack albums for Honeymoon in Vegas, Singles, Sleepless in Seattle, Forrest Gump, Philadelphia, and Judgement Night.[12][13]
in 1999, Jennifer Lopez released her debut album, On the 6, as part of WORK Group which was a critical and commercial success going on to sell over 8 million copies worldwide [14]. Lopez's sophomore album J.Lo, experienced similar success in which over 8 million copies were sold worldwide in 2001, gaining multi-platinum status under Epic Records [15]. With this album, Lopez became the first female solo artist under the record company to reach the number one spot on the Billboard 200[16]. The 2002 remix album J TO THA L-O! The Remixes, which served as a follow up to Lopez's sophomore effort, was the first remix album to debut at number one on the Billboard 200, and became the fourth best selling remix album of all time, behind Michael Jackson (fellow Epic Records artist), Madonna and The Beatles[17]. What's more is, in the second week at number one for the remix album, Lopez's remix single Ain't It Funny (Murder Remix), was also number one, making Lopez the only artist in history to have a number one remix album and single in the same week[18]. Lopez's third studio album, released in late 2002 which was also a success, This is me... Then, sold 6 million copies worldwide and peaked at the second spot of the Billboard 200[19]. . Lopez's first full-length Spanish debut, Como Ama Una Mujer, became the first Spanish-language debut album to enter the top 10 of the Billboard 200[20], and has sold 1 million copies worldwide. This was Lopez's final studio album under Epic Records before her move to Island Def Jam and Capitol, until she released her first greatest hits compilation, Dance Again... The Hits, gaining critical success[21].
===2011–present===
In July 2011, L.A. Reid became the CEO of Epic Records, signing artists such as TLC, Toni Braxton, Cher Lloyd, Avril Lavigne, Outkast, Future, Yo Gotti, Ciara, Meghan Trainor, DJ Khaled and Travis Scott.[22][23] Epic also signed the winners of The X Factor during the seasons that Reid appeared on the show.[24]
In 2013, Sylvia Rhone, former president of Universal Motown, launched the imprint Vested In Culture through Epic Records. A year later, she was named president of the label.[25][26][27]
In November 2014, Mosley Music Group created a joint venture with Sony Music, with marketing, publicity, distribution and overall label services provided by Epic. The joint venture was created due to Timbaland's previous collaboration with L.A. Reid on Michael Jackson's posthumous album, Xscape. Previously operated by Interscope, most of MMG's roster moved to Epic.[28]
In 2015, Mariah Carey left her former label Def Jam Recordings to reunite with Reid at Epic. He had worked with Carey at Def Jam under The Island Def Jam Music Group in 2004.[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, Jennifer Lopez returned to Sony Music, six years after leaving in favor of Island Def Jam and Capitol Records. Lopez's multi-album deal reunited her with Reid, whom she signed with at Island Def Jam in 2010.[35]
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 Chair and CEO of the label.[40]
==Formerly affiliated labels==
*550 Music (1993–2000)
*Blue Sky (1974–1982)
*Caribou Records (1976–1985)
*Cold Chillin' Records (1993–1998)
*Date Records (1960s)
*Duble Kick Entertainment (2010–present)
*Epic Records Nashville (? – May 2006)
*Epic Soundtrax (1992–1997)
*Epic Street (1993–1998)
*Cleveland International Records (1976–1983)
*CTI Records (1980)
*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–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–present)
*T-Neck Records (1972–1984)
*Tabu Records (1978–1991)
*The WORK Group (1994–1999)
*Virgin Records (1976–1978, 1982–1986)
==Artists==
Main article: List of Epic Records artists
==Logos==
Unlike sister label Columbia, Epic went through five different logos since its launch. Some logos were temporarily revived for period reissues. The years shown below list the time served as the label's primary logo.
*Classic radial sound sunburst logo, 1953–1973, 1998–2005
*Big "E" logo, 1973–1978
*Script logo, late 1978–1991, 2005–2011, 2015–present
*Stacked-record logo, 1991–1998
*Red print logo, 2011–2015
==See also==
*Epic Records Japan (Japanese branch of Epic Records)
*List of record labels
==References==
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*Halperin, Shirley (November 17, 2010). "Who Destroyed Epic Records?". Billboard. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
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*"Epic Records - Artists". epicrecords.com. Retrieved January 27, 2017.
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*Billboard - Google Books. Books.google.com (1953-09-19). Retrieved on 2013-07-16.
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*Billboard - Google Books. Books.google.com. September 19, 1953. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
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*Robert Greenfield. The Last Sultan: The Life and Times of Ahmet Ertegun. Simon and Schuster. 2011. 202-3.
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*"Epic Records timeline". World History Project. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
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*Billboard - Google Books. Books.google.com. May 11, 1968. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
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*EPIC
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*Barker, Michael (July 25, 1992). "Sony Germany Music Splitting Marketing Division". Billboard. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
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*Phillips, Chuck (July 20, 2004). "Merger of Sony, BMG Music Labels Wins Endorsement of European Commission". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
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*Wray, Richard (August 8, 2009). "Sony Buys Bertelsmann Out of Sony BMG". The Guardian. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
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*Lei, Richard (September 11, 1994). "IN HOLLYWOOD: A SONIC BOOM". Washington Post. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
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*Rosen, Craig (July 11, 1992). "There's Sizzle in Summer Soundtracks". Billboard. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
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*Bozza, Anthony; Bozza, Anthony (February 15, 2001). "Jennifer the Conqueror". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
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*Powers, Ann (May 11, 2011). "The Return of J. Lo: How did this happen?". Slate Magazine. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
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*Inc, Nielsen Business Media (February 10, 2001). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.
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*"Jennifer Lopez Biography Page". web.archive.org. March 12, 2007. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
*
*"J. Lo Nabs Double No. 1s". Billboard. February 28, 2002. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
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*Lambert, Molly (June 16, 2014). "Why Is Jennifer Lopez's 'A.K.A.' Poised to Flop?". Grantland. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
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*Lambert, Molly (June 16, 2014). "Why Is Jennifer Lopez's 'A.K.A.' Poised to Flop?". Grantland. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
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*Dance Again...The Hits by Jennifer Lopez, retrieved June 15, 2020
*
*"Outkast, Ciara Headed for L.A. Reid's Epic Records, Sources Say". Billboard.biz. September 15, 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.
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*'X Factor' Has Glitzy Premiere, Complete With Simon-Paula Bickering. Billboard (2011-09-15). Retrieved on 2013-07-16.
*
*"It's Official: Sylvia Rhone to Run New Label Through Epic | Billboard". Billboard.biz. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
*
*Mitchell, Gail (February 5, 2013). "Exclusive: Sylvia Rhone Talks New Label Vested in Culture". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
*
*Mitchell, Gail (March 19, 2014). "Sylvia Rhone Appointed President of Epic Records". The Hollywood Reporter.
*
*"Timbaland's Mosley Music Group Is Joining Forces With L.A. Reid (Thanks to Michael Jackson)". 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.
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*"Jodeci Debuts New Single "Every Moment"". epicrecords.com. Epic Records. Archived from the original on 6 February 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
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*"Jodeci Inks Deal With Epic Records For Comeback Album". singersroom.com. Singers Room. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
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*"Janelle Monae inks Joint Venture with Epic Records". theurbandaily.com. 2015. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
*
*"Janelle Monae's Wondaland Records And Epic Records Launch Landmark Joint Venture Partnership". prnewswire.com. 2015. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
*
*Billboard Staff (2 March 2016). "Jennifer Lopez Signs New Deal With Epic Records". Billboard. United States. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
*
*http://www.thefader.com/2017/01/18/21-savage-epic-drake-deeper-than-rap
*
*Rys, Dan (May 11, 2017). "L.A. Reid Out at Epic Records". Billboard. United States: Valence Media. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
*
*Halperin, Shirley; Halperin, Shirley (May 15, 2017). "Sony Music Executive L.A. Reid Accused of Sexual Harassment". Variety. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
*
*Karp, Hannah (May 14, 2017). "L.A. Reid's Epic Records Exit Followed Allegations by Female Staffer". Billboard. United States: Valence Media. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
*
#Schneider, Marc (April 23, 2019). "Epic Records Names Sylvia Rhone Chairman and CEO". Billboard. United States: Valence Media. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
==External links==
*Official website 
*Sony Music, Parent Company of Epic
*Epic Records album discography, 1962–1970
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