Epic Records facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Epic Records |
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| Parent company | Sony Music Entertainment (SME) (1987–2004, 2008–present) Previous: Columbia Records (1953–1987) Sony BMG (2004–2008) |
| Founded | 1953 |
| Founder | Columbia Records |
| Distributor(s) | Sony Music Entertainment |
| Genre | Various |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Location | New York City |
Epic Records is a famous American record label. It is owned by Sony Music Entertainment. This company is part of Sony, a large Japanese company. Epic Records started in 1953. At first, it focused on jazz and Classical music. But over time, it grew to include many different types of music. These include pop, R&B, rock, and hip-hop. Many popular artists are currently with Epic Records. Some of these artists are Travis Scott, Future, 21 Savage, Tyla, Meghan Trainor, and Zara Larsson.
Contents
The Start of Epic Records
Epic Records was created in 1953 by Columbia Records. Columbia Records was part of a company called CBS. The idea was to release jazz, pop, and classical music. This music did not quite fit the main style of Columbia Records. Early classical music came from Philips Records in Europe. Some pop artists from another label, Okeh Records, moved to Epic. This made Okeh Records a label just for rhythm and blues music. Epic's logo was bright yellow, black, and blue. It became well-known for jazz and classical albums. Famous groups like the Berlin Philharmonic released music on Epic.
Growing and Becoming Popular
By 1960, Epic Records started signing new and upcoming artists. By the end of the 1960s, Epic had its first "gold records." A gold record means an album sold many copies. Epic became a strong force in rock and roll, R&B, and country music. Many famous artists joined Epic during this time. These included Bobby Vinton, the Dave Clark Five, the Hollies, Tammy Wynette, and Donovan.
Some British artists on Epic in the 1960s came from a deal with EMI. EMI released Epic's music in the UK. Other British artists signed directly with CBS in the UK. Epic was also part of a unique "artist trade." Graham Nash was with Epic because he was in The Hollies. When his new band, Crosby, Stills & Nash, wanted to sign with Atlantic Records, a deal was made. In exchange, Richie Furay's new band, Poco, moved from Atlantic to Epic.
How Epic Records is Organized
In the 1960s, Epic also managed smaller labels. These included Okeh Records and Date Records. In 1968, CBS started distributing Epic's music in the UK. Epic Records itself officially launched in England around 1971.
In 1987, Sony Corporation bought CBS Records. The company was renamed Sony Music in 1991. Sony Music then started to separate its European operations. Epic and Columbia became two different labels in Europe in 1992. Australia and New Zealand followed this change in 1997.
In 2004, Sony Music joined with another music company, BMG. This created a new company called Sony BMG Music Entertainment. Many famous labels, including Epic Records, became part of this new group. In 2008, Sony bought out BMG. This made all the labels part of Sony Music Entertainment International. The European Union approved this big merger in 2009.
Epic Records from the 1980s to 2010
In 1983, a music executive named John Hammond Sr. signed Stevie Ray Vaughan to Epic Records.
Epic Soundtrax was created in 1992. This part of Epic focused on movie soundtracks. It was very successful in the 1990s. Over three years, 11 soundtrack albums sold more than 40 million copies. Popular soundtracks included those for Sleepless in Seattle and Forrest Gump.
In 1999, Jennifer Lopez released her first album, On the 6. It was a huge success, selling over 8 million copies. Her second album, J.Lo (2001), was even more popular. It sold over 8 million copies and had many hit songs. These included "Love Don't Cost a Thing" and "I'm Real". With J.Lo, Jennifer Lopez became the first female solo artist on Epic to reach number one on the Billboard 200 chart. Her remix album, J to tha L–O! The Remixes, also made history. It was the first remix album to debut at number one on the Billboard 200.
In 2009, Amanda Ghost became the president of Epic Records. She was known for helping artists like James Blunt become famous. She helped artists like the Fray and Modest Mouse have hit songs.
Epic Records from 2011 to 2023
In July 2011, L.A. Reid became the CEO of Epic Records. He signed many well-known artists. These included TLC, Toni Braxton, Avril Lavigne, Future, Meghan Trainor, and Travis Scott. Epic also signed the winners of The X Factor when Reid was a judge on the show.
In 2012, Epic Records signed the hip-hop group Death Grips. They released their album The Money Store (album) in April 2012. The group later left the label after some disagreements.
In 2013, Sylvia Rhone started a new music label called Vested In Culture through Epic Records. A year later, she became the president of Epic. In 2014, Mosley Music Group joined with Sony Music. Epic helped with marketing and distributing their music.
In 2015, Mariah Carey returned to Epic Records. She had worked with L.A. Reid before at another label. Also in 2015, the R&B group Jodeci signed with Epic. They planned to release their first album in 20 years. Janelle Monáe's label, Wondaland Records, also partnered with Epic in 2015.
In 2016, Jennifer Lopez returned to Sony Music and reunited with L.A. Reid. In January 2017, 21 Savage signed with Epic. On May 11, 2017, L.A. Reid left his role as CEO.
On April 23, 2019, Sylvia Rhone was named the Chair and CEO of Epic Records. In April 2023, Sony Music UK announced that Epic Records UK would be relaunched. Sarah Lockhart was appointed as its new president.
Labels Connected to Epic Records
- 550 Music (1993–2000)
- Blue Sky (1974–1983)
- Cactus Jack (2017–present)
- Caribou Records (1976–present)
- Cold Chillin' Records (1993–1998)
- Date Records (1960s)
- Duble Kick Entertainment (2010–2015)
- Epic Records Nashville (1993–2006)
- Epic Soundtrax (1992–1997)
- Epic Street (1993–1998)
- Cleveland International Records (1976–present)
- CTI Records (1980–present)
- Tuff City Records (1983–1984)
- Hidden Beach Records (1998–2007)
- Glacial Pace (mid-1990s)
- Invictus Records (1973–1976)
- Jet Records (1978–1983)
- Kirshner Records (1974–1983)
- Lucky Dog Records
- MJJ Music (1988–2001)
- Nemperor Records (1977–1990)
- Ode Records (1967–1969, 1976–1979)
- OKeh Records (1965–1970, 1994–2000)
- Pasha Records (1979–1990)
- Philadelphia International Records (1971–1984)
- Portrait Records (1976–1992)
- Ruthless Records (1990, 1999–2009)
- Scotti Brothers (1979–1988)
- SOLAR Records (1989–1993)
- T-Neck Records (1972–1984)
- Tabu Records (1978–1991)
- The WORK Group (1994–1999)
- Virgin Records (1976–1978, 1982–1986)
- We the Best Music Group (2018–2022)
- will.i.am Music Group (2020–present)
Logos of Epic Records
Unlike its sister label Columbia, Epic Records has used five different main logos over the years. Some older logos have been brought back for special reissues. The years listed below show when each logo was the main one used by the label.
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First radial sound sunburst logo, 1953–1960
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Second radial sound sunburst logo, 1960–1973, 1998–2005 (still used by Epic Records Japan)
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Big "E" logo, 1973–1978
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Gradient script logo, 1978–1991 (used with outlined script logo)
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Outlined script logo, 1978–1991 (used with gradient script logo)
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Stacked-record logo, 1991–1998
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Simplified script logo, 2005–2011, 2015–present
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Red print logo, 2011–2015 (still used in Japan)
See also
In Spanish: Epic Records para niños
- Epic Records Japan (Japanese branch of Epic Records)
- Immortal Records
- List of record labels
