Strange Music


Strange Music is an American independent record label specializing in hip hop music and founded by Tech N9ne and Travis O'Guin in 2000. It is distributed through Fontana Distribution.

History

Travis O'Guin, an established businessman in the world of furniture, was looking to get into the music industry. He had been a fan of Tech N9ne's music and had seen how his career was being handled.
At the time, Tech had several engagements pulling him in several directions. At the time, he was signed to Qwest Records as well as MidwestSide Records. He also had commitments with both QDIII's Soundlab and Sway & King Tech of The Wake Up Show. The original name for the label was actually a production company called Entertainment Group N9ne Arts Music. Travis came into the picture and offered Tech something he never had, his own label. They agreed upon a 50/50 division of profits, with Travis acting as President and Tech as Vice President.
Their first venture was a deal with JCOR Entertainment to release Anghellic, though JCOR mishandled the album. They would then seek another 50/50 deal, this time with Mark Cerami & Dave Weiner who were doing their own joint label at the time, MSC Entertainment. The first album Absolute Power was a success, selling about 250,000 copies.
The label is now independent, no longer joined with MSC Entertainment, instead having a distribution deal through Fontana Distribution. Their first release under the deal with Fontana was Tech N9ne's 2006 effort, Everready. While many albums were advertised for 2007 releases in the artwork for that album, only one release was seen in 2007 from Strange Music, Misery Loves Kompany.
The other albums advertised inside the Everready case would however see release a year later in 2008, along with a solo effort from Project: Deadman/Bedlam member, Prozak. For the majority of 2008, Ill Bill looked to be releasing his The Hour of Reprisal through Strange Music, though the talks would fall through and he would instead sign with Fat Beats Records to release the album.
February 7, 2009, it was announced on Tech N9ne's official website that Big Scoob had joined the Strange Music label.
On February 9, 2009, it was announced on Tech N9ne's official website that Skatterman & Snug Brim had decided to leave the Strange Music label after fulfilling their commitment.
In May 2009, Tech signed Brotha Lynch Hung to Strange Music. Brotha Lynch released his Strange Music debut album, Dinner and a Movie on March 23, 2010.
In July 19, 2009, Cognito signed to the Strange Music label. Cognito did not tour with other labelmates during the KOD Tour in order to complete his 2010 album, "Automatic". This ultimately led to the low sales of the album, and led to Cognito's departure from the label the following year.
It was announced by XXL magazine on September 27, 2010 that Jay Rock had signed with Strange Music for a multi-album deal.
On March 31, 2011, the label announced the addition of Stevie Stone to its roster. Stone officially signed with the label on March 17, 2011.
On April 11, 2011, it was announced on Strange Music's official website that Miami-based hip-hop band ¡MAYDAY! signed to the label. The band immediately joined Krizz Kaliko, Kutt Calhoun, Big Scoob, Stevie Stone and Jay Rock on Tech N9ne's All 6's and 7's Tour, beginning in May 2011.
In December 2011, Strange Music announced that Prozak had signed to the label as a solo recording artist. The artist had previously worked with the label on various projects, including his 2008 Tales from the Sick which was distributed by the label.
In January 2012, Strange Music signed rap duo CES Cru, made up of rappers Ubiquitous and Godemis. They had worked with Strange in the past with albums Bad Season, All 6's and 7's, and recently on Tech N9ne Collabos: Welcome To Strangeland. The two Kansas City rappers would then release two mixtapes simultaneously on April 6, 2012: The Deevil from Godemis and Matter Don't Money from Ubiquitous.
In August 2012, Tech N9ne signed Slumerican rapper Rittz. Rittz and Tech N9ne immediately began working together, releasing the popular collaboration remix of Rittz's "Bloody Murdah" shortly after Rittz joined the label.
In 2013, Strange Music signed ¡MAYDAY! emcee Wrekonize as a solo act. He released his Strange Music debut album The War Within on June 25, 2013.
On February 7, 2014, it was announced via Tech N9ne's Facebook page that Murs signed to Strange Music.
On September 22, 2014, it was announced that Kutt Calhoun left Strange Music after fulfilling his commitment. He stated that he's still in good terms with the label. That same month, Tech N9ne revealed that Jay Rock had left his Strange Music imprint and is now only signed to Top Dawg Entertainment.
On October 14, 2015, it was announced that St. Louis-based singer Darrein Safron signed to the label. He appears as a featured artist on Strangeulation Vol. II, including his own song "Real With Yourself", featuring Tech N9ne. Safron released his debut project titled The Brilliant EP on March 11, 2016.
On December 12, 2015, during the Tech The Halls 2015 concert, it was announced that Kansas City-based rapper JL of B.Hood signed to the label. He also appears on Strangeulation Vol. II.
After the release of the single "Actin Like You Know" featuring Tech N9ne, Strange Music confirmed that Mackenzie Nicole, the daughter of CEO Travis O'Guin, signed to the label.
On February 23, 2016, Tech N9ne confirmed via Instagram that Chicago-based pop group AboveWaves signed to the label. The group, most notably lead vocals Ryan Bradley, has appeared on several of Tech N9ne's songs, such as "Over It", "Burn It Down", and "Praise K.O.D".
In 2016, Strange Music signed ¡MAYDAY! emcee Bernz as a solo act. He released his Strange Music debut album See You On The Other Side on July 8, 2016.
In 2017 Rittz fulfilled his contractual obligations and decided not to renew it and part ways with Strange Music on good terms. His contract is set to expire July 2018. Strange Music also signed Kansas City rapper Joey Cool and Chicago rapper, as well as the winner of the Warrior Build competition, Jay Trilogy. This was announced during the release concert of **Strange Reign**.
Tech N9ne stated on King Iso's 2018 track "I Won't Quit" that he and fellow labelmate Krizz Kaliko would retire from the rap game in four years time.
In 2018, Strange Music officially announced the launch of their new subsidiary, Strange Main, which would be centered more towards a mainstream audience. In 2018, Murs also fulfilled his contract and became a free agent but has noted that he would be willing to renew the contract if Strange offered him an extension. On March 9, 2019, Murs announced his decision to leave Strange Music after fulfilling his commitment. On October 6, 2019, Krizz Kaliko announced his departure from the label on social media. On October 20, 2019, however, he appeared to have a change of heart, signing a new contract with Strange Music on stage.

Subsidiaries

Strange Music West

On May 14, 2009, a press release was issued by the label, naming Dave Weiner the Vice President of "Strange Music West." In this new position, Dave will work hand in hand with Label President, Travis O'Guin from his satellite office in Los Angeles. One of his duties for the label will be to find and sign new acts to the label. Weiner was responsible for signing Sacramento, California rapper, Brotha Lynch Hung to the Strange Music label.

Strange Lane Records

In 2010, Strange Music Inc. started a new label called Strange Lane Records. The first artist signed to the new subsidiary was Young Bleed.

Strange Main

In February 2018, Strange Music and Billboard announced the creation of a new Pop based division of Strange Music called Strange Main. Strange Main will be headed by former Kansas City based radio personality for KMXV, better known as Mix 93.3, Ponch Hudgens, who will act as Executive Director of the new label.
The labels flagship artist will be daughter of Strange Music C.E.O. Travis O'Guin, Mackenzie Nicole, who has been a part of projects with the label since Tech N9ne's K.O.D. album in 2009. She released her debut solo album, The Edge on April 13, 2018.
In addition to Mackenzie Nicole, the labels roster will also consist of Above Waves, who signed with Strange Music in 2016 and Strange's resident R&B singer, Darrein Safron, who had signed with Strange back in 2015.

Roster

Current artists

Former artists

Discography

YearArtistAlbum
2001Tech N9neAnghellic
2002Tech N9neAbsolute Power
2004Skatterman & Snug BrimUrban Legendz
2004Project: DeadmanSelf Inflicted
2004Kutt CalhounB.L.E.V.E.
2006Tech N9neEverready
2007Tech N9neMisery Loves Kompany
2008Krizz KalikoVitiligo
2008Grave PlottThe Plott Thickens
2008ProzakTales from the Sick
2008Tech N9neKiller
2008Skatterman & Snug BrimWord on tha Streets
2008Kutt CalhounFeature Presentation
2009Tech N9neSickology 101
2009Krizz KalikoGenius
2009Big ScoobMonsterifik
2009Tech N9neK.O.D.
2010Brotha Lynch HungDinner and a Movie
2010CognitoAutomatic
2010Kutt CalhounRaw and Un-Kutt
2010Tech N9neThe Gates Mixed Plate
2010Krizz KalikoShock Treatment
2011Brotha Lynch HungCoathanga Strangla
2011Big ScoobDamn Fool
2011Tech N9neAll 6's and 7's
2011Jay RockFollow Me Home
2011Young BleedPreserved
2011Tech N9neWelcome to Strangeland
2012¡MAYDAY!Take Me to Your Leader
2012ProzakParanormal
2012Krizz KalikoKickin' & Screamin
2012Stevie StoneRollin' Stone
2013Brotha Lynch HungMannibalector
2013Kutt CalhounBlack Gold
2013CES CruConstant Energy Struggles
2013RittzThe Life and Times of Jonny Valiant
2013WrekonizeThe War Within
2013¡MAYDAY!Believers
2013Tech N9neSomething Else
2013Stevie Stone2 Birds 1 Stone
2013Krizz KalikoSon of Sam
2013ProzakWe All Fall Down
2014Tech N9neStrangeulation
2014¡MAYDAY! & MURS¡MURSDAY!
2014CES Cru'
2014RittzNext to Nothing
2015Tech N9neSpecial Effects
2015MURSHave a Nice Life
2015Stevie StoneMalta Bend
2015¡MAYDAY!Future Vintage
2015ProzakBlack Ink
2015Tech N9neStrangeulation Vol. II
2016Krizz KalikoGO
2016RittzTop of the Line
2016BernzSee You on the Other Side
2016Big ScoobH.O.G.
2016Tech N9neThe Storm
2017CES CruCatastrophic Event Specialists
2017MURSCaptain California
2017Tech N9ne CollabosDominion
2017WrekonizeInto the Further
2017Stevie StoneLevel Up
2017JLDIBKIS
2017¡MAYDAY!Search Party
2017RittzLast Call
2017Tech N9ne CollabosStrange Reign
2018Tech N9nePlanet
2018MURSA Strange Journey Into the Unimaginable
2018Mackenzie NicoleThe Edge
2018Stevie Stone & JLKontra-Band
2018Joey CoolJoey Cool
2018Big ScoobDuality
2018¡MAYDAY!South of 5th
2019Tech N9neN9na
2019UbiquitousUnder Bad Influence
2019Joey CoolOld Habits Die Hard
2019Above WavesFugitives
2019Maez301Maez301
2020Mackenzie NicoleMystic
2020King IsoWorld War Me
2020Tech N9neEnterfear''