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Dirty Hit

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Dirty Hit
Founded1 December 2009; 15 years ago (1 December 2009)
Founder
  • Jamie Oborne (CEO 2009–present)
  • Chuck Waite
  • Brian Smith
  • Ugo Ehiogu
StatusActive
Distributor(s)
GenreVarious, with a focus on alternative
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Location
  • London, UK
  • Los Angeles, US
  • Sydney, Australia
  • Tokyo, Japan
Official websitewww.dirtyhit.co.uk

Dirty Hit is a British independent record label founded in December 2009 by Jamie Oborne,[1] Chuck Waite, Brian Smith, and former England footballer Ugo Ehiogu.[2] Based in London since 2009,[3] it has expanded operations to Los Angeles, Sydney, and Tokyo in 2020.[4]

Complex has stated in 2019 that, "Dirty Hit has become known for championing their artists' individuality".[5]

History

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Musician Jamie Oborne went into artist management to provide support to artists through his All On Red Management.[6] When Drive Like I Do (later called the 1975), a Manchester-based band he was managing remained unsigned even after meeting with every major label due to their genre-hopping music, Oborne decided to establish his own record label together with Chuck Waite, Brian Smith, and English footballer Ugo Ehiogu.[5] The 1975 signed with the label for 20 pounds.[5]

The 1975 and Benjamin Francis Leftwich were the company's first signings, with the former the first act on the label to achieve mainstream success, achieving #1 at the UK Albums Chart in September 2013 with their eponymous debut album.[7][8][9] In February 2019, it was announced that the 1975 had signed a new three-album deal with the record company.[10]

In May 2017, the label organised the Dirty Hit Tour featuring Superfood, King Nun and Pale Waves.[11] Since its inception, Dirty Hit releases are distributed to digital platforms by Ingrooves Music Group.[12][13]

Since January 2019, the members of the 1975 – Matty Healy, George Daniel, Adam Hann, and Ross MacDonald – are shareholders of the company.[14][15] Healy served as creative director for four years before leaving the role in April 2023.[16][17]

On 17 June 2024, Dirty Hit announced a new imprint label called DH2, which is focused on electronic music and run by George Daniel of the 1975.[18] Signees to the label include Kelly Lee Owens, Oscar Farrell, and TimFromTheHouse.[18] Owens's album Dreamstate, released on 18 October, was her debut for the label.[19]

International expansion

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Dirty Hit expanded its success from the domestic UK market to an international audience through achievements in social media and critical acclaim. Following the signing of artists such as the 1975, Dirty Hit found an influx in attention regarding younger artists such as Beabadoobee and Rina Sawayama. This influx led Dirty Hit to expand its reach by opening offices in the United States and Australia.[20] By partnering with Ingrooves Music Group, was Dirty Hit able to facilitate widespread expansion outside of the UK.[21] Ingrooves Music Group provides "digital marketing services that empower record labels and entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and thrive in the global music industry".[22] This means that Ingrooves will provide labels with the resources, connections, and newest technology in order to ensure an artist's success in continents such as North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Ingrooves has managed artists such as Boy Pablo, G Herbo, Lana Del Rey, and BTS. "Since launching in 2002, Ingrooves has provided independent labels, artists and other content owners with tools that include analytics, rights management services, and marketing solutions.[21] It was in late 2019 when the decision to combine teams –Dirty Hit and Ingrooves– became official.

Two notable members of the Dirty Hit international team are Greg Carr and Rachel Jones-Williams. Carr joined the Dirty Hit team in Los Angeles in May 2020. Jamie Oborne has publicly credited Carr for a brought wealth of expertise and experience across the roster and beyond.[23] Jones-Williams joined the team during the same period but is located in the Sydney Location. During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Dirty has taken measures in order to maneuver through the event.[24] "Like the rest of the industry we're doing our best to adapt to the times and find creative ways to ensure we can still keep building a connection with Australian audiences without our artists being in market . . . As well as working towards a domestic roster, we're focused on continuing the development and building a local story around some of the recent signings out of the U.K. and U.S."[25] Dirty Hit went on to release another album for The 1975 following an Ingrooves contract renewal in 2021.[26]

Awards and accolades

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Notable artists affiliated with Dirty Hit Records include Wolf Alice, The 1975, Beabadoobee, and Pale Waves, all of whom have garnered nominations or awards from prestigious institutions such as the Grammys, NME, and the Brits.[citation needed] The 1975, a flagship act of Dirty Hit, stands out with two nominations for the esteemed Mercury Prize, showcasing the label's dedication to artists with outstanding musical contributions. Beyond individual accolades, Dirty Hit's artists have collectively made a significant impact on the global music scene by performing at renowned festivals.[27] The 1975 also headlined Radio 1's Big Weekend, bridging contemporary work and Dirty Hit's alternative style in mainstream media.

No Rome, an artist under the Dirty Hit banner, achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Filipino act to perform at the summer Coachella festival.[28] In 2019, Dirty Hit Records achieved notable success at the Music Week Awards, outperforming esteemed competitors in the music industry. The label, alongside contenders such as Atlantic Records, Columbia Records, Island Records, Polydor Records, and Warner Bros Records, received recognition for its contributions. In 2019, the label was nominated for 3 awards. The label was able to win the "Best Independent Label" award.[29]

Notable artists

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The 1975, known in 2010 as Drive Like I Do, is the main reason co-founder Jamie Oborne set up Dirty Hit[5]

Former

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References

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  1. ^ Andrew Trendell (13 February 2019). ""They're at the peak of their powers" – Dirty Hit's Jamie Oborne tells us about the future of The 1975 and what's next for the label". NME. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  2. ^ Harrison, Angus (21 April 2017). "RIP Ugo Ehiogu, Who Brought Genuine Passion to a Cynical Music Business". Noisey. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  3. ^ "Dirty Hit!". Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  4. ^ "Dirty Hit expands into the US & Asia Pacific, hires Greg Carr & Rachel Jones-Williams to head up new offices". Music Business Worldwide. 26 August 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d "Artistic Integrity, Creative Freedom, and the Rise of Dirty Hit". Complex. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  6. ^ Graves, Shahlin (2 September 2017). "Interview: Dirty Hit's Jamie Oborne on the "business of selling identity"". Coup De Main Magazine. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  7. ^ "The 1975 score debut number 1 album". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  8. ^ "'The coolest of the cool': Matthew Healy and Jamie Oborne talk ambitions as The 1975 drop album number three". www.musicweek.com. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  9. ^ "'Managers should make decisions based on reason, logic – and knowing their artists'". Music Business Worldwide. 29 February 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  10. ^ "The 1975 sign new deal with Dirty Hit record label". The List. 12 February 2019. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  11. ^ Wright, Lisa (15 May 2017). "It's a Dirty Hit!". DIY. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  12. ^ "Dirty Hit inks global digital distribution deal with Ingrooves". Music Business Worldwide. 10 December 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  13. ^ "Dirty Hit extends global distribution deal with Ingrooves Music Group". Music Business Worldwide. 7 December 2022. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  14. ^ "Dirty Hit Limited: Confirmation statement made on 23 January 2019 with updates". Companies House Services.
  15. ^ "Dirty Hit Limited: Confirmation statement made on 23 January 2023 with updates". Company House Services.
  16. ^ "Director Appointment". Company House Services.
  17. ^ "Director Appointment". Company House Services.
  18. ^ a b Muk, Isaac (17 June 2024). "Independent label Dirty Hit announces new electronic music imprint". Crack. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  19. ^ Monroe, Jazz (11 July 2024). "Kelly Lee Owens Announces Album, Shares Video for New Song "Love You Got"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  20. ^ "Dirty Hit inks global digital distribution deal with Ingrooves". Music Business Worldwide. 10 December 2019. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  21. ^ a b "Universal fully acquires Ingrooves Music Group". Music Business Worldwide. 12 February 2019. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  22. ^ "Virgin Music Group". www.virginmusic.com. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  23. ^ "U.K. Indie Dirty Hit, Home to 1975 and Wolf Alice, Opening U.S and Australian Offices". Variety. 26 August 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  24. ^ Lavin, Will (26 August 2020). "The 1975 and Wolf Alice's record label Dirty Hit launches in Australia". NME. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  25. ^ Brandle, Lars (26 August 2020). "Dirty Hit Launches In U.S., Australia". Billboard. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  26. ^ "Dirty Hit Renews With Ingrooves". CelebrityAccess. 7 December 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  27. ^ "Label in Focus: Dirty Hit". 22 May 2020.
  28. ^ "Guendoline Rome Viray Gomez (No Rome)". Forbes.
  29. ^ "U.K. Indie Dirty Hit, Home to 1975 and Wolf Alice, Opening U.S and Australian Offices". 26 August 2020.
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