Record Label Case Study

GOOD Music

GOOD (Getting Out Our Dreams) Music is an American record label founded by hip hop recording artist and record producer Kanye West in 2004. The label is home to recording artists such as West himself, Big Sean, Pusha T, Mos Def, John Legend, D'banj and Mr Hudson among others. The label also houses a roster of producers such as, Hudson Mohawke, Jeff Bhasker, No I.D., Q-Tip, S1 and Travi$ Scott. Artists formerly signed to the label include Common, Kid Cudi, GLC and Consequence among others. The label has released seven RIAA certified gold or higher albums.

History (2004–07)

West founded the label in 2004, in conjunction with Sony/BMG shortly after releasing his debut The College Dropout. John Legend and Common were the first artists signed to the label. GOOD Music received seven Grammy Award for the first two albums on the label; Get Lifted (2004) with three and Be (2005) with four respectively. Shortly after, GLC, Really Doe, Malik Yusef, Tony Williams and Consequence were all signed to the label.

In August 2005, West released his second studio album Late Registration which featured guest appearances from all of the GOOD Music roster at the time. In October 2006, Legend released his second album - Once Again which won a Grammy for the song "Heaven". In May 2007 the Detroit rapper Big Sean signed to the label.

2008–2011

In 2008, West signed British singer-songwriter Mr Hudson, after hearing A Tale of Two Cities. He also signed then up-and-coming rapper Kid Cudi, after hearing his respective work from producer and manager Plain Pat. Kid Cudi's debut album, Man on the Moon: The End of Day was released under GOOD Music on September 15, 2009. The album earned three Grammy nominations and was certified Gold by the RIAA. A month later Mr Hudson's solo debut Straight No Chaser, was released
The label would hold a cypher for the 2010 BET Hip Hop Awards in June, that featured West, Common, Big Sean and new signee Cyhi the Prynce. In late 2010, West released several tracks featuring himself, and others members of the GOOD Music roster, in a free weekly giveaway known as, G.O.O.D. Fridays.In September 2010, West signed Brooklyn rapper Mos Def to GOOD Music, and shortly afterwards Consequence released a diss track and left the label. The following month Pusha T announced his signing. Late in 2010, Kid Cudi released his second studio album Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager, followed by West's fifth album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.
In April 2011, West signed Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest as a producer, and signed upcoming producer Hit-Boy to Very G.O.O.D. Beats. In 2011 West signed Nigerian artists D'banj and Don Jazzy. In June 2011 GOOD Music signed their first distribution agreement, with Def Jam Recordings Big Sean's debut Finally Famous was the first album released by GOOD Music with distribution by Def Jam.

2012–present

In late 2011, plans were announced for a 2012 release of a GOOD Music collaborative studio album, later announced as Cruel Summer The first single, "Mercy" was released on April 6, 2012 and featured Kanye, Pusha T, Big Sean and affiliated artist 2 Chainz. Prior to the albums release on September 18, 2012, "New God Flow" and "Clique" were released as singles. It was accompanied by the eponymous short film Cruel Summer which was shot in Qatar; the film premiered at Cannes Film Festival. The album debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200.
In late 2012, Q-Tip hinted at a follow up album to Cruel Summer, possibly titled Cruel Winter. Teyana Taylor and Travi$ Scott also hinted at the album on twitter. In an interview with DJ Semtex, Big Sean confirmed the album was coming and that he's worked on a track for it. Later, John Legend confirmed the album and said he's made tracks for it in an interview with Rolling Stone. However in January 2013, former GOOD Music member Common squashed these rumours by saying that everyone, himself included, is too focused on solo projects as Cruel Summer acted as a launching pad for them. However GOOD Music artist Travi$ Scott would later insist the album would still be released. Big Sean also said that the project would be released sooner than people thought. On June 27, 2013 Cyhi the Prynce said that Cruel Winter could be released by the end of the year, and it was up to Def Jam to greenlight the project.
In January 2013, Scottish record producer and DJ Hudson Mohawke, announced that he had signed to the production arm of G.O.O.D. Music - Very G.O.O.D. Beats. In April 2013, Kid Cudi announced on Power 106 that he was no longer with the label, leaving on amicable terms. On June 29, 2013 producer Hit-Boy of Very G.O.O.D. Beats announced that his contract expired and that he was no longer signed to GOOD Music.