Element 9 (music)

{{infobox record label

| image = File:Element 9 Logo.jpg

| parent = Fontana

| founded = 2005

| founder = Stu Pflaum

| distributor = Fontana (US)

| genre = Hip hop, R&B

| country = US

| url = http://www.element9muzik.com/

}}

Element 9 is a music company founded by Stu Pflaum in 2005. The company is based in Cleveland, Ohio and has three divisions with specializations in music publishing, digital marketing and a record label.

Company history

The Element 9 music company was launched in 2005 as a promotional outlet for aspiring hip hop artists. The company was founded by Stu Pflaum while he was a senior at Ohio University.{{cite web|url=http://www.coolbusinessideas.com/archives/opportunities-for-hip-hop/ |title=Opportunities for Hip-Hop |publisher=CoolBusinessIdeas.com |date=2005-08-19 |accessdate=2012-02-01}} Pflaum formerly performed as a DJ on college radio before launching the company. Upon graduation from Ohio University, Pflaum moved the company to New York City where he split the company into two divisions, Element 9 Recordings, specializing in music publishing and Element 9.0, specializing in digital marketing.

Element 9 Recordings was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2008 in the category of Best Rap Song for their role as music publisher for Crank That (Soulja Boy) by Soulja Boy.{{cite web|url=http://www.hudsonhubtimes.com/news/article/3252332 |title=Former resident nominated for Grammy |publisher=Hudsonhubtimes.com |date=2008-02-06 |accessdate=2012-02-01 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222075914/http://www.hudsonhubtimes.com/news/article/3252332 |archivedate=2012-02-22 }}

In November 2009, the record label division, Element 9 Muzik, was formed. Shortly after, the company announced a partnership with Fontana Distribution, the independent distribution arm of Universal Music Group, for international distribution for artists signed to the label.{{cite web|url=http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/67247/fontana-signs-deal-with-element-9-muzik |title=Fontana Signs Deal With Element 9 Muzik |publisher=AllAccess.com |date=2009-11-19 |accessdate=2012-02-01}} The label division is headed by music industry veteran Tony Franklin. Stu Pflaum serves as Vice President for the label.{{cite web|url=http://www.universalmusic.com/corporate/news35705 |title=FONTANA PARTNERS WITH ELEMENT 9 MUZIK |publisher=Universal Music |date= |accessdate=2012-02-02}}

The first release from the Element 9 record label was Arms & Hammers by West Coast rap group Strong Arm Steady.{{cite web |url=http://www.accesshiphop.com/store/?itemid=20298 |title=Strong Arm Steady - Arms & Hammers CD |publisher=Access Hip Hop |accessdate=2012-02-01 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110215125955/http://www.accesshiphop.com/store/?itemid=20298 |archivedate=2011-02-15 }} The album was released in February 2011.{{cite web|last=Evans |first=Brenda |url=http://www.athensnews.com/ohio/article-33132-alumrss-label-poised-for-big-hip-hop-release.html |title=Alum's label poised for big hip-hop releaseAlum's label poised for big hip-hop release |publisher=Athensnews.com |date=2011-02-03 |accessdate=2012-02-03}}

In November 2011, the company released Habits of the Heart by Idle Warship, which is composed of rapper Talib Kweli and singer Res.{{cite web|url=http://filtermagazine.com/index.php/reviews/entry/idle_warship |title=Reviews - Idle Warship |publisher=FILTER Magazine |date=2011-11-11 |accessdate=2012-02-02}} Prior to the album's official street date, the label released the album through the Spotify music service.{{cite web|url=http://lefsetz.com/wordpress/index.php/archives/2011/10/26/e-mail-of-the-day-39/ |title=Lefsetz Letter » Blog Archive » E-Mail Of The Day |publisher=Lefsetz.com |date=2011-10-26 |accessdate=2012-02-03}} The advance release was the first instance in which a United States based music company debuted a project far in advance using the Spotify service.{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/digital-and-mobile/talib-kweli-s-idle-warship-project-debuts-1005399562.story |title=Talib Kweli and Res' Idle Warship Project Debuts on Spotify Three Weeks Before Release |publisher=Billboard.biz |date=2011-10-11 |accessdate=2012-02-01 |archive-date=2012-02-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206174736/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/digital-and-mobile/talib-kweli-s-idle-warship-project-debuts-1005399562.story |url-status=dead }} The move was viewed as bold by music and technology critics and a counterweight to the release strategies of artists such as Coldplay and Adele, who had refused to make their music available through Spotify.

Releases

2011: Strong Arm Steady - Arms & Hammers
2011: Idle Warship - Habits of the Heart

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards
2008: Best Rap Song: "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" (Nominated)

References

External links

[https://web.archive.org/web/20120206202605/http://www.element9muzik.com/ Official website]