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Epic Records

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This article is about the American Epic Records. For the Japanese Epic Records under Sony Music Entertainment Japan, see Epic Records Japan.

Epic Records
Parent companySony Music Entertainment (SME) (1987–2004, 2008–present)
Previous:
Columbia Records (1953–1987)
Sony BMG (2004–2008)
Founded1953; 71 years ago (1953)
FounderColumbia Records
Distributor(s)Sony Music Entertainment
GenreVarious
Country of originUnited States
LocationNew York City
Official websiteepicrecords.com

Epic Records is an American record label owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, the American division of Japanese conglomerate Sony. The label was founded predominantly as a jazz and classical music label in 1953, but later expanded its scope to include a more diverse range of genres, including pop, R&B, rock, and hip hop.

History

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Beginnings

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Epic Records was launched in 1953 by the Columbia Records unit of CBS, for the purpose of marketing jazz, pop, and classical music that did not fit the theme of its more mainstream Columbia Records label. Initial classical music releases were from Philips Records which distributed Columbia product in Europe.[1] Pop talent on co-owned Okeh Records were transferred to Epic which made Okeh a rhythm and blues label.[2] Epic's bright-yellow, black, and blue logo became a familiar trademark for many jazz and classical releases. This has included such notables as the Berlin Philharmonic, Charles Rosen, the Juilliard String Quartet, Antal Doráti conducting the Hague Philharmonic, and George Szell conducting the Cleveland Orchestra.

Expansion of genres and mainstream success

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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 in rock and roll, R&B and country music. Among its many acts, it included Roy Hamilton, Bobby Vinton, the Dave Clark Five, the Hollies, Tammy Wynette, Donovan, the Yardbirds, Lulu, July, Helen Shapiro, Cliff Richard, and Jeff 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 with EMI; Epic recordings were issued via this arrangement by EMI on the Columbia label. Other British artists appearing on Epic were a result of signings to the new UK CBS affiliate formed after the acquisition of Oriole 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 formed Crosby, Stills & Nash wanted to sign with Atlantic Records, Ahmet Ertegun worked out a deal with Clive Davis whereby Richie Furay's new band Poco (having signed with Atlantic due to Furay's contract from being in Buffalo Springfield) would sign with Epic.[3]

Corporate structure

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During the 1960s, Epic oversaw the smaller subsidiary CBS labels including Okeh Records and Date Records. In 1968, Epic recordings began being distributed in the UK by CBS after the distribution deal with EMI expired that year;[4] Epic itself launched in England around 1971.[5]

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.[6]

In 2004, Sony merged with music distributor BMG, bringing Arista Records, Columbia Records, Epic Records, J Records, Jive Records, RCA Records, and Zomba Group of Companies to one parent company known as Sony BMG Music Entertainment.[7] 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 the European Union in 2009.[8]

1980s–2010

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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 for Honeymoon in Vegas, Singles, Sleepless in Seattle, Forrest Gump, Philadelphia, and Judgment Night.[9][10]

In 1999, Jennifer Lopez released her debut album On the 6 (as part of WORK Group), which was a critical and commercial success, going-on to sell over 8 million copies worldwide.[11] 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.[12] 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 the Billboard 200.[13] The 2002 remix album J 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 the Billboard 200, and became the fourth best selling remix album of all time, behind albums by Michael Jackson (fellow Epic Records artist), Madonna and The Beatles.[14] Furthermore, in the second week at number-one for the remix album, Lopez's remixed single Ain't It Funny (Murder Remix) (with Ja 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.[15] Lopez's third studio album, released in late 2002, was also a success, titled This is me... Then; the record sold 6 million copies worldwide and peaked at the second spot of the Billboard 200.[16] Lopez's first full-length Spanish debut, Como Ama Una Mujer, became the first Spanish-language debut album to enter the top 10 of the Billboard 200,[16] and has sold 1 million copies worldwide. This was Lopez's final studio album under Epic Records before her move to Island Def Jam and Capitol Records; she released her first greatest hits compilation, Dance Again... The Hits, gaining critical success.[17]

In February 2009, Sony Music Group chairman Rob Stringer appointed singer-songwriter Amanda Ghost as president of Epic.[18] Ghost, who had successfully promoted James Blunt to Grammy Award-winning status,[19] was an unconventional and controversial choice for president because she had no corporate executive experience.[20] She was expected to reverse the trend of declining sales at Epic by promoting the label's newer and mid-tier artists such as Augustana.[19] Stringer also merged Epic and Columbia to form the Columbia/Epic Label Group in 2009, with himself as acting chairman. Ghost scored hit records for the Fray, Modest Mouse, Matisyahu and Sean Kingston.[21] However, she delayed the scheduled release of Shakira's album She Wolf by insisting that the album contain another song – "Give It Up to Me" featuring Lil Wayne and uncredited Timbaland. This delay probably caused She 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..."[19]

2011–2023

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In July 2011, L.A. Reid became the CEO of Epic Records, signing artists such as TLC, Toni Braxton, Cher Lloyd, Avril Lavigne, Outkast, Future, Yo Gotti, Ciara, Meghan Trainor, DJ Khaled, and Travis Scott.[22][23] Epic also signed the winners of The X Factor during the seasons that Reid appeared on the show.[24]

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 album The 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 on Peer-to-peer connection site, BitTorrent, to bypass Epic Records' desire to release it in 2013.

In 2013, Sylvia Rhone, former president of Universal Motown, launched the imprint Vested In Culture through Epic Records. A year later, she was named president of Epic.[25][26][27]

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 to Timbaland's previous co-collaboration with Reid on Michael Jackson's posthumous album, Xscape. Previously operated by Interscope, most of MMG's roster moved to Epic.[28]

In 2015, Def Jam Recordings parted ways with Mariah Carey and Carey reunited with Reid at Epic. She had worked with Reid at Def Jam under The 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 with Virgin Records; Virgin later rescinded that deal after poor sales.[29][30] That same month, it was announced that R&B group Jodeci had signed to the label and planned to release their first studio album in 20 years.[31][32]

Wondaland Records, singer Janelle Monáe's imprint, entered into a joint venture with Epic in 2015.[33] Acts on Wondaland include Jidenna, St. Beauty, Deep Cotton and Roman GianArthur.[34]

In 2016, Jennifer Lopez returned to Sony Music, six years after leaving in favor of Island Def Jam and Capitol Records. Lopez's multi-album deal reunited her with Reid, whom she signed with at Island Def Jam in 2010.[35]

In January 2017, 21 Savage signed to Epic.[36] On May 11, 2017, it was announced that Reid would exit as the label's CEO.[37] Following his exit, it was reported that Reid had been accused of sexual harassment by multiple Epic employees.[38][39]

On April 23, 2019, it was announced that Rhone had been appointed as Chair and CEO of the label.[40] 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.[41]

Formerly and presently affiliated labels

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Artists

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Main article: List of Epic Records artists

Logos

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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.

  • First radial sound sunburst logo, 1953–1960
    First radial sound sunburst logo, 1953–1960
  • Second radial sound sunburst logo, 1960–1973, 1998–2005 (still used by Epic Records Japan)
    Second radial sound sunburst logo, 1960–1973, 1998–2005 (still used by Epic Records Japan)
  • Big "E" logo, 1973–1978
    Big "E" logo, 1973–1978
  • Gradient script logo, 1978–1991 (used in tandem with outlined script logo)
    Gradient script logo, 1978–1991 (used in tandem with outlined script logo)
  • Outlined script logo, 1978–1991 (used in tandem with gradient script logo)
    Outlined script logo, 1978–1991 (used in tandem with gradient script logo)
  • Stacked-record logo, 1991–1998
    Stacked-record logo, 1991–1998
  • Simplified script logo, 2005–2011, 2015–present
    Simplified script logo, 2005–2011, 2015–present
  • Red print logo, 2011–2015 (still used in Japan)
    Red print logo, 2011–2015 (still used in Japan)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Billboard - Google Books Archived May 20, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. Books.google.com (1953-09-19). Retrieved on 2013-07-16.
  2. ^ Billboard - Google Books. September 19, 1953. Archived from the original on July 8, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  3. ^ Robert Greenfield. The Last Sultan: The Life and Times of Ahmet Ertegun. Simon and Schuster. 2011. 202-3.
  4. ^ Billboard - Google Books. May 11, 1968. Archived from the original on July 8, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  5. ^ "EPIC". Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  6. ^ Barker, Michael (July 25, 1992). "Sony Germany Music Splitting Marketing Division". Billboard. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
  7. ^ Phillips, Chuck (July 20, 2004). "Merger of Sony, BMG Music Labels Wins Endorsement of European Commission". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 6, 2016. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
  8. ^ Wray, Richard (August 8, 2009). "Sony Buys Bertelsmann Out of Sony BMG". The Guardian. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
  9. ^ Lei, Richard (September 11, 1994). "IN HOLLYWOOD: A SONIC BOOM". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
  10. ^ Rosen, Craig (July 11, 1992). "There's Sizzle in Summer Soundtracks". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 20, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  11. ^ Bozza, Anthony (February 15, 2001). "Jennifer the Conqueror". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 25, 2020. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  12. ^ Powers, Ann (May 11, 2011). "The Return of J. Lo: How did this happen?". Slate Magazine. Archived from the original on October 30, 2020. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  13. ^ Billboard. February 10, 2001. Archived from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  14. ^ "Jennifer Lopez Biography Page". March 12, 2007. Archived from the original on March 12, 2007. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  15. ^ "J. Lo Nabs Double No. 1s". Billboard. February 28, 2002. Archived from the original on April 14, 2013. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  16. ^ a b Lambert, Molly (June 16, 2014). "Why Is Jennifer Lopez's 'A.K.A.' Poised to Flop?". Grantland. Archived from the original on June 15, 2020. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  17. ^ Dance Again...The Hits by Jennifer Lopez, archived from the original on October 15, 2020, retrieved June 15, 2020
  18. ^ "Music label puts singer in charge". BBC News. February 3, 2009. Archived from the original on February 6, 2009. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  19. ^ a b c Halperin, Shirley (November 17, 2010). "Who Destroyed Epic Records?". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  20. ^ Sandoval, Greg (February 12, 2009). "Sony Music woes extend to digital sales". CNET. Archived from the original on May 3, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  21. ^ Duffy, Thom (October 10, 2009). "Women in Music: Power Players". Billboard. Vol. 121, no. 40. p. 64. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original on May 3, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  22. ^ "Outkast, Ciara Headed for L.A. Reid's Epic Records, Sources Say". Billboard.biz. September 15, 2011. Archived from the original on November 25, 2011. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  23. ^ "92.5 THE BEAT Montreal's Best Music Variety Radio Station". 925thebeat.ca. Archived from the original on 12 November 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  24. ^ 'X Factor' Has Glitzy Premiere, Complete With Simon-Paula Bickering Archived October 30, 2020, at the Wayback Machine. Billboard (2011-09-15). Retrieved on 2013-07-16.
  25. ^ "It's Official: Sylvia Rhone to Run New Label Through Epic | Billboard". Billboard.biz. Archived from the original on February 16, 2012. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  26. ^ Mitchell, Gail (February 5, 2013). "Exclusive: Sylvia Rhone Talks New Label Vested in Culture". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 16, 2018. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  27. ^ Mitchell, Gail (March 19, 2014). "Sylvia Rhone Appointed President of Epic Records". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on September 26, 2019. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  28. ^ "Timbaland's Mosley Music Group Is Joining Forces With L.A. Reid (Thanks to Michael Jackson)". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 21, 2019. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  29. ^ "Mariah Carey signs with Epic Records". thehonestyhour.com. January 30, 2015. Archived from the original on January 31, 2015. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
  30. ^ "The Inside Story of How Mariah Carey and L.A. Reid Reunited (at a Fraction of Her Former $80 Million Deal)". Shirley Halperin and Andrew Hampp. January 30, 2015. Archived from the original on July 10, 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  31. ^ "Jodeci Debuts New Single "Every Moment"". epicrecords.com. Epic Records. Archived from the original on 6 February 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  32. ^ "Jodeci Inks Deal With Epic Records For Comeback Album". singersroom.com. Singers Room. January 28, 2015. Archived from the original on January 31, 2015. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
  33. ^ "Janelle Monae inks Joint Venture with Epic Records". theurbandaily.com. 2015. Archived from the original on February 19, 2015. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
  34. ^ "Janelle Monae's Wondaland Records And Epic Records Launch Landmark Joint Venture Partnership". prnewswire.com. 2015. Archived from the original on February 27, 2015. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
  35. ^ "Jennifer Lopez Signs New Deal With Epic Records". Billboard. United States. Prometheus Global Media. 2 March 2016. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
  36. ^ "21 Savage Announces Deal with Epic Records, Calls Drake "A Genuine Person"". Archived from the original on April 25, 2017. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  37. ^ Rys, Dan (May 11, 2017). "L.A. Reid Out at Epic Records". Billboard. United States. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  38. ^ Halperin, Shirley (May 15, 2017). "Sony Music Executive L.A. Reid Accused of Sexual Harassment". Variety. Archived from the original on October 11, 2019. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  39. ^ Karp, Hannah (May 14, 2017). "L.A. Reid's Epic Records Exit Followed Allegations by Female Staffer". Billboard. United States. Archived from the original on April 22, 2019. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  40. ^ Schneider, Marc (April 23, 2019). "Epic Records Names Sylvia Rhone Chairman and CEO". Billboard. United States. Archived from the original on April 23, 2019. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  41. ^ Paine, Andre (April 27, 2023). "Sarah Lockhart to lead revived Epic Records UK". Music Week. ISSN 2052-2371. Archived from the original on May 2, 2023. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
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