| Epic Records | |
|---|---|
 | |
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Parent Company: |
Sony Music Entertainment |
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Founded: |
1953 |
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Distributor(s): |
Sony Music Entertainment |
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Genre: |
Various |
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Country of origin: |
United States |
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Location: |
New York City |
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Official Website: |
www.epicrecords.com |
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres.
Fifth Harmony was rencently signed with this record label.
Beginnings
Epic Records was launched in 1953 by CBS for the purpose of marketing jazz, pop and classical music that did not fit the theme of its more mainstream Columbia Records label. Pop talent on co-owned Okeh Records were transferred to Epic which made Okeh a rhythm and blues label. Epic's bright-yellow, black, and blue logo became a familiar trademark for many jazz and classical releases. This has included such notables as the Berlin Philharmonic, Charles Rosen, the Juilliard String Quartet, Antal Doráti conducting the Hague Philharmonic and George Szell conducting the Cleveland Orchestra.
2010s: Epic under L.A. Reid
In July 2011, L.A. Reid became the head of the Epic Records which also includes various former Jive Records artists. Reid has already begun a new "era" in signing artists, having signed up YouTube sensation Karmin. Through Sony Music Entertainment's restructuring, artists such as TLC, Toni Braxton, Avril Lavigne, Outkast and Ciara have joined Epic.] Epic will sign the winners of The X Factor.
It was confirmed in February 2012 that Sylvia Rhone, former president of Universal Motown, would be launching a new record label through Epic Records.