Cinematic Music Group

Cinematic Music Group
Founded	2007
Founder	Jonny Shipes
Distributor(s)	self-distributed
Genre	hip hop
Country of origin	United States
Location	New York, NY
Official website	cinematicworldwide.com

Cinematic Music Group (CMG) is an independent record label, management, publishing & touring company founded in 2007 by Jonny Shipes. Their roster as of 2015 consists of Big K.R.I.T, Joey Bada$$,^[1] Pro Era, Smoke DZA, Va$htie, Mick Jenkins, and others.

History

Cinematic Music Group^[2][3] made one of its earliest signings in 2007 with Harlem’s Smoke DZA. That same year, Cinematic signed Sean Kingston whose self-titled debut album included two #1 Billboard singles, including the double platinum "Beautiful Girls." The album sold in excess of 1,000,000 units.^[4][5] Cinematic’s next signee, West Coast MC Nipsey Hussle, signed to the company in 2010 and was included on XXL’s Annual Freshman List^[6] In 2010, Shipes discovered Big K.R.I.T and in that same year K.R.I.T. released his critically acclaimed mixtape "Krit Wuz Here"^[7] KRIT followed up the success of "Krit Wuz Here" with his “Returnof4eva” mixtape in March 2011 to critical acclaim.^[8] Hailed the successor of Southern rap royalty, K.R.I.T debuted the #1 hip hop album on the billboard charts with his debut album Live from the Underground.^[9]

In 2010 Cinematic continue to add to the roster, adding Vashtie Kola, an artist, designer, and DJ.^[10] Shipes’ keen eye for talent continued with the signing of Joey Bada$$ & the collective Pro Era, short for the Progressive Era, which consists of a group of emcees, producers, and young tastemakers. Musical members of Pro Era include Joey Bada$$, Kirk Knight, Nyck Caution, CJ Fly, Dessy Hinds, A La Sole, Chuck Strangers, Dyemond Lewis and more. After coming across a video of a 16 year old Joey Bada$$ freestyling on the internet, Shipes saw enough to knew Joey’s talent was rare and one of a kind.^[11] After sharpening his pen for two years, Bada$$ released his debut mixtape “1999” to critical acclaim.^[12] Bada$$ & Pro Era have been acclaimed for their lyricism and return to the 90s sound.

In 2013, Shipes expanded the roster of Cinematic and signed indie R&B/electronic duo ASTR. ASTR released their “Varsity” EP in January 2014.^[13] On July 16, 2014, Cinematic Music Group President Jonny Shipes announced the signing of Chicago emcee Mick Jenkins^[14] who's "The Water[s]" album was released to critical acclaim.^[15] Jenkins finished off 2014 by touring the country (40 plus cities) on The Smoker's Club tour and saw his first headlining tour with Pro Era’s Kirk Knight in early 2015.

On January 20, 2015, Joey Bada$$ released his debut studio album “B4.DA.$$”. The album sold an impressive 56,000 units opening week making it the #1 rap and #1 independent album in the country that week.

Artists

Discography

References