Aftermath Entertainment

American record labelTemplate:SHORTDESC:American record label

**Aftermath Entertainment** is an American record label founded by hip hop producer and rapper Dr. Dre. It operates as a subsidiary of, and is distributed through, Interscope Records.

Current acts include Dr. Dre himself, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Anderson .Paak and Silk Sonic, with former acts including 50 Cent, The Game, Busta Rhymes and many others.

## History

Upon his departure from Death Row Records on March 22, 1996, Dr. Dre quickly launched Aftermath Entertainment through Interscope Records. It was founded as a "boutique label" that prides itself on "quality over quantity", focusing on small numbers of high-profile releases.

*Dr. Dre Presents: The Aftermath* was released towards the year's end featuring artists who were amongst the label's first signees. In the autumn of 1997, Aftermath released the only collaborative project by hip hop supergroup The Firm (composed of Nas, Foxy Brown, AZ and Nature). Despite the highly anticipated album featuring production and cameo appearances by Dr. Dre himself, debuting atop the *Billboard* 200 and being certified platinum, it sold below commercial expectation. The group subsequently disbanded.

Upon recommendation from Interscope head Jimmy Iovine, Dr. Dre signed Eminem on March 9, 1998. The following year (1999), Eminem's major-label debut album, *The Slim Shady LP* was released. The album debuted at number two on the *Billboard* 200 and number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, went on to be certified quadruple platinum, and arguably became the label's first successful album release. Also in 1999, Aftermath released *2001*, Dr. Dre's follow-up to his 1992 album, *The Chronic*. The album went on to be certified six-times-platinum.

Several more artists were signed to, and later dropped from Aftermath, including Hittman and Rakim due to production conflicts. Legal troubles forced singer Truth Hurts to subsequently get dropped from the label after her album's release.

In 2002, New York City rapper 50 Cent signed to Aftermath by Dr. Dre after signing to Interscope through Eminem's Shady Records. 50 Cent's major-label debut album *Get Rich or Die Tryin'* was released on February 6, 2003 through Interscope, Shady, and Aftermath. *Get Rich Or Die Tryin'*  featured production from Dr. Dre, who also executive produced the album. Highly anticipated and anchored by the success of the singles *21 Questions* and *If I Can't*, the album debuted at number one the Billboard Top 200. Selling 872,000 copies in its first week, the album went on to be certified 9× Platinum in America in 2020.

The Game, who signed with the label in 2003, also released his debut album *The Documentary* through a joint venture with G-Unit Records in 2005. Shortly after the release of *The Documentary*, tension between The Game and 50 Cent ignited, resulting in The Game leaving Aftermath in 2006.

Busta Rhymes was also signed and released one album before later being dropped from the label due to conflict with Interscope head, Iovine. His album, then titled *Blessed*, since retitled *Back on My B.S.*, was to be released on Aftermath. It was later reported that when he signed a deal with Universal Motown, the album would be released on his label, Flipmode Entertainment, through his Universal Motown deal. Stat Quo was also released from the label in 2008, citing differences in direction.

In January 2010, it was revealed that Bishop Lamont had left the label due to the repeated delay of his debut, *The Reformation*, while long time Aftermath R&B singer, Marsha Ambrosius, had also left the label.

On March 8, 2012, it was announced that Kendrick Lamar had officially signed with the label.

On October 15, 2013, Jon Connor announced his signing to Aftermath during the 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards.

On February 20, 2014, 50 Cent announced his departure from his Interscope record deal which included his deal with Aftermath and Shady.

On August 7, 2015, Dr. Dre released his latest album, *Compton.*

In August 2022, the Dr. Dre produced the remix of Kanye West’s song Use This Gospel, a collaboration between DJ Khaled, Eminem and West, went on to feature on Khaled's thirtheeth studio album, God Did. The song was co-produced by Dre’s team, The ICU, whom he named so after his brain aneurysm diagnosis. The team is composed of Dawaun Parker, Dem Jointz, Erik "Blu2th" Griggs, Focus..., Fredwreck and Mark Batson among others. The remix reached the top position on both the US Christian Songs and Gospel Songs charts, earning Khaled and Eminem their first #1 on the charts and West his fifth.

## Artists

### Current acts

 Eminem | 1998
 Kendrick Lamar | 2012
 Anderson .Paak | 2016
 Silk Sonic | 2021

### Current producers

* Dawaun Parker
* Dem Jointz
* DJ Khalil
* Erik "Blu2th" Griggs
* Focus...
* Fredwreck
* Mark Batson

### Former producers

* Bud'da
* Che Pope
* Chris "The Glove" Taylor
* Hi-Tek
* Melvin "Mel-Man" Bradford
* Mike Elizondo
* Scott Storch
* Taz Arnold

## Discography

### Compilation albums

* Chart positions: #6 U.S.
 *The Wash* | * Released: November 6, 2001
* Chart positions: #19 U.S.
 Eminem | *Curtain Call: The Hits* (released with Shady) | * Released: December 6, 2005
* Chart positions: #1 U.S.
 Kendrick Lamar | *Untitled Unmastered* (released with Top Dawg) | * Released: March 4, 2016
* Chart positions: #1 U.S.
 50 Cent | *Best of 50 Cent*(released with Shady) | * Released: March 31, 2017
* Chart position: #119 U.S.
 Various Artists
* Chart positions: #1 U.S.
 Eminem
* Chart positions: #6 U.S.
* RIAA certification: —

## References

1. ↑ Interview With Angelo Sander. HitQuarters (December 19, 2005).
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Gold & Platinum: Searchable Database – The Firm". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 29, 2010.
3. ↑ XXL Staff (2008-02-05). The #8 Biggest Moment: Eminem Signs To Aftermath. XXL Magazine.
4. ↑ Truth Hurts. Aftermath Entertainment (November 10, 2008).
5. ↑ 50 Cent Parts Ways with Interscope Records, Signs Independent Deal with Caroline/Capitol/UMG.
6. ↑ Starbury, Allen (January 30, 2009). Busta Rhymes Clears Up Rumors Of Argument With Jimmy Iovine. *BallerStatus.com*.
7. ↑ Jokesta (September 18, 2008). Busta Rhymes Inks New Deal, Jay Z Starts Yet Another Label? Template:Webarchive DefSounds. Accessed September 18, 2008.
8. ↑ Stat Quo To Release "300-400" Unreleased Dr. Dre Tracks Template:Webarchive. HipHopDX.com. Accessed December 26, 2021.
9. ↑ Aftermath Music dot com | Dr. Dre Eminem 50 Cent Busta Rhymes Stat Quo Eve Bishop Lamont G.A.G.E..
10. ↑ In Her Own Words: Marsha Ambrosius on signing to J Records + New Album. *SoulCulture*.
11. ↑ Horowitz, Steven J. (2012-03-08). Kendrick Lamar & Black Hippy Sign To Aftermath & Interscope. HipHop DX.
12. ↑ Jon Connor's Record Deal With Dr. Dre Isn't About The Money. *MTV News*.
13. ↑ Keith Nelson Jr (2014-02-20). 50 Cent Leaves Interscope Records, New Album Coming June 3rd. AllHipHop.com.
14. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>"Dr. Dre Announces New Album Compton: The Soundtrack, Explains Why Detox Never Came Out". *Stereogum*. August 1, 2015. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
15. ↑ Top Christian Music Songs – September 10, 2022. *Billboard*.
16. ↑ Watch Dr. Dre Welcome Anderson .Paak to Aftermath Roster (January 31, 2016).
17. ↑ Rakim Signs With Dr. Dre's Aftermath Records. *MTV.com* (October 27, 2000).
18. ↑ Caroline (2014-02-20). 50 Cent And G-Unit Records Sign Exclusive Worldwide Distribution Agreement. PR Newswire.
19. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
20. ↑ Aftermath Music dot com | Dr. Dre Eminem 50 Cent Busta Rhymes Stat Quo Eve Bishop Lamont G.A.G.E..
21. ↑ Reid, Shaheem (2009-12-09). Timbaland Teams With Dr. Dre To Introduce Detroit MC Hayes - Music, Celebrity, Artist News. MTV.
22. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
23. ↑ Here's How You Shake Up The Digital Content Game: Partner With Kanye West's Powerful, Secret Weapon (en) (March 24, 2017).
24. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
25. ↑ Taz Arnold: rocking his look and label, one at a time (January 11, 2009).
26. ↑ Taz Arnold: Your favorite producers favorite producer (July 14, 2010).
27. ↑ Billboard, "[[[:Template:BillboardURLbyName]] Nas, Foxy Brown, AZ, and Nature Present The Firm: The Album]" *Billboard.com*
28. ↑ Billboard, [[[:Template:BillboardURLbyName]] "The Slim Shady LP"]. Billboard.com.
29. ↑ RIAA – Searchable Database: Slim Shady. Recording Industry Association of America.
30. ↑ Billboard, "[[[:Template:BillboardURLbyName]] 2001]" *Billboard.com*
31. ↑ "Gold &Platinum: Searchable Database – Dr. Dre 2001". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
32. ↑ Billboard, [[[:Template:BillboardURLbyName]] "The Marshall Mathers LP"]. Billboard.com.
33. ↑ RIAA – Searchable Database: Marshall Mathers. Recording Industry Association of America.
34. ↑ Billboard, [[[:Template:BillboardURLbyName]] "The Eminem Show"]. Billboard.com.
35. ↑ RIAA – Searchable Database: Eminem Show. Recording Industry Association of America.
36. ↑ Billboard, "[[[:Template:BillboardURLbyName]] Truthfully Speaking]" *Billboard.com*
37. ↑ Billboard, "[[[:Template:BillboardURLbyName]] Get Rich or Die Tryin']" *Billboard.com*
38. ↑ Gold & Platinum (en-US).
39. ↑ Billboard, "[[[:Template:BillboardURLbyName]] Encore]" *Billboard.com*
40. ↑ RIAA – Searchable Database: Encore. Recording Industry Association of America.
41. ↑ James Montgomery, 2005-01-26, "Straight Outta Compton, Straight To #1: The Game Tops Albums Chart Template:Webarchive" *VH1.com*
42. ↑ "Gold & Platinum: Searchable Database – The Documentary" Template:Webarchive. Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 3, 2010.
43. ↑ Billboard, "[[[:Template:BillboardURLbyName]] The Massacre]" *Billboard.com*
44. ↑ "Gold & Platinum: Searchable Database – The Massacre" Template:Webarchive. Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
45. ↑ [[[:Template:BillboardURLbyName]] "The Big Bang - Busta Rhymes"]. Billboard.com. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
46. ↑ "Gold & Platinum: Searchable Database – The Big Bang" Template:Webarchive. Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
47. ↑ Geoff Mayfield (September 18, 2007). Kanye Crushes 50 Cent in Huge Album Sales Week. *Billboard*. Accessed December 26, 2021.
48. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Crosley, Hillary (July 12, 2008). "Music industry insiders find upside in album leaks". *Reuters*. Reuters Group. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
49. ↑ RIAA – Searchable Database: Relapse. Recording Industry Association of America.
50. ↑ "Gold & Platinum: Searchable Database" Template:Webarchive. Recording Industry Association of America.
51. ↑ RIAA – Searchable Database: Recovery. Recording Industry Association of America.
52. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>"Gold & Platinum - RIAA". *RIAA*. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
53. ↑ Gold & Platinum.
54. ↑ "Revival RIAA certification". *RIAA*. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
55. ↑ "Kamikaze RIAA certification". *RIAA*. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
56. ↑ Billboard, "[[[:Template:BillboardURLbyName]] Dr. Dre Presents: The Aftermath]" *Billboard.com*
57. ↑ "Gold & Platinum: Searchable Database – Dr. Dre Presents: the Aftermath". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
58. ↑ Billboard, "[[[:Template:BillboardURLbyName]] The Wash Soundtrack]" *Billboard.com*
59. ↑ RIAA – Searchable Database: The Wash. Recording Industry Association of America.
60. ↑ Billboard, [[[:Template:BillboardURLbyName]] "Curtain Call: The Hits"]. Billboard.com.
61. ↑ RIAA – Searchable Database: Curtain Call. Recording Industry Association of America.
62. ↑ Black Panther The Album Music From And Inspired By Kendrick Lamar, SZA.

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