Dirty Hit
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]
Dirty Hit
1 December 2009
- Jamie Oborne (CEO 2009–present)
- Chuck Waite
- Brian Smith
- Ugo Ehiogu
Active
- Ingrooves (digital)
- Polydor (only The 1975)
- Universal Music Group (rest of the world)
- Sony Music (Australia and New Zealand)
- Interscope Records (North America)
Various, with a focus on alternative
- London, UK
- Los Angeles, US
- Sydney, Australia
- Tokyo, Japan
History[edit]
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]
International expansion[edit]
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.[18] By partnering with Ingrooves Music Group, was Dirty Hit able to facilitate widespread expansion outside of the UK.[19] Ingrooves Music Group provides “digital marketing services that empower record labels and entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and thrive in the global music industry”.[20] 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.[19] 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.[21] 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.[22] “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.”[23] Dirty Hit went on to release another album for The 1975 following an Ingrooves contract renewal in 2021.[24]
Awards and accolades[edit]
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. 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.[25] 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.[26] 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.[27]