The story of E.M.P.I.R.E. Music Group

 

Founded in 2010, E.M.P.I.R.E. Music Group was born out of a vision — not just to make music, but to shape a movement. What started as a modest setup in Virginia quickly evolved into a powerhouse for independent artistry, rooted in excellence, hustle, and heart.

Our story started with our founders, 15 years ago

 

Built by creatives for creatives, we’ve spent over a decade refining our sound, building infrastructure, and cultivating a space where raw talent transforms into timeless legacy. Through years of consistent growth, we’ve expanded our reach and resources — from analog hybrid mastering and elite vocal production to business strategy and artist development through our strategic brand partners. We’ve helped emerging voices find their sound, guided seasoned artists into new levels, and laid the foundation for careers built to last.

Today, E.M.P.I.R.E. Music Group stands not just as a studio, but as a symbol — of ownership, of quality, and of what’s possible when music meets mission. And we’re just getting started. Our future is focused on scaling our impact: launching national training programs, investing in multimedia expansion, developing next-gen engineers and producers, and building a global ecosystem where every creator who walks through our doors leaves with more than just a record — they leave with direction. This isn’t just about today’s sound. We’re building a future where independent artists thrive on their own terms.

How We Work

 

From first contact to final bounce, our process is designed to bring out your best. Every session is engineered for quality, every mix is finished with intention, and every project moves through a system built on accountability, clarity, and excellence. EMG isn’t just a studio — it’s an ecosystem where your sound gets the respect it deserves.

Founder & Visionary Behind E.M.P.I.R.E. Music Group

 

E.M.P.I.R.E. Music Group was founded in 2010 by VA Sam — a driven audio engineer, producer, and entrepreneur with a vision bigger than just sound. With roots in Virginia and a background steeped in both creative and technical mastery, VA Sam built EMG with a mission to set a new industry standard for professionalism, sound quality, and artist empowerment. What began as a local studio evolved into a full-fledged creative hub that bridges technical mastery with real-world execution — offering an ecosystem where creative vision becomes structured reality.

Over the years, VA Sam has worked with independent artists, major companies, and mainstream artists alike — bringing a high level of professionalism and passion to every project. He has engineered and guided countless sessions, mentored rising talent, and helped shape the direction of an evolving music culture.

In addition to his work in the studio, VA Sam also played a key role in shaping the future of creative education in his home state. He assisted in writing the Virginia High School music education program for the Virginia Department of Education — a foundational curriculum now implemented across high schools statewide to introduce students to audio production, creative entrepreneurship, and music industry fundamentals.

 

“Virginia has never been known for fueling its creatives — most feel they have to leave just to breathe. But instead of crying about the system, we built an infrastructure. E.M.P.I.R.E. Music Group is the platform, the blueprint, the mindset, and the proof that you can build power where they said it couldn’t exist.”

-VA Sam

Gear Highlights

Dangerous 2 Bus+

Dangerous Bax EQ

Dangerous LIAISON

Monitor ST

Dangerous Convert-AD+

Dangerous Convert-8

Dangerous Convert-8

Dangerous Convert-2

Dangerous Compressor

AVANTONE BV-1

MANLEY REFERENCE

MIKTEK CV3

NEUMANN U87

SHURE SM7B

TELEFUNKEN ELA M 251E

SONY C800G

ADAM AUDIO A8X

Adam Audio A77X

CLARITY M HARDWARE METER

YAMAHA HS5

YAMAHA HS8

Avantone Pro Active MixCube

APOLLO 8 QUAD 2X

APOLLO 8 QUAD 2X

UNIVERSAL AUDIO LA610

APOLLO SATELITE OCTO

APPLE MAC PRO 3.2GHZ 16-CORE _ 192GB RAM _ 2TB SSD _ RADEON PRO W5700X

DBX-286S

EMPIRICAL LABS-EL8X DISTRESSOR

MANLEY CORE

MANLEY MASSIVE PASSIVE

NEVE 1073 PRE 2X

NEVE SHELFORD-CHANNEL

SSL UF8

UNIVERSAL AUDIO LA2A

ANTARES AUTOTUNE UNLIMITED

CELEMONY MELODYNE STUDIO 5

FABFILTER TOTAL

Soundtoys 5 Bundle

PRO TOOLS ULTIMATE

STEINBERG-WAVELAB- PRO 12

UAD COMPLETE

WAVES ULTIMATE

Izotope Everything

SSL Complete

Spectralayers Pro 12

IK Multimedia T-Racks 6 Max