The business
The Labels
The companies that put the records out: independents run out of car trunks and home studios, and the majors that bought in. Histories, rosters and the albums that defined them.
Label histories
The labels that built the scenes
LabelCash Money RecordsNew Orleans, Louisiana · 1991
LabelCold Chillin' RecordsNew York City, New York · 1986
LabelDeath Row RecordsLos Angeles, California · 1991
LabelDef Jam RecordingsNew York City, New York · 1984
LabelGet Low RecordzFillmore District, San Francisco, California · 1991
LabelHypnotize MindsMemphis, Tennessee · 1997
LabelLuke RecordsMiami, Florida · 1985
LabelNo Limit RecordsRichmond, California · 1991
LabelPriority RecordsLos Angeles, California · 1985
LabelRap-A-Lot RecordsHouston, Texas · 1986LabelRuthless RecordsLos Angeles, California (Woodland Hills) · 1987
LabelSick Wid' It RecordsVallejo, California · 1989
LabelSo So Def RecordingsAtlanta, Georgia · 1993
LabelSuave House RecordsHouston, Texas · 1990SLabelSwishahouseNorth Houston, Texas · 1997
LabelYoung Black Brotha RecordsVallejo, CaliforniaEvery label
All labels in the archive
Jive 21Black Market Records 11Cash Money Records 9Def Jam Recordings 9Rap-A-Lot Records 7AWOL Records 7Roc-A-Fella Records 7Relativity 7Atlantic 6Interscope Records 6LaFace Records 6Reel Life Productions 6No Limit Records 6Sick Wid' It Records 5In-A-Minute Records 5Columbia 5Get Low Recordz 4Chrysalis 4Ruthless Records 4Loud Records 4Sire 4Empire 3Geffen Records 3Top Dawg Entertainment 3Dogday Records 3Profile Records 3Priority Records 3Big Dada Recordings 3World One Records 2Universal Motown 2Stones Throw Records 2Dangerous Music 2Bigtyme Recordz 2Prophet Entertainment 2Straight Jacket Records 2Star Trak Entertainment 2Universal Records 2So So Def 2Riddim Killa Records 2Black Power Productions 2Thizz Entertainment 2Noo Trybe Records 2Delicious Vinyl 2Fool's Gold Records 2Aftermath Entertainment 2Wreckshop Records 2Death Row Records 2Suave House Records 2Please Believe It! Records 2BBE 2Good Vibe Recordings 2Bad Boy Entertainment 2Young Black Brotha Records 2Got' Cha Back Entertainment 2Wide Open Records 2Iron Fist Records 2Icewood Entertainment 2Beats At Will Records 2Nastymix Records 2Sugar Hill Records 2No Limit South 1Mello Music Group 1Cinematic Music Group 1Creator's Way Associated Labels 1Roc Nation 1Hype Enough Records 1Rappers I Know 1Low Life Records 1Neighborhood Watch Records 1Machine Entertainment Group 1Savage Squad Records 1Heaven Studios 1Pallas Records 1Lil Danny Publishing LLC 1Red Head Records 1Light Music Recordings 1Federation Records 1Cargo Records 1MCA Records 1Creator's Way Records 1J Records 1Saba Pivot LLC 1Grade A Productions 1Only The Family 1The Goldmind, Inc. 1Schoolly-D Records 1DGC 1Def American Recordings 1365 Soulja Live'n 1Relativity Records 1Strange Music 1S.D.E.G. Records / Ichiban Records 1Basix Music 1Dead End Records 1No Limit Records / Priority Records 1All Money In 1Virgin 1Loud 1Universal 1FFRR 1Music Of Life 1Mango 1E1 Music 1Universal Republic Records 1Jam Down Records 1K'Boro Records 1Rap-A-Lot 4 Life 1Rag Top Records 1Tommy Boy Records 1Street Smart Records 1On Top Records 1Big Cat Records 1Mirror Image Entertainment 1Blakjam 1TVT Records 1Arista 1Luke Skyywalker Records 1Warner Bros. Records 1Fillmoe Coleman Records 1Skyywalker Records 1Slip-N-Slide Records 1Tuff Audio 1B-Boy Records 1Polydor 1Electric Cat 1Sutra Records 1Select Records 1Sleeping Bag Records 1Egyptian Empire Records 1Kru-Cut Records 1Elektra 1Rawkus 1Hypnotize Minds 1Def Jam South 1Rap-A-Lot Resurrection 1ABB Records 1October's Very Own 1Young Money 1Madlib Invazion 1King Records 1RCA Victor 1Cold Chillin' 1Fresh Records 1Tommy Boy 1Beastie Boys Records 1RCA Records Label 1Ministry Of Sound 1Lil Daddy Records 1Midtown Productions 1Inner City Records 1Qwest Records 1Wild Pitch Records 1Pride 1Harvest 1Sussex 1Curtom 1CTI Records 1Mercury 1Rhyme $yndicate Records 1Bassmint Productions 1Mashin' Duck Records 1Bentley Records 1Strictly Roots Recordings 1Top Dog Records 1Psychopathic Records 1Battery Records 1Rock City Records 1Urban Substance Records 1Databass Records 1Warp Records 1Hot Lava Records 1Fnr 1Capitol Records 1Game Recordings 1Web Entertainment 1Darkroom Studios 1Reprise Records 1Triad Records 1Strictly Business Records 1Romp Records 1Warlock Records 1Overcore/Gothom 1Immaculacy Records 1Odysea Music 1SIC Records 1C Funk Productions 1Anonymous Records 1365 Music 1Swerve Records 1Maxcacious Records 1TNT Recordings 1The New And "Untouchable" Death Row Records 1Koch Records 1