Empire Distribution

{{Short description|American record label, publisher and distribution company}}

{{distinguish|Empire Records}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Use American English|date=July 2024}}

{{Infobox company

| name = EMPIRE Distribution

| logo = Empire_Distribution_Logo_2024.jpg

| logo_size =

| genre = {{flatlist|

}}

| predecessor =

| founded = 2010 in San Francisco, California

| founder = Ghazi Shami

| hq_location = San Francisco

| hq_location_city =

| hq_location_country = US

| num_locations =

| num_locations_year =

| area_served = Worldwide

| key_people = {{flatlist|

  • Ghazi Shami (CEO)
  • Nima Etminan (COO)
  • Tina Davis (President)

}}

| brands =

| services =

| num_employees = 200 (2024)

| parent =

| divisions = {{flatlist|

  • EMPIRE Distribution
  • EMPIRE Publishing
  • EMPIRE (label)
  • EMPIRE
  • EMPIRE Africa
  • EMPIRE Latino
  • EMPIRE Nashville

}}

| website = {{URL|https://empi.re}}

| footnotes =

| embed =

}}

Empire Distribution, Records and Publishing Inc. (stylized as EMPIRE{{cite journal|title=From The Desk Of... Ghazi|last=Rys|first=Dan|work=Billboard|volume=134|issue=2|date=February 26, 2022|page=38,40}}) is an independent American record label, distribution and publishing company founded in 2010 by Ghazi Shami. Based in San Francisco, EMPIRE has offices in New York, London, Lagos, and Johannesburg in addition to recording studios in San Francisco and New York.

Shami, a San Francisco native with a background in music and tech, founded Empire as a digital distribution company focused on hip hop and rap. Developing proprietary software that allowed managers and artists to easily track airplay and sales, Empire paid monthly royalties to artists, many of whom had not previously earned digital revenue, and gained early support from the Bay Area's artist community.

In 2014, Shami, known as Ghazi, launched the Empire label. Empire Africa, Empire Latino, and Empire Nashville divisions were later established. Since its founding—in partnership with artists and artist labels—Empire has released music by artists including Kendrick Lamar, Anderson .Paak, Shaboozey, Fat Joe, Tyga, Asake, Fireboy DML, XXXTentacion, G-Dragon, Philthy Rich, Young Dolph, Key Glock, King Von, Tink, Black Sherif, Yung Bleu, D Smoke, T-Pain, Snoop Dogg, DRAM, Cardi B and Emtee, among others. Empire Publishing was founded in 2020.

History

= 2010-2014: Founding, early success =

Empire was founded in by Ghazi Shami. Raised in San Francisco, he grew up listening to Bay Area artists such as Too Short, Spice 1, RBL Posse, Souls of Mischief, Luniz, JT the Bigga Figga, and Rappin' 4-Tay. Equally interested in music and technology, in college he worked at the tech companies Sun Microsystems, Eloquent Technologies and Audio Highway; he later worked at Hyde Street Studios, where he engineered and mixed music by artists including Messy Marv, Planet Asia and Too Short.{{Cite web |last=Ruskin |first=Zack |date=February 6, 2019 |title=How Empire founder Ghazi Shami built San Francisco a new musical kingdom |url=https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/music/how-empire-founder-ghazi-shami-built-san-francisco-a-new-musical-kingdom |access-date=2024-03-10|website=Datebook {{!}} San Francisco Arts & Entertainment Guide |language=en-US}}

In 2006, he was hired at INgrooves Music Group, an independent distribution and marketing company. While he had written code and built out streaming media sites since he was a teenager, at INgrooves, he learned about the intricacies of digital distribution, artist contracts, and royalties. Helping to build the company's rap division, he signed DIY artists representative of the Bay Area sound and culture, often introducing them to online revenue streams.{{Cite web |last=Hunte |first=Justin |date=2016-01-14 |title=EMPIRE: The Music Industry's Quiet Giant |url=https://hiphopdx.com/editorials/id.3180/title.empire-the-music-industrys-quiet-giant |access-date=2024-03-10 |website=HipHopDX |language=en}}

Ghazi founded Empire from his home in the Potrero neighborhood of San Francisco in 2010. In a 2019 interview, he said: "This company wouldn't exist if I wasn’t born and bred in the Bay; in SF and Silicon Valley. This company is as much a software company as it is a music company. It’d be a disservice to the roots, to the origin, to everything that I stand for, if this company wasn't firmly planted or rooted here."{{Cite web |title=How EMPIRE Became A Music Industry Giant In An Unlikely City {{!}} GRAMMY.com |url=https://grammy.com/news/how-empire-became-music-industry-giant-unlikely-city |access-date=2024-03-10 |website=grammy.com}}

Initially focused on rap, Empire's backend technology bypassed the existing digital distribution system and delivered music directly to streaming and retail platforms quickly to capitalize on the viral momentum of the genre's traditional rapid-fire releases. Contracts were non-exclusive and proprietary software allowed managers and artists to easily track royalties, which were paid monthly.{{Cite magazine |last=Hissong |first=Samantha |date=2020-10-29 |title=Empire's Founder Ghazi Shami -- Future 25 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/pro/features/empires-founder-ghazi-shami-future-25-1078197/ |access-date=2024-03-10 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}{{Cite magazine |last=Rys |first=Dan |date=2016-10-20 |title=Hip-Hop's Other EMPIRE: How Indie Distributor Is Quietly Owning the Rap Game |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/features/empire-distribution-indie-success-7549759/ |access-date=2024-03-10 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}} The company's core practices, in addition to Ghazi's relationships, attracted artists, and as Empire gained traction, Ghazi hired Nima Etminan as his second-in-command. Etminan later became the company's COO.{{Cite magazine |last=Rys |first=Dan |date=2023-05-12 |title=From the Bay Area to Africa, How EMPIRE Became A Global Force |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/empire-music-company-afrobeats-africa-ghazi-interview/ |access-date=2024-03-10 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}

= 2014-2020: Empire Records, Empire Latino, Empire Nashville =

With its digital distribution platform successful, Empire established Empire Records. Among others, the label released Anderson .Paak's album Malibu, which earned .Paak a Grammy nomination in the Best New Artist, category, as well as Fat Joe's “All The Way Up” and DRAM's “Broccoli.” Young Dolph turned down a $22 million major label deal to sign with Empire and remain independent. In an interview with Variety, Dolph said: "Empire is on deck with people who love to do this shit just as much as I do...whether you got money to deal with it or no money to deal with it, the best relationships are going to be the ones where you understand each other."{{Cite web |last=Ju |first=Shirley |date=2019-10-21 |title=How Rappers Young Dolph and Key Glock Turned Street Smarts Into Business Savvy |url=https://variety.com/2019/music/news/young-dolph-key-glock-interview-1203376855/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}

In 2017, XXXTentacion's debut album, 17, was released on Empire. It charted at #2 on the Billboard Top 200. His sophomore album was released on Capitol. He returned to re-sign with Empire a month before his death; The New York Times reported that the deal was worth $10 million.{{Cite news |last1=Sisario |first1=Ben |last2=Coscarelli |first2=Joe |date=2018-07-08 |title=XXXTentacion Signed $10 Million Album Deal Before His Death |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/08/arts/music/xxxtentacion-death-album.html |access-date=2024-03-11 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} XXXTentacion's posthumous album, Skins, debuted at #1 on the Billboard album chart.{{Cite magazine |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |date=2018-12-17 |title=XXXTentacion's 'Skins' Album Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/xxxtentacion-skins-album-number-1-billboard-200-chart/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Gold & Platinum certifications, Tyga |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=RIAA |language=en-US}}

In 2018, Tina Davis, previously an artist manager and a head of A&R at Def Jam, was named SVP of A&R,{{Cite web |date=2023-10-31 |title=Needle on the Record |url=https://eastbayexpress.com/needle-on-the-record/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=East Bay Express {{!}} Oakland, Berkeley & Alameda |language=en-US}} and a partnership with L.A. Reid's Hitco was announced.{{Cite magazine |last=Karp |first=Hannah |date=2018-03-26 |title=L.A. Reid's Hitco Ramps Up With 25 Hires and Handful Of New Acts |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/la-reid-hitco-25-new-hires-acts-label-roster/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}} King Von's Empire-distributed song "Crazy Story" was a 3× platinum viral hit.{{Cite web |title="Crazy Story" certifications |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/ |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=RIAA |language=en-US}} He subsequently signed with Empire, releasing the mixtape, Grandson, which became one of the label's most successful releases.{{Cite magazine |last=Gage |first=Dewayne |date=2022-03-04 |title=King Von Was One of Rap's Most Promising Stars. His Friends Want to Make Sure He Isn't Forgotten |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/king-von-posthumous-album-1311608/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}} Empire also worked with Tyga in 2018; the track "Taste", was 9× platinum as of 2023.{{Cite web |title=Tyga, Gold & Platinum certifications, "Taste" |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/ |access-date=2024-03-11|website=RIAA |language=en-US}}

Empire began working with Latino artists including Tego Calderón and Luis Enrique in 2012, and in 2018 established Empire Latino.{{Cite web |last=Suarez |first=Gary |date=2019-01-30 |title=After A Breakthrough Year, What's Next For Música Urbana? |url=https://www.vibe.com/features/editorial/whats-next-music-urbana-632655/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=VIBE.com |language=en-US}} In 2019, Empire Latino had its first hit with Puerto Rican reggaeton artist Jay Wheeler; as of 2023, his song La Curiosidad was 8× platinum.{{Cite web |title="La Curiosidad" Gold & Platinum certification |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=RIAA |language=en-US}}

Empire Nashville, a country music division, was founded in 2019,{{Cite web |last=Cantrell |first=L. B. |date=2021-03-01 |title=EMPIRE Nashville's Eric Hurt And Heather Vassar Talk Early Success [Interview] |url=https://musicrow.com/2021/03/empire-nashvilles-eric-hurt-and-heather-vassar-talk-early-success-interview/ |access-date=2024-02-14 |website=MusicRow.com |language=en-US}} "blazing a trail for Black country artists."{{Cite web |last=McClay |first=Caché |title=Empire record label blazed trail with Black country artists even before Beyoncé boost |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2024/04/24/empire-label-blazed-trail-black-country-artists-beyonce-boost/73360086007/ |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=The Tennessean |language=en-US}}

= 2020 - present: Empire Publishing, Empire Africa, Shaboozey =

In 2020, after developing proprietary software specific to music publishing that provided transparency similar to Empire's royalty software, Empire established a publishing division. Initial signings included Illmind, Nebu Kiniza, Dr Zeus and Empire artists Young Dolph, Key Glock, Mozzy, Fireboy DML, Yung Bleu and RJMrLA.{{Cite web |last=Aswad |first=Jem |date=2020-09-10 |title=Empire Launches Publishing Division |url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/empire-publishing-division-ghazi-1234765514/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}

In partnership with Olamide and his label, YBNL Nation,{{Cite magazine |last=Rys |first=Dan |date=2022-03-02 |title=EMPIRE's Ghazi On Expansion Into Africa, Nashville and Crypto: 'We're The King Of The Multisector' |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/empire-ghazi-africa-nashville-web3-interview-photos/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}} Empire Africa's first signing was Nigerian Afrobeats artist Fireboy DML. His 2021 single "Peru", remixed by Ed Sheeran, was a global hit. With subsequent signings including Asake, Burna Boy, BNXN and Kizz Daniel, Empire Africa became a preeminent Afrobeats label; on Nigeria's year-end TurnTable Charts, Empire had the top three artists, the top two songs, and the top album. Empire releases held the #1 position on the Nigerian charts for 35 weeks over the course of the year.

Empire began investing in the Detroit hip-hop scene not long after the company was founded. In a 2022 interview with Billboard, Ghazi said he felt a strong connection between San Francisco and Detroit. The label signed Babyface Ray in 2017, and by 2022 had signed 10 artists, including Peezy, Babytron, Payroll Giovanni, and Rio Da Yung OG.{{Cite magazine |last=Rouhani |first=Neena |date=2022-10-12 |title=The Promise & Perseverance of Detroit Rap's Rising Stars |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/icewear-vezzo-babyface-ray-baby-money-detroit-rap-interview-1235153685/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}} Peezy's "2 Million Up" went viral on TikTok and hit seven Billboard charts, including the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, Rap Airplay and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.{{Cite magazine |last=Rouhani |first=Neena |date=2023-05-01 |title=How Peezy Went 'Against the Grain' & Achieved a Top 10 Rap Hit |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/peezy-interview-detroit-2-million-up-1235317462/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}

In October 2022, Empire acquired the Bay area-founded dance label, Dirtybird.{{Cite magazine |last=Bain |first=Katie |date=2022-10-20 |title=Claude VonStroke's Dirtybird Label Acquired By EMPIRE |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/dirtybird-label-acquired-empire-claude-vonstroke-ghazi/ |access-date=2024-03-10 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}} In January 2023, a partnership with the Web3 investment platform, Nebula, was announced. It was also announced that Money Man, who was paid in Bitcoin when he signed with Empire in 2021,{{Cite web |title=Empire pays rapper Money Man's million-dollar advance in Bitcoin |url=https://www.musicweek.com/labels/read/empire-pays-rapper-money-man-s-million-dollar-advance-in-bitcoin/084617 |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=www.musicweek.com |language=en}} would release his EP on the Nebula platform.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-23 |title=EMPIRE partners with Web3 music investment platform Nebula |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/empire-partners-with-web3-music-investment-platform-nebula/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=Music Business Worldwide |language=en-US}}

In June 2023, Davis was named president of the company.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-27 |title=Tina Davis promoted to President at EMPIRE |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/tina-davis-promoted-to-president-at-empire/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=Music Business Worldwide |language=en-US}}

In May 2024, Shaboozey—who signed with Empire in 2021—released the album Where I've Been, Isn't Where I'm Going. The album was a worldwide hit, with the single "A Bar Song (Tipsy)"{{Cite web |last=Bain |first=Katie |date=2024-10-23 |title=EMPIRE President Tina Davis on Shaboozey, Major Labels & More: 6 Takeaways From Her ADE Panel |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/empire-president-tina-divas-shaboozey-majors-ade-2024/ |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}} hitting #1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.{{Cite web |last=Yahr |first=Emily |date=May 14, 2024 |title=He’s on Beyoncé’s album. He has a No. 1 hit. Shaboozey’s moment is here. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/2024/05/14/shaboozey-bar-song-tipsy-hit/ |access-date=October 31, 2024 |website=Washington Post}} It held the top position on the Billboard Hot 100 for 16 non-consecutive weeks, tying the 2020s record for the most weeks at #1 in November.{{Cite web |last=Trust |first=Gary |date=2024-11-04 |title=Shaboozey’s ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy)’ Ties Decade’s Longest Hot 100 Rule With 16th Week at No. 1 |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/shaboozey-a-bar-song-tipsy-ties-decade-hot-100-number-one-16-weeks/ |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}} He was nominated for five 2025 Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year (for "A Bar Song (Tipsy)") and Best New Artist.{{Cite web |last=McClay |first=Caché |title=Shaboozey receives 5 Grammy nominations as country star's breakout year continues |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2024/11/08/shaboozey-grammy-nominations-2025/76110833007/ |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=The Tennessean |language=en-US}}

Awards and nominations

=Grammy Awards=

{{Awards table}}

|-

| {{grammy|2015}} || "Out of Many, One Music" (Shaggy)|| Best Reggae Album || {{nom}}

|-

| {{grammy|2016}} || "Strictly Roots" (Morgan Heritage)|| Best Reggae Album || {{won}}

|-

| rowspan="6" | {{grammy|2017}} || "Malibu" (Anderson .Paak)|| Best New Artist || {{nom}}

|-

| "Malibu" (Anderson .Paak)|| Best Urban Contemporary Album || {{nom}}

|-

| "All The Way Up" (Fat Joe & Remy Ma)|| Best Rap Performance || {{nom}}

|-

| "All The Way Up" (Fat Joe & Remy Ma)|| Best Rap Song || {{nom}}

|-

| "Broccoli" (DRAM)|| Best Rap/Sung Performance || {{nom}}

|-

| "Rose Petals EP" (J Boog)|| Best Reggae Album || {{nom}}

{{end}}

Notable artists <!-- Don't add artists to this list if there isn't an existing article on Wikipedia; it is not intended to be a comprehensive - there are more than 1000 artists who have released music through Empire since it was founded -->

{{div col|colwidth=12em}}

{{div col end}}

Selected discography

{{further|Category:Empire Distribution albums|Category:Empire Distribution EPs}}

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left;font-size:90%;"

! Year

!Cat

! style="width:15em;"| Title

! Artist(s)

!|Details

! style="width:22em;"|Certifications

2010EREAuthenticityThe Foreign ExchangeOct 12, 2010#145 on the Billboard 200
#23 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
rowspan="6" | 2011ERESetbacksScHoolboy QJan 11, 2011#100 on the US Billboard 200
ERELongterm MentalityAb-SoulApril 5, 2011#32 on the US Top Heatseekers
#73 on the US Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums
ERESection.80Kendrick LamarJuly 2, 2011#113 on the US Billboard 200
#1 on the US Top Heatseekers Albums
ERECharity Starts At HomePhonteSep 27, 2011
EREIn None We TrustCrooked INov 17, 2011
EREGift Of Gab 2RockoNov 24, 2011
rowspan="4" | 2012EREDirty SlumsSlum VillageMar 27, 2012
EREStoner's EPSnoop DoggApril 17, 2012#31 on the US Independent Albums
#33 on the US Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums
EREDon't Be S.A.F.E.Trinidad JamesSep 18, 2012#103 on the US Billboard 200
#8 on the US Top Heatseekers Albums
EREBaby Face KillaFreddie GibbsSep 25, 2012
rowspan="11" | 2013EREStill Goin In (Reloaded)Rich Homie QuanFeb 8, 2013Named tenth best mixtape of 2013 by Rolling Stone.
EREThe Year of the UnderdogzYoung Noble & Gage GullyMay 7, 2013
EREWest Coast Gangsta ShitDaz Dillinger and WCJune 19, 2013
EREESGN (Evil Seeds Grow Naturally)Freddie GibbsJune 20, 2013#8 on US Top Heatseekers Albums{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2013-07-06/heatseekers-albums |title=Heatseekers Albums : Jul 06, 2013 | Billboard Chart Archive |magazine=Billboard |date=2013-07-06 |access-date=2013-08-27 |archive-date=2013-08-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130807231858/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2013-07-06/heatseekers-albums |url-status=live }}
#24 on US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
ERECold TurkeyStarlitoJuly 2, 2013
ERE108 Apex PredatorCrooked IJuly 30, 2013#33 on US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/5638411/crooked-i/chart?f=333 |title=Crooked I – Chart history |magazine=Billboard |access-date=2013-10-15 |archive-date=2018-12-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217064739/https://www.billboard.com/artist/5638411/crooked-i/chart?f=333 |url-status=live }}
ERE1103ChordFoldTerrace MartinAug 13, 2013#43 on US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
#9 on US Top Heatseekers Albums
ERETravis GarlandTravis GarlandSep 10, 2013
EREGas Pedal EPSage The GeminiSep 10, 2013
EREO.K.E. (Deluxe Edition)The GameOct 8, 2013#89 on the US Billboard 200
#19 on the US Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums
EREKnock MadnessHopsinNov 24, 2013#1 on US Top Heatseekers Albums
#7 on US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
#6 on US Independent Albums
rowspan="4" | 2014ERE135Tortoise and the Crow CDGrouch, ElighMar 04, 2014
ERE139Phantom and the GhostStyles PApr 29, 2014#74 on US Billboard 200
#14 on US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
#18 on US Independent Albums
EREBarrel BrothersSkyzoo and ToraeMay 27, 2014
ERE141 VeniceAnderson .PaakOct 28, 2014
rowspan="3" | 2015EREStrictly RootsMorgan HeritageJune 8, 2015Grammy Award Winning : Best Reggae Album
ERE141 Fuk Wat They Talkin BoutTygaAug 24, 2015
ERE141Shadow of a DoubtFreddie GibbsNov 20, 2015#76 on US Billboard 200
rowspan="2" | 2016ERE141 MalibuAnderson .PaakJan 15, 2016#79 on US Billboard 200
ERE141 King of MemphisYoung DolphFeb 19, 2016#49 on US Billboard 200
rowspan="5" | 2017ERE310Plata O PlomoFat Joe and Remy MaFeb 17, 2017#44 on US Billboard 200
ERE344

|Neva Left

|Snoop Dogg

|May 19, 2017

|#54 on US Billboard 200

ERE

|For Your Girl Too

|Selfish

|May 23, 2017

|

EREBitchImTheShit2TygaJul 21, 2017
ERE17XXXTentacionAug 25, 2017#2 on US Billboard 200
rowspan="4" | 2018ERE381KyotoTygaFeb 16, 2018
ERE453Tru LPLloydAug 31, 2018
EREDancing ShadowsMarioOct 5, 2018
ERESkinsXXXTentacionDec 7, 2018#1 on US Billboard 200
rowspan="6"|2019EREWalk with MeRotimiMay 24, 2019
| ERELegendaryTygaJun 7, 2019#17 on US Billboard 200
| EREIn My DefenseIggy AzaleaJul 19, 2019#50 on US Billboard 200
| ERE524I Wanna Thank MeSnoop DoggAug 16, 2019#76 on US Billboard 200
| EREWicked LipsIggy AzaleaDec 2, 2019
| ERE537Bad Vibes ForeverXXXTentacionDec 6, 2019#5 on US Billboard 200

=Notable singles=

{{further|Category:Empire Distribution singles}}

See also

References

{{reflist}}