Battery Records | |
---|---|
Parent company | Jive Records |
Founded | 1994 |
Defunct | 1996 |
Status | Defunct |
Distributor(s) |
BMG Sony Music Entertainment (currently) |
Genre | Dance, hip hop |
Country of origin | United States |
Location | New York City |
Battery Records was an American record label that served as the dance sublabel of Jive Records, and was active for a short time during the mid-1990s. The label was mostly known for releasing music by the Swedish Eurodance group Rednex in North America, namely its novelty hit " Cotton Eye Joe", as well as Insane Clown Posse's third studio album, Riddle Box. The Battery Records name was later revived by Sony Music Entertainment in 2008 with a focus on hip hop music.
Battery was formed when Zomba's Dutch office signed Rednex and created a number-one hit with " Cotton Eye Joe." Newly appointed Jive president Barry Weiss was attempting to broaden the pop-music reach of the label group, and introducing Rednex to American listeners was one of his first steps. [1] Suddenly Jive needed a suitable American outlet for this unique style and didn't feel that any current sub-labels were appropriate. Thus, Battery record's inaugural release was the "Cotton Eye Joe" American import in 1994. Although the song was successful, reaching #25 on the Billboard charts, it remained the group's only US hit. [2] [3]
While the New York City-based label largely focused on pop-oriented electronic music, it also released Insane Clown Posse's third album, Riddle Box. The label continued for a few more years signing at least one more artist before closing its doors in 1996.
Cat. No. | Artist | Title | Format | Type | Release Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
01241-46000 | Rednex | Sex & Violins | CD | Album | 1995 |
01241-46001 | Insane Clown Posse | Riddle Box | CD | Album | 1995 |
01241-46500 | Rednex | " Cotton Eye Joe" | CD, 12" | Single | 1994 |
01241-46501 | Rednex | " Cotton Eye Joe" | 7" | Single | 1994 |
01241-46504 | Insane Clown Posse | " Chicken Huntin'" | CD | Single | 1995 |
01241-46506 | Tamperer featuring Maya | " Feel It" | CD | Single | 1998 |