Rap, R&B And Hip Hop Record Labels

These are the most prominent labels for urban music. Click on the name to view their profile, social media, contact and community info.

Record LabelYear FoundedStill ActiveFounded By
Def Jam Recordings1984YesRick Rubin, Russell Simmons
Roc Nation2008YesJay-Z, Jay Brown, Tyran Smith
Cash Money Records1991YesBryan “Birdman” Williams, Ronald “Slim” Williams
Bad Boy Records1993YesSean Combs
Aftermath Entertainment1996YesDr. Dre
Atlantic Records1947YesAhmet Ertegun, Herb Abramson
Interscope Records1990YesJimmy Iovine, Ted Field
Universal Music Group1934YesDecca Records
Columbia Records1889YesEdward D. Easton
Republic Records1995YesAvery Lipman, Monte Lipman
Quality Control Music2013YesKevin “Coach K” Lee, Pierre “Pee” Thomas
Young Money Entertainment2005YesLil Wayne
Maybach Music Group2009YesRick Ross
Top Dawg Entertainment2004YesAnthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith
Dreamville Records2007YesJ. Cole, Ibrahim Hamad
G.O.O.D. Music2004YesKanye West
Shady Records1999YesEminem, Paul Rosenberg
Death Row Records1991NoSuge Knight, Dr. Dre, The D.O.C.
No Limit Records1990NoMaster P
Strange Music1999YesTech N9ne, Travis O'Guin
Rhymesayers Entertainment1995YesSean Daley, Brent Sayers, Musab Saad
300 Entertainment2012YesLyor Cohen, Roger Gold, Kevin Liles, Todd Moscowitz
Blackground Records1993NoBarry Hankerson, Jomo Hankerson
Grand Hustle Records2003YesT.I., Jason Geter
So So Def Recordings1993YesJermaine Dupri
OVO Sound2012YesDrake, Oliver El-Khatib, Noah “40” Shebib
Slip-N-Slide Records1994YesTed Lucas
Duck Down Music1995YesDrew “Dru-Ha” Friedman, Kenyatta “Buckshot” Blake
Cash Money West2018YesBryan “Birdman” Williams, Wack 100
Bad Boy South2003YesSean Combs
Taylor Gang Entertainment2008YesWiz Khalifa
Dungeon Family1992YesOrganized Noize, Rico Wade, Ray Murray, Sleepy Brown
Ruff Ryders Entertainment1988YesJoaquin Dean, Darin Dean, Chivon Dean
4AD1980YesIvo Watts-Russell, Peter Kent
Jamla Records2010Yes9th Wonder
Motown Records1959YesBerry Gordy Jr.
Roc-A-Fella Records1995NoDamon Dash, Jay-Z, Kareem Burke
Roca BeatsUnknownUnknownUnknown
Jive Records1981NoClive Calder, Ralph Simon
Loud Records1991NoSteve Rifkind, Rich Isaacson
Uptown Records1986NoAndre Harrell
Duck Tape EntertainmentUnknownYesAlley Boy
Swishahouse1997YesMichael “5000” Watts, OG Ron C
Hypnotize Minds1997NoDJ Paul, Juicy J
Strange Famous Records1996YesSage Francis
Madlib Invazion2010YesMadlib
Stones Throw Records1996YesPeanut Butter Wolf
RBC Records2002YesBrian Shafton, Bob Grossi
Quality Records1955NoGeorge Cloutier, Harold Moon
Duck Down Records1995YesBuckshot, Dru Ha
Doggystyle Records1995YesSnoop Dogg
OPM1999YesYoung Nation
Reach Records2004YesBen Washer, Lecrae
Arista Records1974NoClive Davis
Rough Trade Records1978YesGeoff Travis
Empire Distribution2010YesGhazi Shami
Sub Pop1986YesBruce Pavitt, Jonathan Poneman
Rhyme Sayers1995YesSean Daley, Brent Sayers, Musab Saad
Fool's Gold Records2007YesA-Trak, Nick Catchdubs
Rap-A-Lot Records1986YesJames Prince
Murder Inc. Records1997YesIrv Gotti, Chris Gotti
Ruthless Records1986NoEazy-E, Jerry Heller
Grand Royal1992NoBeastie Boys
Solesides1991NoDJ Shadow, Lyrics Born, Lateef the Truthspeaker, Gift of Gab, Chief Xcel
Delicious Vinyl1987YesMatt Dike, Michael Ross
Big Beat Records1987YesCraig Kallman
Cash Money ClassicsUnknownUnknownUnknown
G-Unit Records2003Yes50 Cent
Suave House Records1990YesTony Draper
Babygrande Records2001YesChuck Wilson
Blacksmith Records2005YesTalib Kweli, Corey Smyth
Noontime RecordsUnknownUnknownUnknown
Rhyme Syndicate Records1988NoIce-T
Tommy Boy Records1981YesTom Silverman
The New No Limit Records2001NoMaster P
Rawkus Records1996NoBrian Brater, Jarret Myer
Roc-La-Familia2005NoJay-Z, Damon Dash, Kareem “Biggs” Burke
Street Dreams RecordsUnknownUnknownUnknown
Gotee Records1994YesToby McKeehan, Joey Elwood, Todd Collins
Hoo-Bangin' Records1998YesMack 10