American King Music

infobox record label


parent = EMI
founded = 2006
founder = Corey Llewellyn
Mims
distributor = Capitol Records
genre = Hip Hop
country = USA
url = http://www.AmericanKingMusic.com

American King Music is a hip hop and R&B record label founded in 2006 by Mims and his business partner Corey Llewellyn. The label is distributed exclusively by Capitol Records.

History

Mr. Mims, a local New York rapper had been trying for years to get a secure record deal. He had been signed to Push Play Records, and a few others since the year 2000. In 2005, he landed with Latin hip hop record label, UBO Records. UBO seemed like the only label that really wanted to release a Mims album.

Around this time, Mims had made connections with The Untouchable DJ Drastic, Method Man, Blackout Movement, and Digiwaxx. In mid-2006, the UBO label went under, so Mims was without a deal. He quickly picked up the pieces and created American King Music with Digiwaxx CEO, Corey Llewellyn. After this, Mims tried to gain distribution deals with many record labels. He was eventually turned down by every label. Even though they did have short talks with Koch Records.

In November 2006, Mims released his future hit single, "This Is Why I'm Hot," independently from a backing label. This led to many labels stepping up in an attempt to sign the rapper and his label. After holding preliminary talks with many labels, American King signed a 5-album deal for Mims with Capitol Records. In this deal, any other American King artist can release an album before Mims releases his fifth.

After signing with Capitol Records, the label's first release came with Mims' 2007 debut, "Music Is My Savior." The album was no major success for the label, but it did bring the label some credibility. Aside from "This Is Why I'm Hot," the album spawned the hit, "Like This," and the "Just Like That" song. Overall, Mims received an average rating for his album, but many wrote him off as a one hit wonder.

During his time away from the spotlight, Mims signed rappers Stylah and Deadl to American King along with Jason Derulo. In late 2007, Mims announced his second album, which was to be titled "." He said the album was to be released on December 18, 2007, and feature the American King roster somewhat heavily. Despite "Like This (remix)" being released as the lead single, this album never came into fructition. So instead, the label debuted Jason Derulo, and his first single, "Cyber Love." This was to promote his upcoming album, "Future History."

To keep the label in the headlines and to promote his upcoming album, "More Than Meets the Eye," Mims appeared on numerous singles, songs, and remixes. His most notable appearance was on Kylie Minogue's hit single "All I See." The song may also be used for another Mims album as a single. By March 2008, many rumors were circulating about Mims and his career. The biggest rumor was his signing to Geffen Records, which was false, and that he had retired. Despite this, he came back more confident than he was on his debut with his single, "We Really Do This," which featured Pitbull, Red Cafe, and Currensy.

When the song hit radio, it was described as a sequel to his song, "They Don't Wanna Play," from his debut album. It also proved that Mims was a legit hit-maker as the song became a summer anthem by June 2008. On July 29, 2008, Mims' sophomore album, "More Than Meets the Eye," was released. American King Music is currently preparing for albums by Jason Derulo, another album by Mims, and Stylah and Deadl's debut album.

Roster

Artists

* [Mims (rapper)
* Stylah & Deadl
* Deadl
* Stylah

Producers

* Mims
* The Untouchable DJ Drastic
* Corey Llewellyn
* Ill-Cee
* Blackout Movement
* Christian Fields
* Bryan Yearwood

Discography

Past releases

* "Music Is My Savior"
**Released: March 27, 2007
**Chart Position: #4
**Label(s): American King/Capitol
**RIAA Certification: None
**Singles: "This Is Why I'm Hot," "Like This," "Just Like That

* "More Than Meets the Eye"
**Released: July 29, 2008
**Chart Position: #1
**Label(s): American King/Capitol
**U.S. Sales: 8,000 (1st week)
**Singles: "Like This (remix)," "We Really Do This"

Upcoming releases

* 2008: Jason Derulo - "Future History"
* 2008/09: Mims - "I Am Hip Hop's Savior"
* 2009: Stylah and Deadl - "Welcome to our World"
* 2009: Mims' 4th studio album

External links

* [http://www.americankingmusic.com American King Music official website]
* [http://www.capitolrecords.com Capitol Records official website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/mimsfanclub MIMS' official MySpace page]
* [http://www.mimsmusic.net MIMS' official website]