Priority Records

Priority Records
Parent company	EMI
Founded	1985
Founder	Bryan Turner Mark Cerami Steve Drath
Status	Active
Distributing label	Capitol Records (In the US)
Genre	Various
Country of origin	US
Official Website	Official website of Priority Records

Priority Records is an American-based record label, owned and operated by EMI, and has made a name for itself dealing primarily in hip hop music. Priority has also provided distribution for other labels such as Ruthless Records, Death Row Records, No Limit Records and Roc-A-Fella Records.

Snoop Dogg and Ja Rule (in conjunction with Mpire Entertainment) has recently joined the label.

Company history

Beginnings

The Los Angeles-based company was formed in 1985 by three former K-tel executives: Bryan Turner, Mark Cerami and Steve Drath. Initial funding was provided by R-tek, a company headed by former K-tel board members: Ray and Harold Kives, and their company took an initial 50% ownership in Priority. Priority bought out the R-tek interest in 1987.

To support early operations, Priority licensed repertoire from others and released compilation albums but soon began to develop its own significant artist roster. Priority was able to achieve unrivaled success as an independent label by developing a precedent-setting "street-based" formula of underground marketing which bypassed mainstream radio. Their unique approach allowed Priority to sell millions of records without entering into the fiercely competitive major label battles over radio airplay. Priority's strategic marketing team was developed by Vice President Alyssa Pisano, who led Priority's Marketing and Creative Services Department between 1987 and 1996. Priority's roster featured numerous gold, platinum and multi-platinum artists, including N.W.A., Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Master P, Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, Mack 10, Westside Connection, Eazy-E and Ice T.

EMI acquisition

In the early 1990s, the label struck up a distribution deal with EMI, while continuing to operate independently. EMI bought a 50% stake in Priority in 1996, and the remainder in 1998. Despite EMI's full ownership, Priority continued to be independently managed company until 2001, when its operations were merged into EMI’s major US subsidiary, Capitol Records. Priority was absorbed into Capitol Records in 2004, and ceased operations.

Revival

In late 2006, EMI revived Priority Records. And they were supposed to start releasing new records again but never did except for a couple compilation/greatest hits types albums from the likes of N.W.A., Westside Connection, Mack 10 and Ice Cube. The label is said to have finally been revived for sure now with the recent signing & appointing of Creative Chairman to Snoop Dogg of the label. Where Snoop will release his upcoming 10th album Malice N Wonderland on December 8. Snoop had previously recorded for the label as a part of Master P's No Limit record as well as a few of his past releases on his own Doggystyle label. For more info on the deal & press release click this link. http://www.priorityrecords.com/

Artists

The following artists have all had recordings on Priority Records:

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

• Snoop Dogg,chairman according to hiphopdx.com
• Ja Rule (in Conjuction with Mpire Entertainment)
• Egyptian Lover
• Al Kapone
• Anotha Level

Awesome Dre & The Hardcore Committee

• Daz Dillinger
• Bad Azz
• Lil' ½ Dead

• Dr. Dre
• Don Jagwarr
• Eazy-E
• MC Ren
• Ice Cube
• Da Lench Mob
• N.W.A
• Westside Connection
• WC
• 11/5
• C-Murder
• The California Raisins
• The BUMS
• Ice T
• Choclair
• Organized Konfusion
• MC Eiht
• Paris
• Mack 10

Roscoe

• Magnapop
• KMC
• Lil Zane
• Paul Cullen - only ever released the French version of '7 Days' by Craig David which reached number one for four weeks in Lebanon. He currently has no plans to tour as he only has one song.

References

• "2002 Music Awards" by Anthony Mariani, Fort Worth Weekly, June 13, 2002, retrieved June 29, 2006