Gamma (stylized as gamma. with a full stop) is an American media company founded in 2023 by former Apple executive Larry Jackson and record executive Ike Youssef.[1] Described as a competitor to major labels, the company uses the technology platform Vydia to distribute music directly to streaming services.[2]
History
Gamma was founded by music executive Larry Jackson. Jackson founded the company with US$1 billion in start-up capital from investors including Todd Boehly‘s Eldridge Industries.[3]
The company has a “particular and [acute]” focus on Black culture, and makes use of alternative platforms and social media to reach younger generations.[4] The company is known for its broad distribution platform and partnerships with film and television production companies such as A24, which enables its artists to expand into industries outside of music. It was described by Billboard as a challenger to the “Big Three” traditional labels.[1]
Gamma’s initial artists included Usher, Rick Ross, and Snoop Dogg,[5] with Sexyy Red, French Montana.[6][7] Kanye West would partner with the company in collaboration with his own brand YZY for the distribution of his album Bully.[8] In addition, the label also distributes older releases for Snoop Dogg and Tha Dogg Pound.
Artists
| Act | Year signed | Albums released under label |
|---|---|---|
| Snoop Dogg | 2023 | 1 |
| Rick Ross | 1 | |
| Usher | 1 | |
| Sexyy Red[9] | 2 | |
| French Montana[10] | 1 | |
| D Smoke | 0 | |
| 4Batz[11] | 2024 | 1 |
| Jaden[12] | 0 | |
| Willow[12] | 1 | |
| F5ve | 4 | |
| Usimamane | 1 | |
| Rich the Kid | 1 | |
| Blaq Diamond | 0 | |
| Tha Dogg Pound | 1 | |
| DearALICE[13] | 1 | |
| Moliy | 0 | |
| Mariah Carey[14] | 2025 | 1 |
| Asake | 0 | |
| Kanye West[8] | 2026 | 1 |
| North West[15] | 0 | |
| Detahjae[16] | 0 |
Distributed labels
- Enforce Records (2023–present)[17]
- Konvict Kulture (2020–present)[18]
- Maybach Music Group (2023–present)[19]
- Death Row Records (2023–present)
- Popular Demand Entertainment (2023–present)
- Mega (2023–present)
- Open Shift Distribution (2023–present)
- Three Six Zero Recordings (2024–2025)[20]
- Whutitdo Music (2024–present)
- Bonfire (2021–present)[21]
- YZY (2026–present)[22]
Discography
2023
- Sexyy Red – Hood Hottest Princess (June)
- Rick Ross & Meek Mill – Too Good to Be True (November)
2024
- Usher – Coming Home (February)
- French Montana – Mac & Cheese 5 (February)
- Willow – Empathogen (May)
- 4Batz – U Made Me a St4r (May)
- Sexyy Red – In Sexyy We Trust (May)
- Tha Dogg Pound – W.A.W.G. (We All We Got) (May)
- Rich the Kid – Life’s a Gamble (July)
- Usimamane – 20th: Days Before Maud (September)
2025
- Snoop Dogg – Iz It a Crime? (May)
- DearALICE – Bittersweetsummer (June)
- Mariah Carey – Here for It All (September)
2026
- Kanye West – Bully (March)
References
- ^ a b “Larry Jackson Launches Gamma, Major Label Rival with Unprecedented Backing”. Billboard.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
- ^ Fazelpoor, Matthew (April 17, 2023). “After acquisition, what’s next for Vydia?”.
- ^ “Appes Money and Snoop Dogg’s Songs Back this 1 Billion Startup”. Bloomberg. March 8, 2023. Archived from the original on March 8, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
- ^ Leight, Elias (August 8, 2023). “With Gamma, Larry Jackson Is Putting $1 Billion to Work for Black Culture”. Billboard. Archived from the original on November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
- ^ “Larry Jackson Launches New ‘Gamma’ Music Company with Usher and Rick Ross”. Variety.com. March 8, 2023. Archived from the original on October 15, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
- ^ “Maybach Music Group Strikes Partnership with Gamma”. Sheeshmedia.com. Archived from the original on November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
- ^ Brown, Ann (August 30, 2023). “Apple, Larry Jackson, And The $1 Billion: The Machine Helping Program Sexxy Red”. Moguldom. Archived from the original on November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
- ^ a b Leight, Elias (January 28, 2026). “The Makings of a Kanye West Apology: An All-Staff Meeting and a 7-Figure Record Deal”. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved January 29, 2026.
- ^ “Who Is Sexyy Red Signed To?”. June 29, 2023.
- ^ “French Montana inks global partnership with Larry Jackson’s $1bn-backed gamma”. Music Business Worldwide. August 11, 2023. Archived from the original on November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
- ^ Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (May 6, 2024). “4batz Responds to Allegations He Has Problems With Drake”. XXL. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
- ^ a b “Gamma. Aligns with Three Six Zero”. Hits Daily Double. Hits Digital Ventures. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
- ^ “Gamma., Kakao & SM Entertainment to Launch British Boy Band dearALICE Via New Global Alliance”. Billboard.com. Archived from the original on November 26, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ Young, Jabari. “How Former Apple Music Mastermind Larry Jackson Signed Mariah Carey To His $400 Million Startup”. Forbes. Archived from the original on June 7, 2025. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
- ^ Madarang, Charisma (February 19, 2026). “North West Signs to Gamma — The Same Company Ye Partnered With for ‘Bully’“. Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
- ^ detahjae (February 20, 2026). FLARE: ITS NEVER OVER TlL ITS OVER (DOCUMENTARY). Retrieved March 10, 2026 – via YouTube.
- ^ https://enforcerecords.com
- ^ Riordan, Stephanie (August 27, 2020). “Akon’s Konvict Kulture Label Announces Partnership with Vydia –”. Vydia. Archived from the original on February 17, 2025. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
- ^ “Maybach Music and Gamma Announce Partnership”. Variety.com. September 29, 2023. Archived from the original on November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
- ^ Stassen, Murray (February 24, 2025). “Three Six Zero Recordings inks global distribution deal with Warner’s ADA”. Music Business Worldwide. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
- ^ “Bonfire Heats up with Vydia”.
- ^ “Bully”. Spotify.