Konvict Kulture

{{Short description|Record label}} {{redirect|Konvict|the album by Akon|Konvicted}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2019}} {{Infobox record label | name = Konvict Kulture | image = [[Image:Konvict Kulture Logo.png|160px]] | parent = | founded = 2003 as Konvict Muzik  2022 as Konvict Kulture (rebrand) | founder = [[Akon]] [[Melvin Brown (music manager)|Melvin Brown]] [[Bu Thiam]] | distributor = [[Gamma (media company)|Vydia]] (2020–present)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vydia.com/konvict-kulture-announces-partnership-with-vydia/ // Konvict Kulture and Vydia Announce Partnership // Vydia //|website=www.vydia.com}}</ref> [[Universal Motown Records]] (2005–2011) [[Republic Records|Universal Republic Records]] (2011–2014) [[Interscope Records]] (2006–2014)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.10720/title.akon-signs-ya-boy-to-konvict-music | title=Akon Signs Ya Boy to Konvict Music | date=February 26, 2010 | access-date=October 5, 2024 | archive-date=December 5, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205040602/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.10720/title.akon-signs-ya-boy-to-konvict-music | url-status=live }}</ref> [[Def Jam Recordings]] (2008–2014) [[Sony Music]] (Jive/RCA) (2005/2017) | genre = [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]], [[contemporary R&B|R&B]] | country = United States | website = https://konvictkulture.com/ }}

'''Konvict Kulture''' is a [[record label]] founded by singer [[Akon]], [[Melvin Brown (music manager)|Melvin Brown]] and [[Bu Thiam]] in 2003 under the name Konvict Muzik.<ref>[http://www.ballerstatus.com/article/features/2007/09/3137/ Melvin Brown: Konvict Business] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081008002720/http://www.ballerstatus.com/article/features/2007/09/3137/ |date=October 8, 2008 }}</ref> Artists including [[T-Pain]], [[Kat DeLuna]], [[Mali Music (singer)|Mali Music]], [[Red Café]], [[Dolla (rapper)|Dolla]], [[Ya Boy]], and [[Costa Titch]] have signed to and released singles or albums by the label.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Masuku |first=Brooklyn |date=2023-02-08 |title=Costa Titch Announces Global Partnership Deal with Akon's label Konvict Kulture |url=https://gagasiworld.co.za/costa-titch-announces-global-partnership-deal-with-akons-label-konvict-kulture/ |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=Gagasi World |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2011-11-01 |title=Akon Signs Gospel Rapper Mali Music to Konvict Muzik |url=https://allhiphop.com/news/akon-signs-gospel-rapper-mali-music-to-konvict-muzik/ |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=AllHipHop |language=en-US}}</ref> Heard at the beginning of many of the label's recordings, besides Akon's own production or songwriting contribution, is the sound of the clank of a jail cell, followed by Akon uttering "Konvict". In 2022, the label was rebranded into '''Konvict Kulture'''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Preezy |date=2022-10-30 |title=Akon Preps Partnership With TikTok, Afrobeat's Movement And The Rebirth Of Konvict Muzik |url=https://www.vibe.com/features/editorial/akon-tiktok-afrobeat-konvict-muzik-1234703338/ |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=VIBE.com}}</ref> By 2011, Fotemah Mba was appointed Vice President of [[Artists and repertoire|A&R]] for the label.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}

The label operated with another label founded by Akon in 2006, [[KonLive Distribution]], whose flagship artist was [[Lady Gaga]]. KonLive was an imprint of [[Interscope Records]], while Konvict Muzik was an imprint of Akon's label, [[Universal Motown Records]], prior to the launching of KonLive. In 2011, Akon signed Nigerian artists [[P-Square]], [[Tuface]], and [[Wizkid (musician)|Wizkid]] as representatives of the label in Africa.<ref name="africanartists">{{Cite web |url=http://www.cp-africa.com/2011/12/19/akon-signs-2face-wizkid-and-psquare-to-konvict-musik |title=Akon signs 2face, Wizkid and P-Square as Konvict Musik Representatives |access-date=October 5, 2024 |archive-date=April 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417195444/https://www.cp-africa.com/2011/12/19/akon-signs-2face-wizkid-and-psquare-to-konvict-musik/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Background== Akon started his own label after the success of his 2003 mixtape ''Akonvict.''

[[File:Konvict Muzik Logo.jpg|thumb|upright=.85|Original Konvict Muzik Logo]]

==KonLive Distribution== {{Infobox record label | name = KonLive Distribution | image = Kon Live Distribution logo.gif | parent = [[Interscope-Geffen-A&M]] | founded = {{start date and age|2006}}<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/the-akon-empire-1048640/ | title=The Akon Empire | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] }}</ref> | defunct = {{end date and age|2013}} | founder = [[Akon]] | distributor = [[Interscope Records]]<ref>[http://www.billboard.com/charts/2008-12-20/r-b-hip-hop-albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums - Not 4 Sale] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140425202409/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2008-12-20/r-b-hip-hop-albums |date=April 25, 2014 }}</ref> [[Geffen Records]]<ref>[http://www.billboard.com/charts/2008-12-20/r-b-hip-hop-albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums - Not 4 Sale] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140425202409/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2008-12-20/r-b-hip-hop-albums |date=April 25, 2014 }}</ref> | genre = [[Pop music|Pop]], [[Dance music|dance]], [[contemporary R&B|R&B]], [[Hip hop music|hip hop]] | country = United States | location = | website = }}

'''KonLive Distribution''' (or simply '''KonLive''') was a [[record label]] founded in 2006 as a [[joint venture]] with [[Jimmy Iovine]]'s [[Interscope Records]], the label was to allow both parties to manage the career and recording catalogue of singer [[Lady Gaga]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ew.com/music/2018/04/10/lady-gaga-just-dance-10-year-anniversary-redone-akon-interview/|title=Lady Gaga's 'Just Dance' turns 15: Akon, RedOne on the hit that almost went to the Pussycat Dolls|date=March 23, 2023|last=Nolfi|first=Joey|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=October 5, 2024|archive-date=September 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920170918/https://ew.com/music/2018/04/10/lady-gaga-just-dance-10-year-anniversary-redone-akon-interview/|url-status=live}}</ref> Other notable acts signed to the label included [[Kardinal Offishall]], [[Colby O'Donis]], [[Brick & Lace]], [[Mali Music (singer)|Mali Music]], [[Teddy Sinclair|Natalia Kills]], [[Jeffree Star]], [[R. City]], [[Ya Boy]], and [[Verse Simmonds]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/label/755634-KonLive-Distribution|title=KonLive Distribution|website=[[Discogs]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mtv.com/news/znad9m/verse-simmonds-akon-konlive | title=Akon Signs Verse Simmonds to KonLive | website=[[MTV]] }}{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

==Notable artists== {{More citations needed section|date=October 2025}}

===Current=== *[[Akon]] *[[Jonn Hart]]

===Former Konvict Artists=== *[[OG Boo Dirty]] *[[Demarco (musician)|Demarco]] * [[Sarkodie (rapper)|Sarkodie]] * [[P-Square]]<ref name="africanartists" /><ref name ="Vanguard">{{Cite news | url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/12/akons-label-konvict-signs-wizkid-psquare-tuface/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria| title=Akon's label, Konvict signs Wizkid Psquare, Tuface! | date=December 19, 2011 | access-date=March 7, 2014 | author=Mgbolu, Charles|newspaper=[[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard]]}}</ref> * [[Verse Simmonds]]<ref name="artists">{{cite web|url=http://konvictmuzikgroup.com/?page_id=59|title=Konvict Muzik Artists|access-date=June 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110815233940/http://konvictmuzikgroup.com/?page_id=59|archive-date=August 15, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> * [[Wizkid (musician)|Wizkid]]<ref name="africanartists" /><ref name ="Vanguard"/> * [[Omega (singer)|Omega]] *[[Sammie]] * [[Cyhi the Prynce]] * [[Costa Titch]] (deceased) * [[D Teck]] * [[Dolla (rapper)|Dolla]] (deceased) * [[French Montana]] * [[T-Pain]] * [[Jeffree Star]] * [[JQT (band)|JQT]] * [[Red Cafe]]

===Former KonLive Artists=== * [[Lady Gaga]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-05-31 |title=Akon Says He "Cashed Out" On Lady Gaga Before Her Decline |url=https://www.popdust.com/2014/03/24/akon-says-he-cashed-out-on-lady-gaga-before-her-decline/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531225221/https://www.popdust.com/2014/03/24/akon-says-he-cashed-out-on-lady-gaga-before-her-decline/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2014-05-31 |access-date=2024-03-08 }}</ref> * [[Kardinal Offishall]] * [[Ya Boy]] * [[R. City]] * [[Brick & Lace]] * [[Natalia Kills]] * [[Jeffree Star]] * [[Colby O'Donis]] * [[Mali Music (singer)|Mali Music]]

==Discography== {|class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! style="min-width:6em;" | Artist ! style="min-width:11em;" | Album ! style="min-width:16em;" | Album details ! style="min-width:16em;" | Singles |- | [[T-Pain]] | ''[[Rappa Ternt Sanga]]'' | * Released: December 5, 2005 * Label: Konvict Muzik * Chart position: 33 U.S. * [[RIAA certification]]: Gold | * [[I'm Sprung]] * [[I'm 'n Luv (wit a Stripper)]] |- | [[Akon]] | ''[[Konvicted]]'' | * Released: November 14, 2006 * Label: Konvict Muzik * Chart position: 2 U.S. * RIAA certification: 3× Platinum | * [[Smack That]] * [[I Wanna Love You (Akon song)|I Wanna Love You]] * [[Don't Matter]] * [[Mama Africa (Akon song)|Mama Africa]] * [[Sorry, Blame It on Me]] |- | [[T-Pain]] | ''[[Epiphany (T-Pain album)|Epiphany]]'' | * Released: June 5, 2007 * Label: Konvict Muzik * Chart position: 1 U.S. * RIAA certification: Platinum | * [[Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin')]] * [[Bartender (T-Pain song)|Bartender]] * [[Church (T-Pain song)|Church]] |- | [[Brick & Lace]] | ''[[Love Is Wicked]]'' | * Released: September 4, 2007 * Label: KonLive Distribution * Chart position: — * [[RIAA certification]]: — | * Never Never * [[Love Is Wicked (song)|Love Is Wicked]] * Get That Clear (Hold Up) * Take Me Back * Bad To Di Bone |- | [[Lady Gaga]] | ''[[The Fame]]'' | * Released: August 19, 2008 * Label: KonLive Distribution * Chart position: 2 U.S. * RIAA certification: 6× Platinum | * [[Just Dance (song)|Just Dance]] * [[Poker Face (Lady Gaga song)|Poker Face]] * [[Eh, Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)]] * [[LoveGame]] * [[Paparazzi (Lady Gaga song)|Paparazzi]] |- | [[Kardinal Offishall]] | ''[[Not 4 Sale (Kardinal Offishall album)|Not 4 Sale]]'' | * Released: September 9, 2008 * Label: KonLive Distribution * Chart position: 40 U.S. * [[RIAA certification]]: — | * [[Dangerous (Kardinal Offishall song)|Dangerous]] * [[Set It Off (Kardinal Offishall song)|Set It Off]] * [[Burnt (song)|Burnt]] * [[Numba 1 (Tide Is High)]] |- | [[Colby O'Donis]] | ''[[Colby O]]'' | * Released: September 16, 2008 * Label: KonLive Distribution * Chart position: 41 U.S. * RIAA certification: — | * [[What You Got (Colby O'Donis song)|What You Got]] * [[Don't Turn Back]] * Let You Go |- | [[Sway DaSafo|Sway]] | ''[[The Signature LP]]'' | * Released: October 6, 2008 * Label: Konvict Muzik * Chart position: 51 U.K. * RIAA certification: — | * F Ur X featuring $tush * [[Saturday Night Hustle]] * Silver & Gold |- | [[T-Pain]] | ''[[Thr33 Ringz]]'' | * Released: November 11, 2008 * Label: Konvict Muzik * Chart position: 4 U.S. * RIAA certification: Gold | * [[Can't Believe It (T-Pain song)|Can't Believe It]] * [[Chopped N Skrewed]] * [[Freeze (T-Pain song)|Freeze]] |- | [[Akon]] | ''[[Freedom (Akon album)|Freedom]]'' | * Released: December 2, 2008 * Label: Konvict Muzik * Chart position: 7 U.S. * RIAA certification: 2× Platinum | * [[Right Now (Na Na Na)]] * [[I'm So Paid]] * [[Beautiful (Akon song)|Beautiful]] |- | [[Lady Gaga]] | ''[[The Fame Monster]]'' | * Released: November 18, 2009 * Label: KonLive Distribution * Chart position: 5 U.S. * RIAA certification: 5× Platinum | * [[Bad Romance]] * [[Telephone (song)|Telephone]] * [[Alejandro (song)|Alejandro]] * [[Dance in the Dark (song)|Dance in the Dark]] |- | [[Natalia Kills]] | ''[[Perfectionist (Natalia Kills album)|Perfectionist]]'' | * Released: March 15, 2011 * Label: KonLive Distribution * Chart position: 134 U.S. * RIAA certification: — | * [[Mirrors (Natalia Kills song)|Mirrors]] * Wonderland * [[Perfectionist (album)|Free]] * Kill My Boyfriend |- | [[Lady Gaga]] | ''[[Born This Way (album)|Born This Way]]'' | * Released: May 23, 2011 * Label: KonLive Distribution * Chart position: 1 U.S. * RIAA certification: 4× Platinum | * [[Born This Way (song)|Born This Way]] * [[Judas (Lady Gaga song)|Judas]] * [[The Edge of Glory]] * [[You and I (Lady Gaga song)|You and I]] * [[Marry the Night]] |- | [[T-Pain]] | ''[[Revolver (T-Pain album)|Revolver]]'' | * Released: December 6, 2011 * Label: Konvict Muzik * Chart position: 28 U.S. * RIAA certification: — | * [[Best Love Song]] * [[5 O'Clock (T-Pain song)|5 O'Clock]] * [[Turn All the Lights On]] |- | [[Jeffree Star]] | ''Mr. Diva - EP'' | * Released: October 2, 2012 * Label: KonLive Distribution * Chart position: — * RIAA certification: — | * Mr. Diva * Legs Up |}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links==

[[Category:Record labels established in 2005]] [[Category:Sony Music]] [[Category:Record labels established in 2006]] [[Category:Contemporary R&B record labels]] [[Category:Labels distributed by Universal Music Group]] [[Category:Hip-hop record labels]] [[Category:Vanity record labels]] [[Category:Akon]] [[Category:SRC Records]]