| Black Butter Records | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2010 |
| Founder |
|
| Status | Active |
| Genre | |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Location | London, England |
| Official website | black-butter |
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, [1] [2] and has been described as a hub of the British electronic music scene. [3]
The label releases mostly singles, [4] and put out the first/early releases of artists including Clean Bandit [5] ('A+E'), Rudimental [6] ('Feel the Love'), Jessie Ware [7] and Gorgon City.
It was awarded 'Best Small Label' at the 2012 Association of Independent Music Awards. [8]
Black Butter Records was intended initially as an outlet for musicians who were signed to their artist management company, Stackhouse Management, [9] and as a reaction against other labels that were genre-specific. [10]
In 2011, the label's first signing - bass producer RackNRuin (Gorgon City's Matt Robson-Scott) - enlisted pre-fame Jessie Ware to vocal his track 'Soundclash'. [11]
A pivotal mainstream breakthrough came in 2012 with the release of Rudimental's 'Feel The Love' (feat. John Newman), earning their first UK number one and leading the way for future platinum status of the corresponding debut album, Home . [12]
In 2013, Black Butter Co-President Joe Gossa approached fledgling songwriter Jess Glynne after being impressed by song demos she had created with Jin Jin (aka Janée Bennett). Joe said of Jess: “Her voice just flipped me out, there was a fierceness to it. She can talk about everyday things in this way that's just epic.” [13] In a 2015 Billboard interview, Jess recalls: “[Joe] went mental. He introduced me to all the right people – lawyers, managers, I signed a deal for publishing.” [14] She went on to have seven number ones on the UK Singles Chart - the most of any British female solo artist. [15]
Gorgon City released debut single 'Real' in 2013 (featuring Yasmin), followed by 'Intentions' with Clean Bandit. In April 2014, 'Ready For Your Love' (featuring MNEK) achieved UK Dance Chart #2 [16] , UK Singles Chart #4 [17] , and was #59 in the UK end-of-year chart [18] . Their debut album Sirens was released in October 2014, featuring a cast of rising vocal talent - it achieved UK Dance Chart #1 [19] , UK Albums Chart #10 [20] and Gold-certified status [21] .
In November 2014, Black Butter Records became a standalone imprint under Sony Music UK - founders Henry and Joe serving as co-presidents and Nick Worthington heading up A&R.
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.” [22]
Past and present
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.