Island Records

Island Records was founded on July 4, 1959, in Jamaica by Chris Blackwell, Graeme Goodall, and Leslie Kong. The name was taken from Alec Waugh's novel Island in the Sun. Blackwell, then a young entrepreneur, secured a small loan from his parents to release the label's first album, At The Half Moon Hotel, Montego Bay by Lance Hayward, and early singles like Laurel Aitken's "Boogie In My Bones." The label initially focused on Caribbean music, particularly ska and early reggae.

In 1962, Blackwell moved the operation to London, where Island evolved into one of the most influential independent labels in British music history. Through the 1960s and 1970s, it signed and developed a remarkably diverse roster: Bob Marley and the Wailers, Cat Stevens, Grace Jones, U2, Roxy Music, and King Crimson. Island played a pivotal role in introducing reggae to a global audience and became synonymous with artist-driven, genre-crossing music.

In July 1989, Blackwell sold Island Records and its publishing arm Island Music to the PolyGram Group for £180 million (about US$300 million). PolyGram was later absorbed into Universal Music Group, making Island a frontline label within UMG's global portfolio. Today, Island operates four main divisions: Island UK (based in London, led by President Louis Bloom), Island US (formerly led from New York by Darcus Beese, now under co-CEOs Imran Majid and Justin Eshak since 2021), Island Australia, and Island France (rebranded from Vertigo France in 2014). The label continues to sign and develop contemporary acts across pop, hip-hop, R&B, and indie, while managing a legendary catalog that includes Bob Marley, U2, and many others. [edit]