( ENSPIRE Music ) Capitol Music Group and Capitol Christian Music Group Relaunch Tamla Records as a New Home For Positive Hip-Hop and R&B Music
ENSPIRE Contributor: Wesley Tran
Capitol Music Group (CMG) and Capitol Christian Music Group (Capitol CMG) have relaunched the iconic label Tamla Records as a mainstream imprint focusing on positive hip-hop and R&B music. It was announced on June 20, 2023, by Capitol CMG Co-Presidents Brad O’Donnell and Hudson Plachy. EJ Gaines, current SVP of Marketing for Capitol CMG, has been named to oversee the label’s roster of artists and staff. The first partner announced under the revived imprint is Quality Control’s longtime mix engineer and collaborator, Thomas “Tillie” Mann (Lil Baby, Lil Yachty, Drake, Migos), and his label, Encouragement Music.
Music visionary Berry Gordy first founded Tamla Records nearly 65 years ago before changing the startup label’s name to the now-iconic Motown Records. Since their founding, they have been acting as the bridge between faith music and the mainstream. The first release on the fledgling label was the 1959 single “Come to Me,” from gospel-singer-turned-R&B-artist Marv Johnson. Tamla’s artist roster went on to include legends like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Smokey Robinson & The Miracles.
“We are thrilled to be re-launching the Tamla imprint. We want to honor the iconic history of the label founded by Mr. Gordy, and Tillie Mann, and Encouragement Music are exactly the kind of partner that we want to work with,” shared Brad O’Donnell and Hudson Plachy, Co-Presidents, of Capitol CMG. “EJ Gaines is a seasoned executive who we know will guide Tamla along with the support of our overall Capitol CMG staff. We are grateful to Michelle Jubelirer and Capitol for their belief in this new venture.”
The Tamla roster of artists will be further supported by parent company Capitol Records, demonstrating the company’s ongoing commitment to innovation across all genres, in addition to addressing inequities for BIPOC creatives and executives in the music industry. Capitol Music Group Chair & CEO Michelle Jubelirer said, “The relaunch of Tamla broadens our company’s commitment to hip-hop and R&B music, as well as to the artists, label partners, and creative executives who have joined Capitol Music Group over the past 18 months. The artists EJ and his team will bring to Tamla will complement the incredible talent across our label group and will have everyone’s support throughout the wider company.”
Adds EJ Gaines, “Tamla has always been home to the incredible music that has shifted culture. I’m excited to continue its rich legacy with groundbreaking, mainstream music that is faith-formed and culture-forward. I’m grateful to Hudson, Brad, and Michelle for trusting me with this honor.”
To find out more about Tamla Records and its artist roster, check out their website and their social platforms as @tamlamusic.
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