Black Swan

The First Black-Owned Record Company 

Harry Pace was the first African American to own a United States Record Label.  The label was formed in 1921 in Harlem, New York.  History will have you thinking that the first black owned label was Motown, which was form by Berry Gordy.  He created Black Swan Records, which was parent company of Pace Phonograph Corporation.  This company was founded after its music publishing partnership with W.C. Handy.

Harry Pace created Black Swan record label out of frustration.  According to an article wrote by Jitu K Weusi, “He observed as white recording companies brought the music and lyrics from Pace & Handy, and then recorded them using white artists. When they did employ blacks, they refused to let them sing and play in their own authentic style. Pace resolved to start his own record firm.” 
   

In 1922 Pace Phonograph Corporation was renamed Black Swan Phonograph Company.  The record label and production was named after a famous opera star named Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield.  Once the company was renamed their recording manager Fletcher Henderson and William Grant Still the arranger joined the team.  During this time their first hit “Down Home Blues/Oh, Daddy sold more than half a million records. 

Even though Pace was frustrated and created the record label, he was still up against opposition.  He had to figure out how to distribute his music since the whites would block every way possible.   With the success of the record he was able to get the help of railway guards, news delivery boys and every black shop to display and sell the records.  He was ensuring that everywhere that blacks shop they would see the Black Swan Label available for sale.

During this time as Black Swan Records continue to rise, another composers emerged called Perry Bradford.  Perry Bradford was convinced that there was a market for the records.  He was able to push and market to Okeh Records “Crazy Blues”; it was the first black recording of black voices that represented what blacks wanted. 

Okeh was one the first white labels to launch the label called “race records”.  They faced much opposition was able to come up with a marketing plan that would work. Okeh’s marketing plan was to bundle the black singers and musicians, doing so they would avoid trouble from the distributors. Pace promoted Black Swan as: “The only phonograph company owned and controlled by coloured people.  The only records using exclusively negro voices and musicians”. However during their success the company still went broke in 1923 and was bought out by Paramount Records.  Pace went back to the insurance industry and founded Northeastern Life.

The beauty of music is the creation of where it comes from, so be unique and different!

Sing, write, compose and produce from your heart!