By Morris Moore
Fat Joe's hit single "Make It Rain" has sold over 1 million ringtones and has been certified platinum by the RIAA's Platinum Ringtune certification program.
The success of the single is a milestone for Fat Joe, his label Terror Squad Entertainment and Imperial Records, which is EMI Music's independent urban label division that was relaunched in 2006.
Imperial is a legendary label that was originally launched in 1946 and counted artists like Fats Domino, Ricky Nelson, T-Bone Walker and The Spiders. The label was also one of the first to introduce stereo recordings to the marketplace.
In addition to being the first million-selling ringtone for Imperial, "Make It Rain" peaked #6 on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop chart was Imperial's first Top 10 hit in over 40 years.
“Fat Joe and Terror Squad Entertainment have been great to work with and are a prime example of what we can bring to a project,” said Neil Levine, Imperial Records Senior VP/GM. “We bring the same pioneering spirit and dedication to quality music as the original Imperial, but with expertise and resources right for independent urban artists today."
"Make It Rain" is taken from Fat Joe's album Me Myself and I, which peaked at #3 on Billboard's Hip-Hop Album Chart and #14 on Billboard's Top 200 Album chart.
Levine, who founded Penalty Records, partnered with EMI Music's Capitol Music Group in June 2006 to reestablish Imperial and turn it into a 21st century powerhouse.
"We have the advantage of being super-focused on finding and developing the most exciting music in the clubs and the streets, but also have access to major label resources," Levine said. "It’s a great combination for our artists.”
