Today, plenty of great hip-hop record labels are putting out quality material, with a variety of different styles for all type of listener. Sure, there are the major players, who seem to swallow up every act that starts gaining popularity. From those, however, come the imprints - the more personalized record labels, tailored with a certain style in mind. Many of those labels are often founded by rappers, tailored to help the artists they believe in.
Below, we've compiled a list of some of the game's key players, from Quality Control to TDE. And while each of these labels are responsible for some excellent work, you probably have a personal favorite you'd like to ride for. So, why not do exactly that? Take a second and hold it down for your favorite label, and sound off below - what makes it your favorite? The style? The discography? The roster? Remember, this isn't a comprehensive breakdown of every record label or imprint in the game, so if we missed your favorite, feel free to represent for them in the comment section.
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Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE)
Founder: Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith
Roster: Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, Jay Rock, SZA, Isaiah Rashad, SZA, Lance Skiiiwalker, and SiR,
Notable Work: Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid Maad City, ScHoolboy Q - Oxymoron, Ab-Soul - Do What Thou Wilt, SZA - CTRL, Jay Rock - 90059
October’s Very Own (OVO)
Founders: Drake, 40, Oliver El-Khatib
Roster: Drake, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Majid Jordan, OB O'Brien, Roy Woods, dvsn, Plaza and Baka Not Nice
Notable Work: Drake - Take Care, PARTYNEXTDOOR - PartyNextDoor3, Majid Jordan - The Space Between, dvsn - Morning After
G.O.O.D. Music
Founder: Kanye West
Roster: Kanye West, Big Sean, Pusha T, CyHi Tha Prynce, Teyana Taylor, Kacy Hill, HLXT, Desiigner, Francis And The Lights, Valee
Notable Work: Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Pusha T - My Name Is My Name, Big Sean - Dark Sky Paradise, CyHi Tha Prynce - No Dope On Sundays
Quality Control
Founder: Coach K & Pee
Roster: Migos, Lil Yachty, Johnny Cinco, OG Maco, Young Greatness, Skippa da Flippa, Jose Guapo, Lil Baby
Notable Work: Migos - Culture, Lil Yachty - Lil Boat, Control The Streets Vol 1
Shady Records
Founder: Eminem
Roster: Eminem, Bad Meets Evil, D12, Slaughterhouse, Yelawolf, Westside Gunn, Conway, Boogie
Notable Work: Eminem - The Marshall Mathers LP, D12 - Devil’s Night, Bad Meets Evil - Bad Meets Evil, Yelawolf - Love Story, Shady XV
Strange Music
Founder: Tech N9ne
Roster: Tech N9ne, Krizz Kaliko, Big Scoob, ¡MAYDAY!, Prozak, CES Cru, Darrein Safron, Stevie Stone, Wrekonize, Rittz
Notable Work: Tech N9ne - Absolute Power, Krizz Kaliko - Vitiligo, ¡MAYDAY! - Future Vintage
Dreamville
Founder: J. Cole
Roster: Ari Lennox, Bas, Cozz, Omen, Lute, J.I.D, EarthGang
Notable Work: J Cole - 2014 Forest Hills Drive, J.I.D. - The Never Story, EarthGang - Rags/Robots
Cash Money/Young Money
Founder: Birdman/Lil Wayne
Roster: Birdman, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Gudda Gudda, Jacquees, Sy Ari Da Kid, Cory Gunz
Notable Work: Lil Wayne - Tha Carter Series, Nicki Minaj - The Pinkprint, Drake - Nothing Was The Same
Maybach Music Group (MMG)
Founder: Rick Ross
Roster: Rick Ross, Meek Mill, Wale, Gunplay, Fat Trel, Rockie Fresh
Notable Work: Rick Ross - Rather You Than Me, Meek Mill - Wins And Losses, Wale - The Album About Nothing