What Record Label Is Eminem Signed To? (2024) Present Past Deals

Are you wondering what record label Eminem is signed to? This article has your answer. Today we’ll explore Eminem’s past and present record label history. 

Marshall Bruce Mathers III, aka Eminem, was an American rapper, record producer, and actor born in St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1972. A controversial and highly successful artist of the early 21st century, he left a lasting impression on the public.

Mathers' childhood was plagued by poverty and allegations of abuse. In Detroit, Michigan, he began rapping at age 14 and when unexcused absences forced him to stay in the ninth grade for the third year, he quit school to make it in hip-hop.

Like Eminem, he gained prominence in the underground hip-hop scene as a solo artist and as part of the Detroit-based rap sextet D12 (also known as the Dirty Dozen). He continued working menial jobs after his first album, Infinite (1996), failed to sell.

What Record Label Is Eminem Signed To? (2024) Present Past Deals

What Record Label Is Eminem Signed To?

Eminem is currently signed to Shady Record, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records. He has also collaborated with Universal Music Publishing Group, Goliath Artists, and Rawkus Records throughout his career. 

Did Eminem Sign to Aftermath?

Aftermath

Aftermath's turning point came in 1998 when Jimmy Iovine, the head of Interscope's parent label, and Dr. Dre signed Eminem to the label. Everyone soon realized the power of Dre's new label after Eminem's “The Slim Shady LP” reached number two on the Billboard 200 and received general acclaim from critics.

Did Eminem Ever Sign to Rawkus Records?

Rawkus records

There are many hip hop GEMS to be found on Rawkus Records if you're unfamiliar with them. Despite Rawkus Records not dominating hip hop permanently, they did bring up big names that remain in the game even today, such as Talib Kweli, Mos Def, and Hi-Tek, and they have also had multiple legends record to their production, such as Common and Pharoahe Monch, but Eminem is probably the most notable rapper to record with them. 

Eminem is considered to be one of the best rappers of all time, but not many people know about his (more so) underground work. It would probably surprise no one but Eminem's hardcore fan base (Stans) that he wrote some of his most explosive rhymes for Rawkus in the mid-to-late 90s before Dr. Dre, before Aftermath Records, and before Shady Records ever existed.

For me, this is Eminem at his best; very hard raps that remain funny, and Em rapping over some entertaining boom-bap production (which has always been a surprise to many, Em can rap hard and sound even better over the right production).

Did Eminem Sign to Universal Music Group?

Universal Music Group

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) signed Eminem in 2007 as its exclusive global administrator. As part of the deal, tracks will be released on Eminem's multi-platinum greatest hits collection Curtain Call; Shady Records' latest release, Eminem Presents The Re-Up, songs co-written with 50 Cent on The Massacre; as well as the hit song “Smack That,” produced by Akon with Eminem, and new music to be produced by Eminem.

Paul Rosenberg (Eminem’s manager) and Eminem will also be able to sign other writers and artists through the joint venture with Eminem's publishing company, Shady Music Publishing.

Who Is Signed To Shady Records?

Shady Records

Shady Records, the label Eminem founded in 1999, has signed a lot of incredible talent to its roster. During Marshall Mathers' tenure, artists such as Yelawolf, 50 Cent, and D12, became household names.

According to Riggs Morales, former Vice President of A&R at Shady Records, in a podcast interview, A Waste of Time With ItsTheReal, the label considered signing Kendrick Lamar and J Cole.

Kid Cudi was among Morales' near-Shady Records signees. An A&R explained that he tried to reach an agreement after hearing Cleveland rapper “Day ‘N' Nite.” However, he did not move quickly enough. The moment Kanye West put an arm around him,however, they had no chance.

According to Morales, Eminem, Paul Rosenberg, and Juelz Santana also considered signing Clipse, Dead Prez, and Pitbull to Shady Records.

Eminem Record Label Fun Facts That You May Not Have Known

Shady Records was born when Dr. Dre refused to sign Eminem's D12 Group To His Aftermath Label

Founded by Eminem and longtime friend/manager Paul Rosenberg in 1999, Shady Records was the rapper's boutique label.

After achieving mainstream success, Eminem signed his D12 bandmates and helped shape their careers. Shady Records signed D12, an emcee group from Detroit, as its first act. Dre was initially supposed to sign the group with Eminem, but he later decided to do it independently.


In the past, Eminem Ghostwrote songs for Dre several times

The fact that Dr. Dre sometimes uses ghostwriters and is well known. Dr. Dre was NWA's principal producer during that time, and Ice Cube wrote most of the group's rhymes. As part of Eminem's Relapse album, Eminem wrote the lyrics for Forget About Dre and Crack A Bottle with 50 Cent.

However, it does not underestimate its influence on hip-hop culture. Aside from being the most innovative sonic innovator, Dr. Dre is the owner of the successful record label that launched the careers of artists such as Eminem, 50 Cent, and Kendrick Lamar.


Eminem almost didn't get signed by Dre

The relationship between the two isn't always smooth. Eminem's skin color almost prevented Dre from signing him. He said he didn't realize how many racists he had around him. Dre, this boy has blue eyes!” he told me after looking at these picture eight by ten. 

Eminem flew back to Detroit from California after hearing that conversation, thinking that it wouldn't work. Having been evicted from his home, he and his girlfriend are at their lowest point in life.

Conclusion

Marshall Bruce Mathers III, aka Eminem, was an American record producer,  rapper, and actor who is currently signed to Shady Record, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records. He has also collaborated with Universal Music Publishing Group, Goliath Artists, and Rawkus Records throughout his career.

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Arielle P

Arielle P

Songwriter | Music Producer | Engineer.

With a background in music production and a strong passion for education, Arielle is dedicated to helping emerging artists navigate the music industry. She has worked with a diverse range of artists, from indie rock bands to well-known hip-hop and grime artists. Arielle's unique approach to teaching focuses on empowering artists to take control of their brand, ensuring they retain creative ownership throughout their journey. In her free time, she enjoys experimenting with new sounds in her home studio and sharing her insights through music production tutorials and workshops.

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