| Next Plateau Entertainment | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Parent company | Universal Music Group |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Founder | Eddie O'Loughlin |
| Distributor(s) | independent distribution (1982-1996) Roadrunner Records (1996-2000) Universal Motown Republic (2000-2012) Republic Records (2012-present) |
| Genre | Various |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Location | New York City, New York |
| Official website | NextPlateauEnt.com |
Next Plateau Entertainment (formerlyNext Plateau Records) is an Americanrecord label that currently operates in association withRepublic Records.
1980s
New York City-based independent label Next Plateau Records began in the early 1980s and ultimately became a successful independent label. Writers and producers signed to the record company include John Robie, who produced C-bank’s single, “One More Shot”. The company also signed the female rap actSalt-N-Pepa, who went on to score several hits on the US Hot 100 including the songs "Push It" andShake Your Thang, andfreestyle act Sweet Sensation, which had a hit with the song “I’m Hooked On You”.
1990s
During the 1990s Next Plateau had several hits on the American charts and some international charts with Paperboy’s “Ditty”; Sybil’s "Don't Make Me Over" and "Walk On By"; Boy Krazy’s “That’s What Love Can Do”; KWS’s “Please Don’t Go”; and with their biggest act, the female trio Salt-N-Pepa, with hits such as "Expression", "Do You Want Me", and “Let’s Talk About Sex”.
In 1996, Next Plateau was distributed byRoadrunner Records, which at the time was distributed byRED Distribution. The company's assets (excluding the company's name) were later sold toPolyGram Records, Roadrunner, andWarner/Chappell Music in 1999, thus dissolving the label.
2000s
In 2004, Next Plateau was restarted by company founder Eddie O’Loughlin, who signed dance music twinsNina Sky. Next Plateau now focused on electro, dance, and trance music. Next Plateau’s Eddie O’Loughlin also has an A&R consultancy role in selecting the artists, songs, and producers forNBC's "The Voice" television show.
Eddie O'Loughlin is the president and founder of Next Plateau Entertainment and previously co-founded the successfulMidland International Records forRCA. O'Loughlin has a reputation for being a hands-on music executive.[citation needed] Celebrities that have worked with him, but not necessarily part of Next Plateau, includeJohn Travolta,Carol Douglas,Silver Convention, Jenny Burton,Sharon Brown, Salt-N-Pepa, Paperboy, Sybil, Sweet Sensation, KWS, andNina Sky.
Eddie O, as he is known in the business, is a member of ASCAP, a voting member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Grammy organization NARAS.
