American Recordings

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This article is about the record label. For the Johnny Cash album, see American Recordings (album)

American Recordings

Parent company	Warner Music Group
Founded	1988
Founder(s)	Rick Rubin
Distributing label	Warner Bros. Records (US)
Genre(s)	Various
Country of origin	US
Official Website	http://www.americanrecordings.com/

American Recordings is a Los Angeles-based record label headed by record producer Rick Rubin. The label's most successful artists include Slayer, The Black Crowes, Danzig, Johnny Cash, and System of a Down.

1 Company History
2 Distribution
3 Current Artists
4 Past Artists
5 See also
6 External link

[edit] Company History

The label was founded as Def American after Rick Rubin left Def Jam Recordings in 1988. Among the first acts to be signed were Slayer, Danzig, Masters of Reality and Wolfsbane, as well as indie rockers The Jesus and Mary Chain and controversial stand up comedian Andrew Dice Clay. Rubin continued his association with rap music by signing artists like the Geto Boys and Sir Mix-a-Lot. American had its first major success with The Black Crowes' 1990 debut album, Shake Your Money Maker. The album eventually went 5x Platinum. Their 1992 follow-up, The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion gave American its first No.1 album. Rapper Sir Mix-a-Lot managed a No.1 hit with the song, "Baby Got Back," as well as a platinum-selling album Mack Daddy. Heavy rock acts Slayer and Danzig also enjoyed notable commercial success with Slayer in particular managing several Gold albums. The label changed to its current name in 1993. Rubin produces most of the recordings on the label, as well as directing other music related ventures.

[edit] Distribution

The first-ever Def American release was Reign in Blood by Slayer, which, ironically, had a Def Jam logo on its first pressing. However, because Russell Simmons felt that it was not in line with Def Jam, and because Def Jam’s then-distributor, Columbia/CBS Records, refused to release it, it was released through Geffen Records, and Rubin took the rights of the release to the new label with him after the split. Initially, it was distributed by Geffen Records through Warner Bros. Records, but when Geffen refused to distribute the self-titled album by The Geto Boys and the controversy it caused, Rubin switched distribution to Warner Bros. proper, which released all subsequent Def American titles.

American's distribution has been handled through several labels over the years. American's first incarnation was distributed by Geffen Records through Warner Bros. Record from 1988 to 1990. After a falling out with Geffen over the content of the Geto Boys' first (and only) Def American release, Warner Bros. themselves took over distribution duties from 1990 to 1997. Distribution was then passed on to Sony Music. In 2001, Universal Music Group took over distribution. In 2005, the label returned to the Warner Bros. Records fold.

The current partnership entails that American Recordings will sign and provide creative services for artists, while Warner Bros. will handle promotion, sales, marketing and distribution. Current American Recordings artists who will make the transition include International Noise Conspiracy, Dan Wilson, Luna Halo, and Slayer. American will be based out of Warner Bros.' Burbank, California, headquarters where Rubin will maintain an office.

In 2007, Warner Bros. will also acquire the rights to the extensive American Recordings catalog, which includes Johnny Cash, The Black Crowes, The Jayhawks, Slayer, and Danzig. Warner Bros. was American's home from 1992 through 1997.