Jive Records Relaunches as Standalone Label Under RCA Leadership

Two men standing back to back against a textured beige wall, one in a brown sweater and one in a cream sweater.

RCA Records has announced the revival of Jive Records as a standalone frontline label, marking the return of one of the music industry’s most influential imprints. Former UnitedMasters executives Mike Weiss and David Melhado will serve as co-presidents of the relaunched label, operating out of Sony Music’s New York City headquarters. The move comes more than a decade after Jive, along with Arista Records and J Records, was dissolved into RCA’s roster following Sony’s merger with BMG. Arista was later revived in 2018, and now Jive is set to reemerge with a renewed focus on artist development across all genres.


Founded in 1981 by Clive Calder, Jive Records built a storied legacy in both hip-hop and pop, helping launch the careers of artists such as A Tribe Called Quest, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Boogie Down Productions, before becoming home to global stars including Britney Spears, Aaliyah, *NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, Usher, and Justin Timberlake. The label was led for more than two decades by Barry Weiss, father of new co-president Mike Weiss, who helped shape Jive’s identity as an incubator for groundbreaking talent. Many artists who rose to prominence under Jive remain part of the RCA roster today.


Weiss and Melhado bring a modern, artist-first approach shaped by their success at UnitedMasters, where they worked with acts including Brent Faiyaz, NLE Choppa, and BigXthaPlug. Both executives emphasized honoring Jive’s legacy while adapting it for today’s music landscape, focusing on developing artists and fostering innovation. RCA Chairman and CEO Peter Edge praised the duo’s instincts and track record, calling their leadership a natural evolution for the iconic label as it begins a new era within Sony Music.

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