Island Records started in 1959 in Jamaica, focusing on local artists, before relocating to the UK in 1962 where they found success and began signing British rock talent. They have since expanded into many genres like pop and hip hop, and are now owned by Universal Music Group with many subsidiaries. As a large, experienced record label, Island Records signs artists from any genre who have potential for major success, working to build their profile until achieving a large hit, as demonstrated through Drake's career trajectory.

1. Island Records Fact File
Island records started in Jamaica in 1959 as an independent record label for local artists. By
1962 the label had become very successful in Jamaica, and so the founders relocated to the
UK, to expand. They then began signing UK rock talent, and expanded greatly from there
into many other genres, such as pop and hip hop. They are currently owned by the Universal
Music Group, and have many subsidiaries of their own. Due to the company now being a
conglomerate record label, they no longer focus on a particular genre and are very wide
reaching. Because they are so large and experienced, it seems like they sign anyone who
has the potential to be a major artist from any genre, and work on the artists profile until they
get a large hit. As of current they now have signed huge worldwide artists such as Drake and
Exposure, and smaller artists such as Oh Wonder. An good example of profile curating is
Drake, who slowly built up a following with his first albums; but it was only his fourth album
that achieved major worldwide success.