The Conglomerate Entertainment

Last updated
Conglomerate
Founded
  • 1994 (as Flipmode)
  • 2010 (as Conglomerate)
Founder Busta Rhymes
Genre Hip hop
Country of origin United States
Location Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.

The Conglomerate Entertainment is a record label founded by Busta Rhymes. The label was established in 1994 as Flipmode, the name Conglomerate was later adopted in 2010.

Contents

Company history

Elektra (1996–2000)

Dallas Austin helped Rhymes land a production deal and create the logo for the label. [1] Soon after the Elektra deal was done, Busta obtained his own label which was to serve as an imprint to Elektra. At the time, his new artist Rah Digga signed to Elektra, along with her cousin Rampage. Elektra would allow Busta to sign these acts to his Flipmode Entertainment. Under the terms of the deal, Busta was responsible for putting their albums together and they would fund, promote and distribute the releases from the label. The first release from Flipmode was Busta Rhymes' The Coming , which came in 1996, during the time that the east coast was beginning to gain popularity again after the rise of the west coast. The album went platinum and catapulted him and the label into stardom, it also featured appearances from coming Flipmode members Spliff Star, Lord Have Mercy, and Rampage. Rampage would release his debut album in 1997, along with Busta Rhymes' second album. The crew was forming all the while Rampage, Rah Digga, Busta, Spliff Star, and Lord Have Mercy would soon be joined by Baby Sham, as well. The label soon released an album by Flipmode Squad, The Imperial in 1998. By 1999, the group and label were one of the most popular crews in hip hop, with Busta Rhymes as their central star and leader. Despite this, Busta was looking for a change as he was disappointed with the way that Elektra handled his last project and Rah Digga's debut, Dirty Harriet, which sold poorly, though the album would later become something of a cult classic. After the release of his album, Anarchy , Busta began looking for a way to move him and his squad to another label, but had only released four out of the five albums in his deal with Warner Bros. Records. So, in 2000, he released a compilation album and began to search for a new home. By then, member Lord Have Mercy would part ways with the crew, signaling the end of the height of Flipmode as a crew, as his album The Ungodly Hour never saw the light of day. Future changes would plague the group due to tense chemistry with Busta.

J (2001–2004)

After he moved the label away from Elektra, Busta had begun talking to Clive Davis, who had been recently ousted from Arista Records. He mentioned to Busta that he had recently created a new imprint at BMG, J Records. Clive told Busta that he had yet to sign anyone to the label and would be glad to distribute Busta and his Flipmode Entertainment. The deal was done by November 2000 and Busta Rhymes began work on his fifth album, Genesis . The album sold well, fueled by the P. Diddy-collaborated "Pass the Courvoisier." The single was a big hit during the year of 2002 and introduced Busta Rhymes into a younger generation of fans and totally revitalized his career. After the hype surrounding Genesis died down, Busta began working on an album for his Flipmode Squad, Rah Digga, and himself. The first to be released was It Ain't Safe No More , which featured Mariah Carey and the Flipmode Squad. Two singles from the album got a lot of airplay, but his new solo album stalled at gold, making it the worst-selling album in Busta Rhymes discography. To this Busta would blame on J Records not promoting his music properly, and consequently J records did not release Rah Digga's album nor did they release the Flipmode group album. In turn, Busta began associating himself with Dr. Dre and Eminem, as rumors began to circulate that Busta was moving his label yet again. These rumors proved to be false at the time. He would record some songs with Eminem and Dr. Dre, but would continue to stay at J Records. From 2002 to 2004, nothing was heard from Flipmode Entertainment as Busta Rhymes, the face of their label was doing more television than anything else. They resurfaced in 2005, when Busta Rhymes announced that he was planning to leave J Records and was recording his seventh album. Consequently, a new Flipmode album, though in the works, was shelved, and the roster continued to change.

Aftermath and Interscope (2006–2008)

In late 2005, Busta Rhymes had moved Flipmode once again, this time to Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment, a subsidiary of powerhouse label, Interscope Records. He celebrated the new distribution deal by cutting off his trademark dreadlocks and signing hip hop phenom, Papoose and Chauncey Black, formerly of Blackstreet. The deal came as no surprise to any hip hop fan as Dr. Dre had been producing for Busta since he had been signed to Elektra and he had begun to be featured on many Shady/Aftermath projects during the years 2003 and 2004. In February 2006, he released the second single, "I Love My Chick" from his seventh studio album The Big Bang . The album was released on June 13, 2006. It was a platinum success and returned the label back to the radio and back to hip hop prominence after a four-year absence. This success would be short-lived as the label's next release, Have You Seen by Rampage failed to certify on the charts. Soon after, the label would run into more bad luck. Papoose, who was signed to a joint-venture with Streetsweepers Entertainment, announced that he was leaving Flipmode just after signing a $1 Million dollar contract with the label. Furthermore, longtime Flipmode Entertainment act Rah Digga left the label expressing her full frustration to the fact of her new solo material never being released. On July 17, 2008, Busta Rhymes got dropped from Interscope/Aftermath, however. It was reported that Busta Rhymes was dropped from Interscope due to a heated argument with Jimmy Iovine. It was later revealed that following his alleged acrimonious departure from the Interscope/Aftermath label he signed a new deal with Universal Motown, who would be releasing his 8th studio album Back on My B.S. on May 19, 2009. [2] [3]

Universal Motown and Conglomerate (2008–2009)

Smith released his eighth studio album Back on My B.S. on May 19, 2009, via Universal Motown. The album debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200, selling 56,000 copies, and was his first album to not receive an RIAA certification, selling 122,000 copies to date. The singles that have been released from the album are, "Arab Money", "Hustler's Anthem '09" and "Respect My Conglomerate". The song "World Go Round", featuring British singer Estelle, was released in France on April 6, 2009, due to the heavy rotation of a leaked version. The single was released in the UK on July 13, 2009. All the while, the Flipmode roster continued to change, and Spliff Star dropped a number of street albums, with the collective recording mixtapes.

Busta Rhymes then founded The Conglomerate Entertainment in 2010 and the brand is no longer known as Flipmode.

Conglomerate (2010–present)

On November 16, 2011, it was announced that Busta Rhymes signed to Cash Money Records. For his debut single on the label and his The Conglomerate Entertainment, "Why Stop Now", he reunited with his "Look at Me Now"-collaborator Chris Brown.

The Conglomerate, as a collective effort, released their first official mixtape 'Catastrophic' at the end of 2012. On July 24, 2014, Reek da Villian revealed that he had departed from Conglomerate Records. [4]

Artists

Current acts

[5]

Former acts

Discography

ArtistAlbumDetails
Busta Rhymes The Coming
(released with Elektra)
Rampage Scout's Honor… by Way of Blood
(released with Elektra)
  • Released: July 29, 1997
  • Chart position: #65 U.S. [7]
  • RIAA certification: Gold
Busta Rhymes When Disaster Strikes...
(released with Elektra)
  • Released: September 23, 1997
  • Chart position: 3 U.S. [8]
  • RIAA certification: Platinum
Flipmode Squad The Imperial
(released with Elektra)
  • Released: September 1, 1998
  • Chart position: 15 U.S. [9]
  • RIAA certification: Gold
Busta Rhymes E.L.E.: The Final World Front
(released with Elektra)
  • Released: December 8, 1998
  • Chart position: 12 U.S. [10]
  • RIAA certification: Platinum
Rah Digga Dirty Harriet
(released with Elektra)
  • Released: November 2, 1999
  • Chart position: 18 U.S. [11]
  • RIAA certification: Gold
Busta Rhymes Anarchy
(released with Elektra)
  • Released: June 20, 2000
  • Chart position: 4 U.S. [12]
  • RIAA certification: Platinum
Busta Rhymes Total Devastation
(released with Elektra)
  • Released: October 2, 2001
  • Chart position: –
Busta Rhymes Genesis
(released with J)
  • Released: November 27, 2001
  • Chart position: 7 U.S. [13]
  • RIAA certification: Platinum
Busta Rhymes It Ain't Safe No More...
(released with J)
  • Released: November 26, 2002
  • Chart position: 43 U.S. [14]
  • RIAA certification: Gold
Rampage Have You Seen?
(released with Deep Freeze and Sure Shot)
  • Released: June 6, 2006
  • Chart position: –
Busta Rhymes The Big Bang
(released with Aftermath and Interscope)
  • Released: June 13, 2006
  • Chart position: 1 U.S. [15]
  • RIAA certification: Gold
Spliff StarContraband
(released with Paperrock)
  • Released: January 22, 2008
  • Chart position: –
Busta Rhymes Back on My B.S.
(released with Universal Motown)
  • Released: May 5, 2009
  • Chart position: 5 U.S.
Busta Rhymes Year of the Dragon
(released with Google Play)
  • Released: August 21, 2012
  • Chart position: –
ConglomerateCatastrophic
  • Released: December 21, 2012
  • Chart position: –
OT Genasis Rhythm & Bricks

(released with The Conglomerate Records)

  • Released: September 22, 2015
  • Chart Positions: -

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Busta Rhymes</span> American rapper (born 1972)

Trevor George Smith Jr., known professionally as Busta Rhymes, is an American rapper and actor. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the moniker Busta Rhymes, after NFL and CFL wide receiver George "Buster" Rhymes. He has received 12 Grammy Award nominations for his work, making him one of the most-nominated artists without winning.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aftermath Entertainment</span> American record label

Aftermath Entertainment is an American record label founded by hip hop producer and rapper Dr. Dre in 1996. It operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed through Interscope Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Know What You Want</span> 2003 single by Busta Rhymes and Mariah Carey featuring Flipmode Squad

"I Know What You Want" is a song by American rapper Busta Rhymes and singer Mariah Carey, featuring verses from Rhymes' group Flipmode Squad: Spliff Star, Baby Sham, Rah Digga, and Rampage. Produced by Rick Rock, it was released on February 24, 2003 as the second single from Rhymes' sixth album It Ain't Safe No More..., released on November 26, 2002.

<i>The Big Bang</i> (Busta Rhymes album) 2006 studio album by Busta Rhymes

The Big Bang is the seventh studio album by American rapper Busta Rhymes. It was released on June 13, 2006, by Aftermath Entertainment, Flipmode Records and Interscope Records. Production for the album took place during 2005 to 2006 at several recording studios and was handled by Dr. Dre, Swizz Beatz, Mark Batson, DJ Scratch, J Dilla, Timbaland, Mr. Porter, will.i.am, Sha Money XL, JellyRoll, Black Jeruz, Nisan Stewart and DJ Green Lantern. The official cover artwork was revealed on May 7, 2006. The tracklisting was released on the 15th.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rah Digga</span> American rapper

Rashia Tashan Fisher, known professionally as Rah Digga, is an American rapper and actress. She is best known as a longtime member of the Flipmode Squad, a hip hop group led by Busta Rhymes. Her debut album, Dirty Harriet (2000), peaked in the top-20 of the Billboard 200, and she released her second album, Classic, in 2010. She starred in the horror film Thirteen Ghosts (2001) as Maggie.

<i>The Coming</i> 1996 studio album by Busta Rhymes

The Coming is the debut studio album by the American rapper and record producer Busta Rhymes. It was released on March 26, 1996, by Flipmode Entertainment and Elektra Records. The album contains contributions by the Def Squad members Redman, Keith Murray, and Jamal; as well as Q-Tip, Zhané, Leaders of the New School, and several Flipmode Squad members. It was produced by DJ Scratch, Easy Mo Bee, and the Ummah, among others. It serves as Rhymes's first solo album after the breakup of Leaders of the New School two years prior, and his first full-length project after numerous guest appearances on other songs with artists such as A Tribe Called Quest, the Notorious B.I.G., Heavy D and the Boyz, and Mary J. Blige.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rampage (rapper)</span> American rapper

Roger McNair, known professionally as Rampage, is an American rapper who is a member of the Flipmode Squad. He is a long-time collaborator with his cousin Busta Rhymes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Touch It (Busta Rhymes song)</span> 2005 song by Busta Rhymes

"Touch It" is a song by American rapper Busta Rhymes. Released on December 13, 2005, it was the first single from Rhymes' Aftermath/Interscope debut, The Big Bang. The song reached number one in New Zealand, and number six in the United Kingdom. The song features a minimalistic beat provided by Swizz Beatz, and a sample from the song "Technologic" by electronic duo Daft Punk. "Touch It" in turn was incorporated into Daft Punk's live album, Alive 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Love My Bitch</span> 2006 single by Busta Rhymes featuring Kelis and will.i.am

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check</span> 1996 single by Busta Rhymes

"Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check" is a song by American rapper Busta Rhymes. It was released on January 7, 1996, by Flipmode Entertainment and Elektra Records as his debut solo single and the lead single from his debut studio album, The Coming (1996). The song was both written and produced by Rhymes and Rashad Smith. It contains additional vocals by Flipmode Squad member and Rhymes' cousin Rampage, credited as Rampage the Last Boy Scout. A critical and commercial success, the song peaked at number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100, and also peaked at the same position in the United Kingdom and New Zealand. In the United States, the song was released with several remixes of the song and "Everything Remains Raw", also appearing on The Coming, as its B-side. The single received a nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance at the 39th Grammy Awards, losing to "Hey Lover" by LL Cool J. In addition, its music video, directed by Hype Williams, received a nomination for Breakthrough Video at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards.

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<i>Back on My B.S.</i> 2009 studio album by Busta Rhymes

Back on My B.S. is the eighth studio album by American rapper Busta Rhymes. It was released on May 19, 2009, through Flipmode and Universal Motown. The production on the album was handled by multiple producers including Pharrell Williams, DJ Scratch, Danja and Cool & Dre among others. The album also features guest appearances by T-Pain, Jamie Foxx, Akon, Lil Wayne, Mary J. Blige, T.I. and many more.

This is a list of all of the songs that DJ Scratch has produced.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It's a Party (Busta Rhymes song)</span> 1996 single by Busta Rhymes featuring Zhané

"It's a Party" is a song by American rapper Busta Rhymes featuring American R&B duo Zhané. It was released as the second single from Rhymes' debut studio album The Coming on June 4, 1996, by Flipmode Entertainment and Elektra Records. The song was written by Rhymes and Zhané member Rene Neufville, and produced by Easy Mo Bee. Peaking at number 52 on the US Billboard Hot 100, it was a moderate success. The song was released as a double A-side single with several remixes and the album cut "Ill Vibe" featuring fellow rapper Q-Tip, which also appears on The Coming, as its B-side.

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<i>Scouts Honor... by Way of Blood</i> 1997 studio album by Rampage

Scout's Honor... by Way of Blood is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Rampage. It was released on July 29, 1997, through Flipmode/Elektra Records. Production was mainly handled by DJ Scratch and Rashad Smith. It features guest appearances from Busta Rhymes, Spliff Star and Billy Lawrence among others. The album was a modest success, peaking at #65 on the Billboard 200 and #15 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and featuring two hit singles "Take It to the Streets" and "We Getz Down", which made it to #5 and #19 on the Hot Rap Singles.

Flipmode Squad is an American hip hop collective formed and fronted by Busta Rhymes.

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<i>The Imperial</i> (Flipmode Squad album) 1998 studio album by Flipmode Squad

The Imperial is the only studio album by American hip hop group Flipmode Squad. It was released on September 1, 1998, via Elektra Records. The recording sessions took place at Soundtrack Studios in New York. The album was produced by DJ Scratch, Busta Rhymes, Da Beatminerz, L.E.S., M.D., Rockwilder, Swizz Beatz, and Tony Touch. It features a guest appearance from Buckshot on "We Got U Opin, Pt. 2".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spliff Star</span> American rapper

William A. Lewis, professionally known as Spliff Star, is an American rapper and record producer from Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York. He's best known for his work with Busta Rhymes. Both Vibe and Complex listed Spliff Star as one of the best hype men in hip hop.

References

  1. ↑ Bell, Max (March 25, 2021). "How Busta Rhymes Harnessed the Dungeon Dragon on His Classic Debut". The Ringer. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  2. ↑ Exclusive: Busta Rhymes Signs with Universal Motown. Rap-up.com. Accessed September 17, 2008.
  3. ↑ Video: Busta Rhymes & Spliff Starr Doing The "Arab Money" Dance Live!. Worldstarhiphop.com (2008-10-06). Retrieved on 2013-08-25.
  4. ↑ "Reek Da Villian Signs A Deal With Birdman Only A Day After Busta Rhymes Leaves Cash Money - XXL". Xxlmag.com. Retrieved 2019-04-28.
  5. ↑ The history and biographies of Flipmode & Conglomerate Archived 2015-09-23 at the Wayback Machine . Conglomeratefans.com. Retrieved on 2013-08-25.
  6. ↑ Billboard, "The Coming" Billboard.com
  7. ↑ Billboard, "Scouts Honor... by Way of Blood" Billboard.com
  8. ↑ Billboard, "When Disaster Strikes..." Billboard.com
  9. ↑ Billboard, "The Imperial Album" Billboard.com
  10. ↑ Billboard, "Extinction Level Event (The Final World Front)" Billboard.com
  11. ↑ Billboard, "Dirty Harriet" Billboard.com
  12. ↑ Billboard, "Anarchy" Billboard.com
  13. ↑ Billboard, "Genesis" Billboard.com
  14. ↑ Billboard, "It Ain't Safe No More" Billboard.com
  15. ↑ Billboard, "The Big Bang" Billboard.com
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