Epic Records facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This page is about the American Epic Records. For the Japanese Epic Records under Sony Music Entertainment Japan, see Epic Records Japan.

Quick facts for kids Epic Records

Parent company	Sony Music Entertainment (SME)
Founded	1953; 72 years ago (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 part of Sony Music Entertainment, which is owned by Sony Corporation of America. Sony is a big company from Japan. Epic Records started in 1953. At first, it focused on jazz and classical music. But over time, it grew to include many other music styles. These include pop, R&B, rock, and hip hop.

The Story of Epic Records
Labels Connected to Epic Records
Artists
Logos
See also

The Story of Epic Records

How Epic Records Began

Epic Records was created in 1953 by Columbia Records, which was part of CBS. The idea was to release jazz, pop, and classical music that didn't quite fit with Columbia Records' main style. Early classical music came from Philips Records, which helped distribute Columbia's music in Europe. Some pop artists from another label called Okeh Records moved to Epic. This made Okeh Records focus more on rhythm and blues.

Epic's logo, with its bright yellow, black, and blue colors, became well-known. Many famous jazz and classical artists released music with Epic. These included the Berlin Philharmonic orchestra and the Juilliard String Quartet.

Growing with New Music Styles

By 1960, Epic Records started signing new and upcoming artists. By the end of the 1960s, Epic had its first "gold records." This means their music sold a lot of copies! Epic became a strong force in rock and roll, R&B, and country music.

Many popular artists joined Epic during this time. Some were Bobby Vinton, the Dave Clark Five, the Hollies, Tammy Wynette, Donovan, and Jeff Beck. Many British artists came to Epic because of a deal CBS made with EMI in 1962.

Epic Records even traded artists with another label once! Graham Nash was with Epic. 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.

Epic's success kept growing in the 1970s. They released music from ABBA (in the UK), Boston, Cheap Trick, the Clash, the Jacksons, Meat Loaf, and REO Speedwagon. Epic also helped distribute music for Philadelphia International Records. This led to more hit songs from groups like the Three Degrees.

How the Company Changed Over Time

In the 1960s, Epic also looked after smaller labels like Okeh Records. In 1968, Epic's music started being distributed in the UK by CBS. Epic Records itself officially launched in England around 1971.

Sony Corporation bought CBS Records in 1987. The company then changed its name to Sony Music in 1991. In 1992, Sony started to split its European operations into two separate labels: Epic and Columbia. Australia and New Zealand followed this plan in 1997.

In 2004, Sony joined with another music company called BMG. This brought many famous labels like Arista, Columbia, Epic, and RCA under one big company called Sony BMG Music Entertainment. In 2008, Sony bought out BMG completely. This made all the labels part of Sony Music Entertainment International.

Big Hits from the 1980s to 2010

Epic Records was one of the most successful music labels in the 1980s and 1990s. They signed many famous artists who had huge hits. These included Michael Jackson, Culture Club, Gloria Estefan, Wham! and George Michael, Cyndi Lauper, Ozzy Osbourne, Korn, Pearl Jam, Sade, Luther Vandross, and Céline Dion.

Michael Jackson's album Thriller, released by Epic, is the best-selling album of all time. It has sold over 70 million copies worldwide! Another huge success was George Michael's first solo album, Faith, which sold about 25 million copies.

In 1992, Epic created Epic Soundtrax for movie soundtracks. This was a big part of Epic's success in the 1990s. They released 11 soundtracks that sold over 40 million records in just three years. Famous soundtracks included those for Singles, Sleepless in Seattle, and Forrest Gump.

In 1999, Jennifer Lopez released her first album, On the 6. It sold over 8 million copies. Her second album, J.Lo (2001), was even more successful. It sold over 8 million copies and had many international hits like "Love Don't Cost a Thing". With this album, 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 (2002), was the first remix album to debut at number one on the Billboard 200. It became the fourth best-selling remix album ever. Jennifer Lopez also made history by having a number one remix album and a number one single ("Ain't It Funny (Murder Remix)") in the same week!

In 2009, Amanda Ghost became the president of Epic. She helped artists like the Fray and Sean Kingston have hit songs. She left Epic in 2010.

Epic Records from 2011 to 2023

In July 2011, L.A. Reid became the CEO of Epic Records. He signed many popular artists, including TLC, Avril Lavigne, Future, Ciara, Meghan Trainor, DJ Khaled, and Travis Scott. Epic also signed the winners of The X Factor TV show when Reid was a judge.

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 2015, Mariah Carey rejoined 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 released their first album in 20 years.

Janelle Monáe's music label, Wondaland Records, also partnered with Epic in 2015. Artists like Jidenna are part of Wondaland.

In 2016, Jennifer Lopez returned to Sony Music and Epic Records. She was happy to work with L.A. Reid again.

In January 2017, 21 Savage signed with Epic. On May 11, 2017, L.A. Reid announced he would be leaving 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)
MJJ Music (1988–2001)
MLD Entertainment (2010–2017)
MODHAUS (2021–present)
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)
Stone Music Entertainment (1994–present)
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)

Artists

Logos

Epic Records has used five different main logos over the years. Some older logos have been used again for special music reissues. The years listed below show when each logo was the main one.

First radial sound sunburst logo, used from 1953 to 1960.
Second radial sound sunburst logo, used from 1960 to 1973, and again from 1998 to 2005.
The "Big E" logo, used from 1973 to 1978.
Gradient script logo, used from 1978 to 1991 (along with the outlined script logo).
Outlined script logo, used from 1978 to 1991 (along with the gradient script logo).
Stacked-record logo, used from 1991 to 1998.
Simplified script logo, used from 2005 to 2011, and from 2015 to the present.
Red print logo, used from 2011 to 2015.