Alamo Records
American record label
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Alamo Records (formerly Cold Heat Records) is an American record label founded in 2016 by music executive Todd Moscowitz. Based in New York City, the label began as a joint venture with Universal Music Group and later became part of Sony Music Entertainment, which acquired a majority stake in 2021.[2][3]
Universal Music Group (2016–2021)
Interscope Geffen A&M (2016–2021)
EMPIRE[1] (2017–2019)
Foundation Media (2019–2021)
| Alamo Records | |
|---|---|
| |
| Parent company | Sony Music Entertainment (2021–present) Universal Music Group (2016–2021) |
| Founded | November 10, 2016 |
| Founder | Todd Moscowitz |
| Distributors | Sony (2021–present) Interscope Geffen A&M (2016–2021) EMPIRE[1] (2017–2019) Foundation Media (2019–2021) |
| Genre | Various |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Location | New York City, New York |
| Official website | alamo-records |
The label has focused largely on hip-hop and contemporary pop artists and has developed commercially successful acts including Rod Wave and Lil Durk.
History
Founding as Cold Heat Records (2016–2017)
Following Moscowitz’s departure from 300 Entertainment, Moscowitz founded Cold Heat Records in 2016 as a joint venture with Universal Music Group and Interscope Records.[2]
The label was later renamed Alamo Records as it expanded its roster and branding strategy.[4]
Roster growth and streaming-era success (2018–2020)
During the late 2010s the label expanded its roster and gained commercial traction through streaming platforms and digital distribution. Artists associated with the label during this period included Lil Durk, Rod Wave, Smokepurpp, and Comethazine.
Several releases from the label’s roster achieved significant commercial success on the Billboard 200 and major streaming platforms, helping establish Alamo as an emerging hip-hop label during the streaming era.
Sony acquisition and expansion (2021–present)
In June 2021, Sony Music Entertainment acquired a majority stake in Alamo from Universal Music Group.[3]
In 2022, reports indicated that Sony paid approximately $125 million for Universal's interest in the company, consolidating ownership within Sony Music.[5]
By the mid-2020s Alamo had emerged as a significant frontline label within Sony’s recorded music operations, driven in part by the commercial success of artists including Rod Wave and Lil Durk.[6]
In 2025, Billboard named Alamo its R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players Label of the Year.[7]
Current artists
| Artists | Year signed | Albums | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackbear | 2017 | 6 | With Columbia, formerly with Interscope and Beartrap |
| 03 Greedo | 7 | ||
| Smokepurpp | 6 | Formerly with Interscope and Geffen | |
| Rod Wave | 2018 | 10 | |
| Lil Durk | 11 | ||
| Comethazine | 7 | ||
| Trevor Daniel | 11 | With RCA, formerly with Interscope and Internet Money | |
| DD Osama | 2022 | 1 | |
| BossMan Dlow | 2023 | 2 |