Shady Records

Shady Records
Shady Records Logo .png
Parent company Universal Music Group
Founded 1999
Founder Marshall Mathers
Paul Rosenberg
Distributor(s) Interscope Records (U.S.)
Polydor Records (outside U.S.)
Genre Hip hop
Country of origin United States
Official Website ShadyRecords.com

Shady Records is an American record label specializing in hip hop music. Eminem and his manager Paul Rosenberg founded the label in 1999 after the release of The Slim Shady LP.

The label has signed eight acts over the years, earning RIAA certifications of platinum or higher on fourteen of its fifteen released albums. Signed acts include Eminem, D12, 50 Cent, Cashis, Slim da Mobster & Slaughterhouse, while former acts include Obie Trice, Stat Quo, Bobby Creekwater & DJ Green Lantern.

Contents

History

1999–2004

After Eminem released The Slim Shady LP, he started his own record label in late 1999 with his manager, Paul Rosenberg. Eminem looked for an avenue to release his Detroit-based rap group, D12, and Rosenberg was keen to start a label, which led to the two teaming up to form Shady Records.[1] Its A&R Marc Labelle has defined the imprint as "a boutique label but [with] all the outlets of a major [and] Interscope backing up our every move."[2]

D12 was the first to be signed as they have been rapping together since the 1990s, and the members had made a promise that whoever became successful would come back and sign the others.[3] In June 2001, D12 released Devil's Night, peaking at number one on the Billboard 200.[4] Next to be signed to Shady Records was Detroit rapper Obie Trice. Obie Trice was introduced to Eminem through D12 member Bizarre. Eminem signed him in June 2001 as the second Shady Records act.[5][6] Obie Trice first got public attention via a freestyle skit on the Devil's Night album.

While working on the film 8 Mile, Eminem had a meeting with then small time New York rapper 50 Cent. Eminem had heard 50 Cent's early mixtapes, taken them to Dr. Dre and offered him the chance to work together on the artist. 50 Cent became the first artist signed to Shady Records and Aftermath Entertainment.[7] The 8 Mile soundtrack was the second Shady Records album to be released.[8][9] The first single was "Lose Yourself", which earned multiple nominations and became a surprise win of an Academy Award for Best Original Song, the first time a hip hop song had ever won the award.[10][11][12] The second single was 50 Cent's "Wanksta", which was released as a buzz track[13] and became popular in 50 Cent's home town.[14] During this time, Eminem had also made a deal with DJ Green Lantern, who released the label's first mixtape, Invasion!, in 2002.[15] He was to DJ for Eminem during the Anger Management Tour, and by the end of 2003, DJ Green Lantern became the fourth act signed to Shady Records.[16]

The third release from Shady Records was 50 Cent's Get Rich or Die Tryin', in February 2003 (which was also released under Aftermath Entertainment). The album became the fastest selling debut in U.S. history.[17] Next to be released from Shady Records was Obie Trice's debut album, Cheers, six months later. Despite having been a commercial success, the album was considered overshadowed by 50 Cent's music at the time.[6] In 2002 and 2003, Shady Records was involved in several controversies with the likes of the inherited Murder Inc. feud that 50 Cent and G-Unit was involved in,[18] on-going problems with the previous co-owners of The Source magazine, namely Benzino,[19] as well as escalating issues with rapper Royce da 5'9", who was previously a friend of Eminem and D12.[20]

Near the end of 2003, Dr. Dre and Eminem signed a joint deal with Atlanta rapper Stat Quo.[21] Stat Quo became the second artist to be signed to Shady/Aftermath, after 50 Cent. The following year saw the release of D12's second album, D12 World. Also, in 2004, Eminem and Rosenberg began a venture offered by Sirius Satellite Radio that saw the airing of their uncensored hip hop radio station, Shade 45.[1][22] Shady Records DJ, DJ Green Lantern, was given his own show,[23] whilst 50 Cent's G-Unit DJ, DJ Whoo Kid, co-hosted G-Unit Radio on Saturdays.[24]

2005–2009

2005 saw the release of 50 Cent's second release, The Massacre, which set a record as the sixth fastest selling album since Nielsen SoundScan started tracking albums in 1991, with 1.14 million albums sold in four days.[25][26] The album was a commercial success, and was only 32,000 records away from being the best-selling album of the year.[27] On "Piggy Bank", a song off of the album, 50 Cent insulted several artists, including Jadakiss.[28] The feud between Jadakiss and 50 Cent indirectly led to DJ Green Lantern leaving Shady Records. A few months after the release of The Massacre, Jadakiss appeared on a street DVD, and had DJ Green Lantern on loudspeaker through his phone, without Green Lantern being aware of this. The DJ shared his thoughts on how to deal with the feud. When the DVD was released and Eminem found out about what happened, Green Lantern had to leave Shady Records and Shade 45, and his upcoming album, Armageddon, was no longer a Shady Records-related project.[29] Alchemist was signed on as the official tour DJ for Eminem on the 2005 Anger Management 3 Tour, replacing the recently-ousted DJ Green Lantern.[30].

Magazine cover of XXL Presents Shade 45

In August 2005, Eminem and the XXL magazine teamed up to release a special issue titled XXL Presents Shade 45, and was designed to give maximum exposure to Shade 45 as a radio station, and at the same time give maximum exposure to the Shady Records label as a whole, as well as the radio DJ's and G-Unit Records' artists. XXL executive publisher, Jonathan Rheingold, stated that typically magazines based around particular artists were not favorable, but "since Shade 45 is a truly authentic and uncensored rap radio channel, the marriage with the XXL brand made sense," before adding that it's what would interest rap fans.[31] 2005 also saw the signing of Bobby Creekwater to the label, making him the sixth artist and the second Atlanta-based rapper.[32]

In early 2006, Cashis, a Chicago-born Orange County, California-based rapper joined Shady Records, after he managed to get his demo/mixtape heard by Eminem.[33][34] Later in 2006, Obie Trice released his second album, Second Round's on Me. However, the album did not fare as well commercially as his debut, seemingly because of the state of the hip-hop industry.[35] The album saw a change in Obie Trice's style, whose first album was considered to be a little light-hearted. Second Round's on Me was considered to be a more serious, dark album, mainly showing the grittiness of Obie Trice's life and surroundings.[6][36]

In early 2006 there had been talk of Eminem having the label's roster on a mixtape with new material to be presented by DJ Whoo Kid and The Alchemist.[37] This talk went on for several months. In the end, it was announced that Eminem was so impressed with the mixtape material that he had decided to make it an official album, called Eminem Presents the Re-Up. The album had been long anticipated, until it was released in early December 2006. The release had spawned the single "You Don't Know", which featured 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, and the latest signee Cashis.[38]

In May 2007, Cashis released the eight-track The County Hound EP in an attempt to have people "fiend" for his music, or garner interest in it. The album was released as a limited edition EP.[39] September saw the release of 50 Cent's third album with the label, Curtis, which was involved in a well publicized competition with rapper Kanye West, who had his third album, Graduation set for release on the same day.[40] In June 2008, Obie Trice departed from the label. A misunderstanding was made where it was believed he was attacking the label and Eminem on a single titled "The Giant" but they were quickly dismissed.[41] Stat Quo was also released from the label in 2008, citing differences in direction,[42] with 2009 bringing the departure of Bobby Creekwater who had been working on his debut album, A Brilliant Mistake.[43][44]

2010–present

It has been reported that hip hop supergroup Slaughterhouse will be joining Shady Records with member Royce da 5'9" confirming talks between both sides then later stating that the deal should be done in Late April to early May. The group guest featured on Eminem's last album Recovery on the bonus track Session One.

Current roster

Artists

Artist Year signed Albums released under Shady More information
Eminem — 6 Co-founder and owner of Shady Records, Eminem was already signed for major labels as Interscope Records and Aftermath Entertainment when in 2002 he released The Eminem Show, his first album under Shady Records, along various other labels. The album sold 20 million copies worldwide. Meanwhile, Eminem's fifth album for Shady Records, Relapse was released on May 15, 2009 in Italy and the Netherlands followed by a worldwide release on May 19, 2009.
D12 1999 2 Signed as a rap group, it consists of solo Detroit-based artists Bizarre, Eminem, Kon Artis, Kuniva, and Swifty, and were additionally signed with now deceased rapper Proof. As a group, they knew each other pre-success from the Hip Hop Shop, in Detroit, and were the first to be signed to the label.[3] In December 2007, Bizarre stated that D12 are working on their third album.[45]
50 Cent 2002 4 A New York-based rapper signed under Shady Records and Aftermath Entertainment. 50 Cent has since also established his own label, G-Unit Records, and released his fourth Shady/Aftermath album, Before I Self Destruct, in 2009.
Cashis 2006 1 An Orange County-based artist who is currently working on his debut album, The Art of Dying.
Slim da Mobster 2009 — A Los Angeles based artist who is also signed to Aftermath Entertainment, and G-Unit Records.
Slaughterhouse 2010 — A "super group" formed in late 2008. Consists of Royce da 5'9", Crooked I, Joe Budden, and Joell Ortiz. There has also been rumours that Jay Novel will be added to the group in 2011 after he gives birth and is cleared by doctors.

DJs and Producers

Former Artists

Artist Year signed Albums released under Shady Year of Departure
Obie Trice[46] 2000 2 2008
Stat Quo[47] 2003 — 2008
DJ Green Lantern[29] 2004 — 2005
Bobby Creekwater[48] 2005 — 2009

Discography

The following is the list of all albums released through Shady Records and distributed by Interscope Records. Any additional record label involved are specified.

Artist Album Release date Chart positions RIAA certification Singles
D12 Devil's Night June 5, 2001 1 U.S.[49] Platinum[50]
  • "Shit on You"
  • "Purple Pills"
  • "Fight Music"
Eminem The Eminem Show
(released with Aftermath, Goliath, Web)		 May 28, 2002 1 U.S. 9× Platinum
  • "Without Me"
  • "Cleanin' Out My Closet"
  • "Superman"
  • "Sing for the Moment"
  • "Business"
Soundtrack 8 Mile October 29, 2002 1 U.S.[51] 4× Platinum[52]
50 Cent Get Rich or Die Tryin'
(released with Aftermath)		 February 6, 2003 1 U.S.[53] 6× Platinum
Obie Trice Cheers September 23, 2003 5 U.S.[54] Gold
  • "Got Some Teeth"
  • "The Set Up"
  • "Don't Come Down"
D12 D12 World April 27, 2004 1 U.S.[55] 2× Platinum
  • "My Band"
  • "40 Oz."
  • "How Come"
  • "U R the One"
Eminem Encore
(released with Aftermath, Goliath, Web)		 November 12, 2004 1 U.S. 4× Platinum
  • "Just Lose It"
  • "Encore"
  • "Like Toy Soldiers"
  • "Mockingbird"
  • "Ass Like That"
50 Cent The Massacre
(released with Aftermath)		 March 3, 2005 1 U.S.[56] 5× Platinum
  • "Disco Inferno"
  • "Candy Shop"
  • "Just a Lil Bit"
  • "Outta Control (Remix)"
Eminem Curtain Call: The Hits
(released with Aftermath)		 December 6, 2005 1 U.S. 2× Platinum
  • "When I'm Gone"
  • "Shake That"
Obie Trice Second Round's on Me August 15, 2006 8 U.S.[57] —
  • "Snitch"
  • "Cry Now"
  • "Jamaican Girl"
  • "Wanna Know"
Shady Records Eminem Presents: The Re-Up December 5, 2006 2 U.S.[58] Platinum[59]
  • "You Don't Know"
  • "Jimmy Crack Corn"
Cashis The County Hound EP May 22, 2007 106 U.S.[60] —
  • "Lac Motion"
50 Cent Curtis
(released with Aftermath)		 September 11, 2007 2 U.S.[61] Platinum
  • "Straight to the Bank"
  • "Amusement Park"
  • "I Get Money"
  • "Ayo Technology"
  • "I'll Still Kill"
Eminem Relapse
(released with Aftermath, Goliath, Web)		 May 15, 2009 1 U.S. 2x Platinum
  • "Crack a Bottle"
  • "We Made You"
  • "3 a.m."
  • "Old Time's Sake"
  • "Beautiful"
50 Cent Before I Self Destruct
(released with Aftermath)		 November 9, 2009 5 U.S. Gold
  • "Get Up"
  • "I Get It In"
  • "Ok, You're Right"
  • "Baby by Me"
  • "Do You Think About Me"
Eminem Recovery
(released with Aftermath, Goliath, Web)		 June 21, 2010 1 U.S. 2× Platinum
  • "Not Afraid"
  • "Love The Way You Lie"
Slaughterhouse Slaugterhouse: The EP August 31st 2010 -- -- --

"—" denotes albums that have not received an official RIAA certification.

Upcoming releases

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Ben Detrick (August 2005). ""Loyalty" - Paul Rosenberg interview (online copy)". XXL Presents Shade 45 (magazine), p. 22. Accessed January 29, 2008.
  2. ↑ "Interview With Marc Labelle". HitQuarters. Nov 28, 2005. http://www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview/opar/intrview_MarcLabelle.html. Retrieved Jun 21, 2010. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Quibian Salazar-Moreno (September 18, 2003). "Emvisible: D12 looks to get out from underneath Eminem's shadow". Westword.com. Accessed September 11, 2007.
  4. ↑ Todd Martens (June 28, 2001). "Devilish D12 Debut At No. 1". Billboard. Accessed January 15, 2008.
  5. ↑ Ruben Diaz (September 18, 2003). "Obie Trice: Real Name, No Gimmicks (Interview)". BallerStatus.com. Accessed September 11, 2007.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Leah Rose (August 2005). ""Let Me In" - Obie Trice article (online copy)". XXL Presents Shade 45 (magazine), p.60. Accessed January 29, 2008.
  7. ↑ Shaheem Reid (July 1, 2002). "50 Cent, Worth a Million to Dr. Dre and Eminem". MTV. Accessed March 12, 2007.
  8. ↑ Todd Martens (January 3, 2003). "'8 Mile' Back Atop The Billboard 200". Billboard. Accessed January 16, 2008.
  9. ↑ Todd Martens (January 8, 2003). "'8 Mile' Cruises To Fifth Week At No. 1". Billboard. Accessed January 8, 2008.
  10. ↑ Frank Ochieng (March 23, 2003). "The Aftermath: The 75th Annual Academy Awards". TheWorldJournal.com. Accessed January 21, 2008.
  11. ↑ Jon Burlingame (April 18, 2003). "That Win For "Lose Yourself"". FilmMusicSociety.org. Accessed September 11, 2007.
  12. ↑ Abbey Goodman (March 23, 2003). "'Chicago' Dances Away With Six Oscars; Eminem's Will Be Mailed To Him". MTV. Accessed January 21, 2008.
  13. ↑ "Music Inspired By "8 Mile"". About.com (October 1, 2002). Accessed January 16, 2008.
  14. ↑ Shaheem Reid (October 1, 2002). "50 Cent Works With Dre, Em, Trina, Possibly DMX On Debut". MTV. Accessed January 16, 2008.
  15. ↑ Shaheem Reid (April 11, 2003). "Eminem Says If Tupac Were Alive, 'He Would Never Ride With Ja'". MTV. Accessed January 23, 2008.
  16. ↑ "Lighting the Way". Rochester City Newspaper (December 23, 2003). Accessed January 16, 2008.
  17. ↑ Kitty Empire (February 23, 2003). "He's cool. Dead cool". The Observer. Accessed September 15, 2007.
  18. ↑ Ethan Brown (November 24, 2003). "Got Beef?". New York. Accessed January 15, 2008.
  19. ↑ Rahman Dukes (November 22, 2002). "Benzino Ignites Beef By Calling Eminem '2003 Vanilla Ice'". MTV. Accessed January 15, 2008.
  20. ↑ Selina Thompson. "Royce Da 5'9 (Interview)". TheSituation.co.uk. Accessed January 15, 2008.
  21. ↑ Matt Barone (December 2, 2004). "Stat Quo: The Shady South (Interview)" BallerStatus.com. Accessed September 11, 2007.
  22. ↑ Robert Strauss (October 28, 2004). "Arts, Briefly; Eminem Goes Sirius". The New York Times. Accessed January 16, 2008.
  23. ↑ Paul Heine (December 6, 2004). "Eminem, DJ Green Lantern To Host Mix-tape Radio Show". AllBusiness.com. Accessed January 16, 2008.
  24. ↑ "50 Cent gets Sirius". CNN Money (February 24, 2005). Accessed January 16, 2008.
  25. ↑ James Montgomery (March 9, 2005). "50 Cent's The Massacre Makes Huge Chart Debut". MTV. Accessed January 16, 2008.
  26. ↑ Margo Whitmire (March 9, 2005). "50 Cent Massacres Album Chart Competition". Billboard. Accessed January 16, 2008.
  27. ↑ Gil Kaufman (December 29, 2005). "Mariah Carey Outguns 50 Cent On Year-End LP Sales Chart". MTV. Accessed January 16, 2008.
  28. ↑ Shaheem Reid (February 22, 2005). "50 Cent's LP Pushed Up, Harsh 'Facts' Sound Like Disses On Leaked 'Piggy Bank'". MTV. Accessed January 19, 2008.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 Shaheem Reid (May 6, 2005). "DJ Green Lantern Explains Eminem Split". VH1. Accessed March 12, 2007.
  30. ↑ http://www.allhiphop.com/hiphopnews/?I=4380
  31. ↑ Carl Chery (August 23, 2005). "Eminem & Shade Collabo W/XXL For Special Radio Issue". SOHH. Accessed January 29, 2008.
  32. ↑ Kimbel Bouwman (May 15, 2006). "HitQuarters Artist Bobby Creekwater Signs A Record Deal With Shady Records! (Interview)". HitQuarters. Accessed September 11, 2007.
  33. ↑ Serge Fleury. "Ca$his - Ruling Everything Around Him (Interview)". NobodySmiling.com. Accessed September 11, 2007.
  34. ↑ Shaheem Reid (December 14, 2006). "Who's That On Eminem's The Re-Up? Time For Roll Call ...". MTV. Accessed January 29, 2008.
  35. ↑ "Sales of Rap Albums Take Stunning Nosedive". Fox News (March 1, 2007). Accessed September 15, 2007.
  36. ↑ Brendan Frederick (June 2, 2006). "Obie Trice - Second Round’s On Me". XXL. Accessed September 12, 2007.
  37. ↑ Shaheem Reid (May 30, 2006). "Eminem Re-Up's with Whoo Kid; Lloyd Banks brings the Gang Green". MTV. Accessed January 29, 2008.
  38. ↑ Gil Kaufman (September 19, 2006). "Eminem, New Shady Artists Join 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks On The Re-Up". MTV. Accessed March 12, 2007.
  39. ↑ "RealTalk with Ca$his: New EP The County Hound Drops Today". Real Talk NY (May 2, 2007). Accessed January 19, 2008.
  40. ↑ "War of words: 50 Cent vs Kanye". BBC (September 10, 2007). Accessed September 11, 2007.
  41. ↑ Tai Saint-Louis (June 30, 2008). "Shady Records Issues Statement On Obie's Departure". AllHipHop.com. Accessed July 1, 2008.
  42. ↑ Stat Quo To Release "300-400" Unreleased Dr. Dre Tracks. HipHopDX.com. Accessed October 23, 2008.
  43. ↑ Painkiller45 (August 14, 2009). "Creekwater leaves Shady Records". AftermathMusic.com. Accessed November 26, 2009.
  44. ↑ Ryan (September 12, 2006). "Bobby Creekwater Interview". RapSearch.com. Accessed January 19, 2008.
  45. ↑ Christina Fuoco-Karasinski (19 December 2007). "Bizarre pays tribute to slain rapper Proof". LiveDaily.com. Accessed January 19, 2008.
  46. ↑ Shady Records Issues Statement On Obie's Departure
  47. ↑ Stat Quo To Release 300-400 Unreleased Dr. Dre Tracks
  48. ↑ Bobby Creekwater
  49. ↑ "Artist Chart History - D12". Billboard. Accessed January 19, 2008.
  50. ↑ "Devil's Night RIAA certification". RIAA. Accessed January 23, 2008.
  51. ↑ "8 Mile Soundtrack". Billboard. Accessed January 19, 2008.
  52. ↑ "8 Mile Soundtrack RIAA certification". RIAA. Accessed January 23, 2008.
  53. ↑ "Get Rich or Die Tryin'". Billboard. Accessed January 19, 2008.
  54. ↑ "Cheers". Billboard. Accessed January 19, 2008.
  55. ↑ "D12 World". Billboard. Accessed January 19, 2008.
  56. ↑ "The Massacre". Billboard. Accessed January 19, 2008.
  57. ↑ "Second Round's on Me". Billboard. Accessed January 19, 2008.
  58. ↑ "Eminem Presents the Re-Up". Billboard. Accessed January 19, 2008.
  59. ↑ "Eminem Presents the Re-Up RIAA certification". RIAA. Accessed January 23, 2008.
  60. ↑ "The County Hound EP". Billboard. Accessed January 19, 2008.
  61. ↑ "Curtis". Billboard. Accessed January 19, 2008.
  62. ↑ "Hip-hop's Porter puts beats up for sale on Web". The Detroit News. June 21, 2007. http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070621/ENT01/706210421/1033. 
  63. ↑ [1]
  64. ↑ [2]
  65. ↑ http://hoodhollywood.com/blog/2010/07/15/cashis-reveals-that-shady-street-lp-is-coming-soon-talks-delay-for-over-years-the-hold-up-hasnt-been-my-fault-nor-the-music-now-things-are-in-line-i-got-next-g/

External links

Eminem
Discography · Production discography · Awards and nominations
Studio albums
Infinite · The Slim Shady LP · The Marshall Mathers LP · The Eminem Show · Encore · Relapse · Recovery
Compilations
8 Mile · The Singles · Curtain Call: The Hits · Eminem Presents: The Re-Up
Extended plays
The Slim Shady EP · Straight from the Lab
Video albums
The Up in Smoke Tour · E · All Access Europe · Eminem Presents: The Anger Management Tour · Live from New York City 2005
Books
The Way I Am
Tours
Up in Smoke Tour · Anger Management Tour · The Recovery Tour · The Home & Home Tour
Filmography
Da Hip Hop Witch · Up in Smoke Tour · The Slim Shady Show · The Wash · 8 Mile · 50 Cent: The New Breed · Crank Yankers · Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony · Funny People · Have Gun - Will Travel
Wikipedia book Book:Eminem • Category Category:Eminem • Related articles: Shady Records · Shade 45 · D12 · Bad Meets Evil
D12
Bizarre  • Eminem  • Kon Artis • Kuniva  • Swifty
Bugz †  • Proof †  • Eye-Kyu
Albums
Devil's Night  • D12 World  • TBA
Extended Plays
The Underground EP
Compilations
Eminem Presents: The Re-Up
Mixtapes
Return of the Dozen, Vol. 1  • Return of the Dozen, Vol. 2
Singles
"Shit on You" • "Purple Pills" • "Fight Music" • "My Band" • "How Come"
Featured singles
"911"
Related articles
Discography
Cashis
Extended plays
The County Hound EP
Featured singles
"You Don't Know"
Related articles
Eminem · Shady Records
Slaughterhouse
Crooked I · Joe Budden · Joell Ortiz · Royce da 5'9"
Studio albums
Slaughterhouse
Singles
"Move On" · "The One" · "Cuckoo" · "Microphone"
Crooked I albums
Mr. Pigface Weapon Waist · Million Dollar Story
Joe Budden albums
Joe Budden · Halfway House · Padded Room · Escape Route · The Great Escape
Joell Ortiz albums
The Brick: Bodega Chronicles · The Pre Agent · Free Agent
Royce da 5'9" albums
Rock City · Death Is Certain · Independent's Day · Street Hop
Shady Records
Founder
Eminem · Paul Rosenberg
Notable artists
Eminem · D12 · 50 Cent · Cashis · Slim da Mobster • Slaughterhouse
Former artists
Bobby Creekwater · DJ Green Lantern · Stat Quo · Obie Trice
Related articles
Aftermath Entertainment · G-Unit Records