Kartel Records Sdn Bhd is a
Malaysian hip-hop record label
A record label, or record company, is a brand or trademark of music recordings and music videos, or the company that owns it. Sometimes, a record label is also a publishing company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the produ ...
, dealing predominantly in
hip-hop/
R&B music, founded by rapper/entrepreneur
Joe Flizzow
Too Phat was a Malaysian hip-hop duo, composed of rappers Joe Flizzow (born Johan Ishak in Kuala Lumpur; 16 October 1979) and Malique (born Malique Ibrahim in Johor Bahru; 21 August 1977).
Career
In the late 1990s Joe Flizzow, Malique and K ...
in 2005.
[Kartel Records Corporate Profile - March 2009](_blank)
/ref> In 2008, Kartel Records entered into a distribution agreement with Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group Corp. ( d.b.a. Warner Music Group, commonly abbreviated as WMG) is an American multinational entertainment and record label conglomerate headquartered in New York City. It is one of the " big three" recording companies and t ...
Malaysia
Malaysia ( ; ) is a country in Southeast Asia. The federation, federal constitutional monarchy consists of States and federal territories of Malaysia, thirteen states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea into two r ...
, enabling the record label
A record label, or record company, is a brand or trademark of music recordings and music videos, or the company that owns it. Sometimes, a record label is also a publishing company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the produ ...
to market its artists to a wider audience.
History
Beginnings
After years of being signed to EMI
EMI Group Limited (originally an initialism for Electric and Musical Industries, also referred to as EMI Records Ltd. or simply EMI) was a British transnational conglomerate founded in March 1931 in London. At the time of its break-up in 201 ...
Malaysia as an artist and member of Malaysia's hip-hop duo Too Phat
Too Phat was a Malaysian hip-hop duo, composed of rappers Joe Flizzow (born Johan Ishak in Kuala Lumpur; 16 October 1979) and Malique (born Malique Ibrahim in Johor Bahru; 21 August 1977).
Career
In the late 1990s Joe Flizzow, Malique and ...
, Joe Flizzow
Too Phat was a Malaysian hip-hop duo, composed of rappers Joe Flizzow (born Johan Ishak in Kuala Lumpur; 16 October 1979) and Malique (born Malique Ibrahim in Johor Bahru; 21 August 1977).
Career
In the late 1990s Joe Flizzow, Malique and K ...
decided to take control of his music career by forming his own record label
A record label, or record company, is a brand or trademark of music recordings and music videos, or the company that owns it. Sometimes, a record label is also a publishing company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the produ ...
. This gave birth to Kartel Records in 2005.
Rebirth Into Reality
The label's first release was ''Rebirth into Reality'' by Too Phat in 2005, jointly-owned and in partnership with EMI Malaysia. This hugely successful release instantly made Kartel Records an award-winning label, taking the Best Local English Album and Best Album Cover awards at the 2006 Anugerah Industri Muzik
''Anugerah Industri Muzik'' (literally: "Music Industry Award"), commonly known by the acronym AIM, is an award ceremony which celebrates the Malaysian music industry. The award is organized by the Recording Industry Association of Malaysia (R ...
(AIM).
''President''
In 2008, Kartel Records released ''President'', the debut solo studio album by Joe Flizzow
Too Phat was a Malaysian hip-hop duo, composed of rappers Joe Flizzow (born Johan Ishak in Kuala Lumpur; 16 October 1979) and Malique (born Malique Ibrahim in Johor Bahru; 21 August 1977).
Career
In the late 1990s Joe Flizzow, Malique and K ...
. ''President'' garnered various awards for Joe Flizzow
Too Phat was a Malaysian hip-hop duo, composed of rappers Joe Flizzow (born Johan Ishak in Kuala Lumpur; 16 October 1979) and Malique (born Malique Ibrahim in Johor Bahru; 21 August 1977).
Career
In the late 1990s Joe Flizzow, Malique and K ...
including the coveted "Best Local English Album" award at the 16th annual Anugerah Industri Muzik
''Anugerah Industri Muzik'' (literally: "Music Industry Award"), commonly known by the acronym AIM, is an award ceremony which celebrates the Malaysian music industry. The award is organized by the Recording Industry Association of Malaysia (R ...
, continuing the legacy of Kartel Records award-winning releases. ''President'' featured many notable collaborations with regional and international superstars such as KRS-One
Lawrence "Kris" Parker (born August 20, 1965), better known by his stage names KRS-One (; an abbreviation of "Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone") and Teacha, is an American rapper from New York City. He rose to prominence as part of ...
, Jin, Thaitanium
Thaitanium ( th, ไทยเทเนี่ยม) is a Thai American hip hop music group. Among the first of Thai rap artists, the group formed in 2000 by K.H. - Khanngoen "Khan" Nuanual, P. Cess - Prinya "Way" Intachai, Sunny Day - Nay Mayo "D ...
, TerryTyeLee and Hady Mirza
Muhammad Mirzahady Bin Amir, also known as Hady Mirza ( ms, حدي ميرزا; born 28 January 1980) is a Singaporean singer.
He was the winner of the second season of the reality TV show '' Singapore Idol''. He was crowned the winner on 25 Sep ...
. This was very much in line with the label's mission to place Malaysia in the forefront of hip-hop music at an international level.
Resurgence
Kartel Records made 5 new artist signings in 2009. These new artists include Altimet (from Malaysia), SonaOne
Mikael Adam bin Muhammad Rafee Michel Lozach or Mikael Adam Lozach, better known as SonaOne is a Malaysian singer-songwriter and actor. He gained recognition through the songs "I Don't Care" with Mal Karmal, "No More" and with rapper Joe Flizzow ...
(from Malaysia), Richard J (from Singapore
Singapore (), officially the Republic of Singapore, is a sovereign island country and city-state in maritime Southeast Asia. It lies about one degree of latitude () north of the equator, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, borde ...
), Micbandits (from Brunei
Brunei ( , ), formally Brunei Darussalam ( ms, Negara Brunei Darussalam, Jawi alphabet, Jawi: , ), is a country located on the north coast of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. Apart from its South China Sea coast, it is completely sur ...
) and DJ Iman (from Malaysia). The signing of Altimet, a prominent figure and popular artist in Malaysia's hip-hop music scene, is regarded by many to be a significant and shrewd move by the label in strengthening its position as one of Asia's fastest growing hip-hop record labels.
Business ventures
Kartel Music Publishing
Kartel Records owns a music publishing company, Kartel Music Publishing, which is sub-published by EMI Music Publishing Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.
Artists
* Luis R Conriquez
*Altimet
*SonaOne
*Richard J
*DJ Iman
*Ila Damiaa
*Yung Raja
*Fariz Jabba
*Abubakarxli
*Alif (Magicpotion)
Discography
Other releases
Awards
Shout! Awards
*2009
**Flava Award (Hip Hop / R&B Awards): Joe Flizzow
Too Phat was a Malaysian hip-hop duo, composed of rappers Joe Flizzow (born Johan Ishak in Kuala Lumpur; 16 October 1979) and Malique (born Malique Ibrahim in Johor Bahru; 21 August 1977).
Career
In the late 1990s Joe Flizzow, Malique and K ...
[Junk Online. http://www.junkonline.net/articles/2006-The-Shout-Awards-2009-winners JunkOnline.Net article, July 20, 2009, retrieved November 18, 2009.] on**Break Out Award (Best New Act): Joe Flizzow ominated
Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM)
*2009
**Best Local English Album: Joe Flizzow - ''President''[Voize. Voize.My article, May 3, 2009, retrieved November 18, 2009.] on**Best New Artist: Joe Flizzow[Press Release. http://kartellohello.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=73:kartel-records-press-release-27-march-2009&catid=37:pressroom&Itemid=67 Kartellohello.Com article, March 27, 2009, retrieved November 19, 2009.] ominated**Best Album Cover: Joe Flizzow - ''President''Hady Mirza
Muhammad Mirzahady Bin Amir, also known as Hady Mirza ( ms, حدي ميرزا; born 28 January 1980) is a Singaporean singer.
He was the winner of the second season of the reality TV show '' Singapore Idol''. He was crowned the winner on 25 Sep ...
Too Phat
Too Phat was a Malaysian hip-hop duo, composed of rappers Joe Flizzow (born Johan Ishak in Kuala Lumpur; 16 October 1979) and Malique (born Malique Ibrahim in Johor Bahru; 21 August 1977).
Career
In the late 1990s Joe Flizzow, Malique and ...
) on**Best Album Cover ''- Rebirth Into Reality'' (with Too Phat) on
Pelangi Awards (Brunei)
*2009
**Best New Group: Micbandits ominated**Best Group: Micbandits ominated
References
External links
Kartellohello.com
{{Authority control
2005 establishments in Malaysia
Record labels established in 2005
Malaysian record labels
Contemporary R&B record labels
Hip hop record labels
Privately held companies of Malaysia