In May 2014, it was announced that American rapper Nas was launching an indie label with Mass Appeal with Peter Bittenbender of company Decon.

The label's current roster includes artists such as: Nas, DJ Shadow, Mannie Fresh, Fashawn, Black Milk, and Keyon Harrold.

Since its inception, the label has put out releases including the singles "Old English” from Young Thug, Freddie Gibbs, and ASAP Ferg and Jay Electronica's "Exhibit C"; albums such as Fashawn's The Ecology, Pimp C's Long Live the Pimp, and J Dilla's The Diary, and mixtapes, such as Dave East's Hate Me Now.

[2] Mass Appeal Records released The Mountain Will Fall, the fifth studio album by DJ Shadow on June 24, 2016.

In May 2017, Mass Appeal announced a joint venture publishing company with Pulse Music Group.

[8] In June 2018, a new partnership with Universal Music Group[9] was announced with the companies entering into a multi-year global agreement.

[11] Mass Appeal artist Stro released his debut project, Nice 2 Meet You, Again[12] on October 19, 2018.

Cuz Lightyear released Blue Slime[13] on November 30, 2018, featuring rappers Lil Baby, Killer Mike, and Yung Bans.

The 1865 has four members: Mass Appeal's own director, Sacha Jenkins, alongside Carolyn "Honeychild" Coleman, Flora Lucini, Chuck Treece, and Jason "Biz" Lucas.