One of the label’s earliest triumphs was Ruth Brown, who signed her first contract with Atlantic in 1949. Her debut record earned her the nickname « Miss Rhythm, » and it became one of the earliest successes of the label. Ruth Brown’s success paved the way for other artists to sign with Atlantic.
Numerous notable artists have signed under the Atlantic Records label, including Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Genesis, and Skillet, to name a few. However, the label is particularly associated with the rise of R&B and soul music in the late 1950s and 1960s. Acts like Wilson Pickett, Percy Sledge, and Ben E. King made their name at Atlantic.
In the 1960s, Atlantic’s success continued to grow with the signing of many significant artists from various genres, including The Who, Buffalo Springfield, and the Velvet Underground. However, the label’s R&B and soul legacy was cemented, and artists such as Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and Wilson Pickett continued to provide the hits.
The 1970s marked the start of Atlantic’s rise in the rock era, with acts like Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, and Genesis becoming some of the label’s most successful acts. The label developed a reputation for being able to sign some of the most iconic artists from different genres, and many of these artists saw their greatest successes under Atlantic.
The 1980s marked the start of Atlantic’s success in the hip hop genre, with the label signing rap icons such as LL Cool J and Public Enemy. Atlantic also achieved success with other genres like pop and country in the decades that followed.
In 1987, Atlantic was acquired by Time Warner, which created one of the largest media conglomerates in the world. However, in the following years, Atlantic struggled to keep up with the market’s changing trends, and they were bought by Warner Music Group in 2013.
Today, Atlantic Records remains a force in the music industry, with a diverse roster of artists that spans multiple genres, including Ed Sheeran, Cardi B, Bruno Mars, and many others. The label continues to sign the hottest acts in the industry, maintain its legacy, and bring new recording artists to the forefront of the music industry. With over 60 years of history, Atlantic Records has maintained its reputation as one of the most successful and influential music industry labels in history.