Black Butter Records
Parent companySony Music Entertainment[1]
Founded2010 (2010)
Founder
  • Olly Wood
  • Henry Village
  • Joe Gossa
StatusActive
Genre
Country of originUnited Kingdom
LocationLondon, England
Official websiteblack-butter.com

Black Butter Records is a British record label based in London, England. It was founded in 2010 by Olly Wood, Henry Village and Joe Gossa,[2] with an investment of £5,000,[3] and was named after a brand of condiments that had the same name.[2] It was intended initially as an outlet for musicians who were signed to their artist management company, Stackhouse Management,[4] and as a reaction against other labels that were "genre specific".[5]

The label releases mostly singles,[6] and has put out the first releases of artists including Clean Bandit,[7] Rudimental,[8] (both later signed with Warner) and Jessie Ware (later signed with Universal).[9] It was awarded 'Best Small Label' at the 2012 Association of Independent Music Awards,[10] and has been described as a "hub" of the British electronic music scene.[11]

In 2011 the label asked, at the time unknown, Jessie Ware to vocal a track for their first signing, bass producer, RackNRuin - a track titled 'Soundclash'.[12]

2012 saw the release of Rudimental's 'Feel The Love', feat. John Newman, earning their first UK number one that lead the way for their debu album's future platinum status.[13]

Gorgon City released their debut single 'Real' in 2013, featuring Yasmin, followed by 'Intentions', a collaboration with Clean Bandit. This lead into their highest charting single in April 2014, 'Ready For Your Love' featuring MNEK, which featured on their debut album 'Sirens', released in October 2014.

In November 2014 it was announced that Black Butter Records had signed a new deal with Sony Music UK to become a standalone imprint under the major label. Black Butter founders Henry Village and Joe Gossa became co-presidents and Nick Worthington was announced to head up the A&R team. Sony UK's CEO Jason Iley said in a statement - “Black Butter is the most exciting label to have emerged in the last five years, so this is a real coup for us. Henry and Joe bring with them a rare talent for spotting exceptional acts. The deal is a significant benchmark in Sony Music UK’s growth plan for the future. Henry and Joe’s vision and enthusiasm is incredible and they’re the perfect fit for the new look Sony Music”.[14]

References

  1. ^ "Black Butter joins Sony Music UK". Complete Music Update. 20 November 2014. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  2. ^ a b Bhavnani, Rishabh (18 September 2013). "IMPRINTS: Black Butter". Thump. Vice. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  3. ^ Saville, Adam. "Best Label: Black Butter". DJMag. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  4. ^ Wilson, Kim (22 October 2013). "Black Butter Update". Kmag. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  5. ^ Sigel, Tego (2014). "BEHIND THE LABEL EXTENDED: BLACK BUTTER". RWDMag. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  6. ^ Stephens, Huw (16 February 2012). "Huw's Label Of Love: Black Butter Records". BBC Introducing. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  7. ^ Lester, Paul (24 December 2013). "Clean Bandit (New band of the day No 1,668)". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  8. ^ Sargent, Jordan (15 November 2013). "An Introduction to U.K. Dance Label Black Butter". Pitchfork. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  9. ^ "The Selector - 657 - A Short History of Black Butter Records". British Council (Podcast). 6 March 2014. Event occurs at 2:13. Archived from the original on 7 September 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014. And Jessie Ware did the featured vocal on that track, it was a track called Soundclash, and I think it was her first ever credited release.
  10. ^ Michaels, Sean (30 October 2012). "Aim award winners 2012: Alt-J, Edwyn Collins, Daniel Miller and more". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  11. ^ Macpherson; Yates, Kieran; Wolfson, Alex (20 June 2013). "UK dance music is back – and this time it's going pop". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  12. ^ Patterson, Joseph 'JP'. "MTV IGGY: Black Butter Records: The Takeover Is Imminent". Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  13. ^ Evenson, Austin (25 May 2015). "Black Butter's UK Invasion: A Look At The Brand's Past, Present, and Future". Dancing Astronaut. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  14. ^ "Black Butter joins Sony Music UK | Complete Music Update". Retrieved 12 August 2022.
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