JIVE Records Returns: RCA Taps UnitedMasters Alums to Lead Label Relaunch
– 2 min read
In a major move for the music industry, RCA Records has officially revived the legendary JIVE Records as an independent, frontline label. Stepping in to lead the charge are co-Presidents Mike Weiss and David Melhado, both of whom join the label following successful tenures at UnitedMasters.
A Storied Legacy Returns
Originally established in 1981 by Clive Calder, JIVE Records spent decades as a powerhouse under the leadership of Barry Weiss. The label became a cornerstone of Sony Music in 2004 and eventually integrated into RCA in 2008. In a full-circle moment, Mike Weiss—son of the former JIVE chief—will now helm the brand his father helped build.
JIVE’s historical roster reads like a "who’s who" of music royalty, having served as the home for:
- Hip-Hop Icons: Outkast, A Tribe Called Quest.
- Pop Superstars: Britney Spears, *NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, P!NK, Justin Timberlake.
- R&B Legends: Aaliyah, Usher, Chris Brown.
The New Vision
Operating out of Sony Music’s New York headquarters, the relaunched JIVE aims to blend its historic reputation for creative excellence with a modern, artist-centric approach. Weiss and Melhado will report directly to RCA Chairman/CEO Peter Edge and COO John Fleckenstein.
"Relaunching this iconic label... allows us to carry forward JIVE’s legacy of creative and operational excellence while proving that major labels can deliver both innovation and fairness," noted Mike Weiss.
David Melhado echoed this sentiment, emphasizing a commitment to independent spirit:
"Relaunching JIVE alongside Mike is an opportunity to honor its independent spirit and double down on developing artists while shaping culture."
Leadership Background
The duo brings a proven track record of artist development from their time at UnitedMasters, where they worked with rising stars and established acts such as:
- Brent Faiyaz
- BigXthaPlug
- NLE Choppa
- Floyymenor
RCA Chairman Peter Edge expressed high confidence in the pair, calling the revival a "poetic" evolution and praising their "sharp instincts" for discovering the next generation of talent.
Written by
With 35+ years in journalism, Kevin Nelson blends media expertise with financial strategy—protecting artist legacies as a publishing & masters specialist and scaling brands as a business consultant.
