After sitting idle since its 2011 shutdown, Jive Records is back as a standalone entity through RCA Records and Sony Music. The label earned its place in history by turning Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Outkast, and A Tribe Called Quest into global forces, blending sharp A&R with the kind of pop and rap that dominated radio and MTV for years. Relaunching it now gives RCA a dedicated lane to chase similar breakthroughs in an industry that’s changed completely since Jive’s first run.
Mike Weiss and David Melhado have been named Co-Presidents, fresh off key roles at UnitedMasters where they helped shape the careers of independent standouts Brent Faiyaz and NLE Choppa. Their experience building artists through distribution deals and direct fan connections translates directly to what a modern major-label need, eyes for talent that can scale without losing authenticity.
Bringing Jive back isn’t just nostalgia; it’s a strategic play to reclaim space in hip-hop and pop at a moment when genre lines are blurring again. With Weiss and Melhado steering and RCA’s resources behind them, the revived label looks positioned to sign acts who can carry forward the same cultural weight its original roster once did.
Peter Edge, RCA Chairman and CEO, shared: “We admire the impressive results Mike and David have achieved in their careers. Bringing them in to lead Jive Records feels like a natural evolution and a poetic way to revive a label that has been at the forefront of hip-hop and pop. Their sharp instincts and proven ability to discover and develop artists make them the perfect team to launch Jive’s next era.”
