Quality Control Music

Operational Structure

Quality Control functions under CEO Pierre “Pee” Thomas and COO Kevin “Coach K” Lee, operating through QC Media Holdings following HYBE America’s acquisition for $320 million in stock and cash. The founders negotiated retention of operational control and creative autonomy, with HYBE leadership stating the partnership enables global resource access while preserving QC’s independent decision-making. The label built a four-studio complex in western Atlanta with initial investment of $1 million, establishing infrastructure for in-house production and artist development.

Beyond recorded music, operations include QC Sports managing NFL and NBA athletes (Alvin Kamara, D’Andre Swift, Jarrett Allen) and QC Films producing documentaries and scripted content with partners including Critical Content and Artists First. The label formalized A&R structure by appointing Executive Vice President of A&R and Vice President of A&R positions, indicating institutional investment beyond founder-led scouting. Artist selection emphasizes hunger and work ethic over immediate commercial viability, with Thomas describing the approach as identifying artists “in the beginning stages, and turning them into a brand.”

Distribution Infrastructure

Universal Music Group provides distribution through Capitol Records and Motown Records partnerships established via joint venture agreement. The label initially partnered with Capitol Music Group, with releases distributed through Universal Music Distribution or Capitol’s Caroline division. Motown Records operates as standalone UMG imprint handling select QC releases, with the partnership providing international territory coverage through UMG’s global network.

Platform relationships include verified presence on Spotify with 1.09 million label followers, Instagram with 2 million followers, and YouTube with official artist channels. The HYBE partnership creates what leadership describes as “easy flow” with UMG given existing relationships, maintaining distribution continuity while adding international infrastructure. Digital distribution covers Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and regional streaming platforms across international markets.

Commercial Performance

The catalog generates 27.8 billion total streams across platforms with 551 million playlist reach through 54,400 playlists. Lil Baby achieved four #1 Billboard 200 albums including “My Turn” (5-week chart run, 4x platinum), “It’s Only Me,” and “WHAM,” plus Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance and MTV VMA recognition. Migos catalog includes Grammy-nominated “Culture” album (#5 Billboard 200) and ASCAP Vanguard Award, with Quavo’s solo debut “Quavo Huncho” reaching #2 Billboard 200 and Gold certification.

City Girls achieved platinum certifications for “Act Up” (sampled by Megan Thee Stallion) and “Twerk” featuring Cardi B, plus BET and Billboard Best New Artist nominations within first year. Compilation albums “Control the Streets Vol. 1” reached #5 Billboard 200 (#1 R&B/Hip-Hop) and “Vol. 2” peaked at #3 on both charts. Top streaming tracks include “Baby” featuring DaBaby (687.6 million streams) and “Leave Em Alone” by Layton Greene featuring Lil Baby, City Girls, and PnB Rock (296 million streams).

Artist Development Track Record

City Girls represent the label’s development model: signed with only two songs and facing JT’s prison sentence, the duo achieved platinum records within twelve months. Thomas and Lee maintained investment through the incarceration period, with the group describing peer mentorship from Lil Baby and other roster artists providing studio guidance and advice. The label’s first R&B artist Layton Greene achieved 85+ million streams for debut single “Leave Em Alone” with collaborative roster support, demonstrating cross-genre development capability.

Bankroll Freddie’s signing followed viral remix discovery, with Thomas offering conditional contract contingent on serious music commitment. Following signing, the label supported “From Trap To Rap” debut achieving viral success through “Drip Like Dis” remix featuring roster artists. The BoykinZ signing represents genre diversification into country-pop-hip-hop blend, expanding beyond traditional hip-hop focus with quartet generating 80+ million TikTok views pre-signing.

Thomas describes the investment model as requiring multi-year commitment with some artists remaining unprofitable for extended periods: “You might have one artist that’s making money, that you making profit with, but you got nine other artists that’s not making no money. But you dreaming big and you trying to expand.” Lee confirmed the label operated at a loss for five-plus years before achieving profitability, with periods where founders were “down almost to zero, but we had a record going.”

Contract and Rights Issues

Migos filed malpractice lawsuit against attorney Damien Granderson alleging conflict of interest through simultaneous representation of both the group and QC. The lawsuit claimed Granderson concealed Capitol/QC distribution deal terms that enabled QC to profit “far more handsomely than was apparent from the face of the documents,” with a 2018 Capitol amendment containing terms described as “unconscionable for Migos.” Court documents stated:

“Granderson effectively prevented his other client – Migos – from ever being free of paying excessive compensation to QCM, from ever being signed to any other label.”

The lawsuit alleged excessive attorney fees above industry standards and deliberate concealment of compensation structures favoring QC over artist interests. Settlement terms remain confidential, though the Migos-QC relationship deteriorated following resolution, contributing to the group’s eventual dissolution after Takeoff’s death.

Offset filed suit claiming QC wrongfully asserted ownership of solo recordings despite 2021 settlement granting him rights after payment described as “handsomely” compensating the label. Original contract mandated QC own “all music he produced, along with 50 percent of net advances, royalties, musical compositions, and publishing income.” Following the 2021 agreement, QC allegedly demanded ownership of subsequent solo single “54321” and threatened release blocking. Offset dismissed the lawsuit with prejudice following August 2023 settlement, indicating successful rights reclamation but requiring legal intervention for enforcement.

Expansion Beyond Music

QC Sports manages professional athletes across NFL and NBA including Alvin Kamara (New Orleans Saints running back), D’Andre Swift (Detroit Lions running back), Deebo Samuel Sr., Diontae Johnson (Cleveland Browns), and Jarrett Allen. The division applies Thomas and Lee’s artist management philosophy to athletic careers, operating under the same “quality control” brand standards as music operations.

QC Films produces documentaries, scripted series, and films operating with budgets under $10 million through partnerships with Sean McKittrick, Raymond Mansfield, and Edward H. Hamm Jr. Productions include “Untrapped: The Story of Lil Baby” documentary distributed through Amazon and “City Girls - The Series” five-episode YouTube series. Partnerships with Trioscope Studios, Critical Content, and Artists First enable production scaling while maintaining independent creative control. Post-HYBE acquisition, leadership describes building large Atlanta compound modeled after Tyler Perry’s approach to house all divisions under unified infrastructure.