| E1 Music | |
|---|---|
| Parent company | E1 Entertainment |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Founder | Michael Koch |
| Distributor(s) | self-distributed (worldwide) Universal Music Group (Europe) |
| Genre | Various |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Location | United States |
| Official Website | http://www.eonemusic.com/ |
E1 Music (formerly Koch Records), the primary subsidiary of E1 Entertainment LP, is the largest independent record label in the United States. It is also distributed by the Universal Music Group in Europe under the name E1 Universal.[1] On January 22, 2009, Koch Records was officially branded as "E1 Music" by parent company Entertainment One.[2]
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E1 Music was formed in May 1999 as "Koch Records" to serve as the North American umbrella for E1 Entertainment's labels (then known as Koch Entertainment). They would sign many country, classical, and rock acts including, Cledus T. Judd, Ringo Starr, Joan Baez, Chris Brubeck, Bob James, and an exclusive distribution with Suge Knight's embattled Death Row Records. The label soon began to gain ground on the other independent record labels in the United States. In the 2000s, they began to sign more hip hop acts and become one of the biggest hip hop labels in the world. They signed various distribution deals with labels like Open Bar Entertainment, Terror Squad, D-Block Records, and others. In 2004, they were able to sign a deal with Snoop Dogg and his Doggystyle Records along with Mobb Deep. They hired Snoop Dogg on to head up their western spin off Koch West. Koch also added on to their roster, Cam'ron and his Diplomat Records. Diplomat rapper, Jim Jones would rise to prominince on the label through the deal. Koch later signed Yonkers rapper, J-Hood and his label On Da Grind Ent. Koch has also had releases from 2Pac, Tha Dogg Pound, Kurupt, Daz Dillinger and Gangsta Advisory. In 2007, when they signed J-Hood they gave him a big position in their Koch East division. J-Hood never released this album and he was booted from D-Block. In 2007, they signed a distribution deal with Foxy Brown and her Black Rose Entertainment, as well as with Ray J and his label Knockout Entertainment. Slim Thug was signed to the label along with his Boss Hoggs label in late 2005. On September 29, 2006 - KOCH Entertainment Distribution announced that have signed an exclusive distribution deal with Los Angeles- based Latin Thug Records, a newly launched label headed by music industry veteran Fred Sherman along with Senen “Sen Dog” Reyes, a founding member of the groundbreaking rap group Cypress Hill. Latin Thug Records was formed by CEO Reyes to build a family business with his brother and acting VP of A&R Mellow Man Ace that would focus on releasing personal projects and developing new talent. The label represents the extended Latin Thug family, including solo projects from Sen and Mellow and collaborations with B Real, Soul Assassins and other members of the extended Cypress Hill family. In March 2008, the company signed neo-soul singer Dwele to their lineup[3]. In October 2008, they signed also pop-jazz singer Basia.
Koch Records also releases children's music, such as Pokémon, Barney, Sesame Street, The Wiggles, and Fraggle Rock. On May 22, 2008 Koch Records released two albums from the children's show Thomas & Friends.
Koch Records has also recently announced releasing from platinum selling acts Dem Franchise Boyz and The Clipse. As of April 2011, E1 is also in negotiations with up and coming artist Zee Gudda and his label, Currency Stack Entertainment, regarding an exclusive international distribution deal through Mulato Boy Ent.
In 2003, Master P moved his No Limit Records' roster to Koch Records for a chance of better promotion and more creative control. This deal added C-Murder, Shatara, Silkk Tha Shocker, Los, Magic, producer Djuan Edgerton, TRU, and Lil' Romeo to the label. In 2005, Romeo created a label that is to distribute No Limit through Koch, Guttar Music. He would sign Rich Boyz, Lil' D, Money Long Click and others to the label.
In an effort to increase promotion and save money, Koch and Epic Records have teamed up on its new signees on joint ventures from 2007 to the present.[1] Through these deals, Epic combines its A&R department and label promoters with Koch and they sign, cross-fund, and cross-promote their artists. Through this deal they have signed Chicago rapper Yung Berg and his Yung Boss Records, as well as J. R. Rotem's Beluga Heights, which is home to artist Sean Kingston. Both labels have extended this deal. Epic now distributes all Koch releases, similar to the Tommy Boy Records deal with Warner Bros. Records.
On January 22, 2009, Koch Records was officially rebranded as "E1 Music".
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