Aftermath Entertainment

This article is about the American record label founded by Dr. Dre. For the Norwegian record label, see Aftermath Music.
Aftermath Entertainment
Parent company Universal Music Group
Founded 1996 (1996)
Founder Dr. Dre
Status Active
Distributor(s) Interscope Geffen A&M
(In the US)
Polydor Records
(In the UK)
Universal Music Group
(Worldwide)
Genre Hip hop
Country of origin United States
Location Santa Monica, California
Official website aftermathmusic.com

Aftermath Entertainment is an American record label founded by hip hop artist and producer Dr. Dre. It operates as a subsidiary of, and is distributed through, Universal Music Group's Interscope Records. Current acts include Dr. Dre himself, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Anderson Paak, Jon Connor and Justus with former acts including 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes, The Game, Raekwon, Eve, Rakim and many others. The label's acts over the years have earned RIAA certifications of platinum or higher on 17 of its 22 released albums.

History

Upon his departure from Death Row Records in the Summer of 1996, Dr. Dre quickly launched Aftermath Entertainment through Interscope Records. It was founded as a "boutique label" that prides itself on "quality over quantity", focusing on small numbers of high-profile releases.[1]

Dr. Dre Presents the Aftermath was released towards the year's end, featuring artists who were amongst the label's first signees (most of the acts featured, however, quickly became disassociated with the company). In 1997, Dawn Robinson announced her departure from the R&B group En Vogue and that she had signed with Aftermath.[2] Before the year's end, however, she abruptly left the label, claiming that Dr. Dre had been too slow to get the ball rolling on her project.

In the autumn of 1997, Aftermath released the only collaborative project by hip hop super-group The Firm (composed of AZ, Foxy Brown, Nas, and Nature). Despite the highly anticipated album featuring production and cameo appearances by Dr. Dre himself, debuting atop the Billboard 200 and being certified platinum,[3] it sold below commercial expectation. The group subsequently disbanded. Aftermath's next release was supposed to be by rapper King Tee. His album, however, was shelved, and King Tee was released from his contractual obligations in 2001.[4] Last Emperor had also been signed during this time, but was shelved due to creative differences with an A&R at Aftermath.[5]

Upon recommendation from Interscope Records head, Jimmy Iovine, Aftermath signed now multi-platinum rapper Eminem in 1998. The following year, Eminem's major label debut, The Slim Shady LP was released. The album topped the Billboard albums chart, went on to be certified quadruple platinum, and arguably became the label's first successful release. Also in 1999, Aftermath released 2001, Dr. Dre's follow-up to his 1992 album, The Chronic. The album went on to be certified six-times-platinum.

Several more artists were signed to, and later dropped from Aftermath, including Hittman and Rakim due to production conflicts. Legal troubles forced singer Truth Hurts to subsequently get dropped from the label after her album's release.[6] Aftermath released 50 Cent's multi-platinum major label debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin' through a joint venture with Shady Records in 2003. Rapper The Game, who signed with the label in 2003, also released his debut album The Documentary through a joint venture with 50 Cent's G-Unit Records in 2005. Shortly after the release of The Documentary, tension between The Game and 50 Cent ignited, resulting in The Game leaving Aftermath Entertainment in mid-2006.

Busta Rhymes was also signed and released one album before later being dropped from the label due to conflict with Interscope head, Jimmy Iovine.[7] His album, then titled Blessed, since retitled Back on My B.S., was to be released on Aftermath. It was later reported that when he signed a deal with Universal Motown, the album would be released on his label, Flipmode Entertainment, through his Universal Motown deal.[8] Stat Quo was also released from the label in 2008, citing differences in direction.[9] In early 2009, Slim the Mobster signed to Aftermath in a joint venture with Shady Records and G-Unit Records. But later he was moved just to Aftermath.[10] While in late 2009, Detroit rapper Hayes was signed to a joint venture with Timbaland's Mosley Music Group but was later released from his contract.[11]

In January 2010, it was revealed that Bishop Lamont had left the label due to the repeated delay of his debut, The Reformation,[12] while long time Aftermath R&B singer, Marsha Ambrosius, had also left the label.[13]

Later in January 2010, Game posted a twitpic of him wearing a lot of Aftermath chains with a caption saying "It's funny how things come Full Circle". Later he confirmed that he had returned to Aftermath Entertainment, however it was later confirmed he did not resign to the label.[14][15]

In October 2011, Dr. Dre started to work with his protégés Slim the Mobster and Kendrick Lamar.[16] On October 17, 2012, Slim the Mobster was officially released from the label.[17] In March, 2012, it was announced that Kendrick Lamar had officially signed with the label.[18] On October 15, 2013, during the 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards Flint, Michigan rapper Jon Connor announced his signing to Aftermath Entertainment.[19]

On February 20, 2014, 50 Cent announced his departure from his Interscope record deal which included his deal with Aftermath Entertainment and Shady Records.[20] On May 14, 2014, it was revealed that trap producer Yogi signed to Aftermath as a producer and to Skrillex's OWSLA label as a recording artist.[21]

In a September 2015 interview with Mr. Wavvy, singer Asia Bryant hinted that she was in talks to sign a deal with Aftermath.[22] The singer is featured on Dr. Dre's latest album, Compton.

Artists

Current acts

Act Year
signed
Releases
under the label
Dr. Dre 1996 3
Eminem 1998 8
Kendrick Lamar 2012 3
Jon Connor 2013
Justus 2015
Anderson .Paak 2016

Former acts

Current producers

Former producers

Discography

Artist Album Details
Various Artists Dr. Dre Presents the Aftermath
The Firm The Album
  • Released: October 21, 1997
  • Chart positions: #1 U.S.[40]
  • RIAA certification: Platinum[3]
Eminem The Slim Shady LP
  • Released: February 23, 1999
  • Chart positions: #2 U.S.[41]
  • RIAA certification: 5× Platinum[42]
Dr. Dre 2001
  • Released: November 16, 1999
  • Chart positions: #2 U.S.[43]
  • RIAA certification: 6× Platinum[44]
Eminem The Marshall Mathers LP
(released with Shady)
  • Released: May 23, 2000
  • Chart positions: #1 U.S.[45]
  • RIAA certification: Diamond[46]
Various Artists The Wash
  • Released: September 25, 2001
  • Chart positions: #19 U.S.[47]
  • RIAA certification: Gold[48]
Eminem The Eminem Show
(released with Shady)
  • Released: May 28, 2002
  • Chart positions: #1 U.S.[49]
  • RIAA certification: Diamond[50]
Truth Hurts Truthfully Speaking
  • Released: June 25, 2002
  • Chart positions: #5 U.S.[51]
50 Cent Get Rich or Die Tryin'
(released with Shady)
  • Released: February 6, 2003
  • Chart positions: #1 U.S.[52]
  • RIAA certification: 8× Platinum[53]
Eminem Encore
(released with Shady)
  • Released: November 12, 2004
  • Chart positions: #1 U.S.[54]
  • RIAA certification: 5× Platinum[55]
The Game The Documentary
(released with G-Unit)
  • Released: January 18, 2005
  • Chart positions: #1 U.S.[56]
  • RIAA certification: 2× Platinum[57]
50 Cent The Massacre
(released with Shady)
  • Released: March 3, 2005
  • Chart positions: #1 U.S.[58]
  • RIAA certification: 5× Platinum[59]
Eminem Curtain Call: The Hits
(released with Shady)
  • Released: December 6, 2005
  • Chart positions: #1 U.S.[60]
  • RIAA certification: 2× Platinum[61]
Busta Rhymes The Big Bang
(released with Flipmode)
  • Released: June 13, 2006
  • Chart positions: #1 U.S.[62]
  • RIAA certification: Gold[63]
50 Cent Curtis
(released with Shady)
  • Released: September 11, 2007
  • Chart positions: #2 U.S.[64]
  • RIAA certification: Platinum[65]
Eminem Relapse
(released with Shady)
  • Released: May 15, 2009
  • Chart positions: #1 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: 2× Platinum[66]
50 Cent Before I Self Destruct
(released with Shady)
  • Released: November 9, 2009
  • Chart positions: #4 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: Gold[67]
Eminem Recovery
(released with Shady)
  • Released: June 18, 2010
  • Chart positions: #1 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: 6× Platinum[68]
Kendrick Lamar good kid, m.A.A.d city
(released with Top Dawg)
  • Released: October 22, 2012
  • Chart positions: #2 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: Platinum
Eminem The Marshall Mathers LP 2
(released with Shady)
  • Released: November 5, 2013
  • Chart positions: #1 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: 2× Platinum
Kendrick Lamar To Pimp a Butterfly
(released with Top Dawg)
  • Release date: March 16, 2015
  • Chart positions: #1 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: Platinum
Dr. Dre Compton
  • Release date: August 7, 2015
  • Chart positions: #2 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: Gold
Kendrick Lamar untitled unmastered.
(released with Top Dawg)
  • Release date: March 4, 2016

DVDs

References

  1. "Interview With Angelo Sander". HitQuarters. December 19, 2005. Retrieved June 20, 2010.
  2. "En Vogue to become trio: Dawn Robinson officially leaves group". Jet. April 28, 1997. Retrieved October 25, 2009.
  3. 1 2 "Gold & Platinum: Searchable Database – The Firm". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 29, 2010.
  4. "King T". LinkedIn. Retrieved January 4, 2012.
  5. "Travelling with The Last Emperor pt.1 | HIPHOP.DK - The Real". hiphop.dk. August 27, 2004. Retrieved January 4, 2012.
  6. "Truth Hurts | Aftermath Entertainment". Aftermath Entertainment. November 10, 2008. Retrieved December 26, 2011.
  7. Starbury, Allen (January 30, 2009). "Busta Rhymes Clears Up Rumors Of Argument With Jimmy Iovine". BallerStatus.com. Retrieved January 4, 2012.
  8. Jokesta (September 18, 2008). Busta Rhymes Inks New Deal, Jay Z Starts Yet Another Label? DefSounds. Accessed September 18, 2008.
  9. Stat Quo To Release "300-400" Unreleased Dr. Dre Tracks. HipHopDX.com. Accessed October 23, 2008.
  10. Jayson Rodriguez, with additional reporting by Shaheem Reid and Rahman Dukes (July 23, 2009) Meet Dr. Dre, Eminem And 50 Cent's New Protege: Slim Da Mobster MTV. Accessed August 15, 2009.
  11. "Timbaland Teams With Dr. Dre To Introduce Detroit MC Hayes". MTV News. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  12. Bishop Lamont left Aftermath
  13. "In Her Own Words: Marsha Ambrosius on signing to J Records + New Album - SoulCulture". SoulCulture. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  14. Paine, Jake (2010-02-07). "Game Officially Returns To Aftermath Records | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
  15. "The Game Back With Dr. Dre's Aftermath Label?". Ballerstatus.Com. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
  16. Navjosh (October 11, 2011). "Dr. Dre Talks Working With Kendrick Lamar & Slim The Mobster". HipHop-N-More.
  17. Slim the Mobster. "Twitter post". Twitter.
  18. Horowitz, Steven J. (2012-03-08). "Kendrick Lamar & Black Hippy Sign To Aftermath & Interscope | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
  19. "Jon Connor’s Record Deal With Dr. Dre Isn’t About The Money". MTV News. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  20. Keith Nelson Jr (@JusAire) (2014-02-20). "50 Cent Leaves Interscope Records, New Album Coming June 3rd". AllHipHop.com. Retrieved 2014-03-02.
  21. "Yogi's on Both Dr. Dre and Skrillex's Team - Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  22. (http://mrwavvy.com/asia-bryant/)
  23. Caroline (2014-02-20). "50 Cent And G-Unit Records Sign Exclusive Worldwide Distribution Agreement - PR Newswire - The Sacramento Bee". Sacbee.com. Retrieved 2014-03-02.
  24. Ortiz, Edwin (2010-03-02). "Former Aftermath Records Singer Antonio McLendon Makes Debut | G et The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
  25. "Brooklyn". Aftermathmusic.com. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
  26. "Hi-Tek Groomed Dion Inks With Aftermath". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
  27. Archived January 22, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
  28. Reid, Shaheem (2009-12-09). "Timbaland Teams With Dr. Dre To Introduce Detroit MC Hayes - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
  29. Johnson, Elon; Parry, Heather (October 27, 2000). "Rakim Signs With Dr. Dre's Aftermath Records". MTV.com. Retrieved September 20, 2011.
  30. William E. Ketchum III. "Jon Connor announces deal with Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment at BET Hip Hop Awards". MLive.com. Retrieved 2014-03-02.
  31. (http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/code/6084929/yogi-aftermath-dr-dre-owsla-skrillex)
  32. http://www.latimes.com/style/la-ig-styleprofile11-2009jan11-story.html
  33. https://harlemworld.wordpress.com/2010/07/14/taz-arnold-your-favorite-producers-favorite-producer/
  34. "Bud'da Discusses His History With Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, & Pittsburgh's Role In West Coast Gangsta Rap". HipHopDX. Retrieved February 22, 2011.
  35. Interviews (2011-02-26). "Chris The Glove Taylor Interview | | Illuminati2G.com | Stay Enlightened With Hip HopIlluminati2G.com | Stay Enlightened With Hip Hop". Illuminati2G.com. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
  36. "Mike Elizondo Lands Warner Bros. Staff Producer, A&R Positions". HipHopDX. Retrieved January 10, 2011.
  37. Billboard, "Dr. Dre Presents...The Aftermath" Billboard.com
  38. "Gold & Platinum: Searchable Database – Dr. Dre Presents... the Aftermath". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  39. Billboard, "Nas, Foxy Brown, AZ, and Nature Present The Firm: The Album" Billboard.com
  40. Billboard, "The Slim Shady LP". Billboard.com.
  41. "RIAA – Searchable Database: Slim Shady". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 26, 2011.
  42. Billboard, "2001" Billboard.com
  43. "Gold &Platinum: Searchable Database – Dr. Dre 2001". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  44. Billboard, "The Marshall Mathers LP". Billboard.com.
  45. "RIAA – Searchable Database: Marshall Mathers". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 26, 2011.
  46. Billboard, "The Wash Soundtrack" Billboard.com
  47. "RIAA – Searchable Database: The Wash". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 26, 2011.
  48. Billboard, "The Eminem Show". Billboard.com.
  49. "RIAA – Searchable Database: Eminem Show". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 26, 2011.
  50. Billboard, "Truthfully Speaking" Billboard.com
  51. Billboard, "Get Rich or Die Tryin'" Billboard.com
  52. "Gold & Platinum: Searchable Database – Get Rich or Die Tryin'". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  53. Billboard, "Encore" Billboard.com
  54. "RIAA – Searchable Database: Encore". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 26, 2011.
  55. James Montgomery, 2005-01-26, "Straight Outta Compton, Straight To #1: The Game Tops Albums Chart" VH1.com
  56. "Gold & Platinum: Searchable Database – The Documentary". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 3, 2010.
  57. Billboard, "The Massacre" Billboard.com
  58. "Gold & Platinum: Searchable Database – The Massacre". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  59. Billboard, "Curtain Call: The Hits". Billboard.com.
  60. "RIAA – Searchable Database: Curtain Call". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 26, 2011.
  61. "The Big Bang - Busta Rhymes". Billboard.com. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
  62. "Gold & Platinum: Searchable Database – The Big Bang". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
  63. Geoff Mayfield (September 18, 2007). Kanye Crushes 50 Cent in Huge Album Sales Week. Billboard. Accessed September 19, 2007.
  64. Crosley, Hillary (July 12, 2008). "Music industry insiders find upside in album leaks". Reuters Group. Reuters. Retrieved August 24, 2011.
  65. "RIAA – Searchable Database: Relapse". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 26, 2011.
  66. "Gold & Platinum: Searchable Database". Recording Industry Association of America.
  67. "RIAA – Searchable Database: Recovery". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 26, 2011.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Sunday, April 24, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.