Sony Urban Music was a division of Sony BMG, active from 2003 to 2006, The division handled R&B, soul, and hip hop releases by artists nominally signed to Sony's Columbia and Epic labels. During its existence, Sony Urban managed releases by artists such as Nas, Bow Wow, John Legend, Omarion, Bossman, DMX, Beyoncé, Amerie, Keshia Chanté and contemporary Christian music duo Anointed.
In March 2004, the division's general manager became Lisa Ellis, and president in 2005.
In November 2006, it was announced that Sony Urban Music would be terminated.The division was placed under the umbrella of the Columbia Records label. All of the artists handled by Sony Urban were returned to either Columbia or Epic, with a handful of exceptions. R&B singer Omarion switched from Epic to Columbia, where he recorded a duets album with rapper Bow Wow. New signees Sa-Ra, signed to Columbia through Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music imprint, negotiated their release during the restructuring.
Albums Bravehearted (Bravehearts): 2003 U Gotta Feel Me (Lil' Flip): 2004 Destiny Fulfilled (Destiny's Child): 2004 Time to Share (Toshinobu Kubota): 2004 Street's Disciple (Nas): 2004 Weapons of Mass Destruction (Xzibit): 2004 Get Lifted (John Legend): 2004 Lyfe 268-192 (Lyfe Jennings): 2004 Touch (Amerie): 2005 O (Omarion): 2005 Choices II: The Setup (Three 6 Mafia): 2005 Most Known Unknown (Three 6 Mafia): 2005 Most Known Hits (Three 6 Mafia): 2005 B'Day (Beyoncé): 2006 The Phoenix (Lyfe Jennings): 2006 Cash on Delivery (Ray Cash): 2006 Year of the Dog... Again (DMX): 2006 Once Again (John Legend): 2006 Crook By Da Book: The Fed Story (Project Pat): 2006 21 (Omarion): 2006 2U (Keshia Chanté): 2006
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