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1980s
(Stiff Records) etc
1990s
Epic Soundtrax - alternative era - major success
2000s
Amanda Ghost
Charlie Walk
were fueled by its signing and releasing of albums by notable acts such as Michael Jackson, Shakin' Stevens, Culture Club, Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine, Adam Ant, Living Colour, Incubus, Dead or Alive, Europe, Cyndi Lauper, Ozzy Osbourne, Korn. Pearl Jam, Sade, Luther Vandross, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Rage Against the Machine, and Céline Dion among others. The label's greatest financial payoff came via the release Thriller, the 1982 album by Michael Jackson, which went on to achieve approximately 51-65 million in worldwide sales, becoming the biggest selling album in history.[8][9][10]
1980s–2000s[edit] Sony bought CBS Records in 1987, and the company was renamed Sony Music in 1991. In 2004, Sony merged with another powerhouse music distributor, BMG, bringing labels such as RCA, Arista, Columbia, Epic, Jive, and many others under one parent company, Sony BMG. In February 2009, singer/songwriter Amanda Ghost was appointed president of Epic Records.[11] Later in the year, Sony BMG Music (during a reconsolidation of labels) merged Epic and Columbia's operations, and subsequently formed the Columbia/Epic Label Group — but both labels continue to operate as separate brands. Sony BMG's Legacy Recordings reissues the company's classic and catalog titles.
In addition, in the 1990s, European operations of Sony Music was integrated into two separate labels, Epic and Columbia. It was followed by Australian and New Zealand operation of Sony Music in 1997.
The Japanese operation is called Epic Records Japan Inc..
2010 to present[edit] In July 2011, L.A. Reid became the CEO Epic Records. [12][13] Through Sony Music Entertainment's restructuring, artists such as TLC, Toni Braxton, Avril Lavigne, Outkast, Future, Yo Gotti and Ciara have joined Epic.[14][15] Epic also signs the winners of The X Factor.[16]
It was confirmed in February 2012 that Sylvia Rhone, former president of Universal Motown, would launch a new label, Vested In Culture, through Epic Records.[17][18] In March 2014, Rhone was appointed president of Epic, reporting to Reid.[19]
As of April 2014, Epic Records was home to 51 artists.[20] L.A. Reid was reportedly interested into signing Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, but both turned down Epic, saying that they were happy releasing material independently.[21]
In November 2014, it was announced that Mosley Music Group created a joint venture with Sony Music, and that the imprint would be distributed by Epic. It formerly operated under Interscope Geffen A&M from 2006 until late 2014. In the terms of the new partnership, Epic would provide marketing, publicity, handle distribution and overall label services for the imprint. The joint venture was created due to Timbaland's recent collaboration with L.A. Reid on Michael Jackson's "Xscape". Most of MMG's roster would be registered under the Epic imprint, with OneRepublic to remain with Interscope Records.[22]
On January 30, 2015, it was announced that Mariah Carey had left her former label, Def Jam Recordings, to reunite with Reid at Epic, whom signed Carey to Def Jam via The Island Def Jam Music Group in 2003.[23][24] That same month, it was announced that R&B group Jodeci had signed to the label, with plans to release their first studio album in 20 years.[25][26]
On February 13, 2015, it was reported that singer Janelle Monae has made a joint venture with Epic Records with her imprint Wondaland Records.[27] Acts on Wondaland include Jidenna, St. Beauty, Deep Cotton and Roman Gianarthur. Monae made a statement upon the deal, "I'm so thrilled to share Wondaland Records with the world. Each artist under Wondaland Records has unparalleled talent, incredible vision, and brings something unique to the music industry," said Janelle Monáe. "Together, we're creating a new movement and space for the future of music and pop culture. I'm honored to be partnering with Epic Records and my friend LA Reid to present such extraordinary talent."[28]