GOOD Music
| GOOD Music | |
|---|---|
| File:G.O.O.D..gif | |
| Parent company | Island Def Jam |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Founder | Kanye West |
| Distributor(s) | Def Jam (U.S.) Mercury (outside U.S.) |
| Genre | Hip hop, contemporary R&B |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Location | New York City, New York |
GOOD Music is an American record label founded by rapper and producer Kanye West in 2004.[1][2]
"GOOD" is an acronym for "Getting Out Our Dreams".
History
2004–07
In early recording days of West, GLC and Really Doe, all three belonged to a group The Go-Getters.[3] Although none of them have an album under the label, West releasing his own albums with Roc-A-Fella.
John Legend and Common were the first to have albums produced under GOOD Music and between them received seven Grammy Award nominations. Get Lifted with three and Be with four.[4]
Over the years there has been confusion as to what the company actually is. GLC was quoted as saying that it "isn't a label", but that it is "a family and like a production company". With only Kanye West, John Legend, Common, GLC and Really Doe signed, Kanye signed his first cousin Tony Williams to GOOD Music to help give him a buzz.
In 2004, rapper Consequence released his mixtape, Take 'Em to the Cleaners, which would find its way into the hands of Kanye West after this West offered him a guest spot on his debut album The College Dropout, he went on to appear on West's second album. Kanye deicided to take Consequence under his wing as his protege, so in 2005, Kanye signed Consequence to the GOOD Music label through a deal with Columbia Records.
In 2006, Kanye signed Sa-Ra. In 2005, Kanye West was doing a radio interview at 102.7 FM, Detroit, Michigan, Big Sean headed over to the station to meet West and perform some freestyle. Initially Kanye was reluctant to hear the emcee, however he gave Sean 16 bars to rap for him, Sean did this and left a demo as well. In 2007, West finally signed Big Sean to GOOD Music.[5] In that same year Really Doe and Sa-Ra left the label.
2008–present
In July 2008, rapper Kid Cudi released his first mixtape, A Kid Named Cudi, in collaboration with New York streetwear brand 10 Deep as a free download. The mixtape quickly caught the attention of Kanye West, which in turn spawned his signing to GOOD Music. In the same year West signed Mr Hudson to the label after hearing his debut album with the Library, A Tale of Two Cities.[6]
In 2010, GOOD Music saw the signing of Pusha T, Mos Def and Cyhi the Prynce,[7] who was signed in a joint venture with Akon's Konvict Muzik and the departure of Tony Williams. In the midst of signing Pusha T, Pusha and Consequence began feuding which ended in Consequence leaving GOOD Music.
In 2011, Kanye signed Nigerian act Mo' Hits, consists of D'banj and Don Jazzy, and signed a distribution with Island Def Jam Music Group.
Big Sean's Finally Famous was the first album released by GOOD Music with distribution by Def Jam. One of the first artist signed to GOOD Music, Common left the label in 2011 and signed with Warner Bros. Records. But he still remains a part of GOOD Music.
GOOD Music compilation is to be released in spring of 2012.[8][9] The first single, "Mercy", was released on Good Friday on April 6, 2012, the artwork and theme following on from a 2010 GOOD Music promotion, GOOD Fridays.
Artists
Current acts
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