What Rappers started independent Record labels? list all

[Crumple]

Idk how involved these guys are but what are they supposed to do other than give them free features?

True.
They could outsource alot of work.

I just feel rappers like Ill Bill, or dj Qbert
they are way more hands on. More involved.

I guess the bigger indies with big money can take more of a true leadership role. Like Puffy with Badboy and Jay Z with Roccafella.

 

[Sauce Dab]

True.
They could outsource alot of work.

I just feel rappers like Ill Bill, or dj Qbert
they are way more hands on. More involved.

I guess the bigger indies with big money can take more of a true leadership role. Like Puffy with Badboy and Jay Z with Roccafella.

I think Jeezy was pretty hands on with YG

 

[Taadow]

Daz Dillinger - DPG Recordz
Too $hort - Dangerous Music & Up All Nite
E-40 - Sick Wid It & Heavy On The Grind
Young Mugzi - 30/30 Records
Celly Cel - Realside Records
WC - Big Swang Records
Raheem The Dream - Tight 2 Def
Eightball - 8 Wayz Entertainment
MJG - Pimp Type

 

[Rembrandt]

Wow, so alot of these rapper's indie labels in a sense are just to fluf up their names, correct?

Their names are attached but they do no grassroots work.

Kinda reminds me of that Kool Keith rhyme

"Everybody with a card runs a fake business"

Fluff up their name and they usually get paid if the parent company decides to sign them.

As far as being hands on, I doubt any of them are actually involved in the day to day business. They most likely get people from parent company to run it.

They may be more involved when it comes to the actual music, though. Features, exec producing, taking them on tours, etc. Their duties are usually more personal.

 

[Crumple]

I think Jeezy was pretty hands on with YG

Word.

 

[Crumple]

Daz Dillinger - DPG Recordz
Too $hort - Dangerous Music & Up All Nite
E-40 - Sick Wid It & Heavy On The Grind
Young Mugzi - 30/30 Records
Celly Cel - Realside Records
WC - Big Swang Records
Raheem The Dream - Tight 2 Def
Eightball - 8 Wayz Entertainment
MJG - Pimp Type

Thank you, for contributing way different names and labels. Other than DPG which I thought was Snoop's I don't know any of those.

 

[Crumple]

Fluff up their name and they usually get paid if the parent company decides to sign them.

As far as being hands on, I doubt any of them are actually involved in the day to day business. They most likely get people from parent company to run it.

They may be more involved when it comes to the actual music, though. Features, exec producing, taking them on tours, etc. Their duties are usually more personal.

Well said.

All in all for sure if those rappers are passionate and are involved with several projects to completion I think having an independent record label is healthy.

Alchemist has ALC.

 

[comatose1]

Thank you, for contributing way different names and labels. Other than DPG which I thought was Snoop's I don't know any of those.

DPG Recordz/Gangsta Advisory Recordingz are Daz’s labels.

Snoop’s label was Dogg House Records which later changed to Doggystyle Records because of a trademark conflict with the name Dogg House.

 

[gluvnast]

Dreamville, until the distribution deal with Interscope. Bas, Cozz and Omen's first albums were all indies.

 

[vdfebduderocks]

I guess the real question I have is do the rappers need to solely manage the labels and does signing a JV deal with a label subsequent to forming a label disqualifying?

When Roc-A-Fella formed, it didn't form as an imprint under a major record label. It was its own label that went for a distribution deal (same way you'd see indie labels sign deals with Caroline, Fontana or Koch, E1, etc.). But it was a true indie label for a good hot second.

Obviously, E-40's Sick Wit It & No Limit were founded by rappers. Sure, Birdman may not have started as a rapper, but Cash Money counts too. Ruthless Records was founded by Eazy-E to spearhead NWA releases... Eazy didn't want to rap at first, but he did. Tech N9Ne has his own label too.

DTP, Jeezy's CTE, & T.I.'s Grand Hustle started as indie labels before signing distribution deals.

These are some examples.

 

[Excellenceofelegance]

I guess the real question I have is do the rappers need to solely manage the labels and does signing a JV deal with a label subsequent to forming a label disqualifying?

When Roc-A-Fella formed, it didn't form as an imprint under a major record label. It was its own label that went for a distribution deal (same way you'd see indie labels sign deals with Caroline, Fontana or Koch, E1, etc.). But it was a true indie label for a good hot second.

Obviously, E-40's Sick Wit It & No Limit were founded by rappers. Sure, Birdman may not have started as a rapper, but Cash Money counts too. Ruthless Records was founded by Eazy-E to spearhead NWA releases... Eazy didn't want to rap at first, but he did. Tech N9Ne has his own label too.

DTP, Jeezy's CTE, & T.I.'s Grand Hustle started as indie labels before signing distribution deals.

These are some examples.

I think roc a fella was split in a joint venture with def jam owning the other 50 percent and jay ,biggs, dame splitting the other 50

 

[Crumple]

DPG Recordz/Gangsta Advisory Recordingz are Daz’s labels.

Snoop’s label was Dogg House Records which later changed to Doggystyle Records because of a trademark conflict with the name Dogg House.

Yeah, I remember Snoop having Dog House. Then did a search and learned Dog House us a well established indie rock label or something.

 

[Crumple]

Dreamville, until the distribution deal with Interscope. Bas, Cozz and Omen's first albums were all indies.

Dope. J Cole is a modern great. Mad ppl handing out flyers for J Cole's show at Aria when I was in Las Vegas in 2017.

 

[Crumple]

I guess the real question I have is do the rappers need to solely manage the labels and does signing a JV deal with a label subsequent to forming a label disqualifying?

When Roc-A-Fella formed, it didn't form as an imprint under a major record label. It was its own label that went for a distribution deal (same way you'd see indie labels sign deals with Caroline, Fontana or Koch, E1, etc.). But it was a true indie label for a good hot second.

Obviously, E-40's Sick Wit It & No Limit were founded by rappers. Sure, Birdman may not have started as a rapper, but Cash Money counts too. Ruthless Records was founded by Eazy-E to spearhead NWA releases... Eazy didn't want to rap at first, but he did. Tech N9Ne has his own label too.

DTP, Jeezy's CTE, & T.I.'s Grand Hustle started as indie labels before signing distribution deals.

These are some examples.

If Grand Hustle was independent I respect T.I for that.

It shows initiative amongst chaos.

 

[Crumple]

I think roc a fella was split in a joint venture with def jam owning the other 50 percent and jay ,biggs, dame splitting the other 50

If someone can clarify that.

I always though Roccafella was 100% independent to put the music out.