| Relativity Records | |
|---|---|
| Parent company | Sony Music Entertainment |
| Founded | c. 1982 |
| Founder | Barry Kobrin |
| Status | Dormant |
| Distributor(s) | RED Distribution |
| Genre | various |
| Country of origin | US, UK |
| Location | New York City, New York |
Relativity Records, often branded just Relativity, is an American record label founded by Barry Kobrin at the site of his company, Important Record Distribution (IRD) in metro New York. Early on, as an indie label, Relativity released music in a variety of styles, including dance, jazz, punk, and progressive rock. As it grew and became associated with Sony Music Entertainment, it became more known for its popular metal and hip-hop releases.
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Although it was reportedly established in 1985, there's evidence that the brand actually began c. 1982 as an in-house IRD label.[1]
In the 1980s, Relativity was mostly focused on rock music, including heavy metal. Releases in this genre were split among Relativity and its sister label Combat Records, which folded back into the main Relativity label in 1990. Artists signed during this period include Death, Exodus, Megadeth, Napalm Death, Impelliteri, Corrosion of Conformity, Circle Jerks, Murphy's Law, Jet Red, Joe Satriani, Shotgun Messiah, Scatterbrain, Scott Henderson, Sick of it All, Steve Vai, Stuart Hamm, Tigertailz, Dark Angel, Lucy's Fur Coat and Forbidden.
In 1990, new management took over the label and it began to sign more hip-hop acts. 50% of the company was also acquired by Sony Music Entertainment.
After making the decision to tap into the urban market, the company discovered and signed Chicago rapper, Common (then known as Common Sense) and quickly released his debut album in 1992. Later on in 1992, the company struck a deal with then-fledgling member of the Diggin' In The Crates (DITC) crew, Fat Joe, as well as Chi-Ali.
Toward the mid-1990s, Relativity added Three 6 Mafia, Hussein Fatal, M.O.P., The Beatnuts and even rapper Mac Mall from Vallejo, California to their growing hip hop roster. From this the company also became a distributing label to Eazy-E's Ruthless Records, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony's Mo Thugs Family and many rock labels.
IRD became Relativity Entertainment Distribution at some point. This company was renamed RED Distribution when acquired by Sony in 2007.