British record label
Record label
Mind of a Genius Records is an independent record label founded by David Dann. Founded in 2013, the US/UK-based label has released music that focuses on electronic, hip-hop, and R&B. The label's roster includesZhu,Gallant,THEY., and more.
Mind of a Genius Records is an independent record label founded by David Dann.[1] The label's vision is to "create an environment in which artists could express themselves in their purest form possible".[1] This vision emphasizes signing artists across all genres,[1] and fostering artists' creative freedom by allowing them "no contact with anyone in the label offices until an album is finished".[2]
The label's first signee was dance/electronic musicianZHU.[2] After signing ZHU, the label signedGallant.[2] On June 30, 2015, Gallant's single "Weight in Gold" became one of the first tracks to premiere onZane Lowe's "World Record" Beats 1 show.[3] After signing Gallant, the label signedTHEY, an R&B duo consisting of Dante Jones & Drew Love.[4] The label then signed the Dutch band Klangstof.[5]
The label's roster currently totals eight artists.[6] Artists record in-house at Mind of a Genius Studios, adjacent to the label's headquarters in Culver City, CA.[1]
Mind of a Genius Records has been lauded by media outlets for the label's progressive outlook on label-artist relationships.[2]
- Complex Magazine - "A few blocks north from Apple Music's headquarters in Culver City, Los Angeles, there's another music company quietly masterminding one of the most essential and future-formed independent labels out right now."[2]
- HYPEBEAST- "MOAG is an example of talent and artist ingenuity falling into the right hands."[7]
- NME- "The burgeoning Los Angeles songwriting powerhouse, record label and all-encompassing creative collective."[5]
- REVOLT- "Following in the footsteps of the iconic XL Recordings, Mind of a Genius Music Group aims to bring back the true artistry and musicianship back to the forefront of music."[8]
- Gallant - an American singer-songwriter from Columbia, Maryland, who released his Grammy-nominated albumOlogy[9] under the label in 2016. In 2019, Gallant released his second debut album,Sweet Insomnia.[10]
- Klangstof - a Dutch alternative act who released their EPEverest under the label in 2017.[11] That year, they became the first Dutch band to play atCoachella. Klangstof were also named "Best Alternative Act" at theEdison Awards.
- THEY. - an R&B duo based in Los Angeles, California, who collaborated with fellow Mind of a Genius signeeZHU andSkrillex on the single "Working for It." The song has been streamed more than 150 million times. Since then, the duo have released an LP titledNü Religion: Hyena,[12] an extension of their previous EP,Nü Religion.
- ZHU - an Asian-American singer/producer from San Francisco, California, best known for his Grammy-nominated hit,Faded,[13] which peaked at No. 12 on theBillboard US Dance/Electronic chart. In 2016, ZHU released his debut albumGENERATIONWHY,[14] which reached No. 1 on Billboard's Dance/Electronic Chart. In 2018, ZHU collaborated withTame Impala[15] to record the viral hit, "My Life." which has been streamed more than 20 million times and reached No. 1 on Spotify's Global Viral 50. In 2019, ZHU returned with his albumRingos Desert.[16] The album reached #1 on iTunes Electronic Albums Chart and has been streamed over 150 million times since its release.
- Mindchatter - a producer of electronic music from New York City who has earned praise fromPete Tong, a premier British disc jockey for BBC Radio 1.[17]
- Karnaval Blues- a British producer who released his debut EP,You Come With the Rain, in late 2019.[18][19]
- KWAYE - a Zimbabwean singer/songwriter based in Los Angeles, California, whose songs have appeared in the Netflix seriesTopboy andOn My Block. KWAYE's single "Cool Kids" was released in 2017 alongside his debut EP,Solar.[20]
- Peter $un- a rapper from Richmond, Virginia, whose music blends rap, jazz, and electronica.[21] On August 20, 2020, Peter $un released a new single titled "100 Proof" featuring Guapdad 4000.[22]
- ZHU-NightdayEP (2014)
- ZHU-Genesis Series (2015)
- THEY.-Nü ReligionEP (2015)
- Gallant-Ology (2016)
- Klangstof-Close Eyes to Exit (2016)
- ZHU-GENERATIONWHY (2016)
- Klangstof-EverestEP (2017)
- KWAYE-SolarEP (2017)
- KWAYE-Love & Affliction (2018)
- ZHU-Ringos Desert (2018)
- THEY.-FiresideEP (2018)
- Klangstof-The Noise You Make Is Silent (2019)
- Karnaval Blues-You Come With the Rain (2019)
- Gallant-Sweet Insomnia (2019)
