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 8Roc-A-Fella Records 7Relativity 7Interscope Records 6AWOL Records 6LaFace Records 6Reel Life Productions 6Rap-A-Lot Records 6No Limit Records 6Atlantic 6In-A-Minute Records 5Sick Wid' It Records 5Columbia 5Sire 4Loud Records 4Ruthless Records 4Get Low Recordz 4Empire 3Geffen Records 3Top Dawg Entertainment 3Dogday Records 3Profile Records 3Priority Records 3Aftermath Entertainment 2Iron Fist Records 2Star Trak Entertainment 2Universal Motown 2Stones Throw Records 2So So Def 2Suave House Records 2Universal Records 2Icewood Entertainment 2Thizz Entertainment 2Nastymix Records 2Straight Jacket Records 2Beats At Will Records 2World One Records 2Delicious Vinyl 2Noo Trybe Records 2Fool's Gold Records 2Please Believe It! Records 2Black Power Productions 2BBE 2Got' Cha Back Entertainment 2Wide Open Records 2Bigtyme Recordz 2Prophet Entertainment 2Chrysalis 2Sugar Hill Records 2Death Row Records 2Young Black Brotha Records 2Dangerous Music 2Bad Boy Entertainment 2Wreckshop Records 2No Limit South 1Hype Enough Records 1Federation Records 1Red Head Records 1Tommy Boy 1Only The Family 1Creator's Way Associated Labels 1Neighborhood Watch Records 1Pallas Records 1Fresh Records 1Cargo Records 1Game Recordings 1Beastie Boys Records 1Lil Danny Publishing LLC 1Ministry Of Sound 1Good Vibe Recordings 1Capitol Records 1RCA Records Label 1Skyywalker Records 1Koch Records 1Heaven Studios 1Rappers I Know 1Mello Music Group 1Light Music Recordings 1MCA Records 1Creator's Way Records 1J Records 1TVT Records 1Arista 1Luke Skyywalker Records 1Rag Top Records 1Fillmoe Coleman Records 1B-Boy Records 1Slip-N-Slide Records 1Universal Republic Records 1E1 Music 1The Goldmind, Inc. 1Schoolly-D Records 1DGC 1Elektra 1Mirror Image Entertainment 1Big Cat Records 1Savage Squad Records 1Machine Entertainment Group 1Cinematic Music Group 1Roc Nation 1Saba Pivot LLC 1Grade A Productions 1Lil Daddy Records 1Jam Down Records 1Rap-A-Lot 4 Life 1Cold Chillin' 1Street Smart Records 1On Top Records 1Def American Recordings 1Rawkus 1Mercury 1King Records 1Rhyme $yndicate Records 1Reprise Records 1Triad Records 1Strictly Business Records 1Romp Records 1RCA Victor 1CTI Records 1Curtom 1Warlock Records 1Sussex 1Overcore/Gothom 1Madlib Invazion 1Kru-Cut Records 1Egyptian Empire Records 1Sleeping Bag Records 1Hypnotize Minds 1Def Jam South 1Rap-A-Lot Resurrection 1Select Records 1ABB Records 1October's Very Own 1Young Money 1Sutra Records 1Electric Cat 1Polydor 1Harvest 1Immaculacy Records 1Mashin' Duck Records 1Bentley Records 1Strictly Roots Recordings 1Inner City Records 1Midtown Productions 1Top Dog Records 1Psychopathic Records 1Battery Records 1Rock City Records 1Urban Substance Records 1Databass Records 1Warp Records 1Hot Lava Records 1Bassmint Productions 1Web Entertainment 1Odysea Music 1SIC Records 1C Funk Productions 1Pride 1Wild Pitch Records 1Anonymous Records 1365 Music 1Swerve Records 1Qwest Records 1Maxcacious Records 1TNT Recordings 1The New And "Untouchable" Death Row Records 1Darkroom Studios 1Fnr 1