Jive and Arista – RIP

It’s the end of an era. Jive Records and Arista are now relics of the past because both labels have been shut down indefinitely.

According to RCA Records CEO, Peter Edge, this is not necessarily bad news regardless of the nostalgic value attached to the headlines. This is a good opportunity to give RCA a much-needed makeover by letting of the old and welcoming the new. It gives the now spotlighted label the opportunity to go full speed ahead without the dustings of the older brands.

Jive Records came into existence about 20 years ago and helped launch the careers of Brtiney Spears and Justin Timberlake among others. Arista however has a more treasured history considering the roster of stars attached to it; Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin and Barry Manilow, all have the now defunct label to thank for their incredible contribution to the music industry.

Now artists like Usher and Pink will be forced to call RCA Records home as they leave their current abode.

All good things must come to and end and even though the inner workings of the entertainment industry can be incomprehensible to those of us on the outside, we have to trust that every talented artist will continue to flourish after the dust settles.