Koch Records
Encyclopedia
E1 Music the primary subsidiary of E1 Entertainment LP, is the largest independent record label
in the United States
. It is also distributed by the Universal Music Group
in Europe
under the name E1 Universal. On January 22, 2009, Koch Records was officially branded as "E1 Music" by parent company Entertainment One.
umbrella for E1 Entertainment's labels (then known as Koch Entertainment). They would sign many country, classical, and rock acts including, Cledus T. Judd
, Ringo Starr
, Joan Baez
, Chris Brubeck
, Bob James
, and an exclusive distribution with Suge Knight
's embattled Death Row Records
. The label soon began to gain ground on the other independent record labels in the United States. In the 2000s, they began to sign more hip hop acts and become one of the biggest hip hop labels in the world. They signed various distribution deals with labels like Open Bar Entertainment
, Terror Squad
, D-Block Records
, and others. In 2004, they were able to sign a deal with Snoop Dogg
and his Doggystyle Records
along with Mobb Deep
. They hired Snoop Dogg on to head up their western spin off Koch West. Koch also added on to their roster, Cam'ron
and his Diplomat Records
. Diplomat rapper, Jim Jones
would rise to prominince on the label through the deal. Koch later signed Yonkers rapper, J-Hood and his label On Da Grind Ent. Koch has also had releases from 2Pac, Tha Dogg Pound
, Kurupt
, Daz Dillinger
and Gangsta Advisory. In 2007, when they signed J-Hood they gave him a big position in their Koch East division. J-Hood never released this album and he was booted from D-Block. In 2007, they signed a distribution deal with Foxy Brown and her Black Rose Entertainment, as well as with Ray J
and his label Knockout Entertainment
. Slim Thug
was signed to the label along with his Boss Hoggs label in late 2005. On September 29, 2006 - KOCH Entertainment Distribution announced that have signed an exclusive distribution deal with Los Angeles- based Latin Thug Records, a newly launched label headed by music industry veteran Fred Sherman along with Senen “Sen Dog” Reyes
, a founding member of the groundbreaking rap group Cypress Hill. Latin Thug Records was formed by CEO Reyes to build a family business with his brother and acting VP of A&R Mellow Man Ace that would focus on releasing personal projects and developing new talent. The label represents the extended Latin Thug family, including solo projects from Sen and Mellow and collaborations with B Real, Soul Assassins
and other members of the extended Cypress Hill
family. In March 2008, the company signed neo-soul singer Dwele
to their lineup. In October 2008, they signed also pop-jazz singer Basia.
Koch Records also releases children's music, such as Pokémon
, Barney
, Sesame Street
, The Wiggles
, and Fraggle Rock
. On May 22, 2008 Koch Records released two albums from the children's show Thomas & Friends.
Koch Records has also recently announced releasing from platinum selling acts Dem Franchise Boyz and The Clipse.
As of April 2011, E1 is also in negotiations with up and coming artist Zee Gudda and his label, Currency Stack Entertainment, regarding an exclusive international distribution deal through Mulato Boy Ent.
moved his No Limit Records
' roster to Koch Records for a chance of better promotion and more creative control. This deal added C-Murder, Shatara, Silkk Tha Shocker
, Los, Magic
, producer Djuan Edgerton, TRU, and Lil' Romeo to the label. In 2005, Romeo created a label that is to distribute No Limit through Koch, Guttar Music. He would sign Rich Boyz, Lil' D, Money Long Click and others to the label.
have teamed up on its new signees on joint ventures from 2007 to the present.http://www.nypost.com/seven/08122007/business/no_rap_turf_war_here_business_.htm Through these deals, Epic combines its A&R department and label promoters with Koch and they sign, cross-fund, and cross-promote their artists. Through this deal they have signed Chicago
rapper Yung Berg
and his Yung Boss Records, as well as J. R. Rotem
's Beluga Heights, which is home to artist Sean Kingston
. Both labels have extended this deal. Epic now distributes all Koch releases, similar to the Tommy Boy Records
deal with Warner Bros. Records
.
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is also distributed by the Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
under the name E1 Universal. On January 22, 2009, Koch Records was officially branded as "E1 Music" by parent company Entertainment One.
Company history
E1 Music was formed in May 1999 as "Koch Records" to serve as the North AmericanNorth American
North American generally refers to an entity, people, group, or attribute of North America, especially of the United States and Canada together.-Culture:*North American English, a collective term used to describe American English and Canadian English...
umbrella for E1 Entertainment's labels (then known as Koch Entertainment). They would sign many country, classical, and rock acts including, Cledus T. Judd
Cledus T. Judd
Barry Poole is an American country music artist who records under the name Cledus T. Judd. Known primarily for his parodies of popular country music songs, he has been called the "Weird Al" Yankovic of country music, and his albums are usually an equal mix of original comedy songs and parodies...
, Ringo Starr
Ringo Starr
Richard Starkey, MBE better known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English musician and actor who gained worldwide fame as the drummer for The Beatles. When the band formed in 1960, Starr was a member of another Liverpool band, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. He became The Beatles' drummer in...
, Joan Baez
Joan Baez
Joan Chandos Baez is an American folk singer, songwriter, musician and a prominent activist in the fields of human rights, peace and environmental justice....
, Chris Brubeck
Chris Brubeck
Christopher Brubeck , better known as Chris Brubeck, is a U.S. musician and composer, both in jazz and classical music. As a musician, he mainly plays electric bass, bass trombone, and piano. The son of noted jazz pianist and composer Dave Brubeck, he toured and recorded for ten years with The Dave...
, Bob James
Bob James (musician)
Robert McElhiney James is a jazz keyboardist, arranger and producer.-Biography:During the 1970s, Bob James played a major role in establishing the smooth jazz genre. "Angela", the instrumental theme from the sitcom Taxi, is probably Bob James' most well-known work to date...
, and an exclusive distribution with Suge Knight
Suge Knight
Marion "Suge" Knight, Jr. is the founder and CEO of Black Kapital Records and co-founder and former CEO of Death Row Records. Death Row Records rose to dominate the rap charts after Dr. Dre's breakthrough album The Chronic in 1992. After several years of chart successes for artists including...
's embattled Death Row Records
Death Row Records
Death Row Records is a record label founded in 1991 by Marion "Suge" Knight Jr., Andre Young , Tracy Lynn Curry and Michael Harris . It is known to have been home to many popular West Coast hip hop artists such as Dr...
. The label soon began to gain ground on the other independent record labels in the United States. In the 2000s, they began to sign more hip hop acts and become one of the biggest hip hop labels in the world. They signed various distribution deals with labels like Open Bar Entertainment
Open Bar Entertainment
Open Bar Entertainment is a record label founded in late 1995 by Detroit rapper Xzibit.Xzibit stated "I started a label called Open Bar Entertainment, being that I gotta take advantage of everything that's happening around me right now, I just feel like Likwit Crew never got our fair share in the...
, Terror Squad
Terror Squad (group)
Terror Squad is an American hip hop collective that was first established in 1998. Based in The Bronx borough of New York City, the members of Terror Squad collectively debuted on a song in member Fat Joe's album Don Cartagena...
, D-Block Records
D-Block Records
D-Block Records is a subsidiary of the American hip hop label Ruff Ryders-Roster:D-Block Records is a subsidiary of the American hip hop label Ruff Ryders-Roster:D-Block Records is a subsidiary of the American hip hop label Ruff Ryders...
, and others. In 2004, they were able to sign a deal with Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
and his Doggystyle Records
Doggystyle Records
Doggy Style Records is a record label founded by Snoop Dogg in 1995.-History:...
along with Mobb Deep
Mobb Deep
Mobb Deep is an American hip hop duo from Queensbridge, Queens, New York, U.S., that consists of Havoc and Prodigy. The duo is "one of the most critically acclaimed hardcore East Coast hip-hop groups." The group is best known for its dark, hardcore delivery, as exemplified by the single "Shook Ones...
. They hired Snoop Dogg on to head up their western spin off Koch West. Koch also added on to their roster, Cam'ron
Cam'ron
Cameron Giles , better known by his stage name Cam'ron or "Killa Cam", is a Grammy-nominated American actor. He is the founder of the hip-hop group The Diplomats , and also of The U.N. group....
and his Diplomat Records
Diplomat Records
Diplomat Records is an American record label founded by Harlem rappers Cam'ron and Jim Jones. Dipset currently released music under the independent label E1 music. In the early 2000's Dipset was very popular for having star rappers with radio hits like Juelz Santana and Cam'Ron and for their...
. Diplomat rapper, Jim Jones
Jim Jones (rapper)
Joseph Guillermo Jones II , better known by his stage name Jim Jones, is an American rapper and original member of The Diplomats, also known as Dipset. He is Co-CEO of Diplomat Records...
would rise to prominince on the label through the deal. Koch later signed Yonkers rapper, J-Hood and his label On Da Grind Ent. Koch has also had releases from 2Pac, Tha Dogg Pound
Tha Dogg Pound
Tha Dogg Pound is a rap group made up of Daz Dillinger and Kurupt. They were signed to Death Row Records in their early careers and were key to the label's success. The group made their 1992 rap debut on Dr. Dre's The Chronic, on various songs. They also appeared on Snoop Dogg's debut album...
, Kurupt
Kurupt
Ricardo Emmanuel Brown , better known by his stage name Kurupt, also known as Kurupt Tha Kingpin, Kurupt Young Gotti or Young Gotstra is an American rapper and former Executive Vice President of Death Row Records...
, Daz Dillinger
Daz Dillinger
Delmar Drew Arnaud , better known by his stage name Daz Dillinger is an American hip hop producer and rapper mostly known for his membership in the rap duo Tha Dogg Pound, with Kurupt, and his work with Death Row Records.-The Chronic, Tha Dogg Pound and Dogg Food:Daz began his career on Death Row...
and Gangsta Advisory. In 2007, when they signed J-Hood they gave him a big position in their Koch East division. J-Hood never released this album and he was booted from D-Block. In 2007, they signed a distribution deal with Foxy Brown and her Black Rose Entertainment, as well as with Ray J
Ray J
William Ray Norwood Jr. , better known by his stage name Ray J, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer and actor.-Early life:...
and his label Knockout Entertainment
Knockout Entertainment
Knockout Entertainment is singer Ray J's vanity label, founded in 2004. The label specializes in R&B, hip hop, and gospel. Originally released under Sanctuary Records, a press release in December 2007 announced a new partnership with E1 Records....
. Slim Thug
Slim Thug
Stayve Jerome Thomas , better known as Slim Thug, Boss Hogg or Thug Boss, is an American rapper. He gained mainstream attention for his contribution to the popular single from rapper Mike Jones, "Still Tippin'"....
was signed to the label along with his Boss Hoggs label in late 2005. On September 29, 2006 - KOCH Entertainment Distribution announced that have signed an exclusive distribution deal with Los Angeles- based Latin Thug Records, a newly launched label headed by music industry veteran Fred Sherman along with Senen “Sen Dog” Reyes
Sen Dog
Sen Dog is a Cuban-American rapper, and member of rap group Cypress Hill. He is the older brother of fellow rapper Mellow Man Ace.Sen Dog has been developing his own solo career in addition to his work with Cypress Hill...
, a founding member of the groundbreaking rap group Cypress Hill. Latin Thug Records was formed by CEO Reyes to build a family business with his brother and acting VP of A&R Mellow Man Ace that would focus on releasing personal projects and developing new talent. The label represents the extended Latin Thug family, including solo projects from Sen and Mellow and collaborations with B Real, Soul Assassins
Soul Assassins
Soul Assassins are a loose collective of musicians and graphic artists affiliated to the hip hop group Cypress Hill, formed in the early 1990s. It is also the name of Cypress Hill's publishing company....
and other members of the extended Cypress Hill
Cypress Hill
Cypress Hill is an American hip hop group from South Gate, California. Cypress Hill was the first Latino hip-hop group to have platinum and multi-platinum albums, selling over 18 million albums worldwide...
family. In March 2008, the company signed neo-soul singer Dwele
Dwele
Andwele Gardner , better known by his stage name Dwele is a soul singer, songwriter and record producer from Detroit, Michigan.-Biography:...
to their lineup. In October 2008, they signed also pop-jazz singer Basia.
Koch Records also releases children's music, such as Pokémon
Pokémon
is a media franchise published and owned by the video game company Nintendo and created by Satoshi Tajiri in 1996. Originally released as a pair of interlinkable Game Boy role-playing video games developed by Game Freak, Pokémon has since become the second most successful and lucrative video...
, Barney
Barney & Friends
Barney and Friends, also referred to by HiT Entertainment as Barney the Friendly Dinosaur, is an independent children's television show produced in the United States, aimed at children from ages 1-8...
, Sesame Street
Sesame Street
Sesame Street has undergone significant changes in its history. According to writer Michael Davis, by the mid-1970s the show had become "an American institution". The cast and crew expanded during this time, including the hiring of women in the crew and additional minorities in the cast. The...
, The Wiggles
The Wiggles
The Wiggles are a children's group formed in Sydney, Australia in 1991. Their original members were Anthony Field, Phillip Wilcher, Murray Cook, Greg Page, and Jeff Fatt. Wilcher left the group after their first album...
, and Fraggle Rock
Fraggle Rock
Fraggle Rock is a children's live action puppet television program series created by Jim Henson. The central characters were a set of "Muppet" creatures called Fraggles. The show ran from January 10, 1983, to March 30, 1987, on CBC Television in Canada, ITV in the UK, HBO in the United States,...
. On May 22, 2008 Koch Records released two albums from the children's show Thomas & Friends.
Koch Records has also recently announced releasing from platinum selling acts Dem Franchise Boyz and The Clipse.
As of April 2011, E1 is also in negotiations with up and coming artist Zee Gudda and his label, Currency Stack Entertainment, regarding an exclusive international distribution deal through Mulato Boy Ent.
All Guttar Music
In 2003, Master PMaster P
Percy Robert Miller , better known by his stage name Master P or his business name P. Miller, is an American rapper, actor, entrepreneur, investor, and producer. He is the founder of the popular label No Limit Records, which went bankrupt and was relaunched as New No Limit Records through Koch...
moved his No Limit Records
No Limit Records
No Limit Records was an American hip-hop record label that was founded in 1990 by hip-hop artist, Percy "Master P" Miller. It was distributed by Priority Records.-No Limit Early years:...
' roster to Koch Records for a chance of better promotion and more creative control. This deal added C-Murder, Shatara, Silkk Tha Shocker
Silkk Tha Shocker
Vyshonn King Miller , who records under the stage name Silkk The Shocker, is an American rapper and actor. He originally went under the stage name Silkk, but later adopted The Shocker after his debut studio album in 1996 entitled, The Shocker.- Early life :Vyshonn King Miller was born on June 18,...
, Los, Magic
Magic (rapper)
Awood Johnson , better known by his stage name Magic, is a New Orleans hip hop artist, who first worked the city's underground circuit, before signing with Master P's No Limit Records label thanks to the mogul's brother, C-Murder. Magic met C-Murder at a party and impressed him with his rapping...
, producer Djuan Edgerton, TRU, and Lil' Romeo to the label. In 2005, Romeo created a label that is to distribute No Limit through Koch, Guttar Music. He would sign Rich Boyz, Lil' D, Money Long Click and others to the label.
Epic deal
In an effort to increase promotion and save money, Koch and Epic RecordsEpic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
have teamed up on its new signees on joint ventures from 2007 to the present.http://www.nypost.com/seven/08122007/business/no_rap_turf_war_here_business_.htm Through these deals, Epic combines its A&R department and label promoters with Koch and they sign, cross-fund, and cross-promote their artists. Through this deal they have signed Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
rapper Yung Berg
Yung Berg
Christian Ward , better known by his stage name Yung Berg, is an American rapper from Chicago. He is of African American and Puerto Rican descent. His first single was "Sexy Lady" which features R&B singer Junior. Yung Berg had been previously signed to DMX's Bloodline Records as Ice Berg. He is...
and his Yung Boss Records, as well as J. R. Rotem
J. R. Rotem
- Early life :Rotem was born in South Africa to Israeli immigrant Jewish parents. He moved to Toronto at the age of two and finally to Moraga, California when he was twelve.Rotem's entry point into music was in receiving classical piano tuition at a young age...
's Beluga Heights, which is home to artist Sean Kingston
Sean Kingston
Sean Kingston is a Jamaican-American singer. He pursued a music career and debuted in 2007 with the album Sean Kingston.-Early life:...
. Both labels have extended this deal. Epic now distributes all Koch releases, similar to the Tommy Boy Records
Tommy Boy Records
Tommy Boy Entertainment is an independent record label started in 1981 by Tom Silverman.-History:...
deal with Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
.