Element 9 (music)

Element 9 is a music company founded by Stu Pflaum in 2005. The company is based in Cleveland, Ohio and has three divisions with specializations in music publishing, digital marketing and a record label.

Element 9
Parent companyFontana
Founded2005
FounderStu Pflaum
Distributor(s)Fontana (US)
GenreHip hop, R&B
Country of originUS
Official websitehttp://www.element9muzik.com/

Company history

The Element 9 music company was launched in 2005 as a promotional outlet for aspiring hip hop artists. The company was founded by Stu Pflaum while he was a senior at Ohio University.[1] Pflaum formerly performed as a DJ on college radio before launching the company. Upon graduation from Ohio University, Pflaum moved the company to New York City where he split the company into two divisions, Element 9 Recordings, specializing in music publishing and Element 9.0, specializing in digital marketing.

Element 9 Recordings was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2008 in the category of Best Rap Song for their role as music publisher for Crank That (Soulja Boy) by Soulja Boy.[2]

In November 2009, the record label division, Element 9 Muzik, was formed. Shortly after, the company announced a partnership with Fontana Distribution, the independent distribution arm of Universal Music Group, for international distribution for artists signed to the label.[3] The label division is headed by music industry veteran Tony Franklin. Stu Pflaum serves as Vice President for the label.[4]

The first release from the Element 9 record label was Arms & Hammers by West Coast rap group Strong Arm Steady.[5] The album was released in February 2011.[6]

In November 2011, the company released Habits of the Heart by Idle Warship, which is composed of rapper Talib Kweli and singer Res.[7] Prior to the album's official street date, the label released the album through the Spotify music service.[8] The advance release was the first instance in which a United States based music company debuted a project far in advance using the Spotify service.[9] The move was viewed as bold by music and technology critics and a counterweight to the release strategies of artists such as Coldplay and Adele, who had refused to make their music available through Spotify.[9]

Releases

Awards and nominations
  • Grammy Awards
    • 2008: Best Rap Song: "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" (Nominated)
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References
  1. "Opportunities for Hip-Hop". CoolBusinessIdeas.com. 2005-08-19. Retrieved 2012-02-01.
  2. "Former resident nominated for Grammy". Hudsonhubtimes.com. 2008-02-06. Archived from the original on 2012-02-22. Retrieved 2012-02-01.
  3. "Fontana Signs Deal With Element 9 Muzik". AllAccess.com. 2009-11-19. Retrieved 2012-02-01.
  4. "FONTANA PARTNERS WITH ELEMENT 9 MUZIK". Universal Music. Retrieved 2012-02-02.
  5. "Strong Arm Steady - Arms & Hammers CD". Access Hip Hop. Archived from the original on 2011-02-15. Retrieved 2012-02-01.
  6. Evans, Brenda (2011-02-03). "Alum's label poised for big hip-hop releaseAlum's label poised for big hip-hop release". Athensnews.com. Retrieved 2012-02-03.
  7. "Reviews - Idle Warship". FILTER Magazine. 2011-11-11. Retrieved 2012-02-02.
  8. "Lefsetz Letter » Blog Archive » E-Mail Of The Day". Lefsetz.com. 2011-10-26. Retrieved 2012-02-03.
  9. "Talib Kweli and Res' Idle Warship Project Debuts on Spotify Three Weeks Before Release". Billboard.biz. 2011-10-11. Retrieved 2012-02-01.

See also
  • List of record labels


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