- DJ KHALED AND WE THE BEST MUSIC GROUP SIGNED TO EPIC RECORDS – ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM, MAJOR KEY
- Apr 11
MIAMI-BASED HIP-HOP AND R&B ICON REUNITES WITH EPIC CHAIRMAN LA REID
“No one has mastered Snapchat – the outlet where publicly posted pictures and videos live for 24 hours, then disappear – like DJ Khaled – But DJ Khaled – the hip-hop Zelig figure who’s orchestrated some of the most anthemic hits of the last decade – is too busy walking the pathway to more success to let naysayers tell him what he can’t do. Every day he films a combination of inspirational talk, outrageous adventures and mundane minutiae of life, a mix that in recent weeks has become social media core curriculum.” (Jon Caramanica, New York Times)
(April 11, 2016 – New York, NY) – DJ Khaled, music industry mogul, executive, mega producer and multi-platinum award-winning recording artist has been signed to Epic Records by Chairman & CEO LA Reid, in an exclusive deal that encompasses Khaled’s highly successful We The Best Music Group, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2016. Khaled’s hotly anticipated new album, MAJOR KEY, his first release for We The Best/Epic Records, will be available soon.
“Bringing Khaled to Epic is a blessed reunion for me,” said Mr. Reid, who first signed Khaled and We The Best to Def Jam Recordings in 2008. “Khaled is a supremely gifted artist and social media guru whose music has defined hip-hop and R&B for the past decade. With an extremely loyal fan base radiating worldwide out of Miami, every new release by Khaled has now become a firestorm event and his devoted legion of fans only grows bigger by the day. With Khaled’s passion and creative savvy, together with our dedicated and versatile staff, we are poised to reach even greater heights together than ever before.”
“After weeks of consideration I have made a decision on where to land the biggest brand in the game. A brand that has been built from the ground up. A brand that I spent my entire life building even before I gave it a name. Today I proudly announce my new partnership with LA Reid and Epic Records,” said DJ Khaled. “We The Best Music/Epic. Those two brands are synonymous with quality music. Iconic music. LA Reid was the first executive to give We The Best Music an opportunity to distribute my music on a grand scale. It is a very satisfying feeling to realign myself with someone who shares my vision of bringing fans the best music possible. When I think about Epic Records the first thing that comes to mind is Michael Jackson Thriller. An iconic artist with an iconic album and iconic logo. In short I’d like to thank all the people behind the scenes that helped make this partnership a reality. And to all aspiring superstars across the globe I say this I AM SEARCHING FOR NEW TALENT TO PRESENT TO THE WORLD! When it comes to breaking new artists, no one does it better than WE THE BEST MUSIC!! I’m also proud to announce my new album title to the world. Fan luv you’ve been asking me to bless you with new music. The wait is over!!! My 9th album MAJOR KEY is the best album of my career and I do it all for my fans. Stay tuned for new singles alert!!! New artist alert!!!! I’m looking for you!!! It’s We The Best Music/Epic. The next chapter of success has begun. The “machine” is the most powerful it’s ever been! Intact it’s the biggest machine in the game. Don’t ever question it!!!! It’s We The Best Music. It’s Epic. Bless up!”
Referred to in the music industry as the “Quincy Jones of hip-hop & R&B,” Khaled has made dozens of chart topping hit records featuring collaborations with the greatest names in music. His most recent (eighth) studio album, I Changed A Lot (October 2015), entered the Billboard Independent Albums chart at #1 and R&B chart at #2. The album spun off a quintet of chart singles including “They Don’t Love You No More,” “Hold You Down” (RIAA gold), “How Many Times” (RIAA gold), “Gold Slugs,” and “You Mine.”
As one of the biggest personalities on social media, what separates Khaled from the pack is his globally viewed Snapchat account (@djkhaled305), with over 6+ million followers devoted to his inspirational and often whimsical quotes on achieving success in life. In homage to him, Khaled’s legion of worldwide fans are constantly creating short videos and posts on Snapchat as well as other social media platforms, including Instagram (where he has over 3+ million followers) and Twitter (with nearly 3 million followers).
“His Snapchat is a renewable source of relentless positivity,” wrote Jon Caramanica in the New York Times, “a kind of choose-your-own adventure motivational talk. It succeeds in the space between laugh-with and laugh-at; he endlessly replays the same scenes and motifs, a Groundhog Day of braggadocio and encouragement. His catchphrases — ‘Another one,’ ‘Bless up,’ ‘They don’t want you to …’ – have become a lingua franca. He is now the foremost user of the key emoji, and, in his discussions of ‘major keys of success,’ has rescued that emoji from obscurity.”
DJ Khaled released his debut, Listennn… the Album in 2006, coinciding with the launch of his independent label, We The Best. After establishing himself on a series of platinum-selling singles over the next two years (“We Takin’ Over,” “I’m So Hood,” “Out Here Grindin”), Khaled signed his first major distribution deal for We The Best with Def Jam in 2008, under Mr. Reid’s watch as then-Chairman. Khaled’s breakthrough was 2010’s 3x-platinum “All I Do Is Win” (from Victory), followed by “I’m On One” in 2011 (from We The Best Forever). To date, Khaled has sold over 15 million singles worldwide.
We The Best Music Group, founded in 2006, comprises a record label, management company, publishing company, production company, and its own full-fledged studio.
- A Great Big World’s “Say Something” With Christina Aguilera Receives Nomination For “Best Pop Duo Group Performance” Grammy Award
- Dec 09
NEW YORK, Dec. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — A Great Big World‘s quadruple-platinum smash with Christina Aguilera, “Say Something,” scores a 2015 Grammy Award nomination in the category of “Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.”
This is the New York pair’s very first Grammy nod and yet another Great Big achievement for them. The Grammy ceremony will be broadcast live from Los Angeles, CA on Sunday, February 8, 2015.
“We wrote this song when we felt the most alone, and now it has connected to millions of people all around the world,” said A Great Big World. “To be recognized by our peers with this Grammy nomination is incredibly humbling and will forever remind us of how lucky we are to be doing what we love.”
It’s been only a year since A Great Big World—Ian Axel and Chad Vaccarino—embarked on their remarkable ride to worldwide renowned success. Released in October 2013, “Say Something” was quickly embraced by audiences, critics, and peers due to the duo’s timeless approach to pop music. Their breakout success can be attributed to impeccable songwriting, emotional performances, immense talent, and an unwavering work ethic. To date the song has sold over 6 million copies worldwide, and has been streamed on YouTube over 150 million times.
Stirring and striking performances followed on The Voice, American Music Awards, The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance, Good Morning America, The Today Show, Live! with Michael & Kelly, The Rachel Ray Show, The Logo Awards, Last Week with John Oliver, and more. Tastemakers lauded them as they became an MTV Artist To Watch and VH1 You Oughtta Know Artist. In January 2014 the band hit the road to sold out shows across the globe. Most recently, they also contributed a captivating take on “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” to the Epic Records Holiday compilation I’ll Be Home For Christmas.
Epic Records extends its sincere congratulations to A Great Big World for their first Grammy Award nomination.
Album available now at their official site, Amazon, iTunes, or a signed copy at Target.com now!
A Great Big World:
www.agreatbigworld.com/
www.facebook.com/agreatbigworld
www.twitter.com/agreatbigworld
www.youtube.com/agreatbigworld
SOURCE Epic Records
For further information: Lauren Ceradini, Epic Records, 212-833-7965, [email protected]
- A Great Big World's “Say Something” With Christina Aguilera Receives Nomination For “Best Pop Duo Group Performance” Grammy Award
- Dec 09
NEW YORK, Dec. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — A Great Big World‘s quadruple-platinum smash with Christina Aguilera, “Say Something,” scores a 2015 Grammy Award nomination in the category of “Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.”
This is the New York pair’s very first Grammy nod and yet another Great Big achievement for them. The Grammy ceremony will be broadcast live from Los Angeles, CA on Sunday, February 8, 2015.
“We wrote this song when we felt the most alone, and now it has connected to millions of people all around the world,” said A Great Big World. “To be recognized by our peers with this Grammy nomination is incredibly humbling and will forever remind us of how lucky we are to be doing what we love.”
It’s been only a year since A Great Big World—Ian Axel and Chad Vaccarino—embarked on their remarkable ride to worldwide renowned success. Released in October 2013, “Say Something” was quickly embraced by audiences, critics, and peers due to the duo’s timeless approach to pop music. Their breakout success can be attributed to impeccable songwriting, emotional performances, immense talent, and an unwavering work ethic. To date the song has sold over 6 million copies worldwide, and has been streamed on YouTube over 150 million times.
Stirring and striking performances followed on The Voice, American Music Awards, The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance, Good Morning America, The Today Show, Live! with Michael & Kelly, The Rachel Ray Show, The Logo Awards, Last Week with John Oliver, and more. Tastemakers lauded them as they became an MTV Artist To Watch and VH1 You Oughtta Know Artist. In January 2014 the band hit the road to sold out shows across the globe. Most recently, they also contributed a captivating take on “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” to the Epic Records Holiday compilation I’ll Be Home For Christmas.
Epic Records extends its sincere congratulations to A Great Big World for their first Grammy Award nomination.
Album available now at their official site, Amazon, iTunes, or a signed copy at Target.com now!
A Great Big World:
www.agreatbigworld.com/
www.facebook.com/agreatbigworld
www.twitter.com/agreatbigworld
www.youtube.com/agreatbigworld
SOURCE Epic Records
For further information: Lauren Ceradini, Epic Records, 212-833-7965, [email protected]
- A Great Big World’s “Say Something” With Christina Aguilera Receives Nomination For “Best Pop Duo Group Performance” Grammy Award
- Dec 09
NEW YORK, Dec. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — A Great Big World‘s quadruple-platinum smash with Christina Aguilera, “Say Something,” scores a 2015 Grammy Award nomination in the category of “Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.”
This is the New York pair’s very first Grammy nod and yet another Great Big achievement for them. The Grammy ceremony will be broadcast live from Los Angeles, CA on Sunday, February 8, 2015.
“We wrote this song when we felt the most alone, and now it has connected to millions of people all around the world,” said A Great Big World. “To be recognized by our peers with this Grammy nomination is incredibly humbling and will forever remind us of how lucky we are to be doing what we love.”
It’s been only a year since A Great Big World—Ian Axel and Chad Vaccarino—embarked on their remarkable ride to worldwide renowned success. Released in October 2013, “Say Something” was quickly embraced by audiences, critics, and peers due to the duo’s timeless approach to pop music. Their breakout success can be attributed to impeccable songwriting, emotional performances, immense talent, and an unwavering work ethic. To date the song has sold over 6 million copies worldwide, and has been streamed on YouTube over 150 million times.
Stirring and striking performances followed on The Voice, American Music Awards, The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance, Good Morning America, The Today Show, Live! with Michael & Kelly, The Rachel Ray Show, The Logo Awards, Last Week with John Oliver, and more. Tastemakers lauded them as they became an MTV Artist To Watch and VH1 You Oughtta Know Artist. In January 2014 the band hit the road to sold out shows across the globe. Most recently, they also contributed a captivating take on “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” to the Epic Records Holiday compilation I’ll Be Home For Christmas.
Epic Records extends its sincere congratulations to A Great Big World for their first Grammy Award nomination.
Album available now at their official site, Amazon, iTunes, or a signed copy at Target.com now!
A Great Big World:
www.agreatbigworld.com/
www.facebook.com/agreatbigworld
www.twitter.com/agreatbigworld
www.youtube.com/agreatbigworld
SOURCE Epic Records
For further information: Lauren Ceradini, Epic Records, 212-833-7965, [email protected]
- A Great Big World's “Say Something” With Christina Aguilera Receives Nomination For “Best Pop Duo Group Performance” Grammy Award
- Dec 09
NEW YORK, Dec. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — A Great Big World‘s quadruple-platinum smash with Christina Aguilera, “Say Something,” scores a 2015 Grammy Award nomination in the category of “Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.”
This is the New York pair’s very first Grammy nod and yet another Great Big achievement for them. The Grammy ceremony will be broadcast live from Los Angeles, CA on Sunday, February 8, 2015.
“We wrote this song when we felt the most alone, and now it has connected to millions of people all around the world,” said A Great Big World. “To be recognized by our peers with this Grammy nomination is incredibly humbling and will forever remind us of how lucky we are to be doing what we love.”
It’s been only a year since A Great Big World—Ian Axel and Chad Vaccarino—embarked on their remarkable ride to worldwide renowned success. Released in October 2013, “Say Something” was quickly embraced by audiences, critics, and peers due to the duo’s timeless approach to pop music. Their breakout success can be attributed to impeccable songwriting, emotional performances, immense talent, and an unwavering work ethic. To date the song has sold over 6 million copies worldwide, and has been streamed on YouTube over 150 million times.
Stirring and striking performances followed on The Voice, American Music Awards, The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance, Good Morning America, The Today Show, Live! with Michael & Kelly, The Rachel Ray Show, The Logo Awards, Last Week with John Oliver, and more. Tastemakers lauded them as they became an MTV Artist To Watch and VH1 You Oughtta Know Artist. In January 2014 the band hit the road to sold out shows across the globe. Most recently, they also contributed a captivating take on “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” to the Epic Records Holiday compilation I’ll Be Home For Christmas.
Epic Records extends its sincere congratulations to A Great Big World for their first Grammy Award nomination.
Album available now at their official site, Amazon, iTunes, or a signed copy at Target.com now!
A Great Big World:
www.agreatbigworld.com/
www.facebook.com/agreatbigworld
www.twitter.com/agreatbigworld
www.youtube.com/agreatbigworld
SOURCE Epic Records
For further information: Lauren Ceradini, Epic Records, 212-833-7965, [email protected]
- The Last Internationale Guitarist Edgey Pires To Be Honored At 2014 PORTUGUESE-BRAZILIAN AWARDS
- Dec 08
NEW YORK, Dec. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — In recognition of his artistic contributions and political activism, Guitarist Edgey Pires of The Last Internationale will be honored at the 2014 PORTUGUESE-BRAZILIAN AWARDS. The artist receives this esteemed honor amongst a total of 20 Portuguese and Brazilian actors, cultural influencers, journalists, and other trailblazers. The gala ceremony takes place at the United Nations head office in New York City on December 10, 2014.
Edgey graduated from college with a degree in Political Science and went on to write two books, Fighting for Freedom: Because A Better World is Possible (Planting Seeds Press) and Negative Dialectics: How to Accurately Interpret the World (unpublished). This marks a significant milestone for both Edgey and the critically acclaimed New York band.
“The UN is where Che Guevara delivered an incendiary speech against US imperialism. It is where Hugo Chaves, decades later, gave a similar speech in which he condemned ‘the devil’, George W. Bush, who had spoken from the same podium the day before. It is where KRS ONE went to get Hip Hop officially recognized as an international culture. It is where the Security Council vote on which poor, innocent people in remote parts of the world will get bombs dropped on their heads. It is outside of this building that I have held many banners and shouted for human rights and seen many of my fellow Comrades get tear-gassed, pepper-sprayed, beat and dragged off by police,” said Edgey. “So when I found out that I was being given the Luso-Brazilian Award at the UN for my artistic achievements and social activism, I was as much shocked as I was honored to be included on the right side of this contentious history. Since the event falls on Human Rights Day, I will also be standing outside (once again) demanding that we get some human rights right here at home. I urge everyone from around the world to head out into the streets and fight for a different world.”
During the evening, the PORTUGUESE-BRAZILIAN AWARDS bestows a statue and a diploma upon all honorees. The event aims to bolster and encourage Portuguese and Brazilian communities in the U.S. through recognizing the culture’s luminaries and their respective contributions.
This news concludes a monumental year for The Last Internationale. They recently unveiled their star-studded music video for “A Wanted Man” and performed a powerful “Call For Action” show regarding Prop 47 in South Los Angeles. They are now gearing up to launch a campaign around the rising Student Debt Crisis. The band is passionate about this issue and is planning a more formal announcement early next year.
The Last Internationale first emerged in 2013 with their independent EP, New York, ‘I Do Mind Dying. Legendary Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello made an introduction between Delila Paz and Edgy Pires and his longtime bandmate Brad Wilk. The drummer ended up joining the group, and they unleashed We Will Reign this past summer. They’ve performed on The Late Show with David Letterman and recently supported Robert Plant on tour.
For more information on The Last Internationale, please visit:
http://www.thelastinternationale.com/
http://www.facebook.com/TheLastInternationale
http://twitter.com/TLIMusic
SOURCE Epic Records
For further information: Lauren Ceradini, Epic Records, [email protected], 212.833.7965
- The Last Internationale Guitarist Edgey Pires To Be Honored At 2014 PORTUGUESE-BRAZILIAN AWARDS
- Dec 08
NEW YORK, Dec. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — In recognition of his artistic contributions and political activism, Guitarist Edgey Pires of The Last Internationale will be honored at the 2014 PORTUGUESE-BRAZILIAN AWARDS. The artist receives this esteemed honor amongst a total of 20 Portuguese and Brazilian actors, cultural influencers, journalists, and other trailblazers. The gala ceremony takes place at the United Nations head office in New York City on December 10, 2014.
Edgey graduated from college with a degree in Political Science and went on to write two books, Fighting for Freedom: Because A Better World is Possible (Planting Seeds Press) and Negative Dialectics: How to Accurately Interpret the World (unpublished). This marks a significant milestone for both Edgey and the critically acclaimed New York band.
“The UN is where Che Guevara delivered an incendiary speech against US imperialism. It is where Hugo Chaves, decades later, gave a similar speech in which he condemned ‘the devil’, George W. Bush, who had spoken from the same podium the day before. It is where KRS ONE went to get Hip Hop officially recognized as an international culture. It is where the Security Council vote on which poor, innocent people in remote parts of the world will get bombs dropped on their heads. It is outside of this building that I have held many banners and shouted for human rights and seen many of my fellow Comrades get tear-gassed, pepper-sprayed, beat and dragged off by police,” said Edgey. “So when I found out that I was being given the Luso-Brazilian Award at the UN for my artistic achievements and social activism, I was as much shocked as I was honored to be included on the right side of this contentious history. Since the event falls on Human Rights Day, I will also be standing outside (once again) demanding that we get some human rights right here at home. I urge everyone from around the world to head out into the streets and fight for a different world.”
During the evening, the PORTUGUESE-BRAZILIAN AWARDS bestows a statue and a diploma upon all honorees. The event aims to bolster and encourage Portuguese and Brazilian communities in the U.S. through recognizing the culture’s luminaries and their respective contributions.
This news concludes a monumental year for The Last Internationale. They recently unveiled their star-studded music video for “A Wanted Man” and performed a powerful “Call For Action” show regarding Prop 47 in South Los Angeles. They are now gearing up to launch a campaign around the rising Student Debt Crisis. The band is passionate about this issue and is planning a more formal announcement early next year.
The Last Internationale first emerged in 2013 with their independent EP, New York, ‘I Do Mind Dying. Legendary Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello made an introduction between Delila Paz and Edgy Pires and his longtime bandmate Brad Wilk. The drummer ended up joining the group, and they unleashed We Will Reign this past summer. They’ve performed on The Late Show with David Letterman and recently supported Robert Plant on tour.
For more information on The Last Internationale, please visit:
http://www.thelastinternationale.com/
http://www.facebook.com/TheLastInternationale
http://twitter.com/TLIMusic
SOURCE Epic Records
For further information: Lauren Ceradini, Epic Records, [email protected], 212.833.7965
- TAMAR TO PERFORM AT SOUL TRAIN AWARDS
- Oct 10
Sin City will never be the same when the 2013 Soul Train Awards touch down ’cause Tamar’s performing! Tamar is also nominated for five nominations tying with Miguel, Justin Timberlake, Chris Brown and Robin Thicke. Don’t miss the 2013 Soul Train Awards hosted by Anthony Anderson, taking place November 8th at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, NV and airing December
