View source for Empire Distribution

{{pp|type=semi}}
{{BaseArticle
 | shortdesc = American record label, publisher and distribution company
}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox company
| name = EMPIRE Distribution {{Verified company}}
| verified          = yes
| logo = Empire Distribution Logo 2024.jpg
| genre = {{flatlist|
* [[Hip-hop]]
* [[Afrobeat]]
* [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]
* [[Dance music|dance]]
* [[reggaeton]]
* [[Country music|country]]
* [[Pop music|pop]]
* [[Latin alternative]]
}}
| predecessor = <!-- or: predecessors = -->
| founded = 2010 in [[San Francisco]], California
| founder = [[Ghazi Shami]]
| hq_location = San Francisco
| hq_location_city = 
| hq_location_country = US
| num_locations = 
| num_locations_year = <!-- Year of num_locations data (if known) -->
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = {{flatlist|
* Ghazi Shami (CEO)
* Nima Etminan (COO)
* [[Tina Davis (music industry executive)|Tina Davis]] (President)
}}
| brands = 
| services = 
| num_employees = 200 (2024)
| parent = 
| divisions = {{flatlist|
* EMPIRE Distribution
* EMPIRE Publishing
* EMPIRE (label)
* EMPIRE
* EMPIRE Africa
* EMPIRE Latino
* EMPIRE Nashville
}}
| website = {{URL|https://empi.re}}
| footnotes = 
| embed = 
}}
'''Empire Distribution, Records and Publishing Inc.''' (stylized as '''EMPIRE'''<ref name=Billboard>{{cite journal|title=From The Desk Of... Ghazi|last=Rys|first=Dan|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|volume=134|issue=2|date=February 26, 2022|page=38,40}}</ref>) is an independent American record label, [[Distribution (marketing)|distribution]] and [[Music publisher|publishing]] company founded in 2010 by [[Ghazi Shami]]. Based in San Francisco, EMPIRE has offices in New York, London, Lagos, and Johannesburg in addition to recording studios in San Francisco and New York.

Shami, a San Francisco native with a background in music and tech, founded Empire as a digital distribution company focused on hip-hop and rap.  Developing proprietary software that allowed managers and artists to easily track airplay and sales, Empire paid monthly royalties to artists, many of whom had not previously earned digital revenue, and gained early support from the Bay Area's artist community.

In 2014, Shami, known as Ghazi, launched the Empire label. Empire Africa, Empire Latino, and Empire Nashville divisions were later established. Since its founding—in partnership with artists and artist labels—Empire has released music by artists including [[Kendrick Lamar]], [[Bebe Rexha]], [[Anderson .Paak]], [[Shaboozey]], [[Fat Joe]], [[Tyga]], [[Olamide]], [[Asake]], [[Fireboy DML]], [[XXXTentacion]], [[G-Dragon]], [[Philthy Rich]], [[Young Dolph]], [[Key Glock]], [[King Von]], [[Tink (musician)|Tink]], [[Black Sherif]], [[Yung Bleu]], [[D Smoke]], [[T-Pain]], [[Snoop Dogg]], [[DRAM (musician)|DRAM]], [[Cardi B]] and [[Emtee]], among others. Empire Publishing was founded in 2020.

== History ==
=== 2010-2014: Founding, early success ===
Empire was founded in by Ghazi Shami. Raised in San Francisco, he grew up listening to Bay Area artists such as [[Too Short]], [[Spice 1]], [[RBL Posse]], [[Souls of Mischief]], [[Luniz]], [[JT the Bigga Figga]], and [[Rappin' 4-Tay]]. Equally interested in music and technology, in college he worked at the tech companies Sun Microsystems, Eloquent Technologies and Audio Highway; he later worked at [[Hyde Street Studios]], where he engineered and mixed music by artists including [[Messy Marv]], [[Planet Asia]] and Too Short.<ref name="Daybook">{{Cite web |last=Ruskin |first=Zack |date=February 6, 2019 |title=How Empire founder Ghazi Shami built San Francisco a new musical kingdom |url=https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/music/how-empire-founder-ghazi-shami-built-san-francisco-a-new-musical-kingdom |access-date=2024-03-10|website=Datebook {{!}} San Francisco Arts & Entertainment Guide |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2006, he was hired at [[INgrooves|INgrooves Music Group]], an independent distribution and marketing company. While he had written code and built out streaming media sites since he was a teenager, at INgrooves, he learned about the intricacies of digital distribution, artist contracts, and royalties. Helping to build the company's rap division, he signed [[Do-it-yourself|DIY]] artists representative of the Bay Area sound and culture, often introducing them to online revenue streams.<ref name="HipHopDX">{{Cite web |last=Hunte |first=Justin |date=2016-01-14 |title=EMPIRE: The Music Industry's Quiet Giant |url=https://hiphopdx.com/editorials/id.3180/title.empire-the-music-industrys-quiet-giant |access-date=2024-03-10 |website=HipHopDX |language=en}}</ref>

Ghazi founded Empire from his home in the [[Potrero Hill|Potrero]] neighborhood of  San Francisco in 2010.  In a 2019 interview, he said: "This company wouldn't exist if I wasn’t born and bred in the Bay; in SF and Silicon Valley. This company is as much a software company as it is a music company. It’d be a disservice to the roots, to the origin, to everything that I stand for, if this company wasn't firmly planted or rooted here."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=How EMPIRE Became A Music Industry Giant In An Unlikely City {{!}} GRAMMY.com |url=https://grammy.com/news/how-empire-became-music-industry-giant-unlikely-city |access-date=2024-03-10 |website=grammy.com}}</ref>

Initially focused on rap, Empire's backend technology bypassed the existing digital distribution system and delivered music directly to streaming and retail platforms quickly to capitalize on the viral momentum of  the genre's traditional rapid-fire releases.  Contracts were non-exclusive and proprietary software allowed managers and artists to easily track royalties, which were paid monthly.<ref name="RS 25">{{Cite magazine |last=Hissong |first=Samantha |date=2020-10-29 |title=Empire's Founder Ghazi Shami -- Future 25 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/pro/features/empires-founder-ghazi-shami-future-25-1078197/ |access-date=2024-03-10 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Rys |first=Dan |date=2016-10-20 |title=Hip-Hop's Other EMPIRE: How Indie Distributor Is Quietly Owning the Rap Game |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/features/empire-distribution-indie-success-7549759/ |access-date=2024-03-10 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>  The company's core practices, in addition to Ghazi's relationships, attracted artists, and as Empire gained traction, Ghazi hired Nima Etminan as his second-in-command.<ref name=":0" /> Etminan later became the company's COO.<ref name=":2">{{Cite magazine |last=Rys |first=Dan |date=2023-05-12 |title=From the Bay Area to Africa, How EMPIRE Became A Global Force |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/empire-music-company-afrobeats-africa-ghazi-interview/ |access-date=2024-03-10 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== 2014-2020:  Empire Records, Empire Latino, Empire Nashville ===
With its digital distribution platform successful, Empire  established Empire Records.  Among others, the label released Anderson .Paak's album ''Malibu'', which earned .Paak a Grammy nomination in the Best New Artist, category, as well as Fat Joe's “All The Way Up” and DRAM's “Broccoli.”   [[Young Dolph]] turned down a $22 million major label deal to sign with Empire and remain independent. In an interview with ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]],'' Dolph said: "Empire is on deck with people who love to do this shit just as much as I do...whether you got money to deal with it or no money to deal with it, the best relationships are going to be the ones where you understand each other."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ju |first=Shirley |date=2019-10-21 |title=How Rappers Young Dolph and Key Glock Turned Street Smarts Into Business Savvy |url=https://variety.com/2019/music/news/young-dolph-key-glock-interview-1203376855/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2017, [[XXXTentacion]]'s debut album, [[17 (XXXTentacion album)|17]], was released on Empire. It charted at #2 on the ''Billboard'' Top 200.  His sophomore album was released on Capitol.  He returned to re-sign with Empire a month before his  death; [[The New York Times|T''he New York Times'']] reported that the deal was worth $10 million.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Sisario |first1=Ben |last2=Coscarelli |first2=Joe |date=2018-07-08 |title=XXXTentacion Signed $10 Million Album Deal Before His Death |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/08/arts/music/xxxtentacion-death-album.html |access-date=2024-03-11 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> XXXTentacion's posthumous album, [[Skins (XXXTentacion album)|''Skins'']], debuted at #1 on the ''Billboard'' album chart.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |date=2018-12-17 |title=XXXTentacion's 'Skins' Album Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/xxxtentacion-skins-album-number-1-billboard-200-chart/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Gold & Platinum certifications, Tyga |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=RIAA |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2018,  [[Tina Davis (music industry executive)|Tina Davis]], previously an artist manager and a head of A&R at Def Jam, was named SVP of A&R,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-31 |title=Needle on the Record |url=https://eastbayexpress.com/needle-on-the-record/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=East Bay Express {{!}} Oakland, Berkeley & Alameda |language=en-US}}</ref> and a partnership with [[L.A. Reid|L.A. Reid's Hitco]] was announced.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Karp |first=Hannah |date=2018-03-26 |title=L.A. Reid's Hitco Ramps Up With 25 Hires and Handful Of New Acts |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/la-reid-hitco-25-new-hires-acts-label-roster/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> [[King Von]]'s Empire-distributed song "[[Crazy Story]]" was a 3× platinum viral hit.<ref>{{Cite web |title="Crazy Story" certifications |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/ |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=RIAA |language=en-US}}</ref> He subsequently signed with Empire, releasing the mixtape, ''[[Grandson (album)|Grandson]],'' which became one of the label's most successful  releases.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Gage |first=Dewayne |date=2022-03-04 |title=King Von Was One of Rap's Most Promising Stars. His Friends Want to Make Sure He Isn't Forgotten |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/king-von-posthumous-album-1311608/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref> Empire also worked with Tyga in 2018; the track [[Taste (Tyga song)|"Taste"]], was 9× platinum as of 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tyga, Gold & Platinum certifications, "Taste" |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/ |access-date=2024-03-11|website=RIAA |language=en-US}}</ref>

Empire began working with Latino artists including [[Tego Calderón]] and [[Luis Enrique (singer)|Luis Enrique]] in 2012, and in 2018 established Empire Latino.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Suarez |first=Gary |date=2019-01-30 |title=After A Breakthrough Year, What's Next For Música Urbana? |url=https://www.vibe.com/features/editorial/whats-next-music-urbana-632655/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=VIBE.com |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2019, Empire Latino had its first hit with Puerto Rican reggaeton artist [[Jay Wheeler]]; as of 2023, his song [[La Curiosidad (Jay Wheeler song)|La Curiosidad]] was 8× platinum.<ref>{{Cite web |title="La Curiosidad" Gold & Platinum certification |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=RIAA |language=en-US}}</ref>

Empire Nashville, a country music division, was founded in 2019,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cantrell |first=L. B. |date=2021-03-01 |title=EMPIRE Nashville's Eric Hurt And Heather Vassar Talk Early Success [Interview] |url=https://musicrow.com/2021/03/empire-nashvilles-eric-hurt-and-heather-vassar-talk-early-success-interview/ |access-date=2024-02-14 |website=MusicRow.com |language=en-US}}</ref> "blazing a trail for Black country artists."<ref>{{Cite web |last=McClay |first=Caché |title=Empire record label blazed trail with Black country artists even before Beyoncé boost |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2024/04/24/empire-label-blazed-trail-black-country-artists-beyonce-boost/73360086007/ |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=The Tennessean |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== 2020 - present:  Empire Publishing, Empire Africa, Shaboozey ===
In 2020, after developing proprietary software specific to music publishing that provided transparency similar to Empire's royalty software, Empire established a publishing division.  Initial signings included [[Illmind]], [[Nebu Kiniza]], [[Dr Zeus]] and Empire artists Young Dolph, Key Glock, [[Mozzy]], Fireboy DML, [[Yung Bleu]] and [[RJMrLA]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aswad |first=Jem |date=2020-09-10 |title=Empire Launches Publishing Division |url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/empire-publishing-division-ghazi-1234765514/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>

In partnership with [[Olamide]] and his label, [[YBNL Nation]],<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Rys |first=Dan |date=2022-03-02 |title=EMPIRE's Ghazi On Expansion Into Africa, Nashville and Crypto: 'We're The King Of The Multisector' |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/empire-ghazi-africa-nashville-web3-interview-photos/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> Empire Africa's first signing was Nigerian Afrobeats artist [[Fireboy DML]].<ref name=":2" /> His 2021 single "[[Peru (song)|Peru"]], remixed by [[Ed Sheeran]], was a global hit. With subsequent signings including [[Asake]], [[Burna Boy]], [[BNXN]] and [[Kizz Daniel]], Empire Africa became a preeminent Afrobeats label; on Nigeria's year-end ''TurnTable'' Charts, Empire had the top three artists,  the top two songs, and the top album. Empire releases held the #1 position on the Nigerian charts for 35 weeks over the course of the year.<ref name=":2" />

Empire began investing in the Detroit hip-hop scene not long after the company was founded. In a 2022 interview with ''Billboard,'' Ghazi said he felt a strong connection between San Francisco and Detroit. The label signed [[Babyface Ray]] in 2017, and by 2022 had signed 10 artists, including [[OMB Peezy|Peezy]], [[Babytron]], Payroll Giovanni,  and Rio Da Yung OG.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Rouhani |first=Neena |date=2022-10-12 |title=The Promise & Perseverance of Detroit Rap's Rising Stars |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/icewear-vezzo-babyface-ray-baby-money-detroit-rap-interview-1235153685/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> Peezy's "2 Million Up" went viral on TikTok and hit seven ''Billboard'' charts, including the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, Rap Airplay and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Rouhani |first=Neena |date=2023-05-01 |title=How Peezy Went 'Against the Grain' & Achieved a Top 10 Rap Hit |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/peezy-interview-detroit-2-million-up-1235317462/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>

In October 2022, Empire acquired the Bay area-founded dance label, Dirtybird.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Bain |first=Katie |date=2022-10-20 |title=Claude VonStroke's Dirtybird Label Acquired By EMPIRE |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/dirtybird-label-acquired-empire-claude-vonstroke-ghazi/ |access-date=2024-03-10 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> In January 2023, a partnership with the Web3 investment platform, Nebula, was announced.  It was also announced that [[Money Man]], who was paid in [[Bitcoin]] when he signed with Empire in 2021,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Empire pays rapper Money Man's million-dollar advance in Bitcoin |url=https://www.musicweek.com/labels/read/empire-pays-rapper-money-man-s-million-dollar-advance-in-bitcoin/084617 |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=www.musicweek.com |language=en}}</ref>  would release his EP on the Nebula platform.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-23 |title=EMPIRE partners with Web3 music investment platform Nebula |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/empire-partners-with-web3-music-investment-platform-nebula/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=Music Business Worldwide |language=en-US}}</ref>

In June 2023, Davis was named president of the company.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-27 |title=Tina Davis promoted to President at EMPIRE |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/tina-davis-promoted-to-president-at-empire/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=Music Business Worldwide |language=en-US}}</ref>

In May 2024, Shaboozey—who signed with Empire in 2021—released the album ''[[Where I've Been, Isn't Where I'm Going]]''.  The album was a worldwide hit, with the single  "[[A Bar Song (Tipsy)]]"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bain |first=Katie |date=2024-10-23 |title=EMPIRE President Tina Davis on Shaboozey, Major Labels & More: 6 Takeaways From Her ADE Panel |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/empire-president-tina-divas-shaboozey-majors-ade-2024/ |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> hitting  #1 on the ''Billboard'' Country Airplay chart.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yahr |first=Emily |date=May 14, 2024 |title=He’s on Beyoncé’s album. He has a No. 1 hit. Shaboozey’s moment is here. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/2024/05/14/shaboozey-bar-song-tipsy-hit/ |access-date=October 31, 2024 |website=Washington Post}}</ref>  It held the top position on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 for 16 non-consecutive weeks, tying the 2020s record for the most weeks at #1 in November.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trust |first=Gary |date=2024-11-04 |title=Shaboozey’s ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy)’ Ties Decade’s Longest Hot 100 Rule With 16th Week at No. 1 |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/shaboozey-a-bar-song-tipsy-ties-decade-hot-100-number-one-16-weeks/ |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> He was nominated for five 2025 Grammy Awards, including [[Grammy Award for Song of the Year|Song of the Year]] (for "A Bar Song (Tipsy)") and [[Grammy Award for Best New Artist|Best New Artist]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=McClay |first=Caché |title=Shaboozey receives 5 Grammy nominations as country star's breakout year continues |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2024/11/08/shaboozey-grammy-nominations-2025/76110833007/ |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=The Tennessean |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Awards and nominations==
===Grammy Awards===
{{Awards table}}
|-
| {{grammy|2015}} || "Out of Many, One Music" <small>(Shaggy)</small>|| [[Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album|Best Reggae Album]] || {{nom}}
|-
| {{grammy|2016}} || "[[Strictly Roots]]" <small>(Morgan Heritage)</small>|| Best Reggae Album || {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="6" | {{grammy|2017}} || "Malibu" <small>(Anderson .Paak)</small>|| [[Grammy Award for Best New Artist|Best New Artist]] || {{nom}}
|-
| "Malibu" <small>(Anderson .Paak)</small>|| [[Best Urban Contemporary Album]] || {{nom}}
|-
| "All The Way Up" <small>(Fat Joe & Remy Ma)</small>|| [[Best Rap Performance]] || {{nom}}
|-
| "All The Way Up" <small>(Fat Joe & Remy Ma)</small>|| [[Best Rap Song]] || {{nom}}
|-
| "Broccoli" <small>(DRAM)</small>|| [[Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Performance|Best Rap/Sung Performance]] || {{nom}}
|-
| "Rose Petals EP" <small>(J Boog)</small>|| Best Reggae Album || {{nom}}
{{end}}

==Notable artists <!-- Don't add artists to this list if there isn't an existing article on Wikipedia; it is not intended to be a comprehensive - there are more than 1000 artists who have released music through Empire since it was founded   -->==
{{More citations needed section|date=May 2026}}{{div col|colwidth=12em}}
*[[2nd Nature (boy band)|2nd Nature]]
*[[9th Wonder]]
*[[50 Cent]]
*[[Aaliyah]]
*[[Ab-Soul]]
*[[A. Chal]]
*[[Adam Lambert]]
*[[Afgansyah Reza|Afgan]]
*[[Alexis & Fido]]
*[[Amanda Perez]]
*[[Amber Liu (singer)|Amber Liu]]
*[[Anderson .Paak]]
*[[Andre Nickatina]]
*[[Asake]]
*[[Bankroll Mafia]]
*[[BabyTron]]
*[[B-Legit]]
*[[Bebe Rexha]]
*[[Berner (rapper)|Berner]]
*[[B.o.B]]
*[[Bobby V]]
*[[Benny the Butcher]]
*[[Boosie Badazz]]
*[[Black Sherif]]
*[[Bones (rapper)|BONES]]
*[[Brockhampton (band)|Brockhampton]]
*[[Busta Rhymes]]
*[[Che’Nelle]]
*[[Christina Aguilera]]
*[[Chronixx]]
*[[Clyde Carson]]
*[[Crooked I]]
*[[Daz Dillinger]]
*[[Denise Julia]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tunac |first1=Hermes Joy |title=Denise Julia signs with US record label Empire: 'This is only the beginning' |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/showbiz/chikaminute/987331/denise-julia-signs-with-us-record-label-empire/story/ |access-date=May 12, 2026 |work=[[GMA News Online]] |date=May 12, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260512085045/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/showbiz/chikaminute/987331/denise-julia-signs-with-us-record-label-empire/story/ |archive-date=May 12, 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[DRAM (rapper)|DRAM]]
*[[Diamond D]] 
*[[Dinah Jane]]
*[[Dizzy Wright]]
*[[DJ Kay Slay]]
*[[DJ Pauly D]]
*[[Doe B]]
*[[Drakeo the Ruler]]
*[[Dounia (singer)|Dounia]]
*[[Dru Hill]]
*[[D Smoke]]
*[[EarthGang]]
*[[Ellise]]
*[[Emilio Rojas]]
*[[Eric Bellinger]]
*[[Emtee]]
*[[Ester Dean]]
*[[Fashawn]]
*[[Fireboy DML]]
*[[Flipsyde]]
*[[Freddie Gibbs]]
*[[Glasses Malone]]
*[[G-Dragon]]
*[[Hayley Kiyoko]]
*[[Hopsin]]
*[[Hustle Gang]]
*[[Iamsu!]] 
*[[Iggy Azalea]]
*[[Jacquees]]
*[[J Dilla]]
*[[J. Valentine]]
*[[Justina Valentine]]
*[[Jacob Latimore]]
*[[Jake Miller (singer)|Jake Miller]]
*[[Je'Von Evans]]
*[[Jarren Benton]]
*[[Jesse Boykins III]]
*[[Jewel (singer)|Jewel]]
*[[Jim Jones (rapper)|Jim Jones]]
*[[Jay Critch]]
*[[Joji (musician)|Joji]]
*[[Jake Paul]]
*[[Kanye West]]
*[[Keak Da Sneak]]
*[[Kilo Kish]]
*[[King Von]]
*[[Kizz Daniel]]
*[[Kankan (rapper)|Kankan]]
*[[KiDi]]
*[[Konshens]]
*[[Kurupt]]
*[[Kwengface]]
*[[Lamont Sincere]]
*[[Lil Duval]]
*[[Lloyd (singer)|Lloyd]]
*[[Lloyd Banks]]
*[[Loote]]
*[[Lyrica Anderson]]
*[[Lucki]]
*[[Mac Dre]]
*[[MAJOR.]]
*[[Mandy Rain]]
*[[Mann (rapper)|Mann]]
*[[Mario (American singer)|Mario]]
*[[Mars (rapper)|Mars]]
*[[Members Only (hip-hop collective)|Members Only]]
*[[Messy Marv]]
*[[Mistah F.A.B.]]
*[[Mitchy Slick]]
*[[MO3 (rapper)|MO3]]
*[[Mozzy]]
*[[Mack Wilds]] 
*[[NIKI]]
*[[Niko Moon]]
*[[Nef the Pharaoh]]
*[[Nefew]]
*[[No Malice]]
*[[Olamide]]
*[[Pouya]]
*[[Philthy Rich]]
*[[Pia Mia]]
*[[Phresher]]
*[[PnB Rock]]
*[[Popcaan]]
*[[Pro Haley]]
*[[Problem (rapper)|Problem]]
*[[Pleasure P]] 
*[[Raisa (singer)|Raisa]]
*[[Rakeem Miles]]
*[[Rapper Big Pooh]]
*[[Rapsody]]
*[[Rayven Justice]]
*[[Riff Raff (rapper)|Riff Raff]]
*[[RBL Posse]]
*[[Remy Ma]]
*[[Rich Brian]]
*[[Rich Homie Quan]]
*[[RXKNephew]]
*[[Robin Thicke]]
*[[Robyn Ottolini]]
*[[Rocko (rapper)|Rocko]]
*[[Robb Banks]]
*[[Rotimi (actor)|Rotimi]] 
*[[Saba (rapper)|Saba]]
*[[Sean Garrett]]
*[[Sean Kingston]]
*[[Selfish (rapper)|Selfish]]
*[[Shaboozey]]
*[[Shaggy (musician)|Shaggy]]
*[[Show Banga]]
*[[Skeme]]
*[[Skyzoo]] & [[Torae]]
*[[Slim Thug]]
*[[SOB X RBE]]
*[[SpaceGhostPurrp]]
*[[Supa Bwe]]
*[[Starlito]]
*[[Styles P]]
*[[Tank (American singer)|Tank]]
*[[Tenille Arts]]
*[[The Alchemist (musician)|The Alchemist]]
*[[The Foreign Exchange]]
*[[The Grouch & Eligh]]
*[[The Jacka]]
*[[Trae tha Truth]]
*[[Travis Garland]]
*[[Trevor Jackson (performer)|Trevor Jackson]]
*[[Trinidad James]]
*[[Troy Ave]]
*[[Turf Talk]]
*[[Tyra B]] 
*[[Tink (rapper)|Tink]] 
*[[Victoria Monet]]
*[[VannDa]]
*[[WC (rapper)|WC]]
*[[We Are Toonz]]
*[[Wande Coal]]
*[[XXXTentacion]]
*[[Yaw Tog]]
*[[Young Chop]]
*[[Young Dolph]]
*[[Yung Beef]] 
*[[Yung Bleu]]
*[[Zion I]]
*[[Zion y Lennox]]
*[[Z-Ro]]
{{div col end}}

==Selected discography==
<!-- Records after 2012 that earned Billboard chart placement, national sales certification, won a major award and/or the artist has a Wikipedia article-->
{{further|Category:Empire Distribution albums|Category:Empire Distribution EPs}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left;font-size:90%;"
! Year
!Cat
! style="width:15em;"| Title
! Artist(s)
!|Details
! style="width:22em;"|Certifications
|-
|  2010 || ERE  || ''[[Authenticity (Foreign Exchange album)|Authenticity]]''   ||  [[The Foreign Exchange]]   || Oct 12, 2010|| #145 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]<br />#23 US [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]]
|-
| rowspan="6" | 2011|| ERE  || ''[[Setbacks (album)|Setbacks]]''   ||  [[ScHoolboy Q]]   || Jan 11, 2011 || #100 on the US ''Billboard'' 200
|-
| ERE  || ''[[Longterm Mentality]]''   ||  [[Ab-Soul]]   || April 5, 2011|| #32 on the US [[Top Heatseekers]]<br />#73 on the US Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums
|-
| ERE  || ''[[Section.80]]''  ||  [[Kendrick Lamar]] ||July 2, 2011|| #113 on the US ''Billboard'' 200<br />#1 on the US Top Heatseekers Albums
|-
| ERE  || ''[[Charity Starts At Home]]''   ||  [[Phonte]]   ||Sep 27, 2011||
|-
| ERE  || ''In None We Trust''   ||  [[Crooked I]]   || Nov 17, 2011||
|-
| ERE  || ''Gift Of Gab 2''   ||  [[Rocko (rapper)|Rocko]]   ||  Nov 24, 2011||
|-
| rowspan="4" | 2012|| ERE  || ''Dirty Slums''   ||  [[Slum Village]]   || Mar 27, 2012 ||
|-
| ERE  || ''[[Stoner's EP]]''   ||  [[Snoop Dogg]]   || April 17, 2012|| #31 on the US [[Independent Albums]]<br />#33 on the US Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums
|-
| ERE  || ''[[Don't Be S.A.F.E.]]''   ||  [[Trinidad James]]   || Sep 18, 2012|| #103 on the US ''Billboard'' 200<br />#8 on the US Top Heatseekers Albums
|-
| ERE  || ''[[Baby Face Killa]]''   ||  [[Freddie Gibbs]]   || Sep 25, 2012||
|-
| rowspan="11" | 2013|| ERE  || ''Still Goin In (Reloaded)''   ||  [[Rich Homie Quan]]  ||Feb 8, 2013 ||  Named tenth best mixtape of 2013 by ''[[Rolling Stone]]''.
|-
| ERE  || ''[[The Year of the Underdogz]]''   || [[Young Noble]] & Gage Gully   ||May 7, 2013||
|-
| ERE  || ''[[West Coast Gangsta Shit]]''   || [[Daz Dillinger]] and [[WC (rapper)|WC]]    ||June 19, 2013||
|-
| ERE  || ''[[ESGN|ESGN (Evil Seeds Grow Naturally)]]''   || [[Freddie Gibbs]]    || June 20, 2013|| #8 on US Top Heatseekers Albums<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2013-07-06/heatseekers-albums |title=Heatseekers Albums : Jul 06, 2013 &#124; Billboard Chart Archive |magazine=Billboard |date=2013-07-06 |access-date=2013-08-27 |archive-date=2013-08-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130807231858/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2013-07-06/heatseekers-albums |url-status=live }}</ref><br />#24 on US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
|-
| ERE  || ''Cold Turkey''  ||  [[Starlito]]   || July 2, 2013||
|-
| ERE108   ||  '' [[Talk:Apex Predator (Crooked I album)|Apex Predator]]''  ||  [[Crooked I]]  || July 30, 2013|| #33 on US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/5638411/crooked-i/chart?f=333 |title=Crooked I – Chart history |magazine=Billboard |access-date=2013-10-15 |archive-date=2018-12-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217064739/https://www.billboard.com/artist/5638411/crooked-i/chart?f=333 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| ERE110  || ''[[3ChordFold]]''   || [[Terrace Martin]]    ||Aug 13, 2013|| #43 on US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums<br />#9 on US Top Heatseekers Albums
|-
| ERE  || ''Travis Garland''   ||  [[Travis Garland]]   ||  Sep 10, 2013||
|-
| ERE  || ''Gas Pedal EP''   ||  [[Sage The Gemini]]   || Sep 10, 2013 ||
|-
| ERE  || ''[[OKE: Operation Kill Everything|O.K.E. (Deluxe Edition)]]''   ||  [[The Game (rapper)|The Game]]   ||  Oct 8, 2013||  #89 on the US ''Billboard'' 200<br />#19 on the US Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums
|-
| ERE  || ''[[Knock Madness]]''   || [[Hopsin]]    ||Nov 24, 2013  || #1 on US Top Heatseekers Albums<br />#7 on US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums<br />#6 on US Independent Albums
|-
| rowspan="4" | 2014|| ERE135  || ''Tortoise and the Crow CD''   ||  Grouch, [[Eligh]]   || Mar 04, 2014  ||
|-
| ERE139  || ''[[Phantom and the Ghost]]''   || [[Styles P]]     || Apr 29, 2014  || #74 on US ''Billboard'' 200<br />#14 on US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums<br />#18 on US Independent Albums
|-
| ERE  || ''[[Barrel Brothers]]''   || [[Skyzoo]] and [[Torae]]    || May 27, 2014  ||
|-
| ERE141  || '' [[Venice (Anderson .Paak album)|Venice]]''   ||   [[Anderson .Paak]]  || Oct 28, 2014  ||
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2015|| ERE || ''[[Strictly Roots]]''     ||  [[Morgan Heritage]]   ||  June 8, 2015  || Grammy Award Winning : Best Reggae Album
|-
| ERE141  || '' [[Fuk Wat They Talkin Bout]]''   ||   [[Tyga]]  || Aug 24, 2015  ||
|-
| ERE141  || ''[[Shadow of a Doubt (album)|Shadow of a Doubt]]''   ||   [[Freddie Gibbs]]  || Nov 20, 2015  ||#76 on US ''Billboard'' 200
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2016|| ERE141  || '' [[Malibu (Anderson .Paak album)|Malibu]]''   ||   [[Anderson .Paak]]  || Jan 15, 2016  ||#79 on US ''Billboard'' 200
|-
| ERE141  || '' [[King of Memphis (album)|King of Memphis]]''  ||   [[Young Dolph]]  || Feb 19, 2016  || #49 on US ''Billboard'' 200
|-
| rowspan="5" | 2017 || ERE310 || ''[[Plata O Plomo]]'' || [[Fat Joe]] and [[Remy Ma]] || Feb 17, 2017 ||#44 on US ''Billboard'' 200
|-
|ERE344
|''[[Neva Left]]''
|Snoop Dogg
|May 19, 2017
|#54 on US ''Billboard'' 200
|-
|ERE
|''For Your Girl Too''
|[[Selfish (rapper)|Selfish]]
|May 23, 2017
|
|-
| ERE || ''[[BitchImTheShit2]]'' || Tyga || Jul 21, 2017 ||
|-
| ERE || ''[[17 (XXXTentacion album)|17]]'' || [[XXXTentacion]] || Aug 25, 2017 || #2 on US ''Billboard'' 200
|-
| rowspan="4" | 2018 || ERE381 || ''[[Kyoto (Tyga album)|Kyoto]]'' || Tyga || Feb 16, 2018 || 
|- 
| ERE453 || ''[[Tru (Lloyd album)|Tru LP]]'' || [[Lloyd (singer)|Lloyd]] || Aug 31, 2018 ||
|-
| ERE  || ''[[Dancing Shadows]]'' ||  [[Mario (American singer)|Mario]]  || Oct 5, 2018 ||
|-
| ERE || ''[[Skins (XXXTentacion album)|Skins]]'' || XXXTentacion || Dec 7, 2018 || #1 on US ''Billboard'' 200
|-
| rowspan="6"|2019 || ERE || ''[[Walk with Me (Rotimi EP)|Walk with Me]]'' || [[Rotimi (actor)|Rotimi]] || May 24, 2019 || 
|-
|| ERE || ''[[Legendary (Tyga album)|Legendary]]'' || Tyga || Jun 7, 2019 ||#17 on US ''Billboard'' 200
|-
|| ERE || ''[[In My Defense]]'' || [[Iggy Azalea]] || Jul 19, 2019 ||#50 on US ''Billboard'' 200
|-
|| ERE524 || ''[[I Wanna Thank Me]]'' || Snoop Dogg || Aug 16, 2019 ||#76 on US ''Billboard'' 200
|-
|| ERE || ''[[Wicked Lips]]'' || Iggy Azalea || Dec 2, 2019 || 
|-
|| ERE537 || ''[[Bad Vibes Forever]]'' || XXXTentacion || Dec 6, 2019 ||#5 on US ''Billboard'' 200 
|}

<!--
|rowspan="3"|Year
|-
|  201 || ERE  || ''[[]]''   ||  [[]]   ||
|-
| 2017 || ERE || ''#DreamBreatheCreate 2'' || Xai Beats || 2017 || ||
|-
-->

===Notable singles===
{{further|Category:Empire Distribution singles}}

*2011
**[[Kendrick Lamar]] – "[[A.D.H.D (Kendrick Lamar song)|A.D.H.D]]"
*2012
**[[Hopsin]] – "[[Ill Mind of Hopsin 5]]"
**Trinidad James – "[[All Gold Everything]]"
*2013
**[[Problem (rapper)|Problem]] – "[[Like Whaaat]]"
**[[Rocko (rapper)|Rocko]] – "[[U.O.E.N.O.]]"
**[[Sage The Gemini]] – "[[Red Nose]]"
**[[T.I.]] – "[[Memories Back Then]]"
*2014
**[[Busta Rhymes]] – "[[Calm Down (Busta Rhymes song)|Calm Down]]" ft. [[Eminem]]
**[[Rich Homie Quan]] – "[[Walk Thru]]"
**[[Sage The Gemini]] – "[[Gas Pedal]]"
*2015
**D.R.A.M. – "Cha Cha"<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Cantor |first=Paul |date=2015-10-30 |title=Singer-Rapper D.R.A.M. Explains Why He Feels Drake 'Jacked' His Record |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/features/rapper-dram-cha-cha-drake-jacked-record-6745302/ |access-date=2024-01-26 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>
**Jermaine Dupri – "WYA" ft. Bow Wow<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Weiner |first=Natalie |date=2015-05-21 |title=Jermaine Dupri & Bow Wow Are Just Wondering 'WYA (Where You At?)': Exclusive Premiere |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/jermaine-dupri-bow-wow-wya-where-you-at-exclusive-premiere-6575612/ |access-date=2024-01-26 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>
**[[Kane Brown]] – "[[Used to Love You Sober]]"
**[[Nef the Pharaoh]] – "Big Tymin’"<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nef the Pharaoh: "Big Tymin'" |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/17491-nef-the-pharaoh-big-tymin/ |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref>
**[[Sean Combs|Puff Daddy]] – "[[Finna Get Loose]]" ft. [[Pharrell]]
**[[Popcaan]] – "Never Sober"<ref>{{Cite web |title=Popcaan Is Gloriously Inebriated On "Never Sober" |url=https://www.thefader.com/2015/06/16/popcaan-never-sober |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=The FADER |language=en}}</ref>
**[[Rich Homie Quan]] – "[[Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh)]]"
**[[Tyga]] – "[[Stimulated]]"
*2016
**[[Fat Joe]] & [[Remy Ma]]  – "[[All the Way Up (Fat Joe and Remy Ma song)|All The Way Up]]" ft. [[French Montana]] & [[Jay-Z]] (Remix)
**[[Lloyd (singer)|Lloyd]] – "[[Tru (song)|Tru]]"
**Luke Nasty – "[[OTW (DJ Luke Nasty song)|OTW]]"
*2018
**[[Mario (American singer)|Mario]] – "[[Drowning (Mario song)|Drowning]]"
**[[Tyga]] - "[[Taste (Tyga song)|Taste]]" ft. [[Offset (rapper)|Offset]]
**[[Dinah Jane]] - "[[Bottled Up]]" ft. [[Ty Dolla Sign]] and [[Marc E. Bassy]]
*2019
**[[Adam Lambert]] - "Feel Something"<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Legaspi |first=Althea |date=2019-02-22 |title=Hear Adam Lambert's Achingly Yearning New Song 'Feel Something' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/adam-lambert-feel-something-song-listen-798631/ |access-date=2024-01-26 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref>
**[[Iggy Azalea]] - "[[Sally Walker (song)|Sally Walker]]"
**[[Adam Lambert]] - "[[New Eyes (Adam Lambert song)|New Eyes]]"
**[[Free Nationals]] - "Beauty & Essex" ft. [[Daniel Caesar]] & Unknown Mortal Orchestra<ref>{{Cite web |last=Black |first=Adrienne |title=Free Nationals Drop Vivid "Beauty & Essex" Video f/ Daniel Caesar & Unknown Mortal Orchestra |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/adrienne-black/free-nationals-daniel-caesar-beauty-essex-video |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}</ref>
*2020 
**[[King Von]] - "[[Took Her to the O]]"
**[[Young Dolph]] - "[[RNB (song)|RNB]]" ft. [[Megan Thee Stallion]] 
**[[Busta Rhymes]] - "YUUUU" with [[Anderson .Paak]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-09-18 |title=Busta Rhymes And Anderson .Paak's 'Yuuuu' Portrays Them As Enemies |url=https://uproxx.com/music/busta-rhymes-anderson-paak-yuuuu-video/ |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=UPROXX |language=en-US}}</ref>
**[[T.I.]] - "Pardon" ft. [[Lil Baby]]
**[[French Montana]] -  "Double G" ft. [[Pop Smoke]]
**King Von - "The Code" ft. [[Polo G]]
**[[Rich The Kid]] & [[YoungBoy Never Broke Again]] - "Bankroll"
**[[Yung Bleu]] - "[[You're Mines Still]]" ft. [[Drake (musician)|Drake]]
**[[Shapiro]] - "Fast Pace"
**[[Shapiro]] - "Red Handed"
*2021
**[[50 Cent]] - "Part of the Game" ft. [[NLE Choppa]] and Rileyy Lanez
**French Montana -  "Hot Boy Bling" ft. [[Jack Harlow]] and [[Lil Durk]]
**Fat Joe - "Sunshine" (The Light) with DJ Amorphous 
**Busta Rhymes - "Czar" ft. [[M.O.P.]] and [[CJ (rapper)|CJ]]
**Yung Bleu - "Ghetto Love Birds" with [[A Boogie Wit da Hoodie]]
**[[Shapiro]] - "Never Change"
**[[DRAM (musician)|Shelley FKA DRAM]] - "All Pride Aside" with [[Summer Walker]]
**T-Pain -  "I Like Dat" with [[Kehlani]]
**[[OG Parker]], Chris Brown - Rain Down ft. [[Latto]] and [[Layton Greene]]
**Yung Bleu - "Baddest" with Chris Brown and [[2 Chainz]]
**Tyga -  "Mrs. Bubblegum" 
**[[Sean Kingston]] -  "Love Is Wonderful" ft. [[Travis Barker]]
*2023
**[[Majeeed]] and [[Tiwa Savage]] - "[[Gbese (song)|Gbese]]"
*2024
**[[G-Dragon]] - "[[Power (G-Dragon song)|Power]]"
*2025
**[[Jisoo]] - "[[Earthquake (Jisoo song)|Earthquake]]"

==See also==
*[[2014 in hip-hop]]
*[[List of record labels]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://empi.re/ official website]


[[Category:Empire Distribution]]
[[Category:Record labels established in 2010]]
[[Category:Hip-hop record labels]]
[[Category:Record label distributors]]
[[Category:Companies based in San Francisco]]
[[Category:Record labels based in California]]
[[Category:2010 establishments in California]]