It was known for rhythm and blues, gospel, and early rock and roll, and recorded artists such as Little Richard, Guitar Slim, Percy Mayfield, and Lloyd Price.

[1] Rupe established the company under the name Juke Box Records but changed it to Specialty in 1946 when he parted company with a couple of his original partners.

[2] Rupe's daughter, Beverly,[2] restarted the label in the 1980s.

[1] The major producers for the label were Rupe, Robert "Bumps" Blackwell, Johnny Vincent and J. W.

[3] Rupe was known for hating the practice of payola,[4] but by 1953, "the only way for Specialty to remain competitive was to pay like everybody else.