Battery Records (dance)

Battery Records was an American record label that served as the dance sublabel of Jive Records, and was active for a short time during the mid-1990s. The label was mostly known for releasing music by the Swedish Eurodance group Rednex in North America, namely its novelty hit "Cotton Eye Joe", as well as Insane Clown Posse's third studio album, Riddle Box. The Battery Records name was later revived by Sony Music Entertainment in 2008 with a focus on hip hop music.

For the current hip hop imprint also under Jive/Zomba, see Battery Records (hip hop).
Battery Records
Parent companyJive Records
Founded1994 (1994)
Defunct1996 (1996)
StatusDefunct
Distributor(s)BMG
Sony Music Entertainment (currently)
GenreDance, hip hop
Country of originUnited States
LocationNew York City

History

Battery was formed when Zomba's Dutch office signed Rednex and created a number-one hit with "Cotton Eye Joe." Newly appointed Jive president Barry Weiss was attempting to broaden the pop-music reach of the label group, and introducing Rednex to American listeners was one of his first steps.[1] Suddenly Jive needed a suitable American outlet for this unique style and didn't feel that any current sub-labels were appropriate. Thus, Battery record's inaugural release was the "Cotton Eye Joe" American import in 1994. Although the song was successful, reaching #25 on the Billboard charts, it remained the group's only US hit.[2] [3]

While the New York City-based label largely focused on pop-oriented electronic music, it also released Insane Clown Posse's third album, Riddle Box. The label continued for a few more years signing at least one more artist before closing its doors in 1996.

Releases
Cat. No. Artist Title Format Type Release Date
01241-46000 Rednex Sex & Violins CD Album 1995
01241-46001 Insane Clown Posse Riddle Box CD Album 1995
01241-46500 Rednex "Cotton Eye Joe" CD, 12" Single 1994
01241-46501 Rednex "Cotton Eye Joe" 7" Single 1994
01241-46504 Insane Clown Posse "Chicken Huntin'" CD Single 1995
01241-46506 Tamperer featuring Maya "Feel It" CD Single 1998

See also

References
  1. Flick, Larry (1995-02-18). "Weiss Named Jive President, Aims to Boost Pop Presence". Billboard: 6, 117.
  2. Bronson, Fred (1995-02-04). "Arista Sweeps: 'Creep' to 'Country'". Billboard: 132.
  3. Flick, Larry; Price, Dominic (1995-02-18). "Will U.S. fans dance to Jive's Rednex Fiddling?". Billboard: 11, 117.



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