Island Records facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Island Records |
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| Parent company | Universal Music Group (UMG) |
| Founded | 4 July 1959 |
| Founder | Chris Blackwell Graeme Goodall Leslie Kong |
| Distributor(s) | Republic (US) EMI/Island UK (UK) Universal Music Group (international) Island Def Jam (France) Island Philippines (Philippines) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (most of Island Pictures film library) |
| Genre | Various |
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Island Records is a big music company that helps artists release their songs and albums. It's owned by Universal Music Group, one of the largest music companies in the world. Island Records was started in Jamaica in 1959 by Chris Blackwell, Graeme Goodall, and Leslie Kong.
Over the years, Island Records became very important in the music world. It helped many famous artists become popular, especially in the United Kingdom during the 1970s. Today, Island Records has offices in the US, UK, Australia, and France. It's still one of Universal Music Group's most important record labels.
Contents
How Island Records Started
The Early Days of Island Records
Island Records began on July 4, 1959, in Jamaica. Chris Blackwell, Graeme Goodall, and Leslie Kong were the founders. They got money to start the company from Stanley Borden. Chris Blackwell said he loved music so much that he just wanted to be involved with it. The company's name was inspired by the song "Island in the Sun" by Harry Belafonte.
Island Records' first big success in the UK was the song "My Boy Lollipop" by Jamaican singer Millie Small in 1964. This song became a worldwide hit and helped the label grow. Chris Blackwell wanted to help artists build long careers, not just have one hit song.
Moving to the UK and Growing
In May 1962, Chris Blackwell moved to England. He wanted to get more attention for the music. He sold records to stores himself, carrying them around the city. Radio stations wouldn't play Island's music at first, and newspapers didn't review it. But Blackwell kept going.
Island Records started signing British rock bands like the Spencer Davis Group. They also signed artists such as John Martyn, Fairport Convention, Free, and Traffic. By the late 1960s and early 1970s, Island Records was a major label in England. They worked with famous artists like Roxy Music, King Crimson, Sparks, the Wailers, and Cat Stevens.
Island Records and Reggae Music
Chris Blackwell played a big part in bringing reggae music to the world. He signed Bob Marley and also helped the group Toots and the Maytals. Toots and the Maytals were the first group to use the word "reggae" in a song title with their 1968 single "Do the Reggay".
In 1969, Island Records bought an old church building in London. They turned it into Island Studios, a recording studio, and also used it for their offices. The first album by Toots and the Maytals released by Island Records was Funky Kingston. Chris Blackwell even helped produce the album. He believed in Toots and the Maytals, calling them "sensational, raw and dynamic."
Challenges and New Partnerships
Even with its success, Island Records faced challenges in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Bob Marley's death in 1981 was a big loss for the label. However, the Irish rock band U2 had signed with Island in 1980 and was becoming very popular.
In 1981, Blackwell also started a film company called Island Pictures. They made movies like Countryman. Later, they partnered with another company to form Island Alive, which had success with films like Kiss of the Spider Woman and Stop Making Sense.
Island Records also had other music labels under its wing. For example, the 4th & Broadway division helped popularize hip hop and dance-pop artists like Eric B. and Rakim.
Island Records Joins PolyGram
Becoming Part of a Bigger Company
In July 1989, Chris Blackwell sold Island Records to PolyGram for a lot of money. He said it had become "too big and too corporate" for him. After the sale, Island Records was no longer an independent company. Blackwell stayed on as the CEO of Island Entertainment for ten years.
PolyGram helped Island Records reach more people around the world. However, Blackwell eventually left the company in 1997 because he missed the independent way of working. He then started a new company called Palm Pictures and opened hotels. In 1998, PolyGram and all its labels were bought by another company called Seagram.
Island Records Under Universal Music Group
New Structure and Artists
In 1998 and 1999, Island Records became part of Universal Music Group (UMG). UMG organized Island into different divisions in the UK, US, and Germany. In the US, Island Records focused mainly on pop and rock music.
Even after these changes, Island Records continued to sign successful artists. Tricky and PJ Harvey were two artists who joined the label. They liked that Island Records gave them the freedom to create the music they wanted.
Celebrating 50 Years of Music
In 2009, Island Records celebrated its 50th anniversary. They held concerts and an exhibition to celebrate their history. The concerts featured many artists who had been part of the label, from reggae and jazz to modern music. Some of the artists who performed included Sly & Robbie, Paul Weller, Grace Jones, Toots & the Maytals, Cat Stevens, and U2.
The exhibition showed off cool items like the car from U2's Achtung Baby album cover, Nick Drake's guitar, and Amy Winehouse's dress from the Grammy Awards. It also had handwritten song lyrics and Bob Marley's passport application.
Island Records in Recent Years (2009-Present)
Continued Success and New Stars
After its 50th anniversary, Island Records continued to have great success. Many established artists like PJ Harvey and Paul Weller released new music. The label also signed exciting new artists.
In 2016, Island Records had a particularly successful year in the UK. Four of their artists had number one albums in just a few months. These included PJ Harvey's The Hope Six Demolition Project, Drake's Views, Ariana Grande's Dangerous Woman, and Catfish and the Bottlemen's The Ride.
Key Artists of the Last Decade
PJ Harvey's album Let England Shake (2011) was a big success. It won the Mercury Music Prize, making her the only artist to win it twice!
Mumford & Sons signed with Island in 2009. Their first album, Sigh No More, sold millions of copies. Their second album, Babel, was the fastest-selling album in the UK in 2012 and won a Grammy Award.
Florence and the Machine also signed with Island. Their first album, Lungs (2009), sold four million copies and won British Album Of The Year at the BRIT Awards.
Keane had five number-one albums in the UK, a feat only beaten by The Beatles. Paul Weller also continued his successful career with Island.
Bombay Bicycle Club released four albums with Island, each exploring a different music style. Catfish and the Bottlemen signed in 2014 and had a number one album with The Ride in 2016.
Island Records also helped two huge international stars, Drake and The Weeknd, become even more famous. Drake's song "One Dance" was the biggest-selling single in Britain in 2016. The Weeknd's album Starboy (2016) also became a global hit.
Other successful artists on Island Records include Disclosure, a duo known for their house music, and Jessie Ware, a soulful singer-songwriter.
Island Records Today
In 2021, Imran Majid and Justin Eshak became the co-CEOs of Island Records. In 2020, Universal Music Group launched Island Records Philippines, a new branch in Southeast Asia. This shows that Island Records continues to grow and find new talent around the world.
Manga Entertainment
Island Records also had a part in creating Manga Entertainment in 1991. This company focused on distributing anime (Japanese animation) and live-action Japanese films. It helped bring anime to a wider audience in the UK.
Artists and Recordings
Island Records has worked with many different artists over the years. They continue to support new music and help artists share their talents with the world.
- List of Island Records artists
- Island Records discography
- List of Island Pictures films
Other Labels and Companies Under Island Records
Island Records has had many smaller labels and companies that work with it. Here are some of them:
- Antilles Records (1972–1998)
- 4th & Broadway (1983–1998, 2014–present)
- Island Masters (reissues of older music)
- Island Records Australia (2007–present)
- Manga Entertainment (1991–1997)
- Mango Records (1972-1997)
- MonarC Entertainment (2002, started by Mariah Carey)
- Safehouse Records (2015–2018, started by Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas)
- So So Def Recordings (2007–2009, started by Jermaine Dupri)
- Stiff Records (1984–1986 only)
- Teen Island (2008–2011)
- Trojan Records (1967–1968 only)
- Tuff Gong (1990–present, started by Bob Marley)
See also
In Spanish: Island Records para niños
