Unda K9 Records

Unda K9 Records
Founded 2002
Founder Lui
Distributor(s) MGM Metropolitan Groove Merchants (In Australia)
Genre hip hop
Country of origin Australia
Location Crows Nest, New South Wales
Official website undak9.com

Unda K9 Records is an independent Australian record label[1] founded by a female hip-hop record producer Lui. Since the formation, the label has represented a number of hip-hop acts including Figgkidd aka Lee Monro, Bishop aka Michael Sison, DJ Eko, Bukkcity aka Andre Knight, DJ Denno, DJ Funk (Melbourne), Big Dave (Distribution Only), Tycotic, 13th Son, Syntax (from Trace Elements), DirtBox Kings, Herb (from Basic Equipment) and DJ Crusador.[2] Even though the company had seen some very positive times, it folded its recording studio, label and management division in 2009. Unda K9 Records has since re-branded dropping the "records" to only Unda K9 and concentrates on selected musical releases, artist meet and greets, publicity, touring and MMA events.

History

After Lui established Unda K9 Pty Limited,[3] in 2002 as an independent hip-hop record label, that was heavily involved in record production, management, publishing and the promotion of their artist's material, and its release on both a national and international scale. In the heyday period of Unda K9 Records (2003-2009), the label hosted a predominantly hip-hop roster and was is based out of the recording studio and office in Willoughby Road, Crows Nest in New South Wales in Sydney.[4]

The label enjoyed its strongest commercial success to date with the release of FiggKidd's album What Is FiggKidd?. In 2005, Unda K9 Records' Lui founded Park Jam Festival presented by Triple J, the first Australian hip-hop festival, at Luna Park, Sydney. The Park Jam concept was the first to bring together all types of hip hop from underground and commercial spheres, including indigenous, alternative and experimental, with headliners such as Digital Underground, Kool Keith and KutMasta Kurt.[5] Since 2007 Unda K9 Records has been developing Australian born American raised - Melbourne residing artist Bukkcity, who since signing to the label has won three major independent music awards, before releasing his official debut mini-album Same Place in January 2009. Also calling Unda K9 Records home is a diverse collective of artists and DJ’s including young Central Coast rapper Tycotic and his label Asylum 57, Sydney local artist 13th Son, Herb (from Sydney collective Basic Equipment), DirtBox Kings (a collective of well known underground emcee’s and DJ’s from Sydney), Benji from Sydney crew PK Crew and DJ Jay Funk.

As of 2008, FiggKidd and Unda K9 Records officially parted ways on mutual terms and still remain good friends.[6]

Unda K9 Records through MGM distribution also acts as a third party distributor.

Other artists formerly signed to UndaK9 include A Broken Silence and The Vangarde. Both acts left UndaK9 without releasing a commercial album.

Artists

The following artists are currently signed to the Unda K9 roster:

See also

References

  1. ↑ "ASIC Company Listings". Australian Federal Government. 2002-04-06. Retrieved 2009-04-30.
  2. ↑ LABEL website
  3. ↑ AIR database at the Australian Independent Record Labels Association website (search company database under "U")
  4. ↑ Urban Hitz Magazine Issue #7 Jan/Feb '05 - Page 27. Bring The Noise - Lui/Unda K9, Derwent Howard Pty Ltd, 2005-01-02
  5. ↑ Event Coverage: Park Jam @ Luna Park, inthemix.com.au, 2005-03-05
  6. ↑ FiggKidd, Premier Harbour Agency, 2006-10-11