Kartel Records Sdn Bhd is a Malaysian hip-hop record label, dealing predominantly in hip-hop/R&B music, founded by rapper/entrepreneur Joe Flizzow in 2005. In 2008, Kartel Records entered into a distribution agreement with Sony Music Entertainment Malaysia, enabling the record label to market its artists to a wider audience.
History
Beginnings After years of being signed to EMI Malaysia as an artist and member of Malaysia's hip-hop duo Too Phat, Joe Flizzow decided to take control of his music career by forming his own record label. 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 (AIM).
President In 2008, Kartel Records released President, the debut solo studio album by Joe Flizzow. President garnered various awards for Joe Flizzow including the coveted "Best Local English Album" award at the 16th annual Anugerah Industri Muzik, continuing the legacy of Kartel Records award-winning releases. President featured many notable collaborations with regional and international superstars such as KRS-One, Jin, Thaitanium, TerryTyeLee and Hady Mirza. 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 (from Malaysia), Richard J (from Singapore), Micbandits (from Brunei) 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 Altimet SonaOne Richard J DJ Iman Ila Damiaa Yung Raja Fariz Jabba Abubakarxli Alif (Magicpotion)
Discography YearInformation2005Rebirth into Reality by Too Phat Released: December 2005 Singles: "Snap", "Dua Dunia" featuring Siti Nurhaliza2006Just Listen by EmceeDavid Unreleased Singles: "Feels So Good" featuring Joe Flizzow, "The Get Down"2008President by Joe Flizzow Released: December 31, 2008 Singles: "Do It Duit", "Isabella" featuring Amy Search, "Get It Done (Air Force Ones)" featuring KRS-One, "All Around the World" featuring TerryTyeLee2013Havoc by Joe Flizzow Released: December 7, 2013 Singles: "Havoc", "Apa Khabar"2014Kotarayaku by Altimet Released: April 12, 2014 Singles: "Hello", "Aku Tahu" featuring Tomok, "Kotarayaku"
Other releases InformationJian by Altimet Scheduled: January 2009Heads or Tales by Micbandits Scheduled: TBA 2009 Singles: "Cantik Rupamu (Hello)"Kartel Compilation by Various Artists Scheduled: TBA 2009TBA by Richard J Scheduled: TBA 2009TBA by SonaOne Scheduled: TBA 2009
Awards
Shout! Awards 2009 Flava Award (Hip Hop / R&B Awards): Joe FlizzowJunk Online. http://www.junkonline.net/articles/2006-The-Shout-Awards-2009-winners JunkOnline.Net article, July 20, 2009, retrieved November 18, 2009. [Won] Break Out Award (Best New Act): Joe Flizzow [Nominated]
Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM) 2009 Best Local English Album: Joe Flizzow - PresidentVoize. Voize.My article, May 3, 2009, retrieved November 18, 2009. [Won] Best New Artist: Joe FlizzowPress 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. [Nominated] Best Album Cover: Joe Flizzow - President [Nominated] Best Local English Song: Joe Flizzow - "All Around the World" featuring TerryTyelee [Nominated] Best Hip-Hop Song: Joe Flizzow - "Bergerak" featuring Phlowtron, "Isabella" featuring Amy Search and "Mengapa Harus Bercinta" featuring Hady Mirza [Nominated] 2006 Best Local English Album - Rebirth Into Reality (with Too Phat) [Won] Best Album Cover - Rebirth Into Reality (with Too Phat) [Won]
Pelangi Awards (Brunei) 2009 Best New Group: Micbandits [Nominated] Best Group: Micbandits [Nominated]
References
External links Kartellohello.com