Mind of a Genius Records
Mind of a Genius Records is an independent record label founded by David Dann. Originating in 2013, the LA/UK based label has released music that ranges from electronic, hip-hop & R&B. The label boasts a diverse & notable roster that includes ZHU, Gallant, THEY., and more.
Mind of a Genius Records | |
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Founded | 2013 |
Founder | David Dann |
Genre | Electronica · R&B · Hip-Hop · Neo-Psychedelia |
Location | Los Angeles · United Kingdom |
Official website | https://www.mindofagenius.com/ |
History[]
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] A vision that emphasized signing artists across all genres.[1] The label's first signee was dance/electronic juggernaut, ZHU.[2]
Following the massive success of ZHU, the label sought after R&B talent, Gallant as the next big signee.[2] On June 30, 2015, Gallant's single "Weight in Gold" became one of the first tracks to premiere on Zane Lowe's "World Record" Beats 1 show.[3] After signing Gallant, the label signed THEY., an enigmatic R&B duo consisting of Dante Jones & Drew Love.[4] Seeking international appeal, the label then signed rising Dutch band, Klangstof.[5]
As of today, there are eight total artists under the record label.[6] Artists record in-house at Mind of a Genius Studios, alongside the label headquarters in Culver City, CA.[1]
Reception[]
Mind of a Genius Records has been lauded by media outlets for having a progressive outlook on label-artist relationships.[2] The label prides itself on artists having "no contact with anyone in the label offices until an album is finished".[2] This progressive philosophy has garnered much publicity over the years:
- 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]
Artists[]
- Gallant - an American singer-songwriter from Columbia, Maryland who released his GRAMMY® nominated album Ology[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 warm, synth-led EP titled Everest under the label in 2017.[11] In 2017, they became the first Dutch band to play at Coachella. Also, the recipient of the award for "Best Alternative Act" at the Edison Awards.
- THEY.- an enigmatic R&B duo based in Los Angeles who are known for their critically acclaimed EP, Nü Religion. In 2015, the duo collaborated with fellow Mind of a Genius signee, ZHU & EDM superstar Skrillex on the commercially successful hit "Working for It". The song has reached 150 million plus streams. Since then, the duo have released an LP titled Nü Religion: Hyena, [12] an extension of their successful EP.
- ZHU- an Asian-American singer/producer from San Francisco, California who is best known for his GRAMMY® nominated hit, Faded[13] that peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard US Dance/Electronic chart. In 2016, ZHU released his debut album GENERATIONWHY [14] that reached No. 1 on Billboard's Dance/Electronic Chart. In 2018, ZHU collaborated with Tame Impala[15] for the viral hit, My Life. The song has recorded over 20 million streams and reached No. 1 on Spotify's Global Viral 50. In 2019, ZHU returned with his album Ringos Desert.[16] The album instantly hit #1 on iTunes Electronic Albums Chart and garnered over 150 million streams since its release.
- Mindchatter- a producer from New York City, Mindchatter has garnered quick recognition for his genre-defying electronic sound.[17] He has earned praise from Pete Tong, a premier British disc jockey for BBC Radio 1.[18]
- Karnaval Blues- a British producer known for his soul-bearing lyrics and atmospheric production, Karnaval Blues released his debut EP, You Come With the Rain in late 2019.[19][20]
- KWAYE- a Zimbabwean singer/songwriter based in Los Angeles, California, is Mind of a Genius' first UK-signee. His songs have appeared in Netflix' series Topboy and On My Block. His breakout single titled "Cool Kids" was released in 2017 alongside his debut EP, Solar. [21]
- Peter $un- an eclectic artist from Richmond, VA, Peter $un is a rapper whose catalog consists of a feel-good fusion of rap, jazz and electronica.[22] On August 20, 2020, Peter $un released a new single titled "100 Proof" featuring Guapdad 4000.[23]
Discography[]
- ZHU- Nightday EP (2014)
- ZHU- Genesis Series (2015)
- THEY.- Nü Religion EP (2015)
- Gallant- Ology (2016)
- Klangstof- Close Eyes to Exit (2016)
- ZHU- GENERATIONWHY (2016)
- Klangstof- Everest EP (2017)
- KWAYE- Solar EP (2017)
- KWAYE- Love & Affliction (2018)
- ZHU- Ringos Desert (2018)
- THEY.- Fireside EP (2018)
- Klangstof- The Noise You Make Is Silent (2019)
- Karnaval Blues- You Come With the Rain (2019)
- Gallant- Sweet Insomnia (2019)
References[]
- ^ a b c d "about". Mind of a Genius. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
- ^ a b c d e "Behind the Mystery of Mind of a Genius Records". Complex. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
- ^ "Spotlight: Gallant – GRAMMY Museum". Retrieved 2020-08-22.
- ^ "LA Rap duo THEY. on their genre-hopping debut album - NME". NME. 2017-02-17. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
- ^ a b "Klangstof: 'Hostage' - New Music Of The Day". NME. 2016-01-18. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
- ^ "Mind of a Genius". Mind of a Genius. Retrieved 2020-09-19.
- ^ "Mind of a Genius: When Ingenuity Falls into the Right Hands". HYPEBEAST. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
- ^ Hitmen, The (2016-02-29). "Behind The Boards: Mind of a Genius". REVOLT. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
- ^ Monroe, Jazz. "Gallant Announces Ology LP, Shares "Bourbon"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
- ^ "Gallant Shares Emotive Sophomore Album 'Sweet Insomnia'". HYPEBEAST. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
- ^ BarryGruff (2017-11-03). "Klangstof – 'Everest'". BARRYGRUFF. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
- ^ "THEY. - 'Nü Religion: HYENA' Album Review - NME". NME. 2017-02-23. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
- ^ "Zhu, the mystery man behind 'Faded,' opens up (a little) pre-Grammys". Los Angeles Times. 2015-02-05. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "ZHU's Debut Album 'GENERATIONWHY' Worth the Wait". Billboard. 2016-07-29. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
- ^ "Tame Impala team up with ZHU for new track 'My Life' | NME". NME. 2018-03-05. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
- ^ "ZHU's Expanded 'Ringos Desert' Finds Salvation in New Tunes: Listen". Billboard. 2018-09-07. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
- ^ "Rising Artist Mindchatter Impresses On Unique New Genre Blender "Scared To Go Home"". This Song Is Sick. 2020-04-08. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
- ^ "Mindchatter". Mind of a Genius. Retrieved 2020-08-29.
- ^ "Karnaval Blues Shares Sultry New Debut Album 'You Come With The Rain' Via Mind Of A Genius". This Song Is Sick. 2019-10-16. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
- ^ "Karnaval Blues". Mind of a Genius. Retrieved 2020-08-29.
- ^ "Meet KWAYE, The Fashion-Forward Singer Who Wants to Showcase Africa's Beauty". Billboard. 2017-08-29. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
- ^ "Peter $un". Mind of a Genius. Retrieved 2020-08-29.
- ^ "PREMIERE | Richmond Rapper Peter $un Shares New Track "100 Proof" With Guapdad 4000". This Song Is Sick. 2020-08-20. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
- Independent record labels
- American record labels
- British record labels
- Hip hop record labels
- Electronic music record labels
- Contemporary R&B record labels