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Ghazi Shami
Ghazi Shami (Arabic: غازي شامي), is a Palestinian-American music executive, technologist, and entrepreneur, best known as the founder and CEO of Empire Distribution. Established in 2010 in San Francisco, California, Empire has grown into an international operation with offices in New York, Nashville, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East. The company has played a significant role in the careers of numerous artists across diverse genres, including hip-hop, R&B, Latin, reggae, pop, rock, gospel, and country. Early life Ghazi Shami grew up in San Francisco, California. His father, Fuad Hanna Shami (1934–2008), was from Khirbat Lid in Palestine and left in 1948 following its occupation and depopulation during the Arab-Israeli War. His mother was from Ramla. From a young age, Shami demonstrated an aptitude for technology and music. By four years old, he was repairing washing machines in his father's laundromat, and by 14, he was creating "pause-tapes" using a Gemini mi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
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] [Amazon] |