Gotee Records is a record label of Christian hip-hop, based in Franklin, Tennessee in the United States.

Gotee Records
Founded1994; 30 years ago (1994)
FounderToby "TobyMac" McKeehan, Todd Collins, Joey Elwood
Distributor(s)Gotee
GenrePop rock, contemporary Christian music, Christian hip hop, Christian rock
Country of originUnited States
LocationFranklin, Tennessee
Official websitegotee.com

History

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The label was founded in 1994 by TobyMac, Todd Collins and Joey Elwood.[1] The first album produced is Out of Eden's Lovin' the Day.[2][3] The label was a part of EMI Christian Music Group. However, they bought back EMI's minority share to become fully independent again as of March 31, 2008.[4] Toby McKeehan is currently the president of the company and as of 2009, the label is currently distributed by Warner Bros. Records.

McKeehan got the name "Gotee" from the song "Socially Acceptable" on dc Talk's album Free at Last. A member of the band GRITS was doing the background vocals, and he was saying, "Let it go, T, let it go." ("T" refers to Toby). McKeehan happened to be growing a goatee on his face at the time, and when Mark Heimermann pointed out the coincidence, he decided to name his new record company, "Gotee Records".

However, McKeehan does not publish his own albums under this title; instead he publishes his own records under the same label dc Talk was signed to, ForeFront Records, an imprint of Universal Music Group. He owns the name the Gotee Bros.

In May 2015 Gotee was acquired by Zealot Networks. Zealot's Nashville office is headed by former Gotee artist John Reuben. As part of the acquisition Gotee is still operated independently.[5]

Artists

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Current artists

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Former artists

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Compilations

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  • Gotee Records presents: Showcase
  • We Are Hip Hope
  • Freaked! A Tribute to dc Talk's Jesus Freak
  • Gotee Records Freshman Class 2000
  • Gotee Records: The Soundtrack
  • Ten Years Brand New
  • Gotee Night Out
  • Hip Hope Hits collection[7]
  • Tis the Season to be Gotee
  • Tis the Season to be Gotee Too
  • Gotee Records: Twenty Years Brand New

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Randall Herbert Balmer, Encyclopedia of Evangelicalism: Revised and expanded edition, Baylor University Press, USA, 2004, p. 296-297
  2. ^ Justin Sarachik, TobyMac’s Influence on Christian Hip-Hop and How Gotee Records Signed John Reuben Over KJ-52, rapzilla.com, USA, February 9, 2016
  3. ^ Price, Deborah Evans. "Gotee Grows Into Christian Boutique" (PDF). Billboard. December 7, 1996: 10 – via AmericanRadioHistory.Com.
  4. ^ "Featured News". FreeGotee.com. March 31, 2008. Archived from the original on June 6, 2008. Retrieved June 11, 2008.
  5. ^ "NEWS: Zealot Networks Acquires Gotee Records". The Gospel Music Association. May 28, 2015. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016.
  6. ^ "JFH News: Gotee Records Welcomes New Artist RICHLIN". Jesus Freak Hideout. February 6, 2020. Archived from the original on February 6, 2020. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  7. ^ "Various Artists Hip Hope Hits 2009" Archived March 10, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. Jesus Freak Hideout, 02/07/2009, written by Scott Fryberger
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