Strange Music
| Strange Music | |
|---|---|
| File:StrangeMusicLogo.jpg | |
| Parent company | Strange Music Inc. |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Founder | Tech N9ne Travis O'Guin |
| Distributor(s) | JCOR Ent. (2001) MSC Ent. (2002–2006) Fontana (2006–present) |
| Genre | |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Location | Lee's Summit, Missouri |
| Official website | www.StrangeMusicInc.net |
Strange Music, Inc. is an American independent record label specializing in hip hop music founded by Tech N9ne and business partner Travis O'Guin in 1999.[1] It is currently distributed through Fontana Distribution.
History
Travis O'Guin, an established businessman in the world of furniture, was looking to get into the music industry. He had been a fan of Tech N9ne's music and had seen how his career was being handled.
At the time, Tech had several engagements pulling him in several directions. At the time, he was signed to Qwest Records as well as MidwestSide Records. He also had commitments with both QDIII's Soundlab and Sway & King Tech of The Wake Up Show. Travis came into the picture and offered Tech something he never had, his own label. They agreed upon a 50/50 division of profits, with Travis acting as President and Tech as Vice President.
Their first venture was a deal with JCOR Entertainment to release Anghellic, though JCOR mishandled the album. They would then seek another 50/50 deal, this time with Mark Cerami (previously of Priority Records) & Dave Weiner (previously of JCOR Entertainment) who were doing their own joint label at the time, MSC Entertainment. The first album Absolute Power was a success, selling about 250,000 copies.
The label is now independent, no longer joined with MSC Entertainment, instead having a distribution deal through Fontana Distribution. Their first release under the deal with Fontana was Tech N9ne's 2006 effort, Everready (The Religion). While many albums were advertised for 2007 releases in the artwork for that album, only one release was seen in 2007 from Strange Music, Misery Loves Kompany.
The other albums advertised inside the Everready case would however see release a year later in 2008, along with a solo effort from Project: Deadman/Bedlam member, Prozak. For the majority of 2008, Ill Bill looked to be releasing his The Hour of Reprisal through Strange Music, though the talks would fall through and he would instead sign with Fat Beats Records to release the album.[2]
February 7, 2009, it was announced on Tech N9ne's official website that Big Scoob had joined the Strange Music label.
On February 9, 2009, it was announced on Tech N9ne's official website that Skatterman & Snug Brim had decided to leave the Strange Music label after fulfilling their commitment.[3]
In May 2009, Tech signed Brotha Lynch Hung to Strange Music. Brotha Lynch released his Strange Music debut album, Dinner and a Movie on March 23, 2010.
In July 19, 2009, Cognito signed to the Strange Music label. Cognito did not tour with other labelmates during the KOD Tour in order to complete his 2010 album, "Automatic". This ultimately led to the low sales of the album, and led to Cognito's departure from the label the following year.
It was announced by XXL magazine on September 27, 2010 that Jay Rock had signed with Strange Music for a multi-album deal.[4]
On March 31, 2011, the label announced the addition of Stevie Stone to its roster. Stone officially signed with the label on March 17, 2011.[5]
On April 11, 2011, it was announced on Strange Music's official website that Miami-based hip-hop band ¡MAYDAY! signed to the label. The band immediately joined Krizz Kaliko, Kutt Calhoun, Big Scoob, Stevie Stone and Jay Rock on Tech N9ne's All 6's and 7's Tour, beginning in May 2011.
In December 2011, Strange Music announced that Prozak had signed to the label as a solo recording artist.[6] The artist had previously worked with the label on various projects, including his 2008 Tales from the Sick which was distributed by the label.
In January 2012, Strange Music signed rap duo CES Cru, made up of rappers Ubiquitous and Godemis. They had worked with Strange in the past with albums Bad Season, All 6's and 7's, and recently on Tech N9ne Collabos: Welcome To Strangeland.[7][8] The two Kansas City rappers would then release two mixtapes simultaneously on April 6, 2012: The Deevil from Godemis and Matter Don't Money from Ubiquitous.
In August 2012, Tech N9ne signed Slumerican rapper Rittz.[9] Rittz and Tech N9ne immediately began working together, releasing the popular collaboration remix of Rittz's "Bloody Murdah" shortly after Rittz joined the label.[10]
In 2013, Strange Music signed ¡MAYDAY! emcee Wrekonize as a solo act. He released his Strange Music debut album The War Within on June 25, 2013.
On February 7, 2014, it was announced via Tech N9ne's Facebook page that Murs signed to Strange Music.[11]
On September 22, 2014, it was announced that Kutt Calhoun left Strange Music after fulfilling his commitment. He stated that he's still in good terms with the label. That same month, Tech N9ne revealed that Jay Rock had left his Strange Music imprint and is now only signed to Top Dawg Entertainment.[12]
On October 14, 2015, it was announced that St. Louis-based singer Darrein Safron signed to the label. He appears as a featured artist on Strangeulation Vol. II, including his own song "Real With Yourself", featuring Tech N9ne. Safron released his debut project titled The Brilliant EP on March 11, 2016.
On December 12, 2015, during the Tech The Halls 2015 concert, it was announced that Kansas City-based rapper JL of B.Hood signed to the label. He also appears on Strangeulation Vol. II.
After the release of the single "Actin Like You Know" featuring Tech N9ne, Strange Music confirmed that Mackenzie Nicole, the daughter of CEO Travis O'Guin, signed to the label.
On February 23, 2016, Tech N9ne confirmed via Instagram that Chicago-based pop group AboveWaves signed to the label. The group, most notably lead vocals Ryan Bradley, has appeared on several of Tech N9ne's songs, such as "Over It", "Burn It Down", and "Praise K.O.D.".[13] They are currently finishing their debut album.
In 2016, Strange Music signed ¡MAYDAY! emcee Bernz as a solo act. He released his Strange Music debut album See You On The Other Side on July 8, 2016.
Subsidiaries
Strange Music West
On May 14, 2009, a press release was issued by the label, naming Dave Weiner (formerly of Priority Records, JCor Entertainment & MSC Entertainment) the Vice President of "Strange Music West." In this new position, Dave will work hand in hand with Label President, Travis O'Guin from his satellite office in Los Angeles. One of his duties for the label will be to find and sign new acts to the label. Weiner was responsible for signing Sacramento, California rapper, Brotha Lynch Hung to the Strange Music label.[14][15][16]
Strange Lane Records
In 2010, Strange Music Inc. started a new label called Strange Lane Records. The first artist signed to the new subsidiary was Young Bleed.[17] However, the subsidiary's roster is currently empty after Young Bleed departed in early 2012.
JurdBeats is currently helping to produce a new album for the Strange Music label. It's unknown who will be the artist and when it will be released. (Updated 10-8-16)
Roster
Current artists
| Artist | Year signed | Albums under Strange | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tech N9ne | Founder | 14 | Rapper from Kansas City, Missouri, he co-founded the label alongside Travis O'Guin in 1999. Under the label, he has released an extensive collection of 14 albums, 6 EPs and one mixtape, and has gone on to become the #1 independent artist in hip hop. Released his fifteenth studio album Special Effects on May 4, 2015. |
| Krizz Kaliko | 2006 | 6 | Rapper and singer from Kansas City, Missouri. Best known for his collaborations with label mate Tech N9ne. He had first appeared as an album guest on Tech N9ne's fourth album released in 2002 along with then-future signees Kutt Calhoun and Skatterman & Snug Brim. He also appeared as an album guest on Skatterman & Snug Brim's first album along with Tech N9ne and Kutt Calhoun as well. He has also made numerous other guest appearances before releasing his debut album in 2008. Released his sixth studio album GO on April 8, 2016. |
| Big Scoob | 2009 | 3 | Rapper from Kansas City, Missouri. Had appeared as an album guest on two of Tech N9ne's previous albums before signing with the label. Released his third studio album, H.O.G. on November 4, 2016. |
| Stevie Stone | 2011 | 3 | Rapper from Columbia, Missouri. Tech N9ne had appeared as a guest on his debut album. Stone made guest appearances on Tech's tenth album, and Kutt Calhoun and Krizz Kaliko's third albums before officially signing with the label in early 2011. Released his third studio album with Strange Music, Malta Bend, on June 30, 2015. |
| ¡MAYDAY! | 2011 | 4 | Hip hop band from Miami, Florida. Consists of rappers Bernz and Wrekonize, producer, keyboard player and guitarist Plex Luthor, percussionist NonMS, drummer L T Hopkins, and bassist Gianni Ca$h. Released their third studio album with Strange Music, Future Vintage, on September 18, 2015. |
| Prozak | 2011 | 4 | Rapper from Saginaw, Michigan. Originally signed to the label in 2004 alongside Mike E. Clark as Project: Deadman, and the group released its only album Self Inflicted that same year. Released his debut solo album Tales from the Sick through the label in 2008, three years prior to his signing to the label as a solo act. Released his fourth studio album, Black Ink, on October 9, 2015. |
| CES Cru | 2012 | 2 | Rap duo from Kansas City, Missouri. Consists of rappers Ubiquitous and Godemis. They have worked with Tech N9ne in the past prior to signing with the label. Released their second studio album with Strange Music, Codename: Ego Stripper, on August 5, 2014. |
| Rittz | 2012 | 3 | Rapper from Gwinnett County, Georgia. Had appeared as a guest on Krizz Kaliko's fourth album before signing to the label in August 2012. Released his third studio album with Strange Music, Top Of The Line, on May 6, 2016. |
| Wrekonize | 2013 | 1 | Rapper originating from Miami, Florida (originally from London, England, UK). Best known for being one half of the rappers in hip-hop group ¡MAYDAY!. Released his debut studio album with Strange Music, The War Within, on June 25, 2013. |
| MURS | 2014 | 2 | Rapper from South Central, Los Angeles, California. Had appeared as a guest on ¡MAYDAY!'s Strange Music debut album before signing to the label in February 2014. Released his debut studio album with Strange Music, Have a Nice Life, on May 18, 2015. |
| Darrein Safron | 2015 | — | Singer from St. Louis, Missouri. Has appeared as a guest on Stevie Stone's second and third albums before signing to the label in the summer of 2015. With "Real With Yourself", Safron produced his first song under Strange Music with the help of Seven. The song featured Tech N9ne and appeared on his sixteenth album Strangeulation Vol. II. Released his debut EP titled "The Brilliant EP" on March 11, 2016. |
| JL B.Hood | 2015 | — | Rapper from Kansas City, Missouri. Tech N9ne and CES Cru had appeared on several of his solo projects. JL made guest appearances on CES Cru's debut album with Strange Music, Kutt Calhoun's first EP, and various Tech N9ne songs, including "Worldwide Choppers", before eventually signing to the label in 2015. |
| Mackenzie Nicole | 2015 | — | Singer from Kansas City, Missouri and daughter of Strange Music CEO Travis O'Guin. She made several guest appearances on numerous Tech N9ne songs, including "Fear" and "K.O.D", along with appearances on projects by other Strange Music artists before signing to the label. With "Actin Like You Know", Nicole produced her first song under Strange Music with the help of Krizz Kaliko and Seven. The song again featured Tech N9ne and firstly appeared on his sixteenth album Strangeulation Vol. II. |
| Bernz | 2016 | 1 | Rapper originating from Miami, Florida. Best known for being one half of the rappers in hip-hop group ¡MAYDAY!. Made appearances on Wrekonize's debut Strange album, and CES Cru's second Strange album before signing to the label as a solo act in 2016. Released his debut studio album See You On The Other Side on July 8, 2016. |
| AboveWaves | 2016 | — | Pop band from Chicago, Illinois. Consists of vocalist Ryan Bradley, guitarist Colin Greshock, drummer Lance Bennett, and bassist Bryan Walker. Has made appearances on Tech N9ne's fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth albums before signing to the label. |
Former artists
| Artist | Year signed | Year left | Albums under Strange | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project: Deadman | 2004 | - | 1 | Hip hop duo consisting of rapper Prozak and record producer Mike E. Clark. Released their only album Self Inflicted on July 13, 2004. The duo later disbanded and Prozak would go on to sign to Strange Music as a solo artist in 2011, while Mike E. Clark would sign once again to Psychopathic Records in 2013. |
| Grave Plott | 2008 | - | 1 | Rap duo consisting of rappers Liquid Assassin and Killa C. Released their only studio album under Strange Music, The Plott Thickens, in 2008. Their distribution deal with the label ended after Grave Plott split up in 2008. |
| Skatterman & Snug Brim | 2004 | 2009 | 2 | Rap duo from Kansas City, Missouri. They were the first group to be signed to the label. Prior to signing with the label, the duo has appeared as an album guest on Tech N9ne's fourth album along with then-future signees Krizz Kaliko and Kutt Calhoun. Both of them along with Tech N9ne also appeared as guests on their debut album also. Released their second studio album with Strange Music, Word on tha Streets, on August 12, 2008. On February 9, 2009, Tech N9ne's official website announced the duo's decision to leave the label after fulfilling their commitment. |
| Cognito | 2009 | 2010 | 1 | Rapper from Fairfield, California. Released his debut studio album with Strange Music, Automatic, on April 20, 2010. On December 5, 2010 via Ustream, Cognito announced his decision to leave Strange Music after fulfilling his commitment. |
| Young Bleed | 2011 | 2012 | 1 | Rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Released his fifth studio album, Preserved, on October 11, 2011 through Strange Music's subsidiary label Strange Lane Records. In early 2012, Young Bleed departed from the subsidiary after fulfilling his commitment. |
| Kutt Calhoun | 2004 | 2014 | 4 | Rapper from Kansas City, Missouri. He was the first artist, besides Tech N9ne, to be signed to the label. Prior to signing with the label, he appeared as an album guest on Tech N9ne's fourth album along with rapper/singer Krizz Kaliko and rap duo Skatterman & Snug Brim whom would also eventually be signed to the label. Released his fourth studio album, Black Gold, on February 26, 2013. On September 22, 2014, it was announced that Kutt Calhoun left Strange Music after fulfilling his commitment. Out of all the artists to depart from the label so far, his departure was the most controversial due to the big part Kutt played in the label's beginning. |
| Jay Rock | 2010 | 2014 | 1 | Rapper from Watts, Los Angeles, California. Released his debut studio album, Follow Me Home, on July 26, 2011. In September 2014, Tech N9ne announced that Jay Rock left his Strange Music imprint and is now only signed to Top Dawg Entertainment. |
| Brotha Lynch Hung | 2009 | 2016 | 3 | Rapper from Sacramento, California. Had appeared as an album guest on Tech N9ne's fifth album and Grave Plott's only album prior to signing with the label. Released his third studio album with Strange Music, Mannibalector, on February 5, 2013. As of September 2016, neither Brotha Lynch Hung nor Strange Music know the exact status of Lynch's deal. |
Discography
See also
References
- Steve Reissner (Director), Soren Baker (Writer) (July 27, 2004). T9X: The Tech N9ne Experience (Documentary). Strange Music/MSC Entertainment. Retrieved June 12, 2008.
- ^ Roberts, Steven (March 25, 2010). "Tech N9ne Says He Found Success On The Road". MTV.com. MTV Networks. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
As he prepares to drop his newest album, The Ollie Gates Mixed Plate, named after a restaurant in his hometown of Kansas City, Missouri, [...] He and his business partner, Travis O'Guin, formed their independent Strange Music label in 1999.
- ^ Ill Bill update on "The Hour Of Reprisal" album. August 4, 2008. Retrieved August 5, 2008.
- ^ "Skatterman & Snug Brim Leaving Strange". February 9, 2009. Retrieved February 9, 2009.
- ^ "XXcLusive: Jay Rock Signs to Tech N9ne's Strange Music". XXLmag.com. Harris Publications, Inc. September 27, 2010. Retrieved September 27, 2010.
- ^ Stevie Stone Signs To Strange Music!. March 31, 2011. Event occurs at 2:15-2:24. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
and here we end up today, on St. Patrick's Day 2011, and uh we finally have ink to paper and the deal is done
- ^ Nelson, Jeff (December 15, 2011). "Prozak Signs To Strange Music". Strange Music Inc. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|deadurl=(help) - ^ Strange Music, Inc. "Strange Music". Strange Music, Inc. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
- ^ HipHopDX (January 13, 2012). "Missouri Duo Ces Cru Signs With Strange Music". HipHopDX. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
- ^ Strange Music, Inc. "Strange Music". Strange Music, Inc. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
- ^ "Rittz f. Tech N9ne - "Bloody Murdah [Remix]"". HipHopDX. January 10, 2013. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
- ^ Rys, Dan (February 7, 2014). "Murs Signs With Tech N9ne's Strange Music - XXL". Xxlmag.com. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
- ^ "Tech N9ne Says Jay Rock Is No Longer Signed To Strange Music". XXL. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
- ^ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/BCIrUEJRuhS/. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "Hip Hop Press: Strange Music Names Dave Weiner Vice President Of Strange Music West". May 14, 2009. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
- ^ Gamble, Ronnie (May 14, 2009). "Brotha Lynch Hung Signs To Tech N9ne's Strange Music Label". BallerStatus.com. Retrieved May 14, 2009.
- ^ "Hip Hop Press: Strange Music Signs Brotha Lynch Hung". May 19, 2009. Retrieved May 20, 2009.
- ^ "Exclusive Presidents Day Interview With Travis O'Guin".
