| Epic Records | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Parent company | Sony Music Entertainment (SME) (1987–2004, 2008–present) Previous: Columbia Records (1953–1987) Sony BMG (2004–2008) |
| Founded | 1953; 73 years ago (1953) |
| Founder | Columbia Records |
| Distributor | Sony Music Entertainment |
| Genre | Various |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Location | New York City |
| Official website | epicrecords |
Epic Records is an Americanrecord label owned bySony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of JapaneseconglomerateSony. The label was founded predominantly as ajazz andclassical music label in 1953, but later expanded its scope to include a more diverse range of genres, includingpop,R&B,rock, andhip-hop. Epic Records' current artists roster includesTravis Scott,Future,21 Savage,Tyla,Meghan Trainor,André 3000,Tori Kelly,Beam,Bia,Judas Priest,Sade,Lamb of God,Coi Leray,DDG,Zara Larsson,Doe Boy,Eddie Benjamin,Fiona Apple,Giveon,Headie One,Mariah the Scientist,Mario,Real Boston Richey,Sara Bareilles,ScarLip,Yolanda Adams,Tom Walker, andwill.i.am.[1]
Epic Records was launched in 1953 by theColumbia Records unit ofCBS, for the purpose of marketingjazz,pop, andclassical music that did not fit the theme of its more mainstream Columbia Records label. Initial classical music releases were fromPhilips Records which distributed Columbia product in Europe.[2] Pop talent on co-ownedOkeh Records were transferred to Epic which made Okeh arhythm and blues label.[3] Epic's bright-yellow, black, and blue logo became a familiar trademark for many jazz and classical releases. This has included such notables as theBerlin Philharmonic,Charles Rosen, theJuilliard String Quartet,Antal Doráti conducting the Hague Philharmonic, andGeorge Szell conducting theCleveland Orchestra.
By 1960, Epic became better known for signing newer, fledgling acts. By the end of the 1960s, Epic earned its first gold records and had evolved into a formidable hit-making force inrock and roll,R&B andcountry music. Among its many acts, it includedRoy Hamilton,Bobby Vinton,the Dave Clark Five,the Hollies,Tammy Wynette,Donovan,the Yardbirds,Lulu,July,Helen Shapiro,Cliff Richard, andJeff Beck. Several of the British artists on the Epic roster during the 1960s were the result of CBS's Epic/Okeh units' 1962 international distribution deal withEMI; Epic recordings were issued via this arrangement by EMI on theColumbia label. Other British artists appearing on Epic were a result of signings to the new UK CBS affiliate formed after the acquisition ofOriole Records (UK) in August 1964.
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 formedCrosby, Stills & Nash wanted to sign withAtlantic Records,Ahmet Ertegun worked out a deal withClive Davis wherebyRichie Furay's new bandPoco (having signed with Atlantic due to Furay's contract from being inBuffalo Springfield) would sign with Epic.[4]
During the 1960s, Epic oversaw the smallersubsidiary CBS labels including Okeh Records andDate Records. In 1968, Epic recordings began being distributed in the UK by CBS after the distribution deal with EMI expired that year;[5] Epic itself launched in England around 1971.[6]
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.[7]
In 2004, Sony merged with music distributorBMG, bringingArista Records, Columbia Records, Epic Records,J Records,Jive Records,RCA Records, andZomba Group of Companies to one parent company known asSony BMG Music Entertainment.[8] 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 theEuropean Union in 2009.[9]
In 1983, John Hammond Sr. signed Stevie Ray Vaughan to Epic Records.Epic Soundtrax was founded as a film soundtrack label in 1992. It was central to Epic's 1990s success, with 11 soundtrack releases cumulatively selling more than 40 million records over a three-year period. Notable releases included soundtrack albums forHoneymoon in Vegas,Singles,Sleepless in Seattle,Forrest Gump,Philadelphia, andJudgment Night.[10][11]
In 1999,Jennifer Lopez released her debut albumOn the 6 (as part ofWORK Group), which was a critical and commercial success, going-on to sell over 8 million copies worldwide.[12] Lopez's sophomore album,J.Lo (2001), experienced similar—if not greater—success, initially selling over 8 million copies worldwide, and gaining multi-platinum status under Epic Records.[13] The record spawned several international and domestic hits, including "Love Don't Cost a Thing", "I'm Real", "Play", and "Ain't it Funny". With her second album, Lopez became the first female solo artist, under the record company, to reach the number one spot on theBillboard 200.[14] The 2002 remix albumJ 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 theBillboard 200, and became the fourth best selling remix album of all time, behind albums by fellow Epic artistMichael Jackson,Madonna andthe Beatles.[15] Furthermore, in the second week at number-one for the remix album, Lopez's remixed singleAin't It Funny (Murder Remix) (withJa Rule), was also number one, making Lopez the only artist in history to have a number one remix album and single in the same week.[16] Lopez's third studio album, released in late 2002, was also a success, titledThis is me... Then; the record sold 6 million copies worldwide and peaked at the second spot of theBillboard 200.[17] Lopez's first full-length Spanish debut,Como Ama Una Mujer, became the first Spanish-language debut album to enter the top 10 of theBillboard 200,[17] and has sold 1 million copies worldwide. This was Lopez's final studio album under Epic Records before her move toIsland Def Jam andCapitol Records; she released her first greatest hits compilation,Dance Again... The Hits, gaining critical success.[18]
In February 2009,Sony Music Group chairmanRob Stringer appointed singer-songwriterAmanda Ghost as president of Epic.[19] Ghost, who had successfully promotedJames Blunt to Grammy Award-winning status,[20] was an unconventional and controversial choice for president because she had no corporate executive experience.[21] She was expected to reverse the trend of declining sales at Epic by promoting the label's newer and mid-tier artists such asAugustana.[20] Stringer also merged Epic and Columbia to form theColumbia/Epic Label Group in 2009, with himself as acting chairman. Ghost scored hit records forthe Fray,Modest Mouse,Matisyahu andSean Kingston.[22] However, she delayed the scheduled release ofShakira's albumShe Wolf by insisting that the album contain another song – "Give It Up to Me" featuringLil Wayne and uncreditedTimbaland. This delay probably causedShe Wolf to perform less well in the market. Epic staff members described Ghost as "abrasive" and a "loose cannon". She was fired in October 2010, with Stringer apologizing for his mistake: "I owe the people at Epic..."[20]
In July 2011,L.A. Reid became the CEO of Epic Records, signing artists such asTLC,Toni Braxton,Cher Lloyd,Avril Lavigne,Outkast,Future,Yo Gotti,Ciara,Meghan Trainor,DJ Khaled, andTravis Scott.[23][24] Epic also signed the winners ofThe X Factor during the seasons that Reid appeared on the show.[25]
In February 2012, Epic Records signed experimental hip-hop/punk rap trio,Death Grips, under the recommendation of, then executive vice president of marketing,Angelica Cob-Baehler. They released their, arguably, most commercially successful albumThe Money Store (album) in April 2012. They were later dropped from the label following conflict due to cancelling a tour to work on their next album,No Love Deep Web, and releasing it for legal download onPeer-to-peer connection site,BitTorrent, to bypass Epic Records' desire to release it in 2013.
In 2013,Sylvia Rhone, former president ofUniversal Motown, launched the imprint Vested In Culture through Epic Records. A year later,she was named president of Epic.[26][27][28]
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 toTimbaland's previous co-collaboration with Reid on Michael Jackson's posthumous album,Xscape. Previously operated byInterscope, most of MMG's roster moved to Epic.[29]
In 2015,Def Jam Recordings parted ways withMariah Carey and Carey reunited with Reid at Epic. She had worked with Reid at Def Jam underThe Island Def Jam Music Group in 2004. Carey's deals with both Def Jam and Epic were at a fraction of the $80 million deal Carey had previously signed withVirgin Records; Virgin later rescinded that deal after poor sales.[30][31] That same month, it was announced that R&B groupJodeci had signed to the label and planned to release their first studio album in 20 years.[32][33]
Wondaland Records, singerJanelle Monáe's imprint, entered into a joint venture with Epic in 2015.[34] Acts on Wondaland includeJidenna,St. Beauty,Deep Cotton andRoman GianArthur.[35]
In 2016,Jennifer Lopez returned to Sony Music, six years after leaving in favor ofIsland Def Jam andCapitol Records. Lopez's multi-album deal reunited her with Reid, whom she signed with at Island Def Jam in 2010.[36]
In January 2017,21 Savage signed to Epic.[37] On May 11, 2017, it was announced that Reid would exit as the label's CEO.[38] Following his exit, it was reported that Reid had been accused of sexual harassment by multiple Epic employees.[39][40]
On April 23, 2019, it was announced that Rhone had been appointed asChair and CEO of the label.[41] In April 2023, Sony Music UK announced the relaunch of Epic Records UK as one of their frontline labels, with former publishing executive Sarah Lockhart appointed as president.[42]
Unlike sister label Columbia, Epic has gone through five different logos. Some logos were temporarily revived for period reissues. The years shown below list the time served as the label's primary logo.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| Other | |
