User:JSFarman/sandbox/Empire Distribution 2024

Empire Distribution, Records and Publishing Inc. (stylized as EMPIRE) is an independent American record label, independent distribution companyrecord label founded in 2010 by Ghazi Shami. Based in San Francisco, EMPIRE has offices in New York, London, Lagos, and Johannesburg, and recording studios in San Francisco and New York. Its imprints include Empire Africa, Empire Nashville, and Empire Latino.

Shami, a San Francisco native with a background in music and tech, founded Empire as a digital distribution company focused on hip-hop and rap. Developing software that allowed managers and artists to easily track airplay and sales. Empire paid monthly royalties to artists -- many of whom had not previously earned digital revenue -- and gained early support from within the artist community. In 2014, Ghazi launched the the Empire label, which as of 2024 had released music by artists including Kendrick Lamar, Anderson .Paak, Fat Joe, Tyga, Asake, Fireboy DML, XXXTentacion, Young Dolph, Key Glock, King Von, Tink, Yung Bleu, D Smoke, T-Pain, Snoop Dogg, DRAM, and Cardi B. among others.

2010-2014: Founding, early success
Empire was founded in by Ghazi Shami. Raised in San Francisco, he grew up listening to Bay Area artists such as Too Short, Spice 1, RBL Posse, Souls of Mischief, Luniz, JT the Bigga Figga, and Rappin' 4-Tay. Equally interested in music and technology, in college he worked at the tech companies Sun Microsystems, Eloquent Technologies and Audio Highway; he later worked at Hyde Street Studios, where he engineered and mixed music by artists including Messy Marv, Planet Asia and Too Short. In 2006, he was hired at INgrooves Music Group, an independent distribution and marketing company. While he had written code and built out streaming media since he was a teenager, at INgrooves, he learned about the intricacies of digital distribution, artist contracts, and royalties. Helping to build the company's rap division, he signed DIY artists representative of the Bay Area sound and culture, often introducing them to online revenue streams.

Ghazi founded Empire from his home in the Potrero neighborhood of San Francisco in 2010. In a 2019 interview, he said: "This company wouldn't exist if I wasn’t born and bred in the Bay; in SF and Silicon Valley. This company is as much a software company as it is a music company. It’d be a disservice to the roots, to the origin, to everything that I stand for, if this company wasn't firmly planted or rooted here."

Initially focused on rap, Empire's backend technology circumvented the existing digital distribution system and delivered music directly to streaming and retail platforms quickly,  capturing the viral momentum of  the genre's traditional rapid-fire releases. Contracts were non-exclusive and proprietary software allowed managers and artists to easily track royalties, which were paid monthly.

The company's core practices, in addition to Ghazi's relationships, attracted artists, and as Empire gained traction, Ghazi hired Nima Etminan as his second-in-command. Etminan later became the company's COO.

During the first years of its existence, Empire distributed Sage the Gemini's “Gas Pedal,” Kendrick Lamar’s "Section 80”, Schoolboy Q “Setbacks”, Trinidad James' “All Gold Everything,” and Migos' “Versace”.  By 2012, Empire had more than a dozen hits on the Billboard  charts.

Tina Davis

Hitco

King Von

Tyga-

Empire Latino

Empire Latino

Empire publishing

Empire Afrtica

Detroit

Dirtybird

Empire Distribution, Records and Publishing Inc. (stylized as EMPIRE) is an American distribution company and record label founded in 2010 by Ghazi Shami 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.

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, Rob Run Corleone 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.

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.

Founding
EMPIRE was founded in 2010 by CEO Ghazi Shami, a music technology graduate of San Francisco State University and the former Director of Urban Music at INgrooves. 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, 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.

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 and at #1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart.

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. 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. 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. 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.

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. 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.

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

On January 23, 2023, EMPIRE announced a partnership with Web3 music investment platform Nebula. In June 2023, Tina Davis was named president of Empire.

Grammy Awards

 * || "Out of Many, One Music" (Shaggy) || Best Reggae Album || Nominated
 * || "Strictly Roots" (Morgan Heritage) || Best Reggae Album || Won
 * rowspan="6" | || "Malibu" (Anderson .Paak) || Best New Artist || Nominated
 * "Malibu" (Anderson .Paak) || Best Urban Contemporary Album || Nominated
 * "All The Way Up" (Fat Joe & Remy Ma) || Best Rap Performance || Nominated
 * "All The Way Up" (Fat Joe & Remy Ma) || Best Rap Song || Nominated
 * "Broccoli" (DRAM) || Best Rap/Sung Performance || Nominated
 * "Rose Petals EP" (J Boog) || Best Reggae Album || Nominated
 * "All The Way Up" (Fat Joe & Remy Ma) || Best Rap Performance || Nominated
 * "All The Way Up" (Fat Joe & Remy Ma) || Best Rap Song || Nominated
 * "Broccoli" (DRAM) || Best Rap/Sung Performance || Nominated
 * "Rose Petals EP" (J Boog) || Best Reggae Album || Nominated
 * "Broccoli" (DRAM) || Best Rap/Sung Performance || Nominated
 * "Rose Petals EP" (J Boog) || Best Reggae Album || Nominated
 * "Rose Petals EP" (J Boog) || Best Reggae Album || Nominated
 * "Rose Petals EP" (J Boog) || Best Reggae Album || Nominated

Notable artists

 * 9th Wonder
 * 2nd Nature
 * 50 Cent
 * Aaliyah
 * Ab-Soul
 * A.Chal
 * Adam Lambert
 * Afgan
 * Alexis & Fido
 * Amanda Perez
 * Amber Liu
 * Anderson .Paak
 * Andre Nickatina
 * Asake
 * Bankroll Mafia
 * BabyTron
 * B-Legit
 * Berner
 * B.o.B
 * Bobby V
 * Benny the Butcher
 * Boosie Badazz
 * Black Sherif
 * BONES
 * Brockhampton
 * Busta Rhymes
 * Che’Nelle
 * Chronixx
 * Clyde Carson
 * Crooked I
 * Daz Dillinger
 * DRAM
 * Diamond D
 * Dinah Jane
 * Dizzy Wright
 * DJ Kay Slay
 * DJ Pauly D
 * Doe B
 * Drakeo the Ruler
 * Dounia
 * Dru Hill
 * D Smoke
 * EarthGang
 * Ellise
 * Emilio Rojas
 * Eric Bellinger
 * Ester Dean
 * Fashawn
 * Fireboy DML
 * Flipsyde
 * Freddie Gibbs
 * Glasses Malone
 * Hayley Kiyoko
 * Hopsin
 * Hustle Gang
 * Iamsu!
 * Iggy Azalea
 * Jacquees
 * J Dilla
 * J. Valentine
 * Justina Valentine
 * Jacob Latimore
 * Jake Miller
 * Jarren Benton
 * Jesse Boykins III
 * Jewel
 * Jim Jones
 * Joji
 * Keak Da Sneak
 * Kilo Kish
 * King Von
 * Kizz Daniel
 * Kankan
 * KiDi
 * Konshens
 * Kurupt
 * Kwengface
 * Lamont Sincere
 * Lil Duval
 * Lloyd
 * Lloyd Banks
 * Loote
 * Lyrica Anderson
 * Lucki
 * Mac Dre
 * MAJOR.
 * Mandy Rain
 * Mann
 * Mario
 * Mars
 * Members Only
 * Messy Marv
 * Mingo
 * Mistah F.A.B.
 * Mitchy Slick
 * MO3 (rapper)
 * Mozzy
 * Mack Wilds
 * NIKI
 * Nef the Pharaoh
 * Nefew
 * No Malice
 * Olamide
 * Philthy Rich
 * Pia Mia
 * Phresher
 * PnB Rock
 * Popcaan
 * Problem
 * Pleasure P
 * Raisa
 * Rakeem Miles
 * Rapper Big Pooh
 * Rapsody
 * Rayven Justice
 * Riff Raff
 * RBL Posse
 * Remy Ma
 * Rich Brian
 * Rich Homie Quan
 * Robin Thicke
 * Robyn Ottolini
 * Rocko
 * Robb Banks
 * Rotimi
 * Saba
 * Sean Garrett
 * Sean Kingston
 * Selfish
 * Shaggy
 * Show Banga
 * Skeme
 * Skyzoo & Torae
 * Slim Thug
 * SOB X RBE
 * SpaceGhostPurrp
 * Supa Bwe
 * Starlito
 * Styles P
 * Tank
 * Tenille Arts
 * The Alchemist
 * The Foreign Exchange
 * The Grouch & Eligh
 * The Jacka
 * Trae tha Truth
 * Travis Garland
 * Trevor Jackson
 * Trinidad James
 * Troy Ave
 * Turf Talk
 * Tyra B
 * Tink
 * Victoria Monet
 * WC
 * We Are Toonz
 * Wande Coal
 * XXXTentacion
 * Yaw Tog
 * Young Chop
 * Young Dolph
 * Yung Beef
 * Yung Bleu
 * Zion I
 * Zion y Lennox
 * Z-Ro

Notable singles

 * 2011
 * Kendrick Lamar – "A.D.H.D"
 * 2012
 * Hopsin – "Ill Mind of Hopsin 5"
 * Trinidad James – "All Gold Everything"
 * 2013
 * 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
 * Rich Homie Quan – "Walk Thru"
 * Sage The Gemini – "Gas Pedal"
 * 2015
 * D.R.A.M. – "Cha Cha"
 * Jermaine Dupri – "WYA" ft. Bow Wow
 * Kane Brown – "Used to Love You Sober"
 * Nef the Pharaoh – "Big Tymin’"
 * Puff Daddy – "Finna Get Loose" ft. Pharrell
 * Popcaan – "Never Sober"
 * Rich Homie Quan – "Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh)"
 * Tyga – "Stimulated"
 * 2016
 * Fat Joe & Remy Ma – "All The Way Up" ft. French Montana & Jay-Z (Remix)
 * Lloyd – "Tru"
 * Luke Nasty – "OTW"
 * 2018
 * Mario – "Drowning"
 * Tyga - "Taste" ft. Offset
 * Dinah Jane - "Bottled Up" ft. Ty Dolla Sign and Marc E. Bassy
 * 2019
 * Adam Lambert - "Feel Something"
 * Iggy Azalea - "Sally Walker"
 * Adam Lambert - "New Eyes"
 * Free Nationals - "Beauty & Essex" ft. Daniel Caesar & Unknown Mortal Orchestra
 * 2020
 * King Von - "Took Her to the O"
 * Young Dolph - "RNB" ft. Megan Thee Stallion
 * Busta Rhymes - "YUUUU" with Anderson .Paak
 * T.I. - "Pardon" ft. Lil Baby
 * French Montana - "Double G" ft. Pop Smoke
 * King Von - "The Code" ft. Polo G
 * Rich The Kid & YoungBoy Never Broke Again - "Bankroll"
 * Yung Bleu - "You're Mines Still" ft. Drake
 * Shapiro - "Fast Pace"
 * Shapiro - "Red Handed"
 * 2021
 * 50 Cent - "Part of the Game" ft. NLE Choppa and Rileyy Lanez
 * French Montana - "Hot Boy Bling" ft. Jack Harlow and Lil Durk
 * Fat Joe - "Sunshine" (The Light) with DJ Amorphous
 * Busta Rhymes - "Czar" ft. M.O.P. and CJ
 * Yung Bleu - "Ghetto Love Birds" with A Boogie Wit da Hoodie
 * Shapiro - "Never Change"
 * Shelley FKA DRAM - "All Pride Aside" with Summer Walker
 * T-Pain - "I Like Dat" with Kehlani
 * OG Parker, Chris Brown - Rain Down ft. Latto and Layton Greene
 * Yung Bleu - "Baddest" with Chris Brown and 2 Chainz
 * Tyga - "Mrs. Bubblegum"
 * Sean Kingston - "Love Is Wonderful" ft. Travis Barker
 * 2023
 * Majeeed and Tiwa Savage - "Gbese"