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Empire Distribution
Empire Distribution, Records and Publishing Inc. (stylized as EMPIRE) is an independent American record label, distribution and publishing company founded in 2010 by Ghazi Shami. Based in San Francisco, EMPIRE has offices in New York, London, Lagos, and Johannesburg in addition to recording studios in San Francisco and New York. 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 proprietary 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 the Bay Area's artist community. In 2014, Shami, known as Ghazi, launched the Empire label. Empire Africa, Empire Latino, and Empire Nashville divisions were later established. Since its founding—in partnership with artists and artist labels—Empire has released music by artists in ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hip Hop Music
Hip-hop or hip hop (originally disco rap) is a popular music Music genre, genre that emerged in the early 1970s from the African Americans, African-American community of New York City. The style is characterized by its synthesis of a wide range of musical techniques. Hip-hop includes rapping often enough that the terms can be used synonymously. However, "hip-hop" more properly denotes an entire hip-hop culture, subculture. Other key markers of the genre are the disc jockey, turntablism, scratching, beatboxing, and hip hop production, instrumental tracks. Cultural interchange has always been central to the hip-hop genre. It simultaneously borrows from its social environment while commenting on it. The hip-hop genre and culture emerged from block parties in ethnic minority neighborhoods of New York City, particularly The Bronx, Bronx. DJs began expanding the instrumental Break (music), breaks of popular records when they noticed how excited it would make the crowds. The extend ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Fat Joe
Joseph Antonio Cartagena (born August 19, 1970), better known by his stage name Fat Joe, is an American rapper. He began recording as a member of Hip-hop, hip hop group D.I.T.C., Diggin' in the Crates Crew (D.I.T.C.) in 1992, and pursued a solo career with the release of his debut studio album, ''Represent (Fat Joe album), Represent'' (1993) the following year. Cartegena formed the hip hop group Terror Squad (group), Terror Squad and its Terror Squad Entertainment, namesake record label in the late 1990s, through which he has signed fellow New York artists including Big Pun, Remy Ma, Tony Sunshine, Cuban Link, Triple Seis, as well as then-unknown producers DJ Khaled and Cool & Dre. ''Represent'' was preceded by his debut single "Flow Joe", which entered the Billboard Hot 100, ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and peaked atop the Hot Rap Songs chart. The album was followed by ''Jealous One's Envy'' (1995), ''Don Cartagena'' (1998), and ''Jealous Ones Still Envy (J.O.S.E.)'' (2001)—the lat ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
D Smoke
Daniel Anthony Farris (born October 17, 1985), known professionally as D Smoke, is an American rapper and former educator from Inglewood, California. He first became known as the winner of the Netflix hip hop-based reality competition series '' Rhythm + Flow'' in 2019. The following year, he independently released his debut studio album ''Black Habits'' (2020), which earned him nominations for Best Rap Album and Best New Artist at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards. In 2023, he signed with Snoop Dogg's Death Row Records. Career Farris grew up in a musical family with his mother, brothers, and cousin being gospel singers in Inglewood, California. His mother was a backup singer for Tina Turner. In 2006, he formed the songwriting group WoodWorks with his brothers and his cousin Tiffany Gouché, who wrote songs for Ginuwine and The Pussycat Dolls, and is credited for co-writing " Never" by Jaheim. He was also in a musical trio with his brother called N3D. On May 9, 2006, he released hi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Yung Bleu
Jeremy Biddle (born April 4, 1994), known professionally as Yung Bleu or Bleu, is an American rapper and singer. He is best known for his 2020 single " You're Mines Still", which peaked at number 18 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 after it was remixed by Canadian rapper Drake. Life and career Biddle was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama. He started making music in 2013, releasing a string of mixtapes that had his name circulate throughout the Southern scene, and eventually signed a deal with Columbia Records through Boosie Badazz's label Bad Azz Music Syndicate. In 2017, he came back on the scene with the singles "Miss It" and "Ice on My Baby" from the mixtape ''Investments 4'', which featured a guest appearance from YoungBoy Never Broke Again. In 2018, he released a remix for "Miss It" featuring Kid Ink and for "Ice on My Baby" featuring Kevin Gates. In 2020, he released the mixtape ''Inv 5'' and the EP ''Bleu Vandross'', which were his last releases under Columbia Records an ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Black Sherif
Mohammed Ismail Sherif (born 9 January 2002), professionally known as Black Sherif and formerly Blacko, is a Ghanaian singer, rapper and fashion model. He initially gained popularity in 2021 with his song "First Sermon," which he released in May 2021. This was followed up with the "Second Sermon" in July 2021. His breakthrough came in March 2022 with his hit single " Kwaku the Traveller," which reached Number 1 on the Ghanaian and Nigerian Apple Music charts. (Its music video has been viewed 27 million times on youtube). He then released his debut album, '' The Villain I Never Was'', on 5 October 2022. His sophomore album, '' Iron Boy'', was released on 3 April 2025. In May 2025, he was nominated in the 2025 BET Awards. Early life and education Mohammed Ismail Sherif was born and raised in Konongo-Zongo, in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. As both his parents worked mostly overseas, he started living with his aunt and other extended family members at the age of 10. His nomadic ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tink (musician)
Trinity Laure'Ale Home (born March 18, 1995), better known by her stage name Tink, is an American rapper and R&B singer from Chicago, Illinois. She signed with record producer Timbaland's Mosley Music Group, an imprint of Epic Records to release her 2014 debut single, "Treat Me Like Somebody". Her 2015 single, "Million", entered the Bubbling Under Hot 100. Both produced by Timbaland, the songs were intended to precede her debut studio album ''Think Tink'', although disagreements with the producer led her to part ways with the label in 2017. Tink was chosen as part of the ''XXL'' 2015 Freshman Class. Early life and education Trinity Laure'Ale Home was born on March 18, 1995, in Calumet City, Illinois. Home was nicknamed Tink by friends in elementary school and she has used the name ever since. Tink started singing in church when she was five years old and began writing songs at age 11, including some for her father's friends. She attended high school at Chicago's Simeon Career ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
King Von
Dayvon Daquan Bennett (August 9, 1994 – November 6, 2020), known professionally as King Von, was an American rapper and gangster from Chicago, Illinois, who was affiliated with the Black Disciples gang. He was considered a preeminent figure in the drill genre. Bennett gained recognition for his storytelling and distinctive lyricism, particularly with his 2018 single, " Crazy Story", and his 2020 single, " Took Her to the O", both of which received triple platinum certifications by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The latter peaked within the top 50 of the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, preceding the release of his debut studio album, '' Welcome to O'Block'' (2020). The album achieved both critical and commercial success, peaking at number five on the ''Billboard'' 200 and earning a platinum certification. After signing with Lil Durk's record label, Only the Family, in 2018, Bennett played a key role in the label's growth. This partnership led to the release of ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Key Glock
Markeyvius LaShun Cathey (born August 3, 1997), known professionally as Key Glock, is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. The cousin of late Memphis rapper Young Dolph, Cathey signed with his record label, Paper Route Empire, to release his commercial mixtape, ''Glock Season'' (2017). His debut studio album, ''Yellow Tape (Key Glock album), Yellow Tape'' (2020), peaked at number 14 on the Billboard 200, ''Billboard'' 200 and received RIAA certification, gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). His second album, ''Yellow Tape 2'' (2021), peaked at number seven on the chart and spawned the RIAA certification, multi-platinum-certified single "Ambition for Cash", as well as "Proud (Key Glock song), Proud", which was released in the wake of Dolph's death and marked his first entry on the Billboard Hot 100, ''Billboard'' Hot 100. His third album, ''Glockoma 2'' (2023), spawned the sleeper hit single "Let's Go (Key Glock song), Let's G ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Young Dolph
Adolph Robert Thornton Jr. (July 27, 1985 – November 17, 2021), better known by his stage name Young Dolph, was an American rapper and record executive. He first garnered mainstream attention for his guest appearance on O.T. Genasis' 2015 single " Cut It", which peaked within the top 40 of the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. The following year, he released his debut studio album King of Memphis, which peaked at number 49 on the ''Billboard'' 200. His fifth album, '' Rich Slave'' (2020), peaked at number four on the chart. Thornton founded the independent label Paper Route Empire in 2010, through which he signed his cousin in-law, fellow Memphis-based rapper Key Glock. On November 17, 2021, Dolph was fatally shot in Memphis, Tennessee. Early life Adolph Robert Thornton Jr. was born on July 27, 1985, in Chicago, Illinois. When he was two years old, his family moved to Memphis, Tennessee. He had two sisters and two brothers; he and Chicago rapper Juice Wrld were second cousins. Th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Philthy Rich
Phillip Anthony Beasley (born January 30, 1983), known professionally as Philthy Rich is an American rapper. from Oakland, California. He began his musical career in 2004 with extensive work with local rappers on various projects. He enlisted rappers including Mistah F.A.B., J. Stalin, and Shady Nate to embark on his "Stan Bizzness BG's" tour, which was cancelled after Beasley was arrested for selling cocaine and cannabis, for which he was sentenced to six years in prison the following year. His subsequent criminal trials include firearms conspiracy, unlawful weapon possessions, and other federal charges. Despite remaining independent, he has collaborated with mainstream artists including Rick Ross, Migos, Gucci Mane, French Montana, B.o.B, Jeremih, Fabolous, Waka Flocka Flame, Chief Keef, Juelz Santana, E-40, and Kaz Bałagane among others. Personal life Beasley grew up in the Seminary neighborhood of Oakland. On February 13, 2011, Beasley was arrested with two other peop ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
G-Dragon
Kwon Ji-yong (; born August 18, 1988), best known as G-Dragon (), is a South Korean rapper, singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur, known as the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, King of K-pop". Born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, G-Dragon made his debut in 2006 and rose to prominence as the leader of the South Korean boy band BigBang (South Korean band), BigBang, which went on to become one of the best-selling boy bands in the world. In 2009, he released his first solo album ''Heartbreaker (G-Dragon album), Heartbreaker;'' the album and its Heartbreaker (G-Dragon song), title track of the same name were commercially successful, becoming the best-selling album by a Korean soloist at the time and earning him Mnet Asian Music Award for Album of the Year, Album of the Year at the 2009 Mnet Asian Music Awards. This was followed by a collaboration with bandmate T.O.P (rapper), T.O.P for the album ''GD & TOP'' in 2010. His first Extended play, EP ''One of a Kind (G-Dragon EP), ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
XXXTentacion
Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy (January 23, 1998 – June 18, 2018), known professionally as XXXTentacion, was an American rapper and singer-songwriter. Though a controversial figure due to his widely publicized legal troubles, XXXTentacion gained a cult following among his young fan base during his short career with his Depression (mood), depression- and Social alienation, alienation-themed music. Critics and audiences often credit him for his musical versatility, with his music exploring emo music, emo, Trap music, trap, Rap metal#Trap metal, trap metal, nu metal, indie rock, Lo-fi music, lo-fi, hip-hop, Contemporary R&B, R&B, and punk rock. He was considered to be a leading figure in the establishment of the emo rap and SoundCloud rap genres, which garnered mainstream attention during the mid-to-late 2010s. Born in Plantation, Florida, XXXTentacion spent most of his childhood in Lauderhill, Florida, Lauderhill. He began writing music after being released from a juvenile deten ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
