LaFace Records
| Company type | Joint venture (originally) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music industry |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Founder | Antonio "L.A." Reid, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Arista Records |
| Fate | Merged into Arista Records (2001), reactivated (2004), absorbed into RCA Records (2011) |
| Headquarters | Atlanta, Georgia , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Parent | Bertelsmann Music Group (1989–2004), Sony Music Entertainment (2008–2011), Jive Records (2004–2011) |
LaFace Records was a United States-based record label headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. It operated under the umbrella of Sony Music Entertainment between 2008 and 2011, and prior to that, it was part of the Bertelsmann Music Group from 1989 until 2004. The label gained significant commercial prominence throughout the 1990s, primarily concentrating on urban music genres. Initially, its distribution was handled by Arista Records from 1989 to 2001. Subsequently, LaFace was merged into Arista before being reinstated in 2004 as a division of Jive Records, until it was ultimately integrated into RCA Records in 2011. Currently, its music catalog is overseen by Legacy Recordings.
Company history
Founded in 1989, LaFace emerged as a joint venture between producers Antonio "L.A." Reid, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, and Arista Records. The label took its name from the founders’ production company and quickly became a dominant force during the 1990s. It played a pivotal role in launching the careers of influential artists including TLC, Toni Braxton, Outkast, Pink, Usher, Goodie Mob, and Donell Jones. Toward the end of the decade, the number of new signings declined as Babyface shifted his focus toward his solo pursuits. In 1999, Arista and BMG fully acquired LaFace. By 2001, after L.A. Reid was named Chairman and CEO of Arista, LaFace was dissolved with its principal artists moving over to Arista's roster.
In 1992, LaFace secured a deal with the Georgia-based duo Outkast. Following a $15,000 advance in 1993, Outkast produced their debut album under the executive production of Reid and Babyface. Released in April 1994, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik reached the top 20 on the Billboard Top 200 chart and earned Platinum certification.
LaFace was reactivated in 2004 amid BMG’s corporate restructuring during the Sony BMG alliance, becoming part of the reconfigured Zomba Music Group. Numerous former artists returned from Arista at this time. However, in 2011, LaFace along with its Jive/Zomba distributor were once again discontinued and absorbed into RCA Records.
Former artists
- 1 Life 2 Live
- Az Yet
- Big Gipp
- B-Rock & The Bizz
- Toni Braxton
- Ciara
- Damian Dame
- Corey Glover
- Goodie Mob
- Jermaine Jackson
- Donell Jones
- Kenny Lattimore & Chante Moore
- Outkast
- Pink
- Pressha
- Tony Rich
- Sam Salter
- Shanice
- Society of Soul
- TLC
- T.I.
- Usher
- YoungBloodZ
In-house producers
- L.A. Reid
- Babyface
- Daryl Simmons
- Kayo (The Deele)
- Dallas Austin
- Organized Noize
- Tim Thomas & Ted Bishop