Konvict Kulture

"Konvict" redirects here. For the album by Akon, see Konvicted.

Konvict Kulture is a record label founded by R&B singer Akon, Melvin Brown and Bu Thiam in 2003 under the name Konvict Muzik.^[3] Artists including T-Pain, Kat DeLuna, Mali Music, Red Café, Dolla, Ya Boy, and Costa Titch have signed to and released singles or albums by the label.^[4][5] 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.^[6] By 2011, Fotemah Mba was appointed Vice President of A&R for the label.^{[citation needed]}

Konvict Kulture
Founded	2003 as Konvict Muzik 2022 Konvict Kulture (rebrand)
Founder	Akon Melvin Brown Bu Thiam
Distributor(s)	Vydia (2020–present)[1] Universal Motown Records (2005–2011) Universal Republic Records (2011–2014) Interscope Records (2006–2014)[2] Def Jam Recordings (2008–2014) Sony Music (Jive/RCA) (2005/2017)
Genre	Hip hop, R&B
Country of origin	United States
Official website	https://konvictkulture.com/

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 as representatives of the label in Africa.^[7]

Background

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

Original Konvict Muzik Logo

KonLive Distribution

KonLive Distribution
Parent company	Interscope-Geffen-A&M
Founded	2006; 19 years ago (2006)[8]
Founder	Akon
Defunct	2013; 12 years ago (2013)
Distributor(s)	Interscope Records[9]
Genre	Pop, dance, R&B, hip hop
Country of origin	United States

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.^[10] Other notable acts signed to the label included Kardinal Offishall, Colby O'Donis, Brick & Lace, Mali Music, Natalia Kills, Jeffree Star, R. City, Ya Boy, and Verse Simmonds.^[11][12]

Notable artists

Current

• Akon
• Amirror^[13]

Former Konvict Artists

• OG Boo Dirty
• Demarco
• Sarkodie
• Jonn Hart
• P-Square^[7][14]
• Verse Simmonds^[15]
• Jibbs
• Bohagon
• Sammie
• Wizkid^[7][14]
• Omega
• Cyhi the Prynce
• Billy Blue
• S. Fresh
• Lil Chris
• Lego
• Costa Titch (deceased)
• D Teck
• Dolla (deceased)
• French Montana
• T-Pain
• Jeffree Star
• JQT
• Red Cafe
• Sean Teezy

Former KonLive Artists

• Lady Gaga^[16]
• Kardinal Offishall
• Ya Boy
• Ray Lavender
• R. City
• Brick & Lace
• Natalia Kills
• Jeffree Star
• Colby O'Donis
• Mali Music

Discography

Artist	Album	Album details	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 Don't Matter Mama Africa Sorry, Blame It on Me
T-Pain	Epiphany	Released: June 5, 2007 Label: Konvict Muzik Chart position: 1 U.S. RIAA certification: Platinum	Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin') Bartender Church
Brick & Lace	Love Is Wicked	Released: September 4, 2007 Label: KonLive Distribution Chart position: — RIAA certification: —	Never Never 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 Poker Face Eh, Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say) LoveGame Paparazzi
Kardinal Offishall	Not 4 Sale	Released: September 9, 2008 Label: KonLive Distribution Chart position: 40 U.S. RIAA certification: —	Dangerous Set It Off 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 Don't Turn Back Let You Go
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 Chopped N Skrewed Freeze
Akon	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
Lady Gaga	The Fame Monster	Released: November 18, 2009 Label: KonLive Distribution Chart position: 5 U.S. RIAA certification: 5× Platinum	Bad Romance Telephone Alejandro Dance in the Dark
Natalia Kills	Perfectionist	Released: March 15, 2011 Label: KonLive Distribution Chart position: 134 U.S. RIAA certification: —	Mirrors Wonderland Free Kill My Boyfriend
Lady Gaga	Born This Way	Released: May 23, 2011 Label: KonLive Distribution Chart position: 1 U.S. RIAA certification: 4× Platinum	Born This Way Judas The Edge of Glory You and I Marry the Night
T-Pain	Revolver	Released: December 6, 2011 Label: Konvict Muzik Chart position: 28 U.S. RIAA certification: —	Best Love 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

1. www.vydia.com // Konvict Kulture and Vydia Announce Partnership // Vydia // https://vydia.com/konvict-kulture-announces-partnership-with-vydia/ // Konvict Kulture and Vydia Announce Partnership // Vydia //. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
2. "Akon Signs Ya Boy to Konvict Music". February 26, 2010.
3. Melvin Brown: Konvict Business Archived October 8, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
4. Masuku, Brooklyn (February 8, 2023). "Costa Titch Announces Global Partnership Deal with Akon's label Konvict Kulture". Gagasi World. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
5. "Akon Signs Gospel Rapper Mali Music to Konvict Muzik". AllHipHop. November 1, 2011. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
6. Brown, Preezy (October 30, 2022). "Akon Preps Partnership With TikTok, Afrobeat's Movement And The Rebirth Of Konvict Muzik". VIBE.com. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
7. Akon signs 2face, Wizkid and P-Square as Konvict Musik Representatives
8. "The Akon Empire". Billboard.
9. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums - Not 4 Sale Archived April 25, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
10. Nolfi, Joey (March 23, 2023). "Lady Gaga's 'Just Dance' turns 15: Akon, RedOne on the hit that almost went to the Pussycat Dolls". Entertainment Weekly.
11. "KonLive Distribution". Discogs.
12. "Akon Signs Verse Simmonds to KonLive". MTV.^{[dead link‍]}
13. Akon’s Konvict Kulture Unveils New Afrobeats Star, Amirror
14. Mgbolu, Charles (December 19, 2011). "Akon's label, Konvict signs Wizkid Psquare, Tuface!". Vanguard. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
15. "Konvict Muzik Artists". Archived from the original on August 15, 2011. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
16. "Akon Says He "Cashed Out" On Lady Gaga Before Her Decline". May 31, 2014. Archived from the original on May 31, 2014. Retrieved March 8, 2024.

External links