Konvict Kulture

"Konvict" redirects here. For the album by Akon, see Konvicted.

Konvict Kulture
Founded2003 as Konvict Muzik
2022 Konvict Kulture (rebrand)
FounderMelvin Brown
Bu Thiam
Akon
Distributor(s)Vydia (2020–present)[1]
Universal Motown Records (2005–2011)
Universal Republic Records (2011–2014)
Interscope Records (2006–2014)[2]
Def Jam Recordings (2008–2014)
Sony Music (Jive/RCA) (2005/2017)
GenreHip hop, R&B
Country of originUnited States
Official websitehttps://konvictkulture.com/

Konvict Kulture is a record label founded by Melvin Brown, Bu Thiam and R&B singer Akon in 2003 under the name Konvict Muzik.[3] Artists including T-Pain, Kat DeLuna, Mali Music, Red Café, Dolla, Ya Boy, and Costa Titch have signed to and released singles or albums by the label.[4][5] Heard at the beginning of many of the label's recordings, besides Akon's own production or songwriting contribution, is the sound of the clank of a jail cell, followed by Akon uttering "Konvict". In 2022, the label was rebranded into Konvict Kulture.[6] By 2011, Fotemah Mba was appointed Vice President of A&R for the label.[citation needed]

The label operated with another label founded by Akon in 2006, KonLive Distribution, whose flagship artist was Lady Gaga. KonLive was an imprint of Interscope Records, while Konvict Muzik was an imprint of Akon's label, Universal Motown Records prior to the launching of KonLive. In 2011, Akon signed Nigerian artists P-Square, Tuface, and Wizkid as representatives of the label in Africa.[7]

Background

Akon started his own label after the success of his 2003 mixtape Akonvict.

Original Konvict Muzik Logo

KonLive Distribution

KonLive Distribution
Parent companyInterscope-Geffen-A&M
Founded2006; 18 years ago (2006)[8]
FounderAkon
Defunct2013; 11 years ago (2013)
Distributor(s)Interscope-Geffen-A&M[9]
GenrePop, dance, R&B, hip hop
Country of originUnited States

KonLive Distribution (or simply KonLive) was a record label founded in 2006 as a joint venture with Jimmy Iovine's Interscope Records, the label was to allow both parties to manage the career and recording catalogue of singer Lady Gaga.[10] Other notable acts signed to the label included Kardinal Offishall, Colby O'Donis, Brick & Lace, Mali Music, Natalia Kills, Jeffree Star, R. City, Ya Boy, and Verse Simmonds.[11][12]

Notable artists

Current

Former Konvict Artists

Former KonLive Artists

Discography

Artist Album Album details Singles
T-Pain Rappa Ternt Sanga
  • Released: December 5, 2005
  • Label: Konvict Muzik
  • Chart position: 33 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: Gold
Akon Konvicted
  • Released: November 14, 2006
  • Label: Konvict Muzik
  • Chart position: 2 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: 3× Platinum
T-Pain Epiphany
  • Released: June 5, 2007
  • Label: Konvict Muzik
  • Chart position: 1 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: Platinum
Brick & Lace Love Is Wicked
  • Released: September 4, 2007
  • Label: KonLive Distribution
  • Chart position: —
  • RIAA certification: —
  • Never Never
  • Love Is Wicked
  • Get That Clear (Hold Up)
  • Take Me Back
  • Bad To Di Bone
Lady Gaga The Fame
  • Released: August 19, 2008
  • Label: KonLive Distribution
  • Chart position: 2 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: 6× Platinum
Kardinal Offishall Not 4 Sale
  • Released: September 9, 2008
  • Label: KonLive Distribution
  • Chart position: 40 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: —
Colby O'Donis Colby O
  • Released: September 16, 2008
  • Label: KonLive Distribution
  • Chart position: 41 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: —
Sway The Signature LP
  • Released: October 6, 2008
  • Label: Konvict Muzik
  • Chart position: 51 U.K.
  • RIAA certification: —
T-Pain Thr33 Ringz
  • Released: November 11, 2008
  • Label: Konvict Muzik
  • Chart position: 4 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: Gold
Akon Freedom
  • Released: December 2, 2008
  • Label: Konvict Muzik
  • Chart position: 7 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: 2× Platinum
Lady Gaga The Fame Monster
  • Released: November 18, 2009
  • Label: KonLive Distribution
  • Chart position: 5 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: 5× Platinum
Natalia Kills Perfectionist
  • Released: March 15, 2011
  • Label: KonLive Distribution
  • Chart position: 134 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: —
Lady Gaga Born This Way
  • Released: May 23, 2011
  • Label: KonLive Distribution
  • Chart position: 1 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: 4× Platinum
T-Pain Revolver
  • Released: December 6, 2011
  • Label: Konvict Muzik
  • Chart position: 28 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: —
Jeffree Star Mr. Diva - EP
  • Released: October 2, 2012
  • Label: KonLive Distribution
  • Chart position: —
  • RIAA certification: —
  • Mr. Diva
  • Legs Up

References

  1. ^ www.vydia.com // Konvict Kulture and Vydia Announce Partnership // Vydia // https://vydia.com/konvict-kulture-announces-partnership-with-vydia/ // Konvict Kulture and Vydia Announce Partnership // Vydia //. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ^ "Akon Signs Ya Boy to Konvict Music". February 26, 2010.
  3. ^ Melvin Brown: Konvict Business Archived October 8, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ Masuku, Brooklyn (February 8, 2023). "Costa Titch Announces Global Partnership Deal with Akon's label Konvict Kulture". Gagasi World. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  5. ^ "Akon Signs Gospel Rapper Mali Music to Konvict Muzik". AllHipHop. November 1, 2011. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  6. ^ Brown, Preezy (October 30, 2022). "Akon Preps Partnership With TikTok, Afrobeat's Movement And The Rebirth Of Konvict Muzik". VIBE.com. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Akon signs 2face, Wizkid and P-Square as Konvict Musik Representatives
  8. ^ "The Akon Empire". Billboard.
  9. ^ Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums - Not 4 Sale Archived April 25, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ Nolfi, Joey (March 23, 2023). "Lady Gaga's 'Just Dance' turns 15: Akon, RedOne on the hit that almost went to the Pussycat Dolls". Entertainment Weekly.
  11. ^ "KonLive Distribution". Discogs.
  12. ^ "Akon Signs Verse Simmonds to KonLive". MTV.[dead link‍]
  13. ^ Akon’s Konvict Kulture Unveils New Afrobeats Star, Amirror
  14. ^ a b Mgbolu, Charles (December 19, 2011). "Akon's label, Konvict signs Wizkid Psquare, Tuface!". Vanguard. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  15. ^ "Konvict Muzik Artists". Archived from the original on August 15, 2011. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  16. ^ "Akon Says He "Cashed Out" On Lady Gaga Before Her Decline". May 31, 2014. Archived from the original on May 31, 2014. Retrieved March 8, 2024.