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Empire Distribution, Records and Publishing Inc. (stylized as EMPIRE) is an independent American record label, independent distribution companyrecord label founded in 2010 by Ghazi Shami. Based in San Francisco, EMPIRE has offices in New York, London, Lagos, and Johannesburg, and recording studios in San Francisco and New York. Its imprints include Empire Africa, Empire Nashville, and Empire Latino.

Shami, a San Francisco native with a background in music and tech, founded Empire as a digital distribution company focused on hip-hop and rap. Developing software that allowed managers and artists to easily track airplay and sales. Empire paid monthly royalties to artists -- many of whom had not previously earned digital revenue -- and gained early support from within the artist community.

In 2014, Ghazi launched the the Empire label, which as of 2024 had released music by artists including Kendrick Lamar, Anderson .Paak, Fat Joe, Tyga, Asake, Fireboy DML, XXXTentacion, Young Dolph, Key Glock, King Von, Tink, Yung Bleu, D Smoke, T-Pain, Snoop Dogg, DRAM, and Cardi B. among others.

2010-2014: Founding, early success

[edit]

Empire was founded in by Ghazi Shami. Raised in San Francisco, he grew up listening to Bay Area artists such as Too Short, Spice 1, RBL Posse, Souls of Mischief, Luniz, JT the Bigga Figga, and Rappin' 4-Tay. [1] Equally interested in music and technology, in college he worked at the tech companies Sun Microsystems, Eloquent Technologies and Audio Highway; he later worked at Hyde Street Studios, where he engineered and mixed music by artists including Messy Marv, Planet Asia and Too Short. In 2006, he was hired at INgrooves Music Group, an independent distribution and marketing company. While he had written code and built out streaming media since he was a teenager, at INgrooves, he learned about the intricacies of digital distribution, artist contracts, and royalties. Helping to build the company's rap division, he signed DIY artists representative of the Bay Area sound and culture, often introducing them to online revenue streams.[2]


Ghazi founded Empire from his home in the Potrero neighborhood of San Francisco in 2010. In a 2019 interview, he said: "This company wouldn't exist if I wasn’t born and bred in the Bay; in SF and Silicon Valley. This company is as much a software company as it is a music company. It’d be a disservice to the roots, to the origin, to everything that I stand for, if this company wasn't firmly planted or rooted here." [3]

Initially focused on rap, Empire's backend technology circumvented the existing digital distribution system and delivered music directly to streaming and retail platforms quickly, capturing the viral momentum of the genre's traditional rapid-fire releases. Contracts were non-exclusive and proprietary software allowed managers and artists to easily track royalties, which were paid monthly. [4] [5]

The company's core practices, in addition to Ghazi's relationships, attracted artists, and as Empire gained traction, Ghazi hired Nima Etminan as his second-in-command. [3] Etminan later became the company's COO. [6]

During the first years of its existence, Empire distributed Sage the Gemini's “Gas Pedal,” Kendrick Lamar’s "Section 80”, Schoolboy Q “Setbacks”, Trinidad James' “All Gold Everything,” and Migos' “Versace”. By 2012, Empire had more than a dozen hits on the Billboard charts. [7]

[8]

[9]

Tina Davis [10]

Hitco [11]

King Von [12]

[13]

Tyga-

[14]


Empire Latino

[15]

Empire Latino 

[16]

Empire publishing

[17]

Empire Afrtica [18]

Detroit [19]

[20]

Dirtybird [21]

EMPIRE Distribution
Genre
  • Hip-hop
  • Rap
  • Afrobeat
  • R&B
  • Dance
  • Reggaeton
  • Country
  • Pop
Founded2010 in San Francisco, CA
FounderGhazi Shami
HeadquartersSan Francisco,
US
Area served
Global
Key people
Ghazi Shami (CEO)
Nima Etminan (COO)
Tina Davis (President)
Number of employees
200 (2024)
DivisionsEMPIRE Distribution
EMPIRE Publishing
EMPIRE Records
EMPIRE Latino
EMPIRE Africa
EMPIRE Nashville
Websiteempi.re
Not to be confused with Empire Records.
Empire
Founded2010
FounderGhazi Shami
Distributor(s)Self-distributed (digital)
AMPED Distribution (physical)
GenreVarious
Country of originUnited States
LocationSan Francisco, California, U.S.
Official websiteempi.re

Empire Distribution, Records and Publishing Inc. (stylized as EMPIRE) is an American distribution company and record label founded in 2010 by Ghazi Shami [22] located in San Francisco with offices in New York City, London, Nashville, and Atlanta. It has released albums in various genres but it is predominantly focused on hip hop music. Many prominent companies and artists have partnerships with EMPIRE (see below), with music being distributed across platforms such as iTunes, Google Play, Amazon, Deezer, Spotify, Vevo, SoundCloud, and Rdio, along with physical CDs and vinyl being distributed to traditional record stores.

EMPIRE has supported the debut albums and early singles of a number of early artists, frequently signing young talent. In the Atlanta scene, orchestrated by their SR. Marketing Executive John Hill, they were the first label to release Trinidad James, Rich Homie Quan, Migos, Rocko, and K Camp. In Los Angeles, they have distributed and/or are still distributing artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Problem, Snoop Dogg, and Crooked I. They've also been involved in New York with releases from Fat Joe, Styles P, Cam'ron, Rob Run Corleone and Busta Rhymes. On the R&B side, they have signed artists such as Eric Bellinger, Jacquees, Jesse Boykins III, Jonn Hart, and Lyrica Anderson. EMPIRE has also had several chart topping reggae albums including reggae artist J Boog's album Backyard Boogie.[23]

A number of albums and singles distributed by EMPIRE have charted on Billboard, including "Taste" by Tyga featuring Offset, "Look at Me" by XXXTentacion, "All the Way Up" by Fat Joe and Remy Ma, "Broccoli" by DRAM, "Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh)" by Rich Homie Quan, "Might Be" and "OTW" by DJ Luke Nasty, Malibu by Anderson .Paak, Section.80 by Kendrick Lamar, "Gas Pedal" by Sage the Gemini, Phantom and the Ghost by Styles P, "#IWantDat" by Mindless Behavior, Knock Madness by Hopsin, and Stoner's EP by Snoop Dogg.[24]

History

[edit]

Founding

[edit]

EMPIRE was founded in 2010 by CEO Ghazi Shami,[25] a music technology graduate of San Francisco State University and the former Director of Urban Music at INgrooves.[26] In operating the company, Shami was joined by Nima Etminan, an MBA graduate in Media Management from Hamburg Media School. Etminan, co-founder of the hip hop platform DubCNN.com,[27] worked to expand the mission and services and as of 2011 was handling Marketing and A&R. Etminan now serves as Vice President of Operations and A&R. [28]

Releases

[edit]

One of the label's first charting releases was Authenticity by hip hop duo The Foreign Exchange, released on October 12, 2010. It peaked at #145 on the US Billboard 200, and #23 on the US R&B chart. Rapper ScHoolboy Q's album Setbacks, released on January 11, 2011, also charted, reaching #100 on the Billboard 200. Longterm Mentality by Ab-Soul, released the following April, peaked at #32 on the US Billboard Top Heatseekers. In November 2013, Hopsin's Knock Madness album peaked at #76 on the Billboard 200[29] and at #1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart.[30]

Nima Etminan soon signed California hip hop artist Kendrick Lamar to the distribution company, and as of early 2012 Empire began handling distribution for all the projects by Top Dawg Entertainment, including Lamar's Section.80.[27] Released on July 2, 2011, the album reached #113 on the US Billboard 200 and #1 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers Albums.

2012 saw releases by artists such as Slum Village, Trinidad James, Snoop Dogg, and Freddie Gibbs, several of which charted. In 2012 the label helped organize a 2013 tour between Trae tha Truth and J. Stalin.[31] Also in 2013, Empire distributed the album Still Goin In (Reloaded) by Rich Homie Quan, which was named tenth best mixtape of 2013 by Rolling Stone.[32] Recent albums include Phantom and the Ghost by Styles P, released on April 29, 2014. It charted at #74 on US Billboard 200, and #14 on US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.

In 2013, Empire established its recording division, with Fairfield, CA native Sage The Gemini being the first signee.[33]

In 2017, it was announced that Rayya Lioness launched a new Independent label called Lioness Music Style Records, LLC, which will be distributed by Empire. LMS Records is home to such artists as Albino Redz, BLK XLNZ, and more...[citation needed]

In 2018, it was announced that record producer and label executive L.A. Reid founded a new label Hitco Entertainment, which will be distributed by Empire.[34][35] In the same year, Australian and rapper Iggy Azalea announced her own record label originally titled New Classic Records and later renamed to Bad Dreams with its distribution being handled by Empire.[36][37]

On August 5, 2021, Blackground Records signed a distribution deal with EMPIRE to re-release its discography, most notably the catalogue of singer Aaliyah.[38]

On January 23, 2023, EMPIRE announced a partnership with Web3 music investment platform Nebula.[39] In June 2023, Tina Davis was named president of Empire. [40]

Awards and nominations

[edit]

Grammy Awards

[edit]
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2015 "Out of Many, One Music" (Shaggy) Best Reggae Album Nominated
2016 "Strictly Roots" (Morgan Heritage) Best Reggae Album Won
2017 "Malibu" (Anderson .Paak) Best New Artist Nominated
"Malibu" (Anderson .Paak) Best Urban Contemporary Album Nominated
"All The Way Up" (Fat Joe & Remy Ma) Best Rap Performance Nominated
"All The Way Up" (Fat Joe & Remy Ma) Best Rap Song Nominated
"Broccoli" (DRAM) Best Rap/Sung Performance Nominated
"Rose Petals EP" (J Boog) Best Reggae Album Nominated

Notable artists

[edit]

Selected discography

[edit]
Further information: Category:Empire Distribution albums and Category:Empire Distribution EPs
Year Cat Title Artist(s) Details Certifications
2010 ERE Authenticity The Foreign Exchange Oct 12, 2010 #145 on the Billboard 200
#23 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
2011 ERE Setbacks ScHoolboy Q Jan 11, 2011 #100 on the US Billboard 200
ERE Longterm Mentality Ab-Soul April 5, 2011 #32 on the US Top Heatseekers
#73 on the US Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums
ERE Section.80 Kendrick Lamar July 2, 2011 #113 on the US Billboard 200
#1 on the US Top Heatseekers Albums
ERE Charity Starts At Home Phonte Sep 27, 2011
ERE In None We Trust Crooked I Nov 17, 2011
ERE Gift Of Gab 2 Rocko Nov 24, 2011
2012 ERE Dirty Slums Slum Village Mar 27, 2012
ERE Stoner's EP Snoop Dogg April 17, 2012 #31 on the US Independent Albums
#33 on the US Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums
ERE Don't Be S.A.F.E. Trinidad James Sep 18, 2012 #103 on the US Billboard 200
#8 on the US Top Heatseekers Albums
ERE Baby Face Killa Freddie Gibbs Sep 25, 2012
2013 ERE Still Goin In (Reloaded) Rich Homie Quan Feb 8, 2013 Named tenth best mixtape of 2013 by Rolling Stone.[32]
ERE The Year of the Underdogz Young Noble & Gage Gully May 7, 2013
ERE West Coast Gangsta Shit Daz Dillinger and WC June 19, 2013
ERE ESGN (Evil Seeds Grow Naturally) Freddie Gibbs June 20, 2013 #8 on US Top Heatseekers Albums[41]
#24 on US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
ERE Cold Turkey Starlito July 2, 2013
ERE108 Apex Predator Crooked I July 30, 2013 #33 on US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[42]
ERE110 3ChordFold Terrace Martin Aug 13, 2013 #43 on US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
#9 on US Top Heatseekers Albums
ERE Travis Garland Travis Garland Sep 10, 2013
ERE Gas Pedal EP Sage The Gemini Sep 10, 2013
ERE O.K.E. (Deluxe Edition) The Game Oct 8, 2013 #89 on the US Billboard 200
#19 on the US Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums
ERE Knock Madness Hopsin Nov 24, 2013 #1 on US Top Heatseekers Albums[43]
#7 on US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
#6 on US Independent Albums
2014 ERE135 Tortoise and the Crow CD Grouch, Eligh Mar 04, 2014
ERE139 Phantom and the Ghost Styles P Apr 29, 2014 #74 on US Billboard 200
#14 on US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
#18 on US Independent Albums
ERE Barrel Brothers Skyzoo and Torae May 27, 2014
ERE141 Venice Anderson .Paak Oct 28, 2014
2015 ERE Strictly Roots Morgan Heritage June 8, 2015 Grammy Award Winning : Best Reggae Album
ERE141 Fuk Wat They Talkin Bout Tyga Aug 24, 2015
ERE141 Shadow of a Doubt Freddie Gibbs Nov 20, 2015 #76 on US Billboard 200
2016 ERE141 Malibu Anderson .Paak Jan 15, 2016 #79 on US Billboard 200
ERE141 King of Memphis Young Dolph Feb 19, 2016 #49 on US Billboard 200
2017 ERE310 Plata O Plomo Fat Joe and Remy Ma Feb 17, 2017 #44 on US Billboard 200
ERE344 Neva Left Snoop Dogg May 19, 2017 #54 on US Billboard 200
ERE For Your Girl Too Selfish May 23, 2017
ERE BitchImTheShit2 Tyga Jul 21, 2017
ERE 17 XXXTentacion Aug 25, 2017 #2 on US Billboard 200
2018 ERE381 Kyoto Tyga Feb 16, 2018
ERE453 Tru LP Lloyd Aug 31, 2018
ERE Dancing Shadows Mario Oct 5, 2018
ERE Skins XXXTentacion Dec 7, 2018 #1 on US Billboard 200
2019 ERE Walk with Me Rotimi May 24, 2019
ERE Legendary Tyga Jun 7, 2019 #17 on US Billboard 200
ERE In My Defense Iggy Azalea Jul 19, 2019 #50 on US Billboard 200
ERE524 I Wanna Thank Me Snoop Dogg Aug 16, 2019 #76 on US Billboard 200
ERE Wicked Lips Iggy Azalea Dec 2, 2019
ERE537 Bad Vibes Forever XXXTentacion Dec 6, 2019 #5 on US Billboard 200


Notable singles

[edit]
Further information: Category:Empire Distribution singles

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Ruskin, Zack (February 6, 2019). "How Empire founder Ghazi Shami built San Francisco a new musical kingdom". Datebook | San Francisco Arts & Entertainment Guide. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  2. ^ Hunte, Justin (2016-01-14). "EMPIRE: The Music Industry's Quiet Giant". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  3. ^ a b "How EMPIRE Became A Music Industry Giant In An Unlikely City | GRAMMY.com". grammy.com. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  4. ^ Hissong, Samantha (2020-10-29). "Empire's Founder Ghazi Shami -- Future 25". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  5. ^ Rys, Dan (2016-10-20). "Hip-Hop's Other EMPIRE: How Indie Distributor Is Quietly Owning the Rap Game". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  6. ^ Rys, Dan (2023-05-12). "From the Bay Area to Africa, How EMPIRE Became A Global Force". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  7. ^ Voynovskaya, Nastia (December 4, 2019). "EMPIRE Brought the Music Industry Back to San Francisco". www.kqed.org. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  8. ^ Ju, Shirley (2019-10-21). "How Rappers Young Dolph and Key Glock Turned Street Smarts Into Business Savvy". Variety. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  9. ^ Sisario, Ben; Coscarelli, Joe (2018-07-08). "XXXTentacion Signed $10 Million Album Deal Before His Death". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  10. ^ "Needle on the Record". East Bay Express | Oakland, Berkeley & Alameda. 2023-10-31. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  11. ^ Karp, Hannah (2018-03-26). "L.A. Reid's Hitco Ramps Up With 25 Hires and Handful Of New Acts". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  12. ^ ""Crazy Story" certifications". RIAA. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  13. ^ Gage, Dewayne (2022-03-04). "King Von Was One of Rap's Most Promising Stars. His Friends Want to Make Sure He Isn't Forgotten". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  14. ^ "Tyga, Gold & Platinum certifications, "Taste"". RIAA. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  15. ^ ""La Curiosidad" Gold & Platinum certification". RIAA. Retrieved 2024-02-10.
  16. ^ Cantrell, L. B. (2021-03-01). "EMPIRE Nashville's Eric Hurt And Heather Vassar Talk Early Success [Interview]". MusicRow.com. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  17. ^ Aswad, Jem (2020-09-10). "Empire Launches Publishing Division". Variety. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  18. ^ Rys, Dan (2023-05-12). "From the Bay Area to Africa, How EMPIRE Became A Global Force". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  19. ^ Rouhani, Neena (2022-10-12). "The Promise & Perseverance of Detroit Rap's Rising Stars". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
  20. ^ Rouhani, Neena (2023-05-01). "How Peezy Went 'Against the Grain' & Achieved a Top 10 Rap Hit". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  21. ^ Bain, Katie (2022-10-20). "Claude VonStroke's Dirtybird Label Acquired By EMPIRE". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  22. ^ Payne, Ogden. "Empire: The Distribution Company That Turned Music Streaming Pennies Into Profit". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2023-01-19. Retrieved 2023-01-21.
  23. ^ "J Boog – Chart history". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2015-09-19. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
  24. ^ "Top Artists". Empire Distribution. Archived from the original on 2014-06-06. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
  25. ^ "EMPIRE: The Music Industry's Quiet Giant". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on 2020-01-12. Retrieved 2016-09-06.
  26. ^ "Ghazi Shami". LinkedIn. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
  27. ^ a b "Nima Etminan: The Man Behind DubCNN". 2DBZ. 2011-12-01. Archived from the original on 2014-08-09. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
  28. ^ "EMPIRE: A Music Industry Giant in an Unlikely City". 14 August 2019. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  29. ^ "Hopsin – Chart history". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2016-06-24. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
  30. ^ "Hopsin – Chart history". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2015-07-30. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
  31. ^ Caples, Garret (December 11, 2012). "YEAR IN MUSIC 2012: Waiting for Four-O". San Francisco Bay Guardian. Archived from the original on 2014-07-29. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
  32. ^ a b "10 Best Mixtapes of 2013: Rich Homie Quan, 'Still Goin' In Reloaded'". Rolling Stone. 9 December 2013. Archived from the original on 2014-03-15. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
  33. ^ "Bay Area's Sage The Gemini Signs Deal with EMPIRE/Republic Records". DubCNN.com. 2013-08-22. Archived from the original on 2019-04-14. Retrieved 2019-04-14.
  34. ^ Karp, Hannah (26 March 2018). "L.A. Reid's Hitco Ramps Up With 25 Hires and Handful Of New Acts". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2018-03-27. Retrieved 2018-04-21.
  35. ^ Halperin, Shirley (2018-03-22). "L.A. Reid's First Post-Sony Signing Is a Member of Outkast (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on 2018-07-24. Retrieved 2018-07-21.
  36. ^ "Iggy Azalea has announced that her new label is named 'Bad Dreams'". Twipu. Archived from the original on 20 April 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  37. ^ "Iggy Azalea Signs New Partnership Deal With EMPIRE". hotnewhiphop.com. Archived from the original on 29 May 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  38. ^ McIntyre, Hugh (August 5, 2021). "20 Years After Her Passing, Aaliyah's Music is Finally Coming to Streaming Services". Forbes. Archived from the original on August 5, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  39. ^ "EMPIRE partners with Web3 music investment platform Nebula". Music Business Worldwide. 2023-01-23. Archived from the original on 2023-03-02. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
  40. ^ Rys, Dan (2023-06-21). "Tina Davis Named President of EMPIRE". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
  41. ^ "Heatseekers Albums : Jul 06, 2013 | Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard. 2013-07-06. Archived from the original on 2013-08-07. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
  42. ^ "Crooked I – Chart history". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2018-12-17. Retrieved 2013-10-15.
  43. ^ "Hopsin – Chart history". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2015-07-30. Retrieved 2014-01-26.
  44. ^ Cantor, Paul (2015-10-30). "Singer-Rapper D.R.A.M. Explains Why He Feels Drake 'Jacked' His Record". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  45. ^ Weiner, Natalie (2015-05-21). "Jermaine Dupri & Bow Wow Are Just Wondering 'WYA (Where You At?)': Exclusive Premiere". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  46. ^ "Nef the Pharaoh: "Big Tymin'"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  47. ^ "Popcaan Is Gloriously Inebriated On "Never Sober"". The FADER. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  48. ^ Legaspi, Althea (2019-02-22). "Hear Adam Lambert's Achingly Yearning New Song 'Feel Something'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  49. ^ Black, Adrienne. "Free Nationals Drop Vivid "Beauty & Essex" Video f/ Daniel Caesar & Unknown Mortal Orchestra". Complex. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  50. ^ "Busta Rhymes And Anderson .Paak's 'Yuuuu' Portrays Them As Enemies". UPROXX. 2020-09-18. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
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