Editing Priority Records (section)

=== Beginnings (1985–1996) ===
The Los Angeles-based company (with no ties or relations to a previous Priority Records label that was a subsidiary of what was then [[Sony Music|CBS Records]]) was formed in 1985 by three former [[K-tel]] executives: [[Bryan Turner (businessman)|Bryan Turner]], Mark Cerami and Steve Drath.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1994/08/25/former-k-tel-duo-making-priority-records-a-hit/|title=Former K-tel Duo Making Priority Records A Hit|work=tribunedigital-chicagotribune|access-date=2018-04-30|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ruthless-records-celebrates-20-years-117104|title=Ruthless Records Celebrates 20 Years|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=2018-04-30|language=en}}</ref> Initial funding was provided by R-tek,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/music/straight-outta-west-k-325575831.html|title=Straight outta West K.|last=Kives|first=Bartley|date=2015-09-08|work=Winnipeg Free Press|access-date=2018-04-30}}</ref> a company headed by former K-tel board members: Ray and Harold Kives, and their company took an initial 50% ownership in Priority. Priority bought out the R-tek interest in 1987.

Its first success came with novelty act [[the California Raisins]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name="barker"/> To support early operations, Priority Records licensed repertoire from others and released compilation albums using archive recordings while developing its own artist roster.<ref>{{cite news|title=Former K-tel Duo Making Priority Records A Hit|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1994/08/25/former-k-tel-duo-making-priority-records-a-hit/|work=Chicago Tribune|date=August 25, 1994}}</ref> Priority Records achieved success as an independent label by developing a precedent-setting "street-based" formula of underground marketing which bypassed mainstream radio.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rapartists.com/labels/90/Priority_Records|title=Priority Records - Rap/Hip Hop Labels |website=Rapartists.com|access-date=2018-04-30}}</ref>{{citation needed|date=April 2018}} This approach allowed Priority to sell millions of records without entering into the fiercely competitive major label battles over radio airplay.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}} Priority's strategic marketing team was developed by Vice President Alyssa Pisano, who led Priority's Marketing and Creative Services Department between 1987 and 1996. Priority's roster featured numerous gold, platinum and multi-platinum artists, including [[N.W.A]], [[Ice Cube]], [[MC Ren]], [[Eazy-E]], [[Master P]], [[Snoop Dogg]], [[Silkk the Shocker]], [[Jay-Z]], [[Paris (rapper)|Paris]], [[Mack 10]], [[504 Boyz]], [[Brotha Lynch Hung]] [[C-Murder]], [[Mia X]], [[Westside Connection]], [[No Limit Records|No Limit]] and [[Ice-T]].

Priority distributed rapper [[Jay-Z]]'s debut album, ''[[Reasonable Doubt (album)|Reasonable Doubt]]'', in June 1996 with Jay-Z's company [[Roc-A-Fella Records]]. The album was a critical success, but a minor success upon release, selling 43,000 copies in its first week and 420,000 copies altogether.<ref name="Stopthebreaks.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.stopthebreaks.com/first-week-album-sales/jay-z-first-week-album-sales/|title=Dead Presidents:Ranking Jay Z 1st week album sales|access-date=February 15, 2019}}</ref><ref name="XXLnumbers">{{cite journal|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2011/06/jay-zs-reasonable-doubt-by-the-numbers/|title=Jay-Z's Reasonable Doubt By the Numbers|journal=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]|publisher=[[Harris Publications]]|date=June 25, 2011|access-date=2012-06-16}}</ref> It was ultimately certified Platinum by the RIAA. ''Reasonable Doubt'' was Roc-A-Fella and Jay-Z's only album with Priority Records.