Throughout the '90s, Suave Records, (formerly Suave House) and its CEO Tony Draper were responsible for helping establish the careers of 8Ball & MJG, Tela and even a young Rick Ross. "I got my first deal in ’98, ’99 with Suave House Records. Me and [Suave House CEO] Tony Draper, we was real cool. We had a great business relationship." Ross told HipHopDX late last year of his career with the Memphis imprint [click here to read...].
On April 14, the label announced its new distribution home with Koch Records. The deal comes as a reunion of sorts for Draper, who worked with Koch President Alan Grunblatt while the two collaborated at Relativity Records in the late '90s, generating a reported $25 million in revenue. "Tony and I have had tremendous success with Suave Records in the late ‘90s. He is a brilliant record man and I’m sure we’re going to have lots of gold artists as part of this new venture," said Grunblatt.
Recently, Draper had a hand in pushing Ice Cube's Laugh Now, Cry Later effort, which went gold for Lench Mob Records, as well as the critically-acclaimed project last year from WC. Draper is also credited with brokering the five-year, 50/50 deal putting The Clipse at Columbia Records, where they'll join Rick Rubin in making a highly-anticipated official third album.
The first project released in the Suave/Koch merger will be a Greatest Hits release from 8Ball & MJG, the flagship artists of the imprint since its inception. The release drops May 11. Artists following with be Gillie Da Kid and Jiggolo.
On April 14, the label announced its new distribution home with Koch Records. The deal comes as a reunion of sorts for Draper, who worked with Koch President Alan Grunblatt while the two collaborated at Relativity Records in the late '90s, generating a reported $25 million in revenue. "Tony and I have had tremendous success with Suave Records in the late ‘90s. He is a brilliant record man and I’m sure we’re going to have lots of gold artists as part of this new venture," said Grunblatt.
Recently, Draper had a hand in pushing Ice Cube's Laugh Now, Cry Later effort, which went gold for Lench Mob Records, as well as the critically-acclaimed project last year from WC. Draper is also credited with brokering the five-year, 50/50 deal putting The Clipse at Columbia Records, where they'll join Rick Rubin in making a highly-anticipated official third album.
The first project released in the Suave/Koch merger will be a Greatest Hits release from 8Ball & MJG, the flagship artists of the imprint since its inception. The release drops May 11. Artists following with be Gillie Da Kid and Jiggolo.
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