Wikipedia

UpFront Records

UpFront Records is a record label owned and founded by DeVyne Stephens. Stephens began his career in the early 1990s with Devyne featuring 90 Miles an Hour. "I was one of the first artists L.A. [Reid] and Babyface signed to LaFace Records," he says. But the group broke up before it could release an album.

UpFront Records
Parent companyWarner Music Group
Founded2005 (2005)
FounderDeVyne Stephens
Distributor(s)Atlantic Records
GenreHip hop, R&B
Country of originU.S.
LocationAtlanta, Georgia
Official websitewww.upfrontmegatainment.com

Undaunted, Stephens found his niche as a choreographer and imaging expert for LaFace Records. He worked with everyone from Pebbles, Toni Braxton and Pink to TLC, Usher and Boyz II Men. He says that people in Atlanta have their own individual style. "Being I'm a native from Atlanta, I cultivate that style and put it on different artists," he says.

Stephens discovered Senegalese R&B singer Akon, who just moved to Atlanta from New Jersey. He signed Akon to his own UpFront Records and secured a distribution deal with SRC/Universal. "I always believed that Akon was special," he says. Akon went on to sell over a million copies of his 2004 debut, Trouble, and score hit singles like "Locked Up" and "Lonely".

UpFront Records' roster includes Akon, R&B quartet Red Dirt, and the rap group FA (Free Agents). He says there isn't much difference between his former job at LaFace and his current duties as a record executive. He teaches his artists, "The first thing people look for is individuality. You gotta[sic] have that in the music industry. Style is definitely important."

Discography

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List of studio albums, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales Certifications
US
[1] 		US
R&B
[2] 		AUS
[3] 		CAN
[4] 		GER
[5] 		IRL
[6] 		NZ
[7] 		SWE
[8] 		SWI
[9] 		UK
[10]
Trouble 18 3 12 — 24 3 2 49 31 1
Konvicted 2 2 16 4 75 10 1 41 23 16
Freedom
  • Released: December 2, 2008 (US)[23]
  • Labels: Konvict, UpFront, SRC, Universal Motown
  • Formats: LP, CD, digital download
 7 3 20 4 82 10 29 — 22 6

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Akon Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  2. ^ "Akon Chart History: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  3. ^ "Discography Akon". australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  4. ^ "Akon Chart History: Canadian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  5. ^ "Chartverfolgung / Akon / Longplay". musicline.de (in German). Media Control Charts. Archived from the original on September 30, 2015. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  6. ^ "Discography Akon". irish-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  7. ^ "Discography Akon". charts.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  8. ^ "Discographie Akon". Swedish Charts (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  9. ^ "Akon" (select "Charts" tab). swisscharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  10. ^ "Akon" (select "Albums" tab). Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  11. ^ Kellman, Andy. "Trouble – Akon > Overview". AllMusic. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  12. ^ a b Concepcion, Mariel (November 25, 2008). "Redemption Song: Akon". Billboard. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  13. ^ a b "Gold & Platinum: Akon". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  14. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2005 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on December 21, 2008. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  15. ^ a b c "British certifications – Akon". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 27, 2024. Type Akon in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  16. ^ a b c "Gold/Platinum – Akon". Music Canada. Archived from the original on June 2, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  17. ^ "Top 40 Albums Chart: Chart #1462 (Monday 30 May 2005)". Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on September 27, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  18. ^ "Konvicted by Akon". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  19. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2007 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on May 15, 2011. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  20. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (Akon)". swisscharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  21. ^ "2007 Certification Awards – Platinum". Irish Recorded Music Association. Archived from the original on May 23, 2012. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  22. ^ "Top 40 Albums Chart: Chart #1571 (Monday 30 May 2005)". Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on March 30, 2014. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  23. ^ "Freedom by Akon". iTunes Store. Apple. January 2008. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  24. ^ Lipshutz, Jason (September 22, 2010). "Akon Previews 'Akonic' Album at NY Listening". Billboard. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  25. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2009 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on December 1, 2009. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
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