First Priority Music
Encyclopedia
First Priority Music was an American hip hop
record label of the late 1980s and early 1990s, which has diversified and found success in recent years with releases in contemporary R&B
and country music
genres, among others. A small independent, it formed successful distribution relationships, first with Atlantic Records
, and latterly with Jive/Zomba
. Its most well-known artists from both eras are hip hop acts Audio Two
and MC Lyte
, and singers Eamon
and Jason Downs
.
First Priority was founded by Nat Robinson in 1987, to release music by his son Kirk and his daughter Lana, better known as Milk Dee of Audio Two, and MC Lyte, respectively. FPM's first release was Audio Two's "Make It Funky"/"Top Billin'
", which was successful enough to secure the label a distribution deal with Atlantic Records
. The subsequent re-release of "Top Billin'" was a hip hop hit of lasting impact—"one of the genre's apexes", according to writer Peter Shapiro.
MC Lyte's debut album Lyte as a Rock
(1988) was another success, and is today widely regarded as a classic release. It was followed by her well-received records, Eyes on This
(1989) and Act Like You Know (1991). "Ruffneck", from 1993's Ain't No Other
, was the first gold single by a solo female rap artist. Other members of the hip hop roster of the period include Positive K
, Michie Mee
, Alliance, Kings of Swing, and Barsha. A compilation featuring FPM artists, The First Priority Music Family: Basement Flavor, was released by the label in 1988.
Recent years saw releases by Jason Downs, and the hugely successful 2004 single by Eamon, "Fuck It (I Don't Want You Back)
", released through Jive/Zomba.
As of 2010, Jonathan Rivera
was made president of FPM, overseeing operations and assisting owner Nat Robinson.
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
record label of the late 1980s and early 1990s, which has diversified and found success in recent years with releases in contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
and country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
genres, among others. A small independent, it formed successful distribution relationships, first with Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
, and latterly with Jive/Zomba
Jive Records
Jive Records was a record label based in New York City, operating under RCA Music Group. Jive was primarily known for a string of successes with hip hop artists in the 1980s, and in teen pop and boy bands in the late 1990s. The word "jive" was inspired by Township Jive, a form of South African...
. Its most well-known artists from both eras are hip hop acts Audio Two
Audio Two
Audio Two were the Brooklyn, New York hip hop duo of emcee Kirk "Milk Dee" Robinson and DJ Nat "Gizmo" Robinson, most famous for its first hit, the classic "Top Billin'." The members of the duo are also the older brothers of female hip-hop star MC Lyte.-History:The duo’s debut single, "Make it...
and MC Lyte
MC Lyte
MC Lyte is an American rapper who first gained fame in the late-1980s becoming the first solo female rapper to release a full album with 1988's critically acclaimed Lyte as a Rock.-Early life:...
, and singers Eamon
Eamon (singer)
Eamon Jonathan Doyle, professionally known as Eamon, is an American R&B singer-songwriter. He is known for his hit single, "Fuck It "....
and Jason Downs
Jason Downs
Jason Wright Downs is an American singer of Cherokee, Dutch, Irish and, Scottish descent. He has released two albums on Jive Records, White Boy With a Feather and The Spin...
.
First Priority was founded by Nat Robinson in 1987, to release music by his son Kirk and his daughter Lana, better known as Milk Dee of Audio Two, and MC Lyte, respectively. FPM's first release was Audio Two's "Make It Funky"/"Top Billin'
Top Billin'
"Top Billin" was the breakout hit for American hip-hop duo Audio Two, although it was released as the B-side to "Make It Funky" in 1987, from the album What More Can I Say?. The song made a deep cultural impact on hip hop. The song was voted #8 in About.com's Top 100 Rap Songs...
", which was successful enough to secure the label a distribution deal with Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
. The subsequent re-release of "Top Billin'" was a hip hop hit of lasting impact—"one of the genre's apexes", according to writer Peter Shapiro.
MC Lyte's debut album Lyte as a Rock
Lyte as a Rock
Lyte as a Rock is the debut album of American rapper MC Lyte. Since its release in 1988, it has been critically acclaimed and often recognized as a hip hop classic. In 1998, the album was listed in The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums. The album is broken down track-by-track by MC Lyte in Brian...
(1988) was another success, and is today widely regarded as a classic release. It was followed by her well-received records, Eyes on This
Eyes on This
Eyes on This is the second album by MC Lyte. It was released on September 12, 1989, almost a year after her classic debut album Lyte as a Rock, for First Priority and Atlantic Records and featured production from her brothers, Audio Two, as well as The King of Chill and Nat Robinson...
(1989) and Act Like You Know (1991). "Ruffneck", from 1993's Ain't No Other
Ain't No Other
Ain't No Other is the fourth album released by MC Lyte. It was released on June 22, 1993, on First Priority Music/Atlantic Records and produced by Audio Two, Backspin, Markell Riley, Franklin Grant, Tyrone Fyffe, "Lil" Chris Smith, Funk, Sir Scratch and Walter "Mucho" Scott...
, was the first gold single by a solo female rap artist. Other members of the hip hop roster of the period include Positive K
Positive K
Darryl Gibson, better known by his stage name Positive K , is an American emcee from the Bronx, New York City, New York, and is one of the original artists of the First Priority Music camp...
, Michie Mee
Michie Mee
Michelle McCullock , better known by her stage name Michie Mee, is a Canadian rapper and actor. As Canada's first notable female MC, she is considered a national hip-hop pioneer.-Early life and career:...
, Alliance, Kings of Swing, and Barsha. A compilation featuring FPM artists, The First Priority Music Family: Basement Flavor, was released by the label in 1988.
Recent years saw releases by Jason Downs, and the hugely successful 2004 single by Eamon, "Fuck It (I Don't Want You Back)
Fuck It (I Don't Want You Back)
"Fuck It " is the title of a song co-written and recorded by American R&B singer Eamon. It was released in November 2003 as the lead single from the album, I Don't Want You Back....
", released through Jive/Zomba.
As of 2010, Jonathan Rivera
King Phaze
Jonathan "King Phaze" Rivera is an American also known as King Phaze, a Rapper, song writer and record executive who is known for his feature in the song "Lately" with Billy Ray Cyrus's new band, Brother Clyde....
was made president of FPM, overseeing operations and assisting owner Nat Robinson.
