Imperial Records is a full service label group that began operations in June of 2006 when entrepreneur, Neil Levine joined EMI Music to establish a division focused on the independent urban music market.
Imperial Records is an independent label and artist development division that is a part of Capitol Music Group/EMI. The company is designed as a catalyst to help develop new labels and as a breeding ground for new talent. Imperial will work closely with emerging artist to make sure that each project is nurtured and given the possible opportunities to achieve success. The label group will market and promote each release all the way from the grass roots level to the top of the charts. Some of the services that Imperial will provide include publicity, radio promotion, street team promotions, sales management, product management and on-line marketing. Imperial will also handle additional resources to urban artist within EMI’s major labels in the United States, including the Capitol Music Group.
Originally established in 1950, Imperial Records started on the West Coast and the small label grew to eventually become one of the powerhouse record labels of Rock n’ Roll and R&B music. Imperial launched the careers of such groundbreaking artist as, Slim Whitman, Fats Domino, and Ricky Nelson. The label continued to make an impact on both genres of music with releases by iconic artist, Cher and the legendary Temptations.
Looking ahead to the future, Imperial is just getting started with making a new generation of hits. Neil Levine, the Senior VP/GM previously served as Worldwide General Manager of Rykodisc. Levine has also previously served as head of TVT Records’ Urban division, where he helped launch the careers of multi-platinum artist Lil’ Jon and the Eastside Boyz. Prior to that Levine founded his own independent label, Penalty Recordings, launching the careers of Noreaga (Nore), David Banner and the award winning producers, The Neptunes.
Some of the albums and artist that Imperial Records has released over the last year include, the platinum ring tune selling artist Fat Joe on Terror Squad Records, Jin on Raptivism Records, a re-launch of Levine’s own Penalty Recordings, previously unreleased tracks from the 6 time Grammy nominated artist Anthony Hamilton on Merovingian Music, which debuted at 3 on Billboard Independent Albums Chart and 13 on R&B albums Chart as well as the debut album from Evidence of Dilated Peoples and the second release from Singer/Songwriter Donnie on Soulthought.
EMI MUSIC'S IMPERIAL RECORDS AND TERROR SQUAD ENTERTAINMENT RE-UP DISTRIBUTION DEAL TO RELEASE FAT JOE'S EIGHTH ALBUM, THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM
For Immediate Release:
New York, September 18th, 2007 -- Imperial Records, a division of Capitol Music Group and Terror Squad Entertainment have signed a new deal to distribute Fat Joe's next album entitled The Elephant in the Room, slated for release in early 2008. Fat Joe's new release is a follow-up to his previous critically-acclaimed album, Me, Myself & I, featuring the platinum single, "Make It Rain."
Fat Joe's The Elephant In The Room will feature production by the multi-platinum powerhouses that previously worked with Fat Joe on his earlier hits, including Scott Storch, Cool and Dre, DJ Khaled, Danjahandz and the Runners, as well as guest artists P. Diddy, Rick Ross, Fabolous and more.
This exciting news comes on the heels of Fat Joe's hit single, "Make It Rain (featuring Lil' Wayne)" which surpassed 1 million ring tone sales and was certified Platinum in RIAA's Digital Ringtone program. Me, Myself & I, released on Imperial Records/Virgin in 2006, continues to sell and make a strong statement for independent music. Some of the other impressive milestones Imperial has accomplished with Fat Joe and Terror Squad include Imperial's first Top 10 single in more than 40 years, "Make It Rain (featuring Lil' Wayne)" on the Billboard R&B/Hip Hop Chart, peaking at 6. The single also reached 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. The album Me, Myself & I, peaking at 3 on the Billboard R&B/Hiphop Album Chart, debuting at 14 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart. The album also received rave reviews in VIBE, the Source, Washington Post and the LA Times, among other publications.
Fat Joe said, "Working with Imperial is one of the greatest moves I ever made in my life! I never made as much money in my career as I have since I went independent. The Elephant in the Room is guaranteed to be a classic! Believe Dat!" Imperial Records will again spearhead the marketing and promotion efforts for the album.
The Elephant in the Room will be Fat Joe's eighth album. Fat Joe's previous albums as a solo artist and with Terror Squad have sold more than 4 million records worldwide. Some of Fat Joe's successful albums and singles include, Don Cartagena, Jealous Ones Envy (J.O.S.E.), Loyalty and All Or Nothing. Some of his notable singles include "What's Love (featuring Ashanti), "We Thuggin," featuring R. Kelly and "Get It Poppin' (featuring Nelly)." Another huge single was "Lean Back," by the Terror Squad which earned a Grammy nomination for best performance by a rap group or duo. Fat Joe is also a legendary member of the Diggin In The Crates Crew with Big L and Lord Finesse. He also launched the career of the his protégé, Big Pun, whose debut album Capitol Punishment sold in excess of 1.5 million copies, making Big Pun the first Latin rapper to sell over one million units.
Neil Levine, Imperial's Senior VP/GM says, "Fat Joe is in a zone on this album which is now his 8th solo work and I think it's his strongest to date. It's truly amazing to be working with an artist that's getting better and better over time. He's never sounded more confident. I'm extremely pleased to be working with Joe once again and we're getting ready to do big things!"
Lee Trink, President, Capitol Music Group comments, "I couldn't be more thrilled to continue working with Fat Joe. Three things are certain: death, taxes, and Fat Joe delivering hit records. He is Hip Hop royalty and a jewel in the (Imperial) Capitol Music Group crown."
Ronnie Johnson, Executive Vice President, Capitol Music Group adds, "I'm excited to be working with Joe again! He's a great ambassador for the label and a great partner."
Imperial Records is a legendary imprint that grew to become the Rock n' Roll and R&B powerhouse label home of Fats Domino, teen rock idol Ricky Nelson, the Temptations and Cher. The new Imperial, relaunched in June 2006 as an independent urban unit designed to be a breeding ground for new talent, is developing hit artists for a new generation. In addition to Fat Joe, recent Imperial projects include a re-launching of Levine's own Penalty Recordings, Jin on Raptivism Records, previously unreleased material from the 6 time, Grammy-nominated Anthony Hamilton on Merovingian Music, which debuted at 3 on the Billboard Independent Album Chart, the debut album from Evidence of Dilated Peoples, the second release from singer/songwriter Donnie on Soulthought and the fourth release from female rapper, Rasheeda on D-Lo Entertainment.
About Imperial:
Imperial is a full service label group that began operations in June 2006 when Imperial's Senior VP/GM Neil Levine joined EMI Music to establish a division focused on the independent urban music market. Imperial Records is an independent label group and artist development division that is part of EMI's Capitol Music Group.
The division was designed to be a breeding ground for new talent and to serve as a catalyst for smaller independent projects. Imperial is working closely with emerging artists to market and promote each release from the grass roots level to the top of the charts. Imperial's label services include publicity, radio promotions, street team promotions, sales management, product management and digital marketing. Imperial also provides label services to urban artists throughout EMI's major labels in the United States, including the Capitol Music Group.
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