Villain Entertainment

Villain Entertainment
Founded2004; 20 years ago (2004)
FounderMC Ren
Distributor(s)INgrooves
(In the US)
Fontana
(In Canada)
GenreGangsta rap
Country of originUnited States
LocationPalm Springs, California
Official websitenationvillain.com

Villain Entertainment is a record label, founded by rapper MC Ren,[1] in Palm Springs, California in 2004.[2] The label's focus was gangsta rap genre of West Coast hip hop.

History

Villain Entertainment was formed as a vehicle for releases by MC Ren, after he left Ruthless Records in 1999.[3][4] After MC Ren's departure from Ruthless Records, the label inherited the rights to all of MC Ren's solo albums, including Kizz My Black Azz, Shock of the Hour, The Villain in Black and Ruthless For Life.[5][6][7] However, the rights to four of the albums are now licensed through Empire Distribution and Virgin Records/Universal Music Group (with Kizz My Black Azz being made on Priority)[8] as they appear on streaming services under the Villain Entertainment label.[9][10][11][12]

Although established in 1999, the label remained dormant for a long period until a revival in 2009, with the release of MC Ren's album Renincarnated.[13]

Artists

Current acts

MC Ren (Founder of label)

Discography

Artist Album Release date
MC Ren Renincarnated October 31, 2009
Osiris June 3, 2022[14]

References

  1. ^ "MC Ren | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  2. ^ Weiss, Jeff (25 July 2012). "N.W.A's MC Ren Now Lives in Palm Springs". LA Weekly.
  3. ^ Funk, Allie. "Here's What MC Ren Has Been Up To Since N.W.A". Bustle. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  4. ^ "Villain Entertainment". Genius. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  5. ^ James Bernard (September 1992). "Kizz My Black Azz; Return of the Product". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on September 22, 2022.
  6. ^ "Brief review of Mc Ren's "Kizz My Black Azz"". Los Angeles Times. 20 September 1992. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  7. ^ "M.C. REN; "Shock of the Hour"; Ruthless/Relativity". Los Angeles Times. December 19, 1993.
  8. ^ "Kizz My Black Azz - EP - Album by MC Ren - Apple Music (Priority Records Version)". Apple Music. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  9. ^ "Kizz My Black Azz - EP - Album by MC Ren - Apple Music (Villain Entertainment Version)". Apple Music. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  10. ^ "Shock of the Hour - Album by MC Ren - Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  11. ^ "The Villain In Black - Album by MC Ren - Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  12. ^ "Ruthless For Life - Album by MC Ren - Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  13. ^ "MC Ren - RenIncarnated". HipHopDX. 6 February 2010.
  14. ^ "N.W.A Legend MC Ren Unveils Tha Chill-Produced 'Osiris' EP Tracklist & Release Date". HipHopDX. 25 May 2022.