MUMBAI: Today, the iconic Blackground Records–now Blackground Records 2.0–announces a new partnership with EMPIRE, the leading independent label, distributor, and publisher, to release Blackground’s storied catalogue to streaming services worldwide. The release will include catalogue material from Timbaland & Magoo, Tank, Toni Braxton, JoJo, Ashley Parker Angel and the late Aaliyah. Additionally, Blackground has announced a new entertainment platform Music360 set to launch at the end of the summer.

Physical Vinyl, CD, tape pre-orders as well as digital pre-orders and pre-saves are available now at www.BlackgroundRecords.net.

The partnership was designed upon Blackground’s commitment to introduce Aaliyah and Blackground’s legacy to a new audience, re-engage longtime fans, and educate new fans about Aaliyah and Blackground’s undeniable impact on culture, fashion, visual art, music and more. The catalogue will be released in near chronological order, encouraging fans and listeners to enjoy and relive the music as it was originally released. The entire catalogue will feature 17 official albums. Some of the most notable discography from the catalogue will include both of Aaliyah’s 2x-platinum selling albums 'One in a Million' and 'AALIYAH', along with her 'I Care 4 U' and 'Ultimate Aaliyah' compilation albums.

Fans will also be able to listen to the soundtracks from the hit movies "Exit Wounds" and "Romeo Must Die". In addition, the catalogue is also set to feature legendary rap duo Timbaland & Magoo albums 'Welcome To Our World', 'Indecent Proposal', 'Under Construction: Part II', and Timbaland’s own album, 'Tim’s Bio: Life From Da Basement'. Also, R&B singer Toni Braxton’s 'Libra' album, R&B crooner 'Tank’s Force of Nature', 'One Man', and 'Sex, Love & Pain' albums, Jojo’s 'The High Road' album and self-titled album 'JoJo', and the only album from Ashley Parker Angel, 'Soundtrack To Your Life'.

Blackground Records 2021 Release Timeline:

August 20th: Aaliyah - 'One In A Million' Album
August 27th: Timbaland & Magoo - 'Welcome To Our World', 'Indecent Proposal' and 'Under
Construction', Part II Albums + Timbaland - 'Tim's Bio' Album
September 3rd: "Romeo Must Die" and "Exit Wounds" Movie Soundtracks
September 10th: Aaliyah - 'AALIYAH' Album
September 17th: Tank - 'Force of Nature', 'One Man' and 'Sex, Love & Pain' Albums
September 24th: JoJo - 'JoJo' and 'The High Road' Albums | Ashley Parker Angel - 'Soundtrack To Your Life' Album
October 1st: Toni Braxton - 'Libra' Album
October 8th: Aaliyah - 'I Care 4 U' and 'Ultimate Aaliyah' Compilation Albums

Founded by Barry and Jomo Hankerson and initially launched in 1993, Blackground Records became a staple name in music and pop culture in the 1990s and early 2000s with the Hankerson’s expert ear for artist development that would evolve into prolific careers for the aforementioned artists. Over the years, Blackground Records sold millions of records, had ten Top 10 Billboard 200 albums and won countless awards. Now, as Blackground Records 2.0, Hankerson plans to continue their undeniable impact on pop culture. “Blackground Records has always been about independence and ownership,” says Barry Hankerson. “From day one, we set out to shake up the music industry and partnering with a company like EMPIRE continues that legacy. This is Blackground Records 2.0.”

“Blackground Records redefined popular music as we know it,” says Ghazi, CEO and Founder of EMPIRE. “We’re happy to provide a home for Blackground Records 2.0 and help build upon their independent story.”

As part of the re-release of the Blackground Records catalogue, Hankerson will launch a new social, audio and video entertainment platform called Music360. Further information on this new platform will be shared in the coming weeks.