Founded in London by British entrepreneur Simon Fuller in 1999 as the music division of 19 Entertainment, the label is one of the top record imprints as compiled by Billboard in 2012.

[3] Fuller, who had previously managed the careers of musicians Annie Lennox, Cathy Dennis, and Spice Girls in the 1990s,[4][5] founded 19 Recordings as the music division of 19 Entertainment.

[8] In 2001, Fuller created the singing competition series Pop Idol, which became an instant success in British television and has had international versions in over 48 countries.

Other Pop Idol contestants signed with 19 Recordings include Gareth Gates, Sam & Mark, Michelle McManus, and Sarah Whatmore, had moderate success.

Other contestants from American Idol, such as Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Daughtry, and Jordin Sparks, also followed suit with commercial success.

[15] Beginning in 2006, 19 Recordings also began to sign artists who were unrelated to Idols, such as Annie Lennox, Amy Studt, Orianthi, and Sons of Sylvia.