Dancing Astronaut’s BIG 100—Top 25 Electronic Labels of the Decade
2010 may have been. In the breakneck speed by which dancing music throttles throughout the stratosphere, the decade will be ending in an entirely unrecognizable place from where it began. For context–ten years back, Electric Daisy Carnival has been held in Los Angeles, not Las Vegas, in which the Los Angeles Rams today play. Just 250,000 people were paying to get a Swedish audio streaming service called Spotify, also Billie Eilish was ending up second tier. It’s been a crazy ride through the 10’s, mostly soundtracked from EDM’s international boom to some multi-billion dollar industry. Ten years back our culture was creeping out of South London Baths and New York warehouses, and today we’re doing in the Olympics.
So now, as the single most important, historic, and certainly memorable decade dancing music has ever seen draws to a close, we had to figure out a new approach to break down just how far the culture has arrived. One master record couldn’t reflect the decade . In effort to correctly recognize the remarkable group of events that has brought us , we’re diluting our average end-of-the-year model. Rather, rsquo we &;re splitting the years ’s most deserving into a few unique categories.
In summary of 2010 — 2019, the most important factors that shaped the decade were most Artists of the Decade, Labels of the Decade, Albums of the Decade, and Most Impactful Moments of the Decade. They include Dancing Astronaut’s decade-end collection. Introducing, The Big 100.
25. Foreign Family Collective –
While ODESZA‘s Foreign Family Collective isn’t a traditional record label, and likely the youngest inclusion on this record, the artist collective has proven to be one of the premier creative outlets for a few of electronic music’s current brightest. The imprint has sponsored releases from Jai Wolf, Louis Futon, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Robotaki, Kasbo, and more, coming together within an eclectic assortment of sonic and visual media. ODESZA’s third full length LP, A Moment Apart officially landed on the duo’s Foreign Family Collective at 2017, and might net both Grammy nominations at 2018. The Collective also managed to move into event curation by the close of the decade using the highly in-demand ODESZA-curated SUNDARA festival that sprang up during the summer of 2019.
24. Brainfeeder –
Another notable creative brainchild of LA’s Flying Lotus, Brainfeeder has controlled its very own corner of their experimental sector for more than a decade now. Over the course of the past ten years, the imprint has sponsored releases by the likes of Mr. Oizo, TOKiMONSTA, Thundercat, and Kamasi Washington, Lotus’ rap alter-ego Captain Murphy, and more. The tag has dexterously cemented itself as the power on the outside fringes of hip-hop and electronic music. Brainfeeder regulars would go on to host one of Southern California’s most beloved running celebrations, Low End Theory, which watched LA’s conquer spectacle rise to prominence over the course of Wednesday nights by 2006 to its final club night at 2018.
23. Ninja Tune –
Ninja Tune was a pillar at dance music for more than just last decade. In reality, at 2020, the tag will celebrate 30 years in business, spanning a multitude of releases and artists from all corners of the musical macrocosm. By 2010 – 2019, Ninja Tune put on the likes of Peggy Gou, Tycho, Bonobo, Bicep, Machinedrum, Helena Hauff, ODESZA, and more. Even Kelis and Diplo have showcased on the legendary tag ’s community of brands. Ninja Tune also managed to ink a deal with the aforementioned Brainfeeder, bringing releases from Flying Lotus, Thundercat, and others beneath the Ninja Tune banner during the ’10s.
22. Sweat It Out!
The “Australian Invasion” has been a remarkable high point of the past decade, and also the late DJ Ajax’s Sweat It Out! Remains at the helm of the motion. There’s nary a superstar from the country that hasn’t ever gotten their start on the tag; Yolanda Be Cool, RÜFÜS DU SOL using their career-making Bloom, Emoh Instead (What So Not), Crooked Colours, and Dancing Astronaut’s Breakout Artist of the Year Dom Dolla function as only a few. Be it home, electro pop, or even near bass, 1 thing that remains a continuous in Sweat It Out! Is its penchant for finding artists that will enamor audiences worldwide with their raw musicianship–and that’therefore the tag can always be reliable as a hub for second generation elite. DJ Ajax’s untimely passing will forever become a dark moment on electronic music’s timeline, but his legacy glows forever in Sweat It Out! .
21. Future Sound Of Egypt –
After a part of the Armada household, Future Sound Of Egypt (FSOE) split into its own force to be reckoned with in love. Since regaining its independence in 2016, it’s swiftly climbed to rival other famous institutions such as Black Hole and Anjunabeats. The tag is so highly considered, in fact, the Aly & Fila were granted permission to do in the Great Pyramids double in celebration of episodes 400 and 500 of their tag ’s eponymous tv series, linking a small set of other acts that includes Sting, Kylie Minogue, and Jean-Michel Jarre. At a time of extreme development for trance in several sonic instructions, FSOE has remained true to its origins, always offering followers top-grade recordings in uplifting, tech, and progressive.
20. Night Bass –
Looking back for decades of dance music, few labels are as integral from the creation of their genre since Night Bass. Even more striking about AC Slater’s instant imprint is it accomplished this feat at a very short quantity of time. Founded halfway through the years at 2014, around the time Trouble & Bass closed store, Night Bass place off on a mission. It has since curated a nationally community round bass ; a burgeoning soundscape that harkens to the first times of UK garage and two-step but presented in a four-on-the-floor style. Slater’s achieved a respectable job of not just curating a solid catalog of releases, but fostering a tightly knit neighborhood of like-minded home heads. – Harry Levin
19. Crosstown Rebels
If there is 1 word to describe Damian Lazarus’ profile as a artist, it’so humble. Though you might not ever see him topping statements of festivals or giving his name to the most popular singles of the year, his capacity to curate releases through his epic imprint, Crosstown Rebels, is unmatched. Even as dancing music entered the mainstream this decade, Lazarus managed to sift through the hype and find some of the best tunes in the underground by the likes of Skream, Gorgon City, Denney, Joeski, plus a virtually interminable list of both based abilities and rising stars in techno and house. – Harry Levin
18. Diynamic
Solomun has cultivated Diynamic into one of the most hyped in the home and techno world–and for good reason. One may ’t deny its role in propelling melodic colors of the aforementioned to greatness, especially when the tag was one of the first to push the sound when nominal reigned supreme. What began as some buddies going against the grain for their fantasies blossomed to a full-blown motion, and today, thousands of loyal enthusiasts filling outside Diynamic’s showcases, stage takeovers, and residencies all over the planet show the impact it’s had at the dance community at large. Its series is primed to continue well into the 2020s, since the past year alone has seen Diynamic breed brand new superstars at ARTBAT whilst continuing to high charts with singles such as Maceo Plex’s “Mutant Magic,” a EP from Boys Noize’s ELAX alias, and more.
17. Deadbeats –
Zeds Dead emerged as the decades kicked away, and from the end of the ancient ’10s DC and Hooks had firmly established themselves since face-melting Dragon warrior. They spent the first half of the decade creating their signature seem to gallop around various electrical genres, successfully wading from dub to home, hip, R&B, potential bass, and more. By ancient 2016, Zeds Dead were prepared to do much more than just create and release his own music, forming the aptly called Deadbeats–a tag which reflects the ethos of Zeds Dead’s refusal to be trapped by a single genre. In only four years, Deadbeats has piled a booming catalog of nearly 300 releases including work from newcomers and industry vets alike. Today, Deadbeats roster boasts the likes of Rusko, GRiZ, EPROM, DEVAULT, Delta Heavy, Wuki, Habstrakt, Ducky, and more.
Look to Deadbeats to keep to be an accurate barometer for what’so hot as a new decade . A decade later, and Zeds Dead has traversed the electronic world double, expect these to keep up the speed at 2020.
16. CONFESSION
Though it’s just shy of five years older, CONFESSION has proven to be one of the most impactful imprints of the 2010s. Tchami does an impeccable job imbuing his spiritually minded ethos to the brand about the visual and audio fronts, matching the tag ’s church-themed parties to otherworldly future home records that garner high praise across the world. Lots of high pedigree musicians have signed documents on CONFESSION, together with all the highly expected REZZ and Malaa collaboration, “Criminals,” using been released in fall. Of course, this swift success hardly comes as a surprise for those familiar with Tchami’s eager ear and resonant eyesight.
15. Boysnoize Records (BNR)
Boys Noize is just one of dance music’s foremost forward-thinkers, and his namesake tag is a reflection of the very edge, rule-bending aesthetic he’s become famous for. Over recent years alone, Boysnoize Records (BNR) and its own BNR TRAX subsidiary have not just been hubs for revolutionary releases from the label boss himself–such as the critically acclaimed Out Of The Black and 2016’s Mayday–they’ve also been instrumental in establishing the careers of Jensen Interceptor, Peaches, Raito, and beyond. The tag ’s really grown to its own through time, and looks to a continuing tenure providing dancing music’s potential innovations to the masses.
14. Spinnin’ Records
Spinnin’s legacy stretches back to the turn of the millennium, but the past decade has really seen it turned into a significant force in shaping modern dance music. It’s widely accountable for introducing the planet, and popularizing, large room home, with possibly its biggest claim to fame being the discovery of Martin Garrix and kicking off his trip to superstardom together “Animals. ” Millions of followers, billions of streams amassed, a multi-million buck merger with Warner, and over 20 notable, artist-led sub-labels later (believe Heldeep and Dharma Worldwide), Spinnin’ has forever shattered itself as a pillar of EDM plus one of those genre’s greatest patrons.
13. Ultra Music
Ahead of Spinnin’ maintained its dominance at the EDM planet, Ultra has been its kingpin. It entered the 2010s at the top, together with legendary singles such as “Stereo Love” and Skrillex’ remix to Benny Benassi’s “Cinema” raking in countless plays across all platforms. This series has lasted throughout the past decade, together using the tag playing host to multiple platinum records which have comprised Deorro’s 2016 collaborations with Elvis Crespo, “Bailar,” and “Five More Hours” using Chris Brown, in addition to SNBRN’s “Gangsta Walk,” “Just Hold On” using Steve Aoki and Louis Tomlinson, and Klingade’s “Somewhere New. ” Label darling Kygo even booked an Olympic performance.
12. UKF
Among the first things to realize the power of YouTube as a music platform is UKF, which became one of the earliest viral channels to flourish within a indie record label. It’so difficult to believe the brand was created a mere 10 years back, given its establishment as a prime hub for many items bass by the get-go. In reality, it’s safe to state many of electronic music’s younger generation found the likes of Zeds Dead, Nero, and even Knife Party during UKF’s oldest times. Outside its standing as a major curatorial hub, Luke Hood’s brainchild is also behind up of three thousand streams on YouTube independently, a sold-out series in the Alexandria Palace in London, and several revolutionary compilations that have served as barometers of bass culture through recent years. It’s truly a tag of the future.
11. Monstercat
Flume may have been bass’ initial pioneer, however it’s Canadian titan Monstercat that required experimental bass, in most kinds, to formerly unfathomable heights. Its creators Mike Darlington and Ari Paunonen can easily be considered a number of the audio industry’s most industrious entrepreneurs, gradually building Monstercat’s inventory through the years through adopting Twitch streaming ancient and producing their tag ’s name known on a grander scale via festival stage takeovers. By 2014 it’d sold over a million recordings, however 2016 is when Monstercat struck gold using Marshmello’s breakout single “Alone. ” This goes to show that grassroots passion mixed with a little bit of business savvy pays off in the long term, and consequently, there& & rsquo;s no foreseeable end to the tag ’s predominate over the bass globe.
10. Major Beat
While nearly all of our picks for Label of the Decade are bigger distributors, we’d be remiss if we left out the behemoth Big Beat from our ranks. A longtime stalwart in home, hip, and more modern strains of electronica, the Atlantic-housed imprint relaunched at 2010 using Skrillex’s Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites–effectively locking it back into the upper echelon of dance music during its second business boom. Skrillex’s breakout EP, and even his widely frenzied Jack Ü project with Diplo are only falls in Big Beat’s bucket, together using the tag additionally giving rise to the likes of Galantis, Ekali, Icona Pop, and a lot more from the years following its relaunch. While trends come and go with increasing rates, Big Beat constantly manages to stay on top of the game, and this attribute is exactly what’s going to keep it flourishing for many decades to come.
09. Fool’s Gold Records
With A-Trak and Nick Catchdubs in the helm, there is no way Fool’s Gold would ever or could ever fold into being only a different dance music tag, and, naturally , it didn’t. Few imprints across this decade carved another niche that combined electronic and rap while encouraging the art form which has become criminally under-valued in now ’s audio scene: actual DJing. Now, Fool’s Gold’s roster boasts releases from Kid Cudi, Anna Lunoe, Run The Jewels, Brenmar, Oliver, YehMe2, Sleepy Tom, and so many others. Beyond bringing new technically proficient DJs to the fold such as KITTENS, Fool’s Gold is a key sponsor of A-Trak’s Goldie Awards, an annual DJ contest and beat-battle judged by a number of the finest in the industry including Diplo, Craze, and A-Trak himself. Furthermore, FGR has even dipped into vogue, events production, and much more during the 2010s. – Harry Levin
08. Armada Music
Armada’s journey runs parallel to some creator Armin van Buuren’s rise to the top of the crossover world. It’d become a top trance tag by the aughts, however, has silently grown into one of the biggest imprints in electronic whose power rivals that of Ultra and Spinnin’. By 2011-2015, it took home the IDMA for “Best Global Dance Music Label,” additionally expanding its robust sub-label military to during this time while propping up van Buuren’s entrance into the pop world throughout his LPs Intense and Embrace. Today, its repertoire spans recordings from Detroit legend Kevin Saunderson to Dutch home grasp Afrojack, showcasing a tag constructed to last and flourish through EDM’s cyclical history.
07. Future Classic –
Even the “Australian Invasion” of the last decade has been one of the very enjoyable subplots in most of dance music. The talent that emanated from down under over the past ten years moved on to become some of the very predominate forces in electronic music, placement Future Classic within a incubator for Aussie hitmakers. Future Classic wasn’t new to the decade, even although the label/management company’s story really took off in 2012 using the debut release from Harley Streten, much better known as Flume. The rest, as they say, is history. Created from Anna Lunoe, Touch Sensitive, Chrome Sparks, Nick Murphy (fka Chet Faker), Classixx, Flight Facilities, Wave Racer, and others would followalong with putting Future Classic among a number of the greatest tags of the decade.
06. Ed Banger Records
Pedro Winter’s Ed Banger household built its standing in the past decade under the stewardship of both Cassius and Justice, and these are the only two titles that really need to be mentioned even though there are plenty of others that could be. However, between 2010 and 2019, Busy P demonstrated he understood how to maintain his record label relevant from the face of shifting market with yummy treats from Breakbot, Mr, Oizo, Riton, and Boston Bun. However, Ed Banger managed to make home hardware over the course of the decade together using Justice’s Grammy-winning Woman Worldwide. Ed Banger Records, which celebrated its 15th anniversary at 2018, wasn’t a pure home or maybe a pure electro imprint, and by leaning in that spirit of exploration, they could continue to signal forward-thinking artists that forward-thinking dancing fans were eager to discover. – Harry Levin
05. Mad Decent
It was in this decade that Diplo established himself as both the best pop producer of the day as well as a paragon of superstar DJ civilization –along with his tag, Mad Decent, was there each step of the way. Diplo entered the EDM explosion using a resumé and Rolodex matched by few and immediately established Mad Decent within a open-format trendsetter. Before he entered his current home kick with his new imprint Higher Ground, Diplo landed modern four-on-the-floor classics such as “Bugatti” & &; ldquo;Feel The Volume,” essentially launching JAUZ’s career. He put on ancient Dillon Francis and Baauer, together with Valentino Khan, Party Favor, and so many more in between. Let us not forget one of the biggest hits ever , the light-hearted shake, “Lean On” which, on top of breaking several records, imbued virtually every pop song to follow for the next two years using its bouncing dancehall beat. – Harry Levin
04. OWSLA
Skrillex is this a staple when discussing electronic music that it’s almost difficult to believe that Sonny Moore started running under this name only this past decade. Even more difficult to believe he only begun OWSLA last past decade, also. Though, in the close of the decade, appearing back its clear OWSLA had a finger on the pulse of electronic music culture straight in the jump.
This tag turned life brand was launched together with the breakout EP in the intriguing 19-year-old called Porter Robinson qualified Spitfire. From there about the tone of the tag was set to keep on breaking borders and constructing new artists. Makes sense, thinking about the next release in the little known artist who goes by the name of ZEDD. From there, OWSLA went on to push recordings from each corner of electronic audio, from Yogi, Alvin Risk, KOAN Sound, What So Not, Alex Metric, Getter, Vindata, Mija, Ekali, Kill The Noise, and more. – Harry Levin
03. Anjunabeats / Anjunadeep
Anjunabeats is a musical motion in itself. The trance tag and its darker, progressive-leaning counterpart Anjunadeep have carved a different sonic niche in their various genre lands, using the latter being a prime motivator at the rise of melodic home as a dominating sect from electronica. Meanwhile, Anjunabeats remains a titan with impeccable curation in its own creators Above & Beyond; Seven Lions has been discovered and nurtured to the celebrity he is today due to the imprint, as other key players today like Lane 8, Ilan Bluestone, and Andrew Bayer. Not to mention, its fan base remains one of the very dedicated we’ve ever seen today.
02. mau5trap
Deadmau5 has ever controlled a huge portion the electronic zeitgeist’so collective attention, and no matter whatever anyone may think of him, he’s constantly diverted a large portion of that attention to his record label mau5trap. Looking back on this past decade, it’s almost uncanny how many remarkable artists came to their very own mau5trap. Matt Lange, Eekkoo, ATTLAS, i_o, Rinzen, simply to mention a few. Many listeners could also be amazed to find out mau5trap also hosted rebel releases from musicians such as Skrillex, Excision, Noisia, and Moguai. – Harry Levin
Photo credit: Matt Barnes
01. DIRTYBIRD
In the span of 2010 to 2019, no additional tag has done a much better job of introducing home music to a broader market than DIRTYBIRD. With a foundational crew of artists maintaining the brand’s core values through both its solid and jovial behaviour, Claude VonStroke’so humble, homemade record imprint has assembled a consistent, reliable force of supporters around the planet. Not only have they curated a few of the years ’s largest hits such as “Stop It& & rdquo; from Fisher and “OKAY” from Shiba San, however they always groom up-and-coming artists and put new bizarre and wacky tendencies too. The tag has moved into occasions curation throughout the past decade, inspired by its humble beginnings, hosting beat-laden barbecues at the park. Now, together using fledging Campout and BBQ occasions all over the country, a roster of elite artists that proctor a number of the best home in the game, DIRTYBIRD Records is now a shoe-in for our Top Label of the Decade. – Harry Levin
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