Profile Records

Lore & Background

Profile Records was started in 1980 when 23-year-old Cory Robbins, who had briefly worked for MCA, invited his songwriter friend Steve Plotnicki to be a partner. They each borrowed $17,000 from their parents, purchased the little-used Panorama Records subsidiary from MCA, and Profile Records was born. Their tiny office opened at 250 West 57th Street in NYC on May 1, 1981. The first artists signed were Grace Kennedy and Lonnie Love.

The label escaped financial ruin by a mere $2,000 thanks to the success of “Genius Rap” by Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde. Further commercial success came with Gidea Park's “Seasons of Gold,” which became Profile Records’ first hit to make the Billboard Hot 100. In 1982, the label gained international recognition with the club hit "I Specialize in Love" by Sharon Brown, licensed to Virgin Records in the UK. Profile continued its commercial success with gold and platinum sales from artists such as Dana Dane, Twin Hype, Run-D.M.C., Poor Righteous Teachers, Nemesis, and Paul Hardcastle.

In 1985, the label moved to a headquarters at 740 Broadway in New York. Profile had numerous sub-labels, including Smile Communications, Sea Bright Records, and Zakia Records, the latter launching the career of Eric B. & Rakim. Profile's biggest act was Run-D.M.C., signed after Russell Simmons sent a demo cassette of "It's Like That" to Robbins. The partners eventually had a less than amicable split that severed all business and personal ties. Profile was acquired by Arista Records in 1998, and its catalogue and artists were transferred to Arista. Sony Music Entertainment now manages much of Profile's back catalog and master recordings.

Reader's Guide

Profile Records holds a foundational place in the history of hip-hop and rap music. As one of the earliest labels dedicated to the genre, it provided a platform for artists who would define the sound and culture of hip-hop in the 1980s. The label's most significant contribution was signing Run-D.M.C., whose groundbreaking fusion of rap and rock brought hip-hop to mainstream audiences and set the stage for the genre's global explosion. Profile also launched the career of Eric B. & Rakim through its Zakia sub-label, further cementing its influence. Beyond hip-hop, the label's releases in disco and dance music, such as Sharon Brown's "I Specialize in Love," demonstrated its versatility. The label's financial struggles and near-collapse, saved by the success of "Genius Rap," highlight the precarious nature of the early independent music business. Profile's eventual acquisition by Arista and later management by Sony Music Entertainment ensured that its catalog, though largely out of print except for major acts like Run-D.M.C., Rob Base, and DJ Quik, remains part of the broader music industry infrastructure. The label's story is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit and risk-taking that characterized the early days of hip-hop.

Did You Know?

• Profile Records was founded in 1980 by Cory Robbins and Steve Plotnicki, each borrowing $17,000 from their parents.
• Profile's first hit to make the Billboard Hot 100 was 'Seasons of Gold' by Gidea Park.