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| LaFace Records LLC | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Parent company | Sony Music Entertainment |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Founder | Antonio "L.A." Reid Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds |
| Defunct | 2011 (2011) |
| Status | Inactive (absorbed intoRCA Records) |
| Distributors | |
| Genre | R&B,pop,hip-hop,soul |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Location | Atlanta,Georgia |
LaFace Records was an Americanrecord label based inAtlanta, Georgia, that operated as a unit of Sony Music Entertainment from 2008 to 2011 and was historically a part ofBertelsmann Music Group from 1989 to 2004. It was most active and achieved its greatest commercial success during the 1990s, dealing largely in the field of urban music. It was originally distributed by its co-creatorArista Records from 1989 through 2001, after which it was shuttered and absorbed into Arista. In 2004, the label was rebooted, and it began operating through Jive Records until both were absorbed into RCA Records in 2011. Today, the label's back catalog and reissues are managed byLegacy Recordings.
LaFace was formed in 1989 as ajoint venture between the producing duoAntonio "L.A." Reid &Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, andArista Records. The combined nicknames of the duo's successful production company inspired the name of the label. LaFace went on to become a successful label throughout the 1990s, responsible for launching the recording careers of such popular acts as:TLC,Toni Braxton,Outkast,Pink,Usher,Goodie Mob andDonell Jones. Towards the end of the decade, LaFace produced fewer artists, while Babyface began to focus more on his own music career. The label was acquired completely by Arista and BMG in 1999. In 2001, L.A. Reid was appointed Chairman/CEO of Arista. As a result of Reid's promotion, LaFace was dissolved as most of its prominent acts moved up to the main Arista label to continue to work under Reid.
In 1992, LaFace signedGeorgia duoOutkast.[1] After receiving a $15,000 advance from LaFace in 1993, Outkast started recording the album, which was executive produced by L.A. Reid and Babyface.[2] Outkast's first album,Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, was released April 26, 1994 and entered the top 20 on theBillboard top 200. The album went on to achieve Platinum status in America.
In 2004, after the corporate restructuring of theBMG labels, LaFace was reactivated as one-quarter of the newly reconstructedZomba Music Group during theSony BMG joint venture at the time. Most of its former roster, who had moved on to Arista, returned to the company upon its reactivation. In 2011, LaFace (along with its previous Jive/Zomba distributor) was again shuttered, this time being absorbed intoRCA Records.
The following is a list of artists who have recorded for LaFace Records.
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