| Polo Grounds Music | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Parent company | Sony Music |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Founder | Bryan Leach |
| Distributor(s) | RCA Records |
| Genre | |
| Country of origin | U.S. |
| Location | New York City, New York |
| Official website | www |
Polo Grounds Music is a hip hop and R&B record label, distributed by Sony Music's RCA Records. Founded in 2006 by Bryan Leach, Polo Grounds Music is a full-service entertainment company with a focus in publishing, management, marketing and promotions.
In 2006, Bryan Leach, a longtime native of Harlem, New York City, had formed a limited liability company called Polo Grounds Music, named after Polo Grounds Towers (the apartment complex where Leach grew up during his adolescence). [1] [2]
After securing a joint venture partnership with Clive Davis' J Records, the label's first signee was Baton Rouge rapper Hurricane Chris, who in 2007, would give the label its first platinum hit single with "A Bay Bay". [3] It was followed up by the release of Chris' debut, 51/50 Ratchet , that November. Leach was also given an offer to become senior vice president of RCA Records, but he declined, choosing to be in charge of his own label fully. [2]
In 2009, Polo Grounds signed Pitbull, following the bankruptcy and closure of his previous label, TVT Records; founder Bryan Leach had previously had involvement with TVT as he was the vice president of A&R since 1998 until 2005. [2] [4] Upon signing, he was granted his own imprint, Mr. 305, Inc. [5] That August, Pitbull released Pitbull Starring in Rebelution , which garnered its multi-platinum hit single, "Hotel Room Service", helping the album top the Billboard rap album chart.[ citation needed ] The song's success followed up two years later with the release of Planet Pit , and its singles, "Hey Baby (Drop It to the Floor)" and "Give Me Everything". [6]
On October 7, 2011, J Records' parent company, Sony Music, completed the progress of merging its labels belonging to the RCA Music Group. J was included. [7] With the merger and apparent absorption of J, Arista and Jive Records, Polo Grounds Music and the entirety of its roster (along with other labels and artists that were associated with J, Arista or Jive) were now deferred to release new music for RCA Records. [8] [9] [10]
Following the merger of J into RCA and Polo Grounds being moved to the new brand, the label continued its streak, beginning in January 2012 with the release of Yo Gotti's album, Live from the Kitchen . Unfortunately, the album underperformed after selling 16,000 copies in its first week. [11] After the album's subpar performance, Yo Gotti was dropped from Polo Grounds.[ citation needed ]
In August 2011, Harlem sensation ASAP Rocky had given up his life of crime to divulge into a rap persona. After previously releasing the music video for "Purple Swag", [12] Polo Grounds founder Leach was among other label executives cornering him with contractual offers, resulting in the two launching a close friendship. [13] [14] That October, Rocky decided to join the Polo Grounds imprint while it was distributed under J Records, a few days before the label was folded into RCA. [7] The deal wasn't made public until October 14. [15] [16] The label acquired majority rights to distribute and reissue Rocky's "Purple Swag" single, which they did on October 24 through all digital platforms and radio networks. [17] [ citation needed ] The single's re-release would be followed by the release of Rocky's mixtape, Live. Love. ASAP , on Halloween. [18] [19] The mixtape had since been reissued for streaming services by Polo Grounds ten years later for its anniversary with slight alterations. [19]
ASAP Rocky's signage with Polo Grounds/RCA and his growing success also granted him and ASAP Mob co-founder ASAP Yams (1988–2015) their own label, ASAP Worldwide, when they agreed to sign affiliate ASAP Ferg to both labels. [20] [21]
Throughout 2013, Polo Grounds released two albums by both Rocky and Ferg, respectively Long. Live. ASAP and Trap Lord . The former debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, giving Rocky and Polo Grounds both their first mutual number one album in the label's catalogue and the rapper's discography. [22] [23] Meanwhile, the latter debuted at number nine with first week copies of 32,000 sold. [24] However, Trap Lord managed to gain positive critical feedback. [25]
In January 2015, Rocky's manager and partner, ASAP Yams died from an acute mixed drug intoxication, succumbing a sleep apnea. [26] [27] The news of his death impacted Rocky and Polo Grounds greatly and affected development for his sophomore album, which was due for release that February, but then delayed after the tragedy. [28] The now-titled At. Long. Last. ASAP was finally released on May 26, once again debuting at number one on the Billboard 200, but sold poorly with 146,000 album-equivalent units. [29] With 2016 beginning, Rocky's colleague, ASAP Ferg, began the label's year rollout with his own sophomore solo album, Always Strive and Prosper , which released on Earth Day. [30] Later in October, the ASAP Mob released Cozy Tapes Vol. 1: Friends and followed up in between 2017 and 2019 with Vol. 2: Too Cozy, Ferg's mixtape, Still Striving, ASAP Twelvyy's solo debut, 12 (all within the summer of 2017), Rocky's third solo album, Testing (May 2018), and Ferg's extended play, Floor Seats (August 2019), all of each released under ASAP Worldwide/Polo Grounds/RCA; [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] [36] Rocky's Testing would end up being his final album to be released by Polo Grounds as he left the label in early 2019.[ citation needed ]
In 2012, the label signed newcomers Lantana, Yung Joc and Overdoz. Lantana released the single, "All Hustle, No Luck". [37] However, the single's commercial release was piqued by founder Bryan Leach's first degree gun conviction. [38] Overdoz debuted with the single, "Lauren London", which was met with mostly positive critical reviews. [39]
In 2014, Polo Grounds renewed a multi-year label deal with RCA. [40]
Pitbull attempted a comeback with the single, "Timber" (2013), which ultimately made the number one position on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 2014. [41] Unfortunately, three of Pitbull's follow-up albums have poor commercial responses; Global Warming (2012) sold 64,000 copies in its first week, [42] while Globalization (2014) only accumulated 49,000 [43] and Climate Change (2017) sold 14,000. This lack of commercial performance caused Pitbull to part ways with Polo Grounds Music after Climate Change's release.
In December 2018, Polo Grounds and RCA signed another partnership extension, making the former a temporary subsidiary of RCA Records. [44] [45] With this second renewal came the departure of ASAP Rocky after three albums under the label and him being replaced by Chicago sensation Calboy. [46]
Calboy had released the single, "Envy Me", previously in September 2018. After Polo Grounds signed the Chicago rapper to the label, they (like ASAP Rocky's "Purple Swag") acquired the single and pushed it to streaming services. [47] The single's popularity began to take off and managed to retrieve a gold certification from the RIAA, recovering the label's prosperity. [48] On May 9, 2019, Calboy was succeeded by the release of another label mate, Brooklyn rapper Jay Gwuapo's debut album, From Nothing, Pt. 1. [49] Calboy retrieved with his first EP release, Wildboy, three weeks later. He later followed with two more EPs, 2020's Long Live the Kings [50] and 2022's Black Heart. [51]
As recent as February 2022, Calboy publicly disclosed his frustrations with Polo Grounds and RCA Records, believing he was being treated like a "label slave". [52] [53] [54]
Rakim Athelaston Mayers, known professionally as ASAP Rocky, is an American rapper. Born and raised in Harlem, he embarked on his musical career as a member of the hip hop collective ASAP Mob, from which he adopted his moniker. In August 2011, Mayers' single "Peso" was leaked online, and within weeks, began receiving radio airplay. He signed with Polo Grounds Music, an imprint of RCA Records in October of that year, and shortly after, released his debut mixtape, Live. Love. A$AP (2011) to widespread critical acclaim.
Live. Love. ASAP is the debut mixtape by American rapper ASAP Rocky, who released it as a free digital download on October 31, 2011. It features production by Clams Casino, ASAP Ty Beats, DJ Burn One, and SpaceGhostPurrp, among others. The mixtape also features guest rappers Schoolboy Q and Fat Tony, as well as members of ASAP Mob, ASAP Rocky's hip hop collective.
Long. Live. ASAP is the debut studio album by American rapper ASAP Rocky. It was released on January 15, 2013, by ASAP Worldwide, Polo Grounds Music, and RCA Records. The album features guest appearances from Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, 2 Chainz, Drake, Big K.R.I.T., Santigold, Overdoz, Yelawolf, Florence Welch, Danny Brown, Action Bronson, Joey Badass, Gunplay, and ASAP Ferg. The album's production was handled by Rocky himself, Hector Delgado, Hit-Boy, Clams Casino, Jim Jonsin, T-Minus, Danger Mouse, 40, Skrillex, and Emile Haynie, among other high-profile producers.
Lords Never Worry is the debut mixtape by American hip hop collective ASAP Mob. It was released as a free digital download on August 28, 2012, by ASAP Worldwide, Polo Grounds Music, and RCA Records. The mixtape contains verses from ASAP Mob group members ASAP Rocky, ASAP Twelvyy, ASAP Ant, ASAP Ferg, and ASAP Nast, along with guest appearances from Danny Brown, Raekwon, Flatbush Zombies, Gunplay, Dash, Fat Trel, Jim Jones and Bodega Bamz. The album's production was provided by Clams Casino, ASAP Ty Beats, AraabMuzik and P On The Boards, among others.
The discography of American rapper ASAP Rocky consists of three studio albums, one mixtape, 42 singles, eight promotional singles and 31 music videos.
ASAP Mob is an American hip hop collective formed in 2006 in Harlem, New York City, that consists of rappers, record producers, music video directors and fashion designers.
"1 Train" is a song by American hip hop recording artist ASAP Rocky from his debut studio album, Long. Live. ASAP (2013). The song was produced by Hit-Boy, and features additional verses from fellow American rappers Kendrick Lamar, Joey Badass, Yelawolf, Danny Brown, Action Bronson, and Big K.R.I.T. The song is a posse cut created to feel like an "original '90s underground track." Upon the release of the album, high downloads resulted in the song peaking at number three on the US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.
Darold Durard Brown Ferguson Jr., known professionally as FERG, is an American rapper from Harlem, New York City. He is a lead member of the hip hop collective ASAP Mob, from which he adopted his moniker and recording contract with Polo Grounds and RCA Records—the same labels that helped launch ASAP Worldwide—in January 2013. Two years prior, the group's cohorts, ASAP Rocky and the late ASAP Yams, effectively negotiated their own contract with the label.
Almost Home is the major label debut extended play (EP) by American hip hop recording artist Kid Ink; it was released on May 28, 2013, by Tha Alumni Music Group, 88 Classic, RCA Records in the United States. The album was produced by various producers, such as Lifted, Rico Love and Ned Cameron along with guest appearances by Meek Mill, Wale, French Montana, and ASAP Ferg. Upon its release, the EP debuted at number 27 on the US Billboard 200.
"Fashion Killa" is a song by American hip hop recording artist A$AP Rocky. The song was serviced to urban contemporary radio in the United States in November 2013, as the fourth single from his debut studio album Long. Live. A$AP. The song was produced by both Hector Delgado and Rocky himself under the pseudonym LORD FLACKO and Friendzone as the co-producer.
Trap Lord is the debut studio album by American rapper ASAP Ferg. The album was released on August 20, 2013, by ASAP Worldwide, Polo Grounds Music, and RCA Records. The album features guest appearances from ASAP Rocky, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, French Montana, Trinidad James, Schoolboy Q, Waka Flocka Flame, Aston Matthews, B-Real and Onyx.
Tariq Amar Devega, known professionally as ASAP Nast, is an American rapper, songwriter and model from Harlem, New York. Nast is best known as a member of the hip hop collective A$AP Mob. As part of A$AP Mob, they released their first project as a group, a mixtape titled Lord$ Never Worry in 2012. His breakout song, "Trillmatic" featuring Wu-Tang Clan's Method Man was released on December 4, 2013.
Always Strive and Prosper is the second studio album by American rapper ASAP Ferg. It was released on April 22, 2016, by A$AP Worldwide, Polo Grounds Music and RCA Records. The album was supported by two singles: "New Level" featuring Future, and "Back Hurt" featuring Migos. Other appearances include Missy Elliot, A$AP Mob, Chris Brown, Ty Dolla $ign, Rick Ross and Schoolboy Q, among others.
Cozy Tapes Vol. 1: Friends is the debut studio album by American hip hop collective ASAP Mob. It was released on October 31, 2016, by ASAP Worldwide, Polo Grounds Music and RCA Records. The album contains verses from each member of the ASAP Mob group such as ASAP Rocky, ASAP Twelvyy, ASAP Ant, ASAP Ferg, ASAP Nast, Playboi Carti and Yung Lord/ASAP Bari. ASAP Mob enlisted the variety of guest appearances from Juicy J, Key!, Wiz Khalifa, BJ the Chicago Kid, Buddy, Skepta, Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Yachty, MadeinTYO, Onyx, Offset, Tyler, The Creator and Yung Gleesh; as well as the album's production was provided by Hector Delgado, alongside several other record producers such as AyoDlo, Crazy Mike, Dun Deal, Lil Awree, DJ Smokey, Plu2o Nash, Maaly Raw and Wavy Wallace.
"East Coast" is a hip-hop song by American rapper ASAP Ferg. It was released as a single on April 7, 2017, by RCA Records. The track was produced by DJ Khalil and features a guest appearance by American rapper Remy Ma. Originally meant as the lead single from Ferg's third studio album, Still Striving, the song was excluded from the final track listing, as only the remix was included instead.
Still Striving is the second mixtape by American rapper ASAP Ferg. It was released through ASAP Worldwide, Polo Grounds Music, and RCA Records on August 18, 2017. The album features guest appearances from Meek Mill, Cam'ron, Dave East, Lil Yachty, Nav, Famous Dex, Playboi Carti, Migos, ASAP Rocky, MadeinTYO, Busta Rhymes, French Montana, Rick Ross, and Snoop Dogg. It was supported by the single "Plain Jane".
Milton Delano Martin III, better known by his stage name Marty Baller, is an American rapper, songwriter, and dancer from the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan, New York. Aside from his solo career, he was a member of the hip-hop group A$AP Mob and the official tour hype man to RCA Records rapper ASAP Ferg. Marty Baller is often referred to as "Ferg's protégé" and the "Face of Traplord".
Cozy Tapes Vol. 2: Too Cozy is the second studio album by American hip hop collective ASAP Mob. It was released on August 25, 2017, by ASAP Worldwide, Polo Grounds Music and RCA Records. The album features guest appearances from Big Sean, Pro Era, Quavo, Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Yachty, Chief Keef, Gucci Mane, Schoolboy Q, Frank Ocean, Jaden Smith, Smooky Margielaa and Flatbush Zombies. It was preceded by two singles, "Raf" featuring ASAP Rocky, Playboi Carti, Quavo, Lil Uzi Vert and Frank Ocean, and "Feels So Good" featuring ASAP Rocky, ASAP Ferg, ASAP Nast, ASAP Twelvyy and ASAP Ant.
Tyrone S. Walker, known by his stage name ASAP TyY, is an American rapper from the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. He joined hip hop collective ASAP Mob in 2014, from which he adopted his "A$AP" moniker.
Calvin Lashon Woods, better known by his stage name Calboy, is an American rapper from Calumet City, Illinois. He is best known for his 2018 single "Envy Me", which received quintuple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and peaked within the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100. Its success led him to sign with Polo Grounds Music, an imprint of RCA Records, who issued the song as lead single for his debut extended play (EP), Wildboy (2019). The EP peaked at number 30 on the Billboard 200, while his second, Love Live the Kings (2020), lukewarmly entered the chart.
