Unlabelled!!

In the current music industry landscape, there are artists who choose to remain independent, avoiding contracts with major labels. Some of these artists value the creative freedom and control that independence offers. Conversely, there are artists who were dropped by their labels, often due to commercial underperformance or strategic shifts by the label. Additionally, there are those who decided to leave their labels, driven by a variety of reasons, whether disclosed or not.

The recent controversy between King and Emiway over the debate of being independent versus signed under a label has sparked significant discussion within the Desi Hip-Hop (DHH) community.

As the debate over independence versus label affiliation continues, prominent names such as Artisttaan, Kalamkaar, and Bantai Records have become central to the conversation. These entities represent different facets of the music industry: Artisttaan and Kalamkaar are notable labels within the Desi Hip-Hop scene, known for their role in nurturing and promoting talent, while Bantai Records, associated with Emiway, epitomises the independent spirit.

These labels initially functioned well, bursting onto the scene with vigour and quickly gaining popularity and monetisation. They achieved significant recognition for their efforts, attracting more and more rappers eager to sign with them. This dedication and loyalty to their labels also drew them into numerous beefs, as artists defended their affiliations.The discussion around the independent versus label-affiliated paths in the music industry is one of the most contentious topics today. Over the years, numerous controversies have erupted between labels, and even within labels, leading to high-profile splits. These conflicts have driven many artists to part ways with their labels, opting for independence. Here are some notable artists and the reasons behind their departures:

KALAMKAAR RECORDS: 

REDDIT: https://www.reddit.com/r/IndianHipHopHeads/comments/17zkj3f/downvote_me_to_oblivion_but_kalamkaar_arent_the/?rdt=50668

Kidshot: One of Kalamkaar’s early casualties, Kidshot’s departure was messy and has been attributed to his own actions. The specifics remain unclear, but the fallout was significant.

Harjas: Following the leak of a voice recording by Muhfaad, Harjas was heard making unfavorable comments about Kalamkaar. This led to his exit from the label, with many pointing fingers at Harjas for the fallout.

Muhfaad:Known for his close association with Raftaar and Kalamkaar, Muhfaad was accused of being a snitch due to the leaked recording. However, his intentions remain speculative.

Brishav: Despite clear evidence that Brishav was treated unfairly and didn’t receive his rightful dues, he faced criticism for continuing to take shots at Kalamkaar, suggesting a possible fault on his part as well.

Karma: Karma’s departure raised eyebrows as he left during a pending project, HHH. His sudden exit, despite no direct criticism of the label, hinted at underlying dissatisfaction. Interestingly, despite parting ways with Kalamkaar Records, Karma has continued to show support for the label, indicating a complex relationship.

IHH? DHH? NAAH ITS KHH KALMKAAR RECORDS 

                                                    -KARMA

Mrunal Shankar: During Hustle 3, Mrunal echoed concerns about insufficient payments and favouritism in music releases at Kalamkaar. These issues reportedly led to self-doubt among the artists.

Rashmeet Kaur: Rashmeet Kaur left Kalamkaar and openly criticised the label in an interview stating “agar apko as an artist respect nahi mil rhai hain, to waha nahi rehna chaiye”, highlighting her dissatisfaction with their management.

Raftaar: Despite Raftaar’s active promotion of betting apps, this has largely gone unnoticed. Additionally, Krsna’s admission of Kalamkaar’s involvement in stream farming has been overshadowed by other controversies.

Kr$na: While Krsna’s music has been praised, the overall quality of Kalamkaar’s output has been criticized. Issues such as subpar album covers, music videos, and management have plagued the label, along with several canceled shows, reflecting poorly on their performance.

Kalamkaar now operates with only a few key artists, including Raftaar, who is a business partner, and Kr$na, who holds a share in the label.

Bantai records:
Several prominent and talented artists departed from Bantai Records, including Hitzone, Refix, Gaush, Loka, and Thoratt. Each artist has had their unique journey and reasons for leaving, shedding light on the complexities within the label.

Gaush Recently featured on Hustle 3.0, Gaush’s talent was on full display, impressing many and showing he had the potential to be the real winner but   “pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis” turned the tables. Thoratt was One of the oldest artists associated with Bantai Records, Thorat decided to leave the label citing internal conflicts. In a stream with Shaggy Dushing OG, Thorat mentioned, “There were a lot of snakes. Initially, everything was fine, but later things changed,” indicating his discontent with the evolving dynamics at the label. It seems that one of the reasons for leaving bantai records (BR) could be related to payment or monetisation issues, “The only time he is paid by BR is when he’s working at Buskin-Robbins”. However, nothing can be speculated until the truth comes to light.

AZADI RECORDS:

Another known label, Azadi Records, failed due to financial issues, specifically a lack of sufficient returns on investments. While Seedhe Maut was successful, other artists did not generate enough revenue. This financial strain led to significant challenges: Sez On the Beat left the label, and artist Siri also departed, citing in an Instagram story that Azadi Records owed her money.

Initially, record labels played a crucial role in propelling artists to fame, providing them with the exposure and resources needed to succeed. However, over time, the influence of labels has diminished due to the rise of independent artists who prefer to chart their own course without the constraints of a label. Contributing factors include poor management, financial mismanagement, and the failure to pay rappers adequately and promptly. Additionally, many contracts contain clauses that are unfavorable or problematic for artists. Labels often neglect artist development, signing talents without offering necessary guidance or career support. This lack of support leads artists to reconsider their decision to join a label, realising they might fare better independently. Moreover, some labels lack a clear understanding of their artists, their target audiences, and the market, which hampers their effectiveness. The absence of robust marketing and promotion, coupled with an outdated approach to the new business model, further exacerbates the situation, making labels less attractive to emerging artists.

Running a record label in India may seem easy, but sustaining it is a complex challenge. While several artists have parted ways with the labels, others remain loyal to their labels, continuing to thrive and produce new music. Recently, The Siege, an underrated gem in the industry, signed with Def Jam India and released a song titled “CBSC,” showcasing his talent and potential under a major label. Renowned Indian artists like Dino James and Fotty Seven were among the first to be signed under def jam marking the label’s initial roster of talent.

Def Jam India operates under Universal Music Group (UMG), meaning it benefits from substantial resources, a skilled team, and strong management. This affiliation suggests that Def Jam India can offer artists solid support, effective marketing, and various other advantages. In contrast, labels like Azadi, Kalamkaar, Bantai Records, and Artistaan may not have the same level of backing. However, only time will tell how things will unfold.

UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF DEF JAM INDIA: https://www.universalmusic.com/universal-music-group-announces-the-launch-of-def-jam-india/#:~:text=The first flagship artist signings, Sarni in Madhya Pradesh, India.

Also It’s essential to celebrate the independent gems who are making waves in the industry on their terms. Bella and Kalam Ink are perfect examples of artists who have chosen to remain independent and have found success while staying true to their artistry. Lets Explore the Unwavering Spirit: Stories of Artists Embracing Independence in the Music Game.
“Finest in the scene mujhe aise hi nahi bolte” – Kalam Ink‘s journey of success remains unparalleled, firmly holding onto the top charts. Recently, he revealed through his broadcast channel that despite a label offering him 3 crores, he staunchly refused to compromise his art. Similarly, Bella, the goat, persists as an independent artist, despite the struggle for recognition, steadfastly refusing to sell his craft.

“Label milna chahte, mujhpe hai nahi dates”
              -Bella”