The Buddah Records label was based in the United States, but released internationally.

Buddah's roots began in 1964 when three production company partners, Artie Ripp, Hy Mizrahi and Phil Steinberg, formed the Kama Sutra label- gaining mover and shaker Art Kass to their board from MGM, the company with whom the four signed a distribution deal. The label did well for three years, but decided to begin extricating themselves from the MGM deal by forming a satellite label in 1967. Thus Buddah was born, steered by ex MGM executive Neil Bogart.

Both labels flourished with a wide variety of artists. Kama Sutra was free of its MGM deal by 1969 and its distribution, including its Eleuthera label, continued through Buddah, along with subsidiaries such as Sussex, Curtom, T-Neck, Charisma, Pavilion, Super-K, Southwind, National General and Brut. But, by 1982, the hits began to dry up and Sutra Records was formed about this time. With sales failing by 1986 Buddah was finished and its label and back-catalog was sold to Essex Entertainment Group, who in turn sold it on to BMG Special Products. Prior to this the label address was 810 Seventh Avenue, N.Y. 10019.

The first vinyl album released by Buddah (before it began a catalog reorganization with series 5000) was "Safe As Milk" by Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band (red label) BDM 1001 (1967). It was also the first (re-issued) on the new 5000 Buddah label (psychedelic/black) as BDS 5001 (1970).

BMG began re-issues of Buddah/Kama Sutra material in 1996, revising the logo to the correct spelling of Buddha and replacing the Shiva statue image with that of Buddha. BMG is now part of Sony, with the Buddah/Buddha Records catalog managed by Legacy Recordings.