The King label was founded in 1943 by Syd Nathan in Cincinnati, Ohio. The company was an early pioneer in the cultural and racial integration of American music, from blues and R&B to rockabilly, bluegrass, western swing, and country, creating a unique discography spanning up to 1968 on Nathan's death.

Out of Cincinnati's 'Queen City' came King's first label, Queen in 1945, surviving a number of years before the formation of Federal Records- launched with the legendary Ralph Bass on King's signing of James Brown in 1950. Along with Henry Glover's multi-talented input in the business, DeLuxe Records and Bethlehem Records were acquired by 1960. On Nathan's demise the labels were sold to Starday Records and the label changed to Starday King. From 1970 a series of sales ensued, with Brown's back-catalog going to Polydor in 1971 and the remaining catalog finally ending in the hands of Gusto Records in 1974.

In 1975 Gusto, owned by George Massenburg's GML Inc., began reissuing King releases, all with original artwork and logos. They also revived the Federal label and DeLuxe sub-labels in the process. In 2001 King recordings began to be reissued by the Collectables label.

James Brown's most known 45's were released on Starday King and Brown himself pretty much WAS the King label and the artist that grossed the most money.

All 45rpm's with the King crown logo are released in either blue or red color.