4th & B'way Records

4th & B'way Records is a US-originated record-label brand established in 1984 within the Island Records organization. It was created as the flagship label of Island Trading Company, the independent-distribution business that supported Island's US label operations. The label developed an identity around street-oriented music, particularly hip hop, dance, and related urban genres, rather than functioning primarily as a conventional mainstream-pop imprint. The name reflected Island's New York presence. Island's US headquarters were located at 14 East 4th Street in Manhattan, in a building associated with the East Village branch of Tower Records, and later near 400 Lafayette Street. Several Island-related labels adopted names connected with nearby New York streets. In its early period, 4th & B'way operated outside the principal major-label distribution channels. Island's flagship label was then distributed by Atlantic Records, while 4th & B'way served the independent-distribution structure represented by Island Trading Company. The label's position changed after PolyGram acquired Island and its distribution operation in 1989. Island Trading became part of PolyGram Group Distribution and was renamed Independent Label Sales, giving 4th & B'way access to a substantially larger corporate distribution network. The label's historical repertoire included important hip hop and dance releases. Notable associated acts and releases include Eric B. & Rakim, Noel, and MARRS's "Pump Up the Volume," which received US distribution through 4th & B'way. The label therefore occupied a useful bridge between independent label culture and the resources of an international music group. A separate UK operation, Fourth and Broadway, was established in 1992. It maintained a roster distinct from the US label, although the two operations exchanged or released some titles from one another. This transatlantic structure allowed the brand to work across different local music markets while retaining a common Island connection. The original 4th & B'way operation was shut down in 1998, shortly after Chris Blackwell's departure from Island Records and before the PolyGram and MCA label families were combined to form Universal Music Group. Remaining hip hop artists were transferred to Def Jam Recordings. The closure did not permanently end the brand. On April 12, 2013, The Island Def Jam Music Group reactivated 4th & B'way as a dance-oriented imprint, initially associated with Cazzette and later with artists including Route 94, Kiesza, and Loote. Island Records relaunched the label again in November 2020, appointing LaTrice Burnette as president while she continued as Island's executive vice president. The relaunch followed a period in which the imprint had been distributed by Island and strategically aligned with Republic Records. In February 2022, 4th & B'way moved its distribution to Def Jam Recordings, a former sister label within the wider Universal structure. The brand is consequently best understood as a revived Universal-affiliated imprint whose historical identity centers on hip hop and dance music, with its precise current roster and standalone operating arrangements dependent on Island and Def Jam's release strategies.

4th & B'way Records emerged in 1984 as a US label within the Island Records system. It served as the flagship label of Island Trading Company, an independent-distribution parent that handled Island's US label activities and other associated labels. Its musical brief emphasized street-oriented material, including hip hop, dance, and related urban styles. This positioning distinguished the imprint from Island's broader flagship repertoire and gave it a role in developing music that could be commercially viable without initially relying on the principal major-label distribution channels. The label's name came from Island's New York setting. During the relevant period, Island's US offices were at 14 East 4th Street in Manhattan, in a building that also housed the notable East Village branch of Tower Records. Island offices were later located near 400 Lafayette Street. The street-based naming convention connected 4th & B'way with other Island-related labels and gave the imprint a recognizable urban identity. In 1989, PolyGram acquired Island and its distribution operations. Island Trading was absorbed into PolyGram Group Distribution and renamed Independent Label Sales. This change placed 4th & B'way within a larger international corporate infrastructure and expanded the resources available for manufacturing, marketing, and distribution. The label nevertheless retained a repertoire identity built around hip hop and dance music. Its historical associations include Eric B. & Rakim, Noel, and the US distribution of MARRS's influential dance recording "Pump Up the Volume." The brand also developed a distinct UK branch. Fourth and Broadway was established in Britain in 1992 and maintained a different roster from the US label. The two operations were not completely separate in commercial practice: each could release titles originating with the other, creating a shared but locally adapted catalog. The original label operation ended in 1998, shortly after Chris Blackwell departed Island Records and before the subsequent PolyGram-MCA combination that created Universal Music Group. The closure involved transferring remaining hip hop artists to Def Jam Recordings. Island's New York relocation in 1995 also marked a change in the physical setting associated with the brand: the vacated 4th Street offices later became the headquarters of V2 Records. 4th & B'way was revived on more than one occasion. On April 12, 2013, The Island Def Jam Music Group reactivated it as a dance-focused imprint, with Cazzette identified as its first artist on the renewed label. The revived roster also included or was associated with Route 94, Kiesza, and Loote. In November 2020, Island Records relaunched the brand again and appointed LaTrice Burnette as president, alongside her continuing executive vice president position at Island. The imprint had previously been distributed by Island and strategically aligned with Republic Records during 2020. In February 2022, distribution moved to Def Jam Recordings. The resulting brand is a historically significant Island imprint with a revived role in dance and contemporary recorded music, although publicly available information does not establish a complete current roster or a separate standalone corporate structure.

1. 2022Distribution transferred to Def Jam

   The revived imprint switched distribution to Def Jam Recordings.

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2. 2020Island relaunches the brand

   Island Records relaunched 4th & B'way and named LaTrice Burnette its president.

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3. 2013Dance imprint reactivation

   The Island Def Jam Music Group reactivated 4th & B'way as a dance-oriented imprint.

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4. 1998Original label operation shut down

   The original imprint was closed and remaining hip hop artists were transferred to Def Jam Recordings.

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5. 1995Island moves its US headquarters

   Island moved to the Worldwide Plaza Building, while the former 4th Street offices later became associated with V2 Records.

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6. 1992UK Fourth and Broadway operation launched

   A separate British branch began operating with its own roster and selective exchange of releases with the US label.

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7. 1989Island Trading enters PolyGram distribution

   PolyGram's acquisition of Island reorganized Island Trading as part of PolyGram Group Distribution under the Independent Label Sales name.

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8. 1984US label established

   4th & B'way Records was established as an Island-affiliated US imprint and became the flagship label of Island Trading Company.

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An Island-affiliated imprint focused on hip hop, dance, electronic, and street-oriented music, operating between independent-label culture and major-group distribution.

• Hip hop recordingsMusic releases1984

  The label's original identity was strongly associated with hip hop and street-oriented music. Its historical artist and catalog associations include Eric B. & Rakim and other urban-music acts, with later artists transferred to Def Jam when the original operation closed.

• Dance and electronic recordingsMusic releases1984

  Dance music was a central part of the imprint's catalog and became the explicit focus of its 2013 reactivation. The US-distributed MARRS recording "Pump Up the Volume" is among the label's notable dance associations.

• Contemporary dance releasesMusic releases2013

  The revived label was associated with Cazzette, Route 94, Kiesza, and Loote, reflecting an effort to apply the 4th & B'way name to contemporary electronic and dance-oriented releases.

• 2022Distribution moved to Def Jam RecordingsStrategy

  Following the 2020 relaunch and strategic alignment with Republic Records, Island adjusted the imprint's distribution arrangement.

  What changed. 4th & B'way switched distribution to Def Jam Recordings.

  Aftermath. The revived label was placed with a Universal-affiliated company historically associated with hip hop and urban music.

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• 2020Island relaunch and appointment of LaTrice BurnetteOther

  Island Records revived the label during a period in which its distribution had been handled by Island and its strategy aligned with Republic Records.

  What changed. LaTrice Burnette was appointed president of 4th & B'way while retaining her executive vice president role at Island.

  Aftermath. The brand received a renewed organizational mandate within the Island structure.

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• 2013Dance-oriented imprint reactivationProduct launch

  The Island Def Jam Music Group revived the dormant label name for a new generation of dance releases.

  What changed. The imprint was reactivated with Cazzette as its first announced artist and later associated with Route 94, Kiesza, and Loote.

  Aftermath. 4th & B'way resumed activity with a dance-focused rather than primarily hip hop positioning.

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• 1998Closure and artist transfersStrategy

  The original imprint was closed shortly after Chris Blackwell left Island Records and before the formation of Universal Music Group.

  What changed. 4th & B'way was shut down and its remaining hip hop artists were moved to Def Jam Recordings.

  Aftermath. The brand ceased its original standalone label activity, although its name was later revived.

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• 1989Integration into PolyGram's distribution structureM&A

  PolyGram acquired Island and the Island Trading distribution operation, changing the corporate setting in which 4th & B'way operated.

  What changed. Island Trading was made a unit of PolyGram Group Distribution and renamed Independent Label Sales.

  Aftermath. The label gained access to a larger international distribution organization while retaining its specialist music identity.

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• 20224th & B'way changes US distribution to Def Jam

  After a period of distribution by Island and strategic alignment with Republic Records, the imprint moved distribution to Def Jam Recordings.

  Other
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• 2020Island Records relaunches 4th & B'way under LaTrice Burnette

  Island Records relaunched the imprint and appointed LaTrice Burnette as president while she retained her executive vice president role at Island.

  Product launchLeadership change
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• 20134th & B'way reactivated as a dance imprint

  The Island Def Jam Music Group brought the label back as a dance-oriented imprint, initially naming Cazzette as its first artist and subsequently associating it with Route 94, Kiesza, and Loote.

  Product launch
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• 1998Original 4th & B'way operation closed

  The label was shut down shortly after Chris Blackwell left Island Records. Its remaining hip hop artists were transferred to Def Jam Recordings.

  Leadership change
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• 1992Fourth and Broadway established in the United Kingdom

  A UK version of the label was launched with a roster different from the American operation, while still exchanging selected releases with its US counterpart.

  Other
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• 1989PolyGram acquires Island and reorganizes Island Trading

  Following PolyGram's acquisition, Island Trading became part of PolyGram Group Distribution and was renamed Independent Label Sales, changing the distribution environment for 4th & B'way.

  M&A
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• 19844th & B'way Records established in the United States

  The Island-affiliated US label was established as the flagship label of Island Trading Company and developed a focus on hip hop, dance, and other street-oriented music.

  Other
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1. 4th & B'way Records