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Priority Records

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Priority Records
Parent companyCapitol Music Group
Founded1985 (1985)
FounderBryan Turner
Mark Cerami
Steve Drath
Distributor(s)Capitol Music Group
GenreVarious, with a focus on Hip Hop
Country of originU.S.
LocationLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Official websitewww.priorityrecords.com

Priority Records is an American hip hop record label known for several acts including N.W.A and Paris. It also distributed many other hip hop record labels including the record label of the same name, along with Death Row Records, Wu-Tang Records, Posthuman Records, Rawkus Records, Rap-A-Lot Records, Roc-A-Fella Records, Hoo-Bangin' Records, Scarface Records, Black Market Records, Rhythm Safari and Tass Radio Records.

Company history

Beginnings

The Los Angeles-based company (with no ties or relations to a previous Priority Records label that was a subsidiary of what was then CBS Records) 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 Records licensed repertoire from others and released compilation albums but soon began to develop its own significant artist roster. Priority Records 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, Ice Cube, MC Ren, Eazy-E, Master P, Snoop Dogg, Silkk the Shocker, Jay-Z, Paris, Mack 10, 504 Boyz, C-Murder, Mia X, Westside Connection, No Limit 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.

2006 Revival

In late 2006, EMI revived Priority Records, and it was supposed to start releasing new records again but never did except for a couple compilation and greatest hits albums from the likes of N.W.A, Westside Connection, Mack 10, and Ice Cube. In 2009, Snoop Dogg was appointed creative chairman of the label; Priority released his tenth studio album, Malice N Wonderland on December 8, 2009.

2013 Relaunch

In July 2013 Priority was re-launched via a joint venture between Capitol Records and Insurgency Music. Based at the Capitol Records Building in Los Angeles, the new Priority Records will be a producer centric label that focuses on a broader array of music genres, in addition to its long standing commitment to Hip hop music.

Priority Records discography

1970s

1976
1978

1979

1980s

1980
1981
1982
1984
1985
1987
1988
1989

1990s

1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999

2000s

2000
2001
2002
2003
2009

2010's

2010
2011

Compilations / Soundtracks

  • Various Artists - Dance Around The World (57143)
  • Various Artists - Planet Reggae: The World Of Reggae Music (57164)
  • Various Artists - Planet Zouk: The World Of Antilles Music (57165)
  • Various Artists - Planet Africa: The World Of African Music (57166)
  • Various Artists - Rap A Lot's Underground Masters (57168)
  • Various Artists - Spirit Of Venice, CA: A Collection Of Venice Street Musicians (57177)
  • Various Artists - Rap A Lot's Underground Masters "Edit Version" (57184)
  • Various Artists - Planet Blues: The World Of Blues Rock (57193)
  • Various Artists - Old School Friday (57194)
  • Various Artists - Planet Dancehall: The World Of Raggamuffin (57195)
  • Various Artists - Straight From Da Streets Vol. 1 (53885)
  • Various Artists - Classic Beats And Breaks Vol. 1 (53910)
  • Various Artists - Classic Beats And Breaks Vol. 2 (53922)
  • Various Artists - Guitars That Rule The World (53925)
  • Various Artists - Street Fighter (53948)
  • Various Artists - Extreme Velocity (53952)
  • Various Artists - Luminescence (53954)
  • Various Artists - Trance Ambient (53956)
  • Various Artists - Friday (53959)
  • Various Artists - Blackmarket Unreleased (53966)
  • Various Artists - Friday "Edit Version" (53974)
  • Various Artists - Classic Beats And Breaks Vol. 3 (53998)
  • Various Artists - Classic Beats And Breaks Vol. 4 (53999)
  • Various Artists - Bio Dome (50552)
  • Various Artists - Masters Of Blues (50569)
  • Various Artists - Brutal Bass: 60 Minutes Of Bass (50570)
  • Various Artists - Down South Hustlers (53993)
  • Various Artists - Cell Block Compilation (50556)
  • Various Artists - In The Beginning... There Was Rap (50639)
  • Various Artists - I'm Bout It (50643)
  • Various Artists - The Substitute (50576)
  • Various Artists - Guitars That Rule The World Vol. 2 (50589)
  • Various Artists - Young Southern Playaz Vol. 1 (50590)
  • Various Artists - Above The Rim (50606)
  • Various Artists - Above The Rim "Edit Version" (50607)
  • Various Artists - Murder Was The Case (50610)
  • Various Artists - Gang Related (53509)
  • Various Artists - Bass 4 Bassheadz: Vol. 2 (50597)
  • Various Artists - Bass 4 Bassheadz: Vol. 1 (50619)
  • Various Artists - Bass 4 Bassheadz: Vol. 3 (50626)
  • Various Artists - Trip Hop Nation Vol. 1 (50631)
  • Various Artists - Rhyme & Reason (50635)
  • Various Artists - Bass 4 Bassheadz: Vol. 4 (50636)
  • Various Artists - West Coast Bad Boyz Vol. 2 (50658)
  • Various Artists - Death Row Greatest Hits (50677)
  • Various Artists - Young Southern Playaz Vol. 2 (50687)
  • Various Artists - Trip Hop Til U Drop (50679)
  • Various Artists - Luke's Peep Show Compilation Vol. 1 (50681)
  • Various Artists - Booty Bass Mix Vol. 1 (50692)
  • Various Artists - West Coast Bad Boyz: Anotha Level Of The game (50695)
  • Various Artists - The Best Of Black Market Records: Hounds Of Tha Underground (50697)
  • Various Artists - Ultimate Bass Challenge Vol. 1 (50043)
  • Various Artists - Electro: Breaks Beats And Bass (50012)
  • Various Artists - Booty Party Ta' Go (50028)
  • Various Artists - Thicker Than Water (50016)
  • Various Artists - Thicker Than Water "Edit Version" (50047)
  • Various Artists - No Limit Soldiers Compilation: We Can't Be Stopped "Edit Version" (50048)
  • Various Artists - Foolish (50053)
  • Various Artists - Lyricist Lounge Vol. 1 (50062)
  • Various Artists - Soundbombing I (50064)
  • Various Artists - Soundbombing II "Edit Version" (50074)
  • Various Artists - Soundbombing II (50069)
  • Various Artists - Foolish "Edit Version" (50071)
  • Various Artists - Old School Ghetto Booty (50078)
  • Various Artists - Pure Flamenco (50079)
  • Various Artists - Bass 4 Bassheadz: Vol. 5 (50100)
  • Various Artists - Duck Down Presents (50117)
  • Various Artists - 3 Strikes (50118)
  • Various Artists - J Prince Presents: R.N.D.S. (50119)
  • Various Artists - World Wrestling Federation Presents: Aggression (50120)
  • Various Artists - Ultimate Bass Challenge Vol. 2 (50122)
  • Various Artists - J Prince Presents: R.N.D.S. "Edit Version" (50123)
  • Various Artists - Blair Witch 2: Book Of Shadows (50155)
  • Various Artists - The Perfect Trance (50162)
  • Various Artists - Ozzfest: Second Stage Live (50197)
  • Various Artists - Boot Camp clik's Greatest Hits: Basic Training
  • Various Artists - Hip Hop For Respect
  • Various Artists - Suge Knight Represents: Chronic 2000
  • Various Artists - Training Day
  • Various Artists - Bones soundtrack
  • Various Artists - Holiday Moods Vol. 2: Another Enchanted Christmas
  • Various Artists - Lyricist Lounge Vol. 2
  • Various Artists - Mean Green: Major Players Compilation (53505)
  • Various Artists - Suge Knight Represents: Chronic 2000
  • Various Artists - Latino Latino: Music From The Streets Of L.A. (57139)
  • Various Artists - Rhythm Safari: The Best Of World Music (57137)

References

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