G7 Records Inc.

G7 Records Inc. (G7), is an internationally focused record label exclusively distributed worldwide by the Universal Music Group. The label is a subsidiary of Global 7 Entertainment Inc., which specializes in a wide-range of enterprises including sound recording, music publishing, digital distribution, artist management, merchandising, video, film, and concert production. G7 was founded in 2004 by Kwajo "Cinqo" Boateng—artist, producer, CEO and member of two-time Juno Award winning Canadian hip-hop group Ghetto Concept . G7's current roster of artists emerge from Toronto (Ontario, Canada), but the company also has global initiatives in place worldwide .
History
G7 Records Inc. was formed in 2004 to release records by Ghetto Concept and their roster of artists. The label's President Kwajo Cinqo began to see that there was a decline in physical record sales, and a shift towards digital distribution of content. He also recognized that while these advancements were occurring in the industry, record labels were also furthering away from artist development . In 2009, Kwajo enlarged the G7 enterprise by creating G7 Studios and developing an array of artists each stemming from Toronto, Canada.
With the growth of the Canadian entertainment industry, urban artists such as Drake, Melanie Fiona and K'Naan have increasingly gained recognition from international audiences. However, between the early and mid-1990s, the Canadian hip hop scene experienced a period of relapse in which some of the most prominent artists in the industry battled with record sales . Furthermore, Kwajo Cinqo who in this time was a part of Ghetto Concept alongside members Dolo and Infinite, found success as the group was twice awarded a Juno Award for Best Rap Recording for singles "Certified" (1995) and "E-Z On Tha Motion" (1996) .
On October 25th, 2010 G7 Records Inc. signed a joint-venture label deal with Universal Music Canada and Cherrytree Records/Interscope Records in which rapper Reema Major was signed . The G7 platform which was created for emerging urban artists, also secured a worldwide digital content distribution deal with Universal Music Group in the process. The deal was established with the backing of Randy Lennox—President and CEO of Universal Music Canada and A&Rs Martin Kierzenbaum and Andrea Ruffalo of Cherry Tree/Interscope Records. Kwajo Cinqo marked this as the first time Universal Music Group signed a direct deal with a Canadian urban music label. Up until this point there had not been a major marketing or promotional outlet for Canadian rappers from the streets to release their products to the masses. This deal was not only a pivotal step for G7's success as a label, but it was significant for the Canadian urban music industry and other emerging artists in this sector.
Kwajo Cinqo has taken on individual endeavours with Global 7 Entertainment, but his role on the industry has continued. Uniting with Ghetto Concept on March 29, 2011 to put on a groundbreaking performance at CBC's Hip-Hop Summit , Kwajo Cinqo alongside some of Canada's most legendary acts Maestro Fresh Wes, Michie Mee, and Dream Warriors gathered to put on an event that was the first of its kind in Canada. The historical concert which merged the new and old-school era of Canadian hip-hop was staged at CBC's Glenn Gould Studio and hosted by CBC Radio 2 . Additionally, the significant event was also highlighted in Love, Props and the T.Dot a documentary which was hosted by CBC News Toronto's Dwight Drummond . Kwajo Cinqo was featured in the documentary sharing his years of experience in the industry, something that has been integral to G7 Records Inc. and the greater hip-hop community.
Music
Artists
G7 Records' roster of artists includes rappers Reema Major, JJ Money, LP Da Original, Richie Payso, DJ G-Starr, Ghetto Concept, and Kwajo Cinqo as a solo artist.
Discography
Kwajo Cinqo
*Corporate Hustle (2010)
Reema Major
*Youngest In Charge (2009)
*15 Going on 25 (2010)
*I Am Legend (2011)
JJ Money
*Time is Money (2011)
DJ G-Starr
*Hip-Hop Promo Part 1 (2011)
LP Da Original
*No Organization No Progress (2011)
Richie Payso
*Hate Is The New Love (2011)

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