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{{Infobox record label
{{globalize|date=February 2018}}
| name = STARBOY
{{pp-move-indef}}
|image = XO_-_2.gif
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2016}}
| parent = [[Universal Music Group]]
|founded = {{start date and age|2012}}
|founder = [[The Weeknd]]
|status = Active
|distributor = [[Republic Records]]
|genre = {{hlist|[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]|[[Hip hop music|hip hop]]}}
}}


'''XO''' (also known as '''XO Records''')<ref name="UMCsignedtoXO">{{cite web|title=Who Is Signed To XO? Dissecting The Weeknd’s Canadian Collective|url=http://www.umusic.ca/2017/10/24/weeknd-xo/|website=Umusic|accessdate=6 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Weeknd (@theweeknd)|url=https://www.instagram.com/theweeknd/|website=Instagram|accessdate=6 November 2017}}</ref> is a Canadian record label founded by Amir "Cash" Esmailian and singer [[The Weeknd]] in 2012. It operates as a subsidiary of, and it is distributed through, [[Universal Music Group]]'s [[Republic Records]]. The label's current acts include [[The Weeknd]], [[Belly (rapper)|Belly]], [[Nav (rapper)|Nav]], [[Derek Wise]], and Black Atlass; and have earned [[RIAA certification|platinum]] certifications on all studio releases distributed by the label.
A '''record label''' or '''record company''' is a brand or trademark associated with the marketing of [[Sound recording and reproduction|music recordings]] and [[music videos]]. Sometimes, a record label is also a [[publisher|publishing]] company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, [[manufacturing|manufacture]], [[distribution (business)|distribution]], marketing, promotion, and enforcement of [[copyright]] for sound recordings and music videos; also conducting talent scouting and development of new artists ("artists and repertoire" or "[[A&amp;R]]"); and maintains [[Recording contract|contracts]] with recording artists and their managers. The term "record label" derives from the circular label in the center of a vinyl record which prominently displays the manufacturer's name, along with other information.<ref>{{cite web|last=Klein |first=Allison |url=http://howstuffworks.com/record-label1.htm |title=How Record Labels Work |website=HowStuffWorks.com |date= |accessdate=29 April 2016}}</ref>

==Music industry==
Within the mainstream [[music industry]], recording artists have traditionally been reliant upon record labels to broaden their consumer base, market their albums, and be both promoted and heard on music streaming services, radio, and television. Record labels provide [[publicist]]s, who assist performers in gaining positive media coverage, and arrange for their merchandise to be available via stores and other media outlets.

But an increasing number of artists have sought to avoid costs and gain new audiences via the Internet, often with the help of [[music video|videos]]. Combined with the decline in album sales and rapid growth in free content available online, this has changed the way the industry works dramatically since the beginning of the 21st century. It has caused record labels to seek new sources of profit, in particular via "360" deals (see below, under "new label strategies").

==Major versus independent record labels==
Record labels may be small, localized and "[[independent record label|independent]]" ("indie"), or they may be part of a large [[multinational corporation|international media group]], or somewhere in between. As of 2012, there are only three labels that can be referred to as "major labels" ([[Universal Music Group]], [[Sony Music Entertainment]], and [[Warner Music Group]]).<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=https://www.slideshare.net/mobile/knaz1997/the-big-3-major-music-labels |title=The big 3 major music labels |website=Slideshare.net |date=28 January 2015 |accessdate=29 April 2016}}</ref> A "sublabel" is a label that is part of a larger record company but trades under a different name.

==Imprint==
When a label is strictly a trademark or brand, not a company, then it is usually called an "[[imprint (trade name)|imprint]]", a term used for the same concept in [[publishing industry|publishing]]. An imprint is sometimes marketed as being a "project", "unit", or "division" of a record label company, even though there is no legal business structure associated with the imprint.

==Independent==
{{Main|Independent record label}}
Record companies and music publishers that are not under the control of the big three are generally considered to be ''independent'' (''[[indie (music)|indie]]''), even if they are large corporations with complex structures. The term ''indie label'' is sometimes used to refer to only those independent labels that adhere to independent criteria of corporate structure and size, and some consider an indie label to be almost any label that releases non-mainstream music, regardless of its corporate structure.

Independent labels are often considered more artist-friendly. Though they may have less financial clout, indie labels typically offer larger artist royalty with 50% profit-share agreement, aka 50-50 deal, not uncommon.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://musicians.about.com/od/musicindustrybasics/tp/indielabelessons.htm |title=Top Five Lessons Learned from Indie Record Labels |website=Musicians.about.com |date= |accessdate=29 April 2016}}</ref>

==Sublabel==
Music collectors often use the term ''sublabel'' to refer to either an imprint or a subordinate label company (such as those within a group). For example, in the 1980s and 1990s, "4th & B'way" was a trademarked brand owned by [[Island Records]] Ltd. in the UK and by a subordinate branch, Island Records, Inc., in the United States. The center label on a 4th & Broadway record marketed in the [[United States]] would typically bear a 4th & B'way logo and would state in the fine print, "4th & B'way™, an Island Records, Inc. company". Collectors discussing labels as brands would say that 4th & B'way is a sublabel or imprint of just "Island" or "Island Records". Similarly, collectors who choose to treat corporations and trademarks as equivalent might say 4th & B'way is an imprint and/or sublabel of both Island Records, Ltd. and that company's sublabel, Island Records, Inc. However, such definitions are complicated by the corporate [[Mergers and acquisitions|merger]]s that occurred in 1989 (when Island was sold to PolyGram) and 1998 (when PolyGram merged with Universal). Island remained registered as corporations in both the [[United States]] and [[United Kingdom|UK]], but control of its brands changed hands multiple times as new companies were formed, diminishing the corporation's distinction as the "parent" of any sublabels.

==Vanity labels==
{{Main|Vanity label}}
Vanity labels are labels that bear an imprint that gives the impression of an artist's ownership or control, but in fact represent a standard artist/label relationship. In such an arrangement, the artist will control nothing more than the usage of the name on the label, but may enjoy a greater say in the packaging of his or her work. An example of such a label is the Neutron label owned by [[ABC (band)|ABC]] while at [[Phonogram Inc.]] in the UK. At one point artist Lizzie Tear (under contract with ABC themselves) appeared on the imprint, but it was devoted almost entirely to ABC's offerings and is still used for their re-releases (though Phonogram owns the masters of all the work issued on the label).

However, not all labels dedicated to particular artists are completely superficial in origin. Many artists, early in their careers, create their own labels which are later bought out by a bigger company. If this is the case it can sometimes give the artist greater freedom than if they were signed directly to the big label. There are many examples of this kind of label, such as [[Nothing Records]], owned by [[Trent Reznor]] of [[Nine Inch Nails]]; and Morning Records, owned by the [[Cooper Temple Clause]], who were releasing EPs for years before the company was bought by [[RCA]].

==Relationship with artists==
A label typically enters into an exclusive [[recording contract]] with an artist to market the artist's recordings in return for [[Music royalties|royalties]] on the selling price of the recordings. Contracts may extend over short or long durations, and may or may not refer to specific recordings. Established, successful artists tend to be able to renegotiate their contracts to get terms more favorable to them, but [[Prince (musician)|Prince]]'s much-publicized 1994–1996 feud with [[Warner Bros.]] provides a strong counterexample,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Newman|first1=Melinda|title=Inside Prince's Career-Long Battle to Master His Artistic Destiny|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/cover-story/7348551/prince-battle-to-control-career-artist-rights|website=Billboard|accessdate=3 April 2017}}</ref> as does [[Roger McGuinn]]'s claim, made in July 2000 before a US Senate committee, that [[the Byrds]] never received any of the royalties they had been promised for their biggest hits, "[[Mr.&nbsp;Tambourine Man]]" and "[[Turn! Turn! Turn! (to Everything There Is a Season)|Turn! Turn!, Turn!]]".<ref>{{cite news| url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0007/11/se.01.html | title=CNN Transcript – Special Event: Lars Ulrich, Roger McGuinn Testify Before Senate Judiciary Committee on Downloading Music on the Internet|date=11 July 2000|website=Transcripts.cnn.com|accessdate=29 April 2016}}</ref>

A contract either provides for the artist to deliver completed recordings to the label, or for the label to undertake the recording with the artist. For artists without a recording history, the label is often involved in selecting producers, [[recording studio]]s, additional musicians, and songs to be recorded, and may supervise the output of recording sessions. For established artists, a label is usually less involved in the recording process.

The relationship between record labels and artists can be a difficult one. Many artists have had albums altered or censored in some way by the labels before they are released—songs being edited, artwork or titles being changed, etc.{{Citation needed|date=December 2012}} Record labels generally do this because they believe that the album will sell better if the changes are made. Often the record label's decisions are prudent ones from a commercial perspective, but this typically frustrates the artists who feels that their art is being diminished or misrepresented by such actions.

In the early days of the recording industry, recording labels were absolutely necessary for the success of any artist.{{citation needed|date=August 2016}} The first goal of any new artist or band was to get signed to a contract as soon as possible. In the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s, many artists were so desperate to sign a contract with a record company that they sometimes ended up signing agreements in which they sold the rights to their recordings to the record label in perpetuity. [[Entertainment law]]yers are usually employed by artists to discuss contract terms.

Through the advances of the Internet the role of labels is becoming increasingly changed, as artists are able to freely distribute their own material through web radio, peer to peer file sharing such as [[BitTorrent]], and other services, for little or no cost but with little financial return. Established artists, such as Nine Inch Nails, whose career was developed with major label backing, announced an end to their major label contracts, citing that the uncooperative nature of the recording industry with these new trends are hurting musicians, fans and the industry as a whole.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sputnikmusic.com/news.php?newsid=4504 |title=Nine inch nails = independent |website=Sputnikmusic.com |date= |accessdate=29 April 2016}}</ref> Nine Inch Nails later returned to working with a major label,<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.spin.com/2013/08/trent-reznor-nine-inch-nails-hesitation-marks-columbia-spin-september-2013-cover-story/ |title=Trent Reznor on Nine Inch Nails' Columbia Signing: ‘I'm Not a Major Label Apologist' |website=Spin.com |date=19 August 2013 |accessdate=29 April 2016}}</ref> admitting that they needed the international marketing and promotional reach that a major label can provide. [[Radiohead]] also cited similar motives with the end of their contract with [[EMI]] when their album ''[[In Rainbows]]'' was released as a "[[pay what you want]]" sales model as an online download, but they also returned to a label for a conventional release.<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.nme.com/news/radiohead/32207 |title=Radiohead sign 'conventional' record deal |website=Nme.com |date=31 October 2007 |accessdate=29 April 2016}}</ref> Research shows that record labels still control most access to distribution.<ref>
{{cite web
| author1 = D Arditi
| title = iTunes: Breaking Barriers and Building Walls
| url = http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03007766.2013.810849
| work = Popular Music & Society
| accessdate= 29 April 2016
}}</ref>

==New label strategies==
With the advancement of the computer and technology such as the Internet, leading to an increase in file sharing and [[Direct-to-Fan|direct-to-fan]] digital distribution, combined with music sales plummeting in recent years,<ref>{{cite web|last=Covert |first=Adrian |url=http://money.cnn.com/2013/04/25/technology/itunes-music-decline/ |title=A decade of iTunes singles killed the music industry - Apr. 25, 2013 |website=Money.cnn.com |date=25 April 2013 |accessdate=29 April 2016}}</ref> labels and organizations have had to change their strategies and the way they work with artists. New types of deals are being made with artists called "multiple rights" or "360" deals with artists. These types of pacts give labels rights and percentages to artist's touring, merchandising, and [[Testimonial|endorsement]]s. In exchange for these rights, labels usually give higher advance payments to artists, have more patience with artist development, and pay higher percentages of CD sales. These 360 deals are most effective when the artist is established and has a loyal fan base. For that reason, labels now have to be more relaxed with the development of artists because longevity is the key to these types of pacts. Several artists such as [[Paramore]], [[Maino]], and even [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]] have signed such types of deals.

A look at an actual 360 deal offered by [[Atlantic Records]] to an artist shows a variation of the structure. Atlantic's document offers a conventional cash advance to sign the artist, who would receive a royalty for sales after expenses were recouped. With the release of the artist's first album, however, the label has an option to pay an additional $200,000 in exchange for 30 percent of the net income from all touring, merchandise, endorsements, and fan-club fees. Atlantic would also have the right to approve the act's tour schedule, and the salaries of certain tour and merchandise sales employees hired by the artist. But the label also offers the artist a 30 percent cut of the label's album profits—if any—which represents an improvement from the typical industry royalty of 15 percent.<ref>{{cite news |last=Leeds |first=Jeff |title=The New Deal: Band as Brand |date=11 November 2004 |publisher=Nytimes.com |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/11/arts/music/11leed.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&adxnnlx=1269741649-euWFoDdXtDDM3tqfY5XwQQ }}</ref>


==History==
==History==
XO was created by Canadian [[singer-songwriter]] [[The Weeknd]], as an unofficial imprint to release three [[Mixtape|mixtapes]] in 2011. The three releases, ''[[House of Balloons]]'', ''[[Thursday (album)|Thursday]]'', and ''[[Echoes of Silence]]'', helped grow the singer's profile, and began promoting the "XO" moniker through various on-stage performances and references within songs. The Weeknd also began conducting advertising deals via the label to multiple outlets, namely collaborating with [[PAX Labs]] to release a limited edition version of the PAX 2 vaporizer, an [[electronic cigarette]] that could be used in shows during [[The Madness Fall Tour]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Keating|first1=Lauren|title=The Weeknd Launches A Vape That Plays His Hit Single 'The Hills' As You Smoke|url=http://www.techtimes.com/articles/103135/20151104/weeknd-launches-vape-plays-hit-single-hills-smoke.htm|website=Tech Times|accessdate=13 November 2016}}</ref>


Upon securing a major recording contract with [[Republic Records]] in 2012, XO was also assumed as a subsidiary of Republic, and also acted as the distributors and manufacturers of any music created by XO. [[Belly (rapper)|Belly]] was signed as the label's first artist in 2015, and [[Derek Wise]] was signed later that year. [[Nav (rapper)|Nav]] was then signed by the label in 2016. Upon entering classification as a subsidiary, the label has released seven projects by their artists (discluding The Weeknd).
===Industry consolidation===
In the 1970s and 1980s, there was a phase of consolidation in the record industry that led to almost all major labels being owned by a very few multinational companies. CDs still flow through a handful of sources, with the majority of the sales going through the "big three" record labels.

===Resurgence of independent labels===
In the 1990s, as a result of the widespread use of home studios, consumer recording technology, and the Internet, independent labels began to become more commonplace. Independent labels are often artist-owned (although not always), with a stated intent often being to control the quality of the artist's output. Independent labels usually do not enjoy the resources available to the "big three" and as such will often lag behind them in market shares. Often independent artists manage a return by recording for a much smaller production cost of a typical big label release. Sometimes they are able to recoup their initial advance even with much lower sales numbers.

On occasion, established artists, once their record contract has finished, move to an independent label. This often gives the combined advantage of name recognition and more control over one's music along with a larger portion of royalty profits. Artists such as [[Dolly Parton]], [[Aimee Mann]], [[Prince (musician)|Prince]], [[Public Enemy (band)|Public Enemy]], BKBravo (Kua and Rafi), among others, have done this. Historically, companies started in this manner have been re-absorbed into the major labels (two examples are American singer [[Frank Sinatra]]'s [[Reprise Records]], which has been owned by [[Warner Music Group]] for some time now, and musician [[Herb Alpert]]'s [[A&M Records]], now owned by Universal Music Group). Similarly, [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]]'s Maverick Records (started by Madonna with her manager and another partner) was to come under control of Warner Music when Madonna [[divest]]ed herself of controlling shares in the company.

Some independent labels become successful enough that major record companies negotiate contracts to either distribute music for the label or in some cases, purchase the label completely.

On the [[punk rock]] scene, the [[DIY ethic]] encourages bands to self-publish and self-distribute. This approach evolved out of necessity around since the early 1980s, due to the major labels' aversion to signing the punk rock bands that spawned after the initial wave in the mid-70s. Such labels have a reputation for being fiercely uncompromising and especially unwilling to cooperate with the [[World music market|big record labels]] at all. One of the most notable and influential labels of the Do-It-Yourself attitude was [[SST Records]], created by the band [[Black Flag (band)|Black Flag]]. No labels wanted to release their material, so they simply created their own label to release not only their own material but the material of many other influential underground bands all over the country. [[Ian MacKaye]]'s [[Dischord Records|Dischord]] is often cited as a model of success in the DIY community, having survived for over thirty years with less than twelve employees at any one time.

===Internet and digital labels===
{{Main|Netlabel}}
With the Internet now being a viable source for obtaining music, [[netlabel]]s have emerged. Depending on the ideals of the net label, music files from the artists may be downloaded free of charge or for a fee that is paid via [[PayPal]] or other online payment system. Some of these labels also offer hard copy CDs in addition to direct download. Digital Labels are the latest version of a 'net' label. Whereas 'net' labels were started as a free site, digital labels are more competition for the major record labels.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Suhr|first1=Cecilia|title=Understanding the Hegemonic Struggle between Mainstream Vs. Independent Forces: The Music Industry and Musicians in the Age of Social Media|journal=International Journal of Technology, Knowledge & Society|date=November 2011|volume=7|pages=123–136|url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=91544625&site=eds-live.|accessdate=3 April 2017}}</ref>

===Open-source labels===
{{Main|Open-source record label}}
The new century brought the phenomenon of ''open-source'' or ''open-content'' record label. These are inspired by the [[free software]] and [[open source]] movements and the success of [[Linux|GNU/Linux]].


On February 8, 2018, Montreal-born singer Black Atlass released a new song "My Life" distributed by XO Records. Black Atlass had previously appeared alongside The Weeknd in his "[[Secrets (The Weeknd song)|Secrets]]" music video and in some ads involving the ''[[Puma (brand)|Puma]] x XO'' collections that dropped in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Marsh|first1=Ryan|title=The Weeknd signs Black Atlass to XO Records|url=http://www.rapwave.net/2018/02/08/the-weeknd-signs-black-atlass-to-xo-records/|website=Rap Wave|accessdate=13 November 2016}}</ref>
===Publishers as labels===
In the mid-2000s, some music publishing companies began undertaking the work traditionally done by labels. The publisher Sony/ATV Music, for example, leveraged its connections within the Sony family to produce, record, distribute, and promote [[Elliott Yamin]]'s debut album under a dormant Sony-owned imprint, rather than waiting for a deal with a proper label.<ref>{{citation|magazine=Billboard|title=Publisher = Label? – Sony/ATV Music releases; Elliott Yamin's record|date=31 March 2007|last=Butler|first=Susan}}</ref>


==Major labels==
==Roster==
{{Timeline of Major Record Labels}}


===Current acts===
Record labels are often under the control of a corporate umbrella organization called a "music [[Corporate group|group]]". A music group is typically owned by an international [[conglomerate (company)|conglomerate]] "[[holding company]]", which often has non-music divisions as well. A music group controls and consists of music publishing companies, record (sound recording) manufacturers, record distributors, and record labels. Record companies (manufacturers, distributors, and labels) may also constitute a "record group" which is, in turn, controlled by a music group. The constituent companies in a music group or record group are sometimes marketed as being "divisions" of the group.
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Act
!Year
!Releases
|-
| [[The Weeknd]]
| style="text-align:center;"|2012
| style="text-align:center;"|4
|-
| [[Belly (rapper)|Belly ]]
| style="text-align:center;"|2015
| style="text-align:center;"|4
|-
|[[Derek Wise]]
| style="text-align:center;" |2015
| style="text-align:center;" |1<br><small>(as ''[[Derek Wise|88Glam]]'')</small><ref name="XO88Glam">{{cite web|last1=Gonzalez|first1=Eddie|title=The Weeknd’s New XO Act 88Glam Looks And Sounds Like A Finished Product On ’12’|url=http://uproxx.com/realtalk/88-glam-12-video-the-weeknd/|publisher=[[Uproxx]]|accessdate=6 November 2017}}</ref>
|-
| [[Nav (rapper)|Nav]]
| style="text-align:center;" |2016
| style="text-align:center;" |2
|-
| Black Atlass<ref>{{cite web|last1=Goddard|first1=Kevin|title=Did The Weeknd Sign R&B Singer Black Atlass To XO Records?|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/did-the-weeknd-sign-randb-singer-black-atlass-to-xo-records-news.43528.html|website=HotNewHipHop|accessdate=8 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=My Life - Single|url=https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/my-life-single/1340652063|website=Apple Music|accessdate=8 February 2018}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;" |2018
| style="text-align:center;" |0
|}


==Discography==
{{anchor|Major labels 1988–1999 (Big Six)}}From 1988 to 1999, there were six major record labels, known as the Big Six:{{citation needed|date=January 2018}}
The label has officially released three [[studio albums]], and one [[compilation album]]. Unofficially, the label has released eight [[mixtape]]s.
# [[Warner Music Group]]
# [[EMI]]
# [[Sony Music]] (known as CBS Records until January 1991)
# [[Bertelsmann Music Group|BMG]]
# [[Universal Music Group]]
# [[PolyGram]]


===Studio albums===
{{anchor|Major labels 1999–2004 (Big Five)}}PolyGram was merged into UMG in 1999, leaving the rest to be known as the Big Five.{{citation needed|date=January 2018}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year
! class="unsortable" | Album details
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 2013
| [[The Weeknd]] – '''''[[Kiss Land]]'''''
* Released: September 10, 2013<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/kiss-land/id689682898|title=Kiss Land by The Weeknd on Apple Music|last=|first=|date=|website=iTunes|publisher=|access-date=12 October 2016}}</ref>
* Label: XO, [[Republic Records|Republic]]
* Formats: [[Compact disc|CD]], [[Music download|digital download]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 2015
| The Weeknd – '''''[[Beauty Behind the Madness]]'''''
* Released: August 28, 2015<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/beauty-behind-the-madness/id1017326322|title=Beauty Behind the Madness by The Weeknd on iTunes|last=|first=|date=|website=iTunes|publisher=|access-date=12 October 2016}}</ref>
* Label: XO, Republic
* Formats: CD, digital download
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 2016
| The Weeknd – '''''[[Starboy (album)|Starboy]]'''''
* Released: November 25, 2016<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/the-weeknd-new-album-starboy-2016-9|title=The Weeknd released a new single with Daft Punk and revealed a release date for his album|last=Lynch|first=John|date=22 September 2016|newspaper=[[Business Insider]]|access-date=12 October 2016|via=}}</ref>
* Label: XO, Republic
* Formats: CD, digital download
|}


===EP's===
{{anchor|Major labels 2004–2012 (Big Four)}}In 2004, Sony and BMG agreed to a joint venture to create the [[Sony BMG]] label (which would be renamed Sony Music Entertainment after a 2008 merger). In 2007, the four remaining companies—known as the Big Four—controlled about 70% of the [[world music market]], and about 80% of the United States music market.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.copynot.org/Pages/The%20big%20four%20Record%20Companies.html |title=Copyright Law, Treaties and Advice |publisher=Copynot.org |accessdate=14 November 2013}}</ref><ref>[https://www.apple.com/fr/hotnews/thoughtsonmusic/ ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328020555/https://www.apple.com/fr/hotnews/thoughtsonmusic/ |date=28 March 2014 }}</ref>
{|class="wikitable sortable"
! Year
! class="unsortable" | EP details
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 2018
|The Weeknd – '''''[[My Dear Melancholy,]]'''''
* Released: March 29, 2018
* Label: XO, Republic
* Formats: CD, digital download
|}


===Compilation albums===
{{anchor|Big Three|Big 3|big three|3|Major labels since 2012|Major labels after collapse of EMI|Major labels since 2012 (Big Three)}}In 2012, the major divisions of [[EMI]] were sold off separately by owner [[Citigroup]]: most of EMI's recorded music division was absorbed into UMG; EMI Music Publishing was absorbed into Sony/ATV Music Publishing; finally, EMI's [[Parlophone]] and [[Virgin Classics]] labels were absorbed into Warner Music Group in July 2013.<ref>Joshua R. Wueller, [http://papers.ssrn.com/abstract=2293412 ''Mergers of Majors: Applying the Failing Firm Doctrine in the Recorded Music Industry''], 7 Brook. J. Corp. Fin. & Com. L. 589, 601–04 (2013).</ref> This left the so-called Big Three labels:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
#[[Universal Music Group]]
! Year
#[[Sony Music|Sony Music Entertainment]]
! class="unsortable" | Album details
#[[Warner Music Group]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 2012
| [[The Weeknd]] – '''''[[Trilogy (The Weeknd album)|Trilogy]] '''''
* Released: November 13, 2012
* Label: XO, [[Republic Records|Republic]]
* Formats: [[Compact disc|CD]], [[Music download|digital download]]
|}


==See also==
===Mixtapes===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
* [[List of record labels]]
! Year
* [[White label]]
! class="unsortable" | Album details
|-
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | 2011
| [[The Weeknd]] – '''''[[House of Balloons]]'''''
* Released: March 21, 2011
* Label: XO
* Formats: [[Music download|Digital download]]
|-
| The Weeknd – '''''[[Thursday (album)|Thursday]]'''''
* Released: August 18, 2011
* Label: XO
* Formats: Digital download
|-
| The Weeknd – '''''[[Echoes of Silence]]'''''
* Released: December 21, 2011
* Label: XO
* Formats: Digital download
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 2015
| [[Belly (rapper)|Belly]] – '''''[[Up For Days]]'''''
* Released: May 7, 2015
* Label: XO, [[Roc Nation]]
* Formats: Digital download
|-
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | 2016
| Belly – '''''[[Another Day in Paradise (mixtape)|Another Day in Paradise]]'''''
* Released: May 27, 2016
* Label: XO, Roc Nation
* Formats: Digital download
|-
| Belly – '''''[[Inzombia (mixtape)|Inzombia]]'''''
* Released: November 11, 2016
* Label: XO, Roc Nation
* Formats: Digital download
|-
| rowspan="4" |2017
| Nav – '''''[[Nav (mixtape)|NAV]]'''''
* Released: February 24, 2017
* Label: XO, Republic
* Formats: Digital download
|-
| Nav and [[Metro Boomin]] – '''''[[Perfect Timing (Nav and Metro Boomin album)|Perfect Timing]]'''''
* Released: July 21, 2017
* Label: Boominati, XO, Republic
* Formats: Digital download
|-
|Belly – '''''[[Mumble Rap (mixtape)|Mumble Rap]]'''''
* Released: October 6, 2017
* Label: XO, Roc Nation
* Formats: Digital download
|-
| [[Derek Wise|88GLAM]] – '''''88Glam'''''
* Released: November 7, 2017
* Label: XO<ref name="XO88Glam"></ref>
* Formats: Digital download
|}


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
{{Commons category|Record labels}}


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{{The Weeknd}}
{{Belly (rapper)}}
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[[Category:Record labels| ]]
[[Category:XO (record label)| ]]
[[Category:Music industry]]
[[Category:Companies based in Toronto]]
[[Category:Music videos]]
[[Category:Record labels established in 2012]]
[[Category:Vanity record labels]]
[[Category:Republic Records]]

Revision as of 10:33, 13 April 2018

STARBOY
Parent companyUniversal Music Group
Founded2012; 12 years ago (2012)
FounderThe Weeknd
StatusActive
Distributor(s)Republic Records
Genre

XO (also known as XO Records)[1][2] is a Canadian record label founded by Amir "Cash" Esmailian and singer The Weeknd in 2012. It operates as a subsidiary of, and it is distributed through, Universal Music Group's Republic Records. The label's current acts include The Weeknd, Belly, Nav, Derek Wise, and Black Atlass; and have earned platinum certifications on all studio releases distributed by the label.

History

XO was created by Canadian singer-songwriter The Weeknd, as an unofficial imprint to release three mixtapes in 2011. The three releases, House of Balloons, Thursday, and Echoes of Silence, helped grow the singer's profile, and began promoting the "XO" moniker through various on-stage performances and references within songs. The Weeknd also began conducting advertising deals via the label to multiple outlets, namely collaborating with PAX Labs to release a limited edition version of the PAX 2 vaporizer, an electronic cigarette that could be used in shows during The Madness Fall Tour.[3]

Upon securing a major recording contract with Republic Records in 2012, XO was also assumed as a subsidiary of Republic, and also acted as the distributors and manufacturers of any music created by XO. Belly was signed as the label's first artist in 2015, and Derek Wise was signed later that year. Nav was then signed by the label in 2016. Upon entering classification as a subsidiary, the label has released seven projects by their artists (discluding The Weeknd).

On February 8, 2018, Montreal-born singer Black Atlass released a new song "My Life" distributed by XO Records. Black Atlass had previously appeared alongside The Weeknd in his "Secrets" music video and in some ads involving the Puma x XO collections that dropped in 2017.[4]

Roster

Current acts

Act Year Releases
The Weeknd 2012 4
Belly 2015 4
Derek Wise 2015 1
(as 88Glam)[5]
Nav 2016 2
Black Atlass[6][7] 2018 0

Discography

The label has officially released three studio albums, and one compilation album. Unofficially, the label has released eight mixtapes.

Studio albums

Year Album details
2013 The Weeknd – Kiss Land
2015 The Weeknd – Beauty Behind the Madness
  • Released: August 28, 2015[9]
  • Label: XO, Republic
  • Formats: CD, digital download
2016 The Weeknd – Starboy
  • Released: November 25, 2016[10]
  • Label: XO, Republic
  • Formats: CD, digital download

EP's

Year EP details
2018 The Weeknd – My Dear Melancholy,
  • Released: March 29, 2018
  • Label: XO, Republic
  • Formats: CD, digital download

Compilation albums

Year Album details
2012 The Weeknd – Trilogy

Mixtapes

Year Album details
2011 The Weeknd – House of Balloons
The Weeknd – Thursday
  • Released: August 18, 2011
  • Label: XO
  • Formats: Digital download
The Weeknd – Echoes of Silence
  • Released: December 21, 2011
  • Label: XO
  • Formats: Digital download
2015 Belly – Up For Days
  • Released: May 7, 2015
  • Label: XO, Roc Nation
  • Formats: Digital download
2016 Belly – Another Day in Paradise
  • Released: May 27, 2016
  • Label: XO, Roc Nation
  • Formats: Digital download
Belly – Inzombia
  • Released: November 11, 2016
  • Label: XO, Roc Nation
  • Formats: Digital download
2017 Nav – NAV
  • Released: February 24, 2017
  • Label: XO, Republic
  • Formats: Digital download
Nav and Metro Boomin – Perfect Timing
  • Released: July 21, 2017
  • Label: Boominati, XO, Republic
  • Formats: Digital download
Belly – Mumble Rap
  • Released: October 6, 2017
  • Label: XO, Roc Nation
  • Formats: Digital download
88GLAM – 88Glam
  • Released: November 7, 2017
  • Label: XO[5]
  • Formats: Digital download

References

  1. ^ "Who Is Signed To XO? Dissecting The Weeknd's Canadian Collective". Umusic. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  2. ^ "The Weeknd (@theweeknd)". Instagram. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  3. ^ Keating, Lauren. "The Weeknd Launches A Vape That Plays His Hit Single 'The Hills' As You Smoke". Tech Times. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  4. ^ Marsh, Ryan. "The Weeknd signs Black Atlass to XO Records". Rap Wave. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  5. ^ a b Gonzalez, Eddie. "The Weeknd's New XO Act 88Glam Looks And Sounds Like A Finished Product On '12'". Uproxx. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  6. ^ Goddard, Kevin. "Did The Weeknd Sign R&B Singer Black Atlass To XO Records?". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  7. ^ "My Life - Single". Apple Music. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  8. ^ "Kiss Land by The Weeknd on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  9. ^ "Beauty Behind the Madness by The Weeknd on iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  10. ^ Lynch, John (22 September 2016). "The Weeknd released a new single with Daft Punk and revealed a release date for his album". Business Insider. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
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