Label
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is one of the oldest surviving brands in recorded sound, founded January 15, 1889, in Washington, D.C. as the Columbia Phonograph Company. Within two decades it had relocated to New York City, where it has been headquartered ever since. It is now owned by Sony Music Entertainment and operates as one of three major labels alongside Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group.
The catalog defines 20th-century American music. Columbia signed Miles Davis, whose 1959 album Kind of Blue remains the best-selling jazz record of all time. Bob Dylan released his foundational run on Columbia from 1962 onward. Bruce Springsteen has been a Columbia artist since his 1973 debut. Simon and Garfunkel, Barbra Streisand, Michael Jackson, Beyonce, and Adele are all Columbia artists, giving the label unmatched depth across genres.
CBS Corporation acquired Columbia in 1938. Sony purchased it in 1988 for $2 billion, one of the largest recorded music acquisitions of its era. Today it operates as a flagship imprint within Sony Music Entertainment.
In 2024, Columbia expanded into K-entertainment with a distribution deal with Odd Atelier, the independent label founded by former BLACKPINK member Jennie. Her debut studio album Ruby, released March 7, 2025, debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and earned multiple RIAA Platinum certifications, making Jennie the first female K-pop soloist to achieve that distinction on US charts.
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Fans Also Ask
Who owns Columbia Records?
Columbia Records is owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation. CBS Corporation acquired the label in 1938 and sold it to Sony in 1988 for approximately $2 billion. It operates as a flagship imprint within Sony Music worldwide.
What is Columbia Records connection to Jennie and K-pop?
In 2024, Columbia Records signed a distribution deal with Odd Atelier, the independent label founded by former BLACKPINK member Jennie. Her debut solo album Ruby (2025) was released through both labels, debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 with multiple RIAA Platinum certifications.
When was Columbia Records founded?
Columbia Records was founded on January 15, 1889, in Washington, D.C. as the Columbia Phonograph Company. It is one of the oldest surviving brands in recorded sound, predating most major competitors by decades.
What are some of Columbia Records most iconic albums?
Columbia catalog includes Miles Davis Kind of Blue (1959), Bob Dylan Highway 61 Revisited (1965), Bruce Springsteen Born to Run (1975), Michael Jackson Thriller (1982), and Beyonce Lemonade (2016). The label has released more Grammy-winning records than any other imprint in Sony Music portfolio.
Who are some current artists on Columbia Records?
Current Columbia Records artists include Beyonce, Adele, Harry Styles, Lil Nas X, and Jennie via Odd Atelier. The label maintains rosters in pop, hip-hop, R&B, country, and K-entertainment across Sony Music global network.
