Aftermath Entertainment
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- There is also another similarly titled record label, Aftermath Music, which is based in Norway.
Label History
After leaving Death Row in 1996, Dre put out the compilation album Dr. Dre Presents...The Aftermath, featuring several artists that were affiliated with the project. This included Nas, King Tee and producers Mel-Man and Budda. The album did poorly, and most of the artists featured became disassociated with Aftermath.In 1997, Nas' group The Firm released their first and only project, The Firm: The Album, on Aftermath Entertainment with some production from Dre. This one was highly anticipated, but would be a commercial failure, and the group subsequently disbanded. King Tee released his album, which also did poorly, and he too left the label.
In 1998, Dre signed Hittman and Eminem. That year, he began work on his 1999 release, 2001, the second solo album under his name. This one was a hit, and Eminem's appearance on the hit single "Forgot About Dre" propelled him to fame. Hittman was also featured on several tracks and wrote for more; he and Dre recorded an album, but Hittman was later dropped from the album. Hittman's album, Hittmanic Verses, wouldn't be released until 2006, when he put it out independently.
1999 saw the release of Eminem's first major-label album, The Slim Shady LP. This was the second platinum-selling release from Aftermath Entertainment, securing the label's status financially. After the album's success, Eminem set up Shady Records, his own label imprint on Aftermath.
In the following years Eminem would be the label's star artist; during that time, several artists were signed to and dropped from Aftermath; Joe Beast, Truth Hurts and The Last Emperor were some of these. Dre also signed Rakim and the two recorded an album, though Rakim later left and the album was never released.
In 2003, 50 Cent put out his major label debut Get Rich or Die Tryin' on a joint venture between Aftermath and Shady Records. The album sold multiplatinum, and subsequently 50 set up his own imprint as well--G-Unit Records, signing his crew G-Unit to the label.
2004 saw Busta Rhymes, Eve and newcomer The Game sign to the label, the third being a joint venture between Aftermath and G-Unit. The Game put out his solo album The Documentary in 2005, and later left G-Unit to sign solely with Aftermath. Busta Rhymes released his Aftermath debut The Big Bang in 2006; Eve is said to be currently working on her project. Dr. Dre has also announced his final album, Detox, though few details have been released.
Current roster
Artists
- Dr. Dre - Producer and rapper who founded Aftermath Entertainment after leaving Death Row. Under his own label, he released the groundbreaking gangsta rap album 2001. Dr. Dre maintained success through his two leading artists Eminem and 50 Cent. Dr. Dre has recently been working on his last album, Detox.
- Eminem - Born in St. Joseph, Missouri but raised in Detroit, Eminem became the most famous rapper to be signed under Dr. Dre's label. He also has his own label, Shady Records.
- 50 Cent - Queens-based artist who first signed under a co-sign agreement between Eminem and Dr. Dre. The rapper surprised hip-hop fans with the release of Get Rich Or Die Tryin. 50 Cent has also released a sophomore album The Massacre, and more recently the soundtrack to his feature film, also titled Get Rich or Die Tryin'.
- The Game - Compton based rapper formerly singed to JT the Bigga Figga's label. After the success of selling millions worldwide on his debut album The Documentary,
- Busta Rhymes - New York based rapper who previously was signed to J Records. Busta Rhymes released his 7th Studio album, The Big Bang which is already hailed by many critics to not only be Rhymes' best album, but turning a new page in the current hip hop scene. Busta Rhymes has his own label Flipmode Records and also a member of the Flipmode Squad.
- Stat Quo- Atlanta based rapper who is also signed to under the sharing of Eminem and Dr. Dre. The first southern based artist signed under Aftermath and Shady Records.He is ready to release his debut album 'statlanta' in 2006 which has production from the likes of Dr Dre and Eminem.
- Eve - Philadelphia rapper who is acting in her own sitcom, Eve. Eve is preparing for her next album under Aftermath Entertainment. The rapper recently signed with Swizz Beatz's Full Surface and is still a member of Ruff Ryders.
- Bishop Lamont - Inglewood born rapper who met Dr. Dre after a video shoot for The Game. The artist was making rounds on the mixtape scene when he met Dr. Dre. After listening to the mixtape, Dre immediately signed the rapper to his growing roster.
- G.A.G.E. - Philadelphia based artist who was recently signed to Aftermath. G.A.G.E. confirms that his inspiration when preparing his debut comes to guiding Dr. Dre.
- Marsha Ambrosius - A member of the neo-soul group Floetry, she recently signed to a solo deal with Aftermath after appearing on The Game's album. Although not comfirmed, this would be the only R&B artist currently on the label.
- Dion - A singer frequently colloborating with Hi-Tek, this Cincinnati native is the most recent addition to the Aftermath roster. Dion has contributed vocals to The Game’s "Runnin", 213’s "Twist Your Body", Xzibit’s "Scent of a Woman" and 50 Cent’s "Ryder Music".
Producers
- Scott Storch - Former Keyboard player for The Roots. Scott Storch was an apprentice to Dr. Dre, co-producing several songs. He's now a producer in his own right, having produced hits for 50 Cent, Beyonce, & Fat Joe. Storch is launching his own label under Aftermath.
- Focus - Producer signed to Aftermath. Credited for his work with pop artists such as N'Sync, Pink, & Christina Milian. Focus is now adding hip-hop tracks to his discography. Focus has produced instrumentals for The Game, Cam'ron, Tony Yayo, and Al-Gator.
- Mike Elizondo - Bassist and co-producer for Dr. Dre. Aside from working closely with the Aftermath roster, Elizondo was also hired by Fiona Apple for work on her album. He's currently involved in the Detox project.
- Hi-Tek - One half of producer/MC duo Reflection Eternal with Talib Kweli, Hi-Tek has produced for various G-Unit members' albums, including Lloyd Banks and The Game. Currently sending Dr. Dre tracks that may end up on the Detox album. Hi-Tek is creating his own label, which will be a subsidiary of Aftermath.
- Needlz - A young producer with an aversion to sampling, Needlz has done beats for several G-Unit releases (The Massacre, Straight Outta Ca$hville, etc.) as well as worked with Talib Kweli, Lupe Fiasco and Busta Rhymes.
- Denaun Porter - Though technically signed to Shady Records, Denaun a.k.a. Kon Artis has produced hits for all of Shady, Aftermath and G-Unit. He has production credits on D12's albums, Busta Rhymes' The Big Bang, the 8 Mile Soundtrack and produced 50 Cent's third major single, "P.I.M.P."
- The Young 1 - One of the youngest producers to have worked with the Aftermath label. Such artist include D12, Obie Trice. Future works include Eve, Eminem. Althought nothing has been fully committed to the projects.
Former Aftermath Entertainment artists
- Truth Hurts
- The Firm
- Hittman
- Rakim
- RBX
- Joe Beast
- Brooklyn
- Shaunta
- King T
- RC
- The Last Emperor
- Ms. Roq
- Dawn Robinson
Affiliated labels
These companies are all owned by Aftermath artists and their artists make-up the extended Aftermath family.See also
External links
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