{"id":665348,"date":"2026-07-09T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-09T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/numero.com\/non-classifiee\/why-is-empire-one-of-todays-most-popular-rap-labels\/"},"modified":"2026-07-09T11:32:52","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T09:32:52","slug":"why-is-empire-one-of-todays-most-popular-rap-labels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/numero.com\/en\/culture-en\/music\/why-is-empire-one-of-todays-most-popular-rap-labels\/","title":{"rendered":"Why is Empire one of today\u2019s most popular rap labels?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Kendrick Lamar - Section.80 Full Album\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" data-cookieconsent=\"statistics, marketing\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/UW-qcsDLxUY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><div class=\"cookieconsent-optout-statistics cookieconsent-optout-marketing\"><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kendrick Lamar &#8211; <em>Section.80<\/em> (2011).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Empire, the rap label endorsed by 50 Cent and Kendrick Lamar<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The name <strong>Empire<\/strong> may not ring a bell, but since 2010, this American label has been standing out for its ability to attract established figures from the rap and R\u2019n\u2019B scenes. Seduced by the label\u2019s independence, rapper <strong>50 Cent<\/strong> has released several projects with them, like <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/numero.com\/en\/fashion\/fashion-week-en\/tyga-nolween-leroy-evan-mock-celebrities-at-the-lanvin-spring-summer-2022-show\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tyga<\/a><\/strong>, <strong>Shaggy<\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/numero.com\/en\/culture-en\/music\/5-crazy-stories-about-snoop-dogg-releasing-a-new-album-with-dr-dre\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Snoop Dogg<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/numero.com\/en\/fashion\/fashion-week-en\/cardi-b-offset-lewis-hamilton-the-stars-at-the-balenciaga-show\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cardi B<\/a><\/strong>. The label has also worked on re-releasing albums by R\u2019n\u2019B icon <strong>Aaliyah<\/strong> \u2014 she tragically died on her way home from shooting the video for\u00a0<em>Rock the Boat\u00a0<\/em>in the Bahamas in 2001 &#8211; thus reviving the singer\u2019s legacy for a new generation of listeners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Right from the start, the label <strong>Empire<\/strong> made a name for itself by distributing&nbsp;<em>Section.80&nbsp;<\/em>(2011), <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/numero.com\/en\/culture-en\/music\/can-kendrick-lamar-win-an-oscar-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kendrick Lamar<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s debut album, also known as K-Dot. At the time, the Compton rapper was still unknown to the public and that release marked a decisive turning point in his career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201c<em>In the early 2010s, my associate had a connection with TDE, Kendrick Lamar\u2019s label,<\/em>\u201d <strong>Ghazi Sham<\/strong>i explained to us when we met in Empire\u2019s large office in San Francisco. Four recording studios are located in the vast premises of the label, which boast a swimming pool, lots of marble and a rooftop. \u201c<em>They used to release their mixtapes online for free. I told them, \u2018Why not monetise them? There are people out there willing to pay to listen to your tracks through more convenient media.<\/em>\u201d This proposal won over TDE and enabled Empire to lay the foundations of a hybrid distribution model, combining artistic freedom and commercial efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Cardi B - Foreva\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" data-cookieconsent=\"statistics, marketing\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wDaxmHJuFgA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><div class=\"cookieconsent-optout-statistics cookieconsent-optout-marketing\"><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Cardi B &#8211; <em>Foreva<\/em> (2016).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">\u201c<em>I grew up taking tapes apart to figure out how they worked.\u201d \u2014 <\/em>Ghazi Shami<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It takes a healthy dose of audacity to launch a music label in the midst of economic turmoil, especially in a city like San Francisco, renowned for its start-ups rather than for its recording studios. Yet for <strong>Ghazi Shami<\/strong>, who formerly trained as an engineer, it was the right time. In 2010, at a time when the Silicon Valley was establishing itself as the nerve centre of technological innovation, Ghazi saw digital technology as a unique opportunity to reinvent the traditional model promoted by music labels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">To compete with other labels and get a better feel for what\u2019s about to come in the music industry, the founder of Empire drew on his experience in tech. The latter used to work on music distribution software. \u201c<em>I grew up taking tapes apart to find out how they worked<\/em>,\u201d <strong>Ghazi Shami<\/strong> shared, while scanning the gold records hanging on the walls of his office. \u201c<em>Then, I worked on streaming networks long before they became the norm<\/em>.\u201d This dual expertise in music and technology has enabled him to design a distribution model suitable to the challenges of our digital age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">A few years later, <strong>Empire<\/strong> struck a blow by signing a distribution deal with <strong>XXXTentacion<\/strong>, rap\u2019s rising star with dark lyrics. XXXTentacion was murdered in 2018 and over 500,000 copies of his posthumous album&nbsp;<em>Skins&nbsp;<\/em>(2018) were sold in the United States within a few months. A success that confirmed the label\u2019s intuition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a5f2b323c30d&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a5f2b323c30d\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"732\" height=\"1000\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/numero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/6027-003_v1.jpg\" alt=\"Shaboozey \u00a9 Daniel Prakopcyk.\" class=\"wp-image-660254\"\/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Shaboozey \u00a9 Daniel Prakopcyk.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A talent-scouting label, from Asake to Shaboozey<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Empire<\/strong> has recently signed two trending artists. <strong>Asake<\/strong>, the Nigerian superstar who gathers 6.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/numero.com\/en\/culture-en\/music\/meet-shaboozey-the-new-prince-of-country-beyonce-sent-flowers-to-my-mother\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Shaboozey<\/a><\/strong>, the new prince of country music endorsed by <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/numero.com\/en\/culture-en\/cowboy-carter-beyonces-flamboyant-and-political-take-on-country-music-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Beyonc\u00e9<\/a><\/strong>. They are both exploding at an international level and are among the label\u2019s most recent signings. On the other side of the globe, the rapper <strong>G-Dragon<\/strong>, leader of the K-pop group BigBang, allows the label to make a name for itself among an ever-widening audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the same time, <strong>Empire<\/strong> supported other promising young artists, becoming the first label to distribute records by <strong>K Camp<\/strong>,<strong> Rocko<\/strong>, <strong>Trinidad James<\/strong> and the group <strong>Migos<\/strong>. Thanks to that support, these names stepped into the international hip-hop scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201c<em>Ghazi is a visionary. He sees a lot of potential that a lot of people wouldn\u2019t. He owes the success of his label to ten years of hard work, and I\u2019m impressed by everything he has achieved<\/em>,\u201d Grammy Awards genre manager <strong>Shawn Thwaites<\/strong> explained at a private party in San Francisco organised by the label to celebrate the 2025 NBA All-Star Game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a5f2b323c80d&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a5f2b323c80d\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"667\" height=\"1000\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/numero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/4E0A7638-copie.jpg\" alt=\"Doria for Num\u00e9ro.com in San Francisco, February 15, 2025 \u00a9 Nathan Merchadier. \" class=\"wp-image-659912\"\/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Doria for Num\u00e9ro.com in San Francisco, February 15, 2025 \u00a9 Nathan Merchadier. Special thanks to Florent Farinelli.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rapper Doria, Empire\u2019s first French signing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In France, rapper <strong>Doria<\/strong> is the first French artist to sign with Empire \u2014 a symbol of the label\u2019s international openness. \u201c<em>They constantly want to build bridges between cultures,<\/em>\u201d the rapper from Nanterre told us when we met her in one of the label\u2019s studios in San Francisco. \u201c<em>Empire is everywhere: in the United States, France, Africa, but also in Asia since they\u2019ve signed K-Pop artists&#8230; All that buzz is what makes the difference<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their collaboration began unexpectedly during an informal meeting at a concert at the Institut du Monde Arabe. \u201c<em>In the beginning, it wasn\u2019t about business. It was a human exchange first and foremost. Then, the conversation just flowed<\/em>,\u201d she shared. Shortly afterward, <strong>Doria<\/strong> was invited to the label\u2019s offices in the United States and her Empire adventure took a more tangible turn. The label\u2019s organic approach is what first caught the artist\u2019s attention. \u201c<em>Here, you can release a track overnight if you feel like it. It\u2019s much more instinctive, there\u2019s much more freedom<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a5f2b323cc30&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a5f2b323cc30\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1365\" height=\"2048\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/numero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Unknown.jpeg\" alt=\"Ghazi Shami and Pauline Ducruet in San Francisco on February 15, 2025 \u00a9 Empire.\" class=\"wp-image-659920\"\/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ghazi Shami and Pauline Ducruet in San Francisco on February 15, 2025 \u00a9 Empire.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Connections with Pauline Ducruet and Alter Design<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While <strong>Empire<\/strong> has already created several clothing collections revisiting the classics of California streetwear, including T-shirts and basketball shorts, the label will be taking a new step forward next June by celebrating its friendship with the highly promising fashion brand <strong>Alter Design<\/strong>, founded by <strong>Pauline Ducruet<\/strong>. This collaboration will be celebrated in style at the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix, where artists, models and jet-setters will gather for an exceptional evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201c<em>Music and fashion share a common language<\/em>,\u201d <strong>Pauline Ducruet<\/strong> stated. This collaboration, which could also result in a capsule collection, demonstrates Empire\u2019s desire to play on several cultural fronts and to extend its influence well beyond the music world&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Translated from French by Emma Naroumbo Armaing<\/em>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Empire, the rap label endorsed by 50 Cent and Kendrick Lamar The name Empire may [&#8230;]<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/numero.com\/en\/culture-en\/music\/why-is-empire-one-of-todays-most-popular-rap-labels\/\">Read More&#8230;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> from Why is Empire one of today\u2019s most popular rap labels?<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":660260,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[87,3177],"tags":[8894,8891,8892,8893,8755],"class_list":["post-665348","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-culture-en","category-music","tag-50-cent-en","tag-cardi-b-en","tag-empire-en","tag-ghazi-shami-en","tag-shaboozey-en"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Why is Empire one of today\u2019s most popular rap labels ?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Founded in 2010, Ghazi Shami&#039;s music label Empire is now one of the most sought-after in the rap and the R&#039;n&#039;B world.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, 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