Kartel Records
Encyclopedia
Kartel Records is a Malaysian hip-hop record label
, dealing predominantly in Hip-Hop
/R&B music, founded by rapper/entrepreneur Joe Flizzow
in 2005. In 2008, Kartel Records entered into a distribution agreement with Warner Music Group
Malaysia, enabling the record label
to market its artists to a wider audience.
Malaysia as an artist and member of Malaysia's groundbreaking hip-hop duo Too Phat
, Joe Flizzow
decided to take control of his music career by forming his own record label
. This gave birth to Kartel Records in 2005.
in 2005, jointly-owned and in partnership with EMI
Malaysia. This hugely successful release instantly made Kartel Records an award-winning record label
, taking the Best Local English Album and Best Album Cover awards at the 2006 Anugerah Industri Muzik
(AIM).
met up and coming rapper EmceeDavid and heard the work in progress of what was to finally become Just Listen (the debut album by EmceeDavid. Joe Flizzow
was very impressed with what he heard and immediately offered the young rapper a record deal. However, Just Listen was never released to the public due to problems then with EMI
Malaysia and also EmceeDavid leaving for the United Kingdom in September 2006 to further his education in Law
. When his contract came to an end in 2008, EmceeDavid did not seek to renew it and has in fact since retired from being an artist.
. The critically acclaimed President garnered various awards for Joe Flizzow
including the coveted "Best Local English Album" award at the 16th annual Anugerah Industri Muzik
, continuing the legacy of Kartel Records award-winning releases. President featured many notable collaborations with regional and international superstars such as KRS-One
, Jin
, Thaitanium
, TerryTyeLee and Hady Mirza
. This was very much in line with the labels mission to place Malaysia in the forefront of hip-hop music at an international level.
and was called to the UK Bar as a Barrister
of Lincoln's Inn
, United Kingdom. Upon his return to Malaysia, Joe Flizzow
offered him a partnership in Kartel Records and also the position of Vice-President & COO
of the record label
. This offer was accepted by David Tee in a move that saw the record label
go through its biggest corporate restructuring since its formation.
), Micbandits (from Brunei
) and DJ Iman (from Malaysia). The signing of Altimet, a prominent figure and popular artist in Malaysia's hip-hop and music scene, is regarded by many to be a significant and shrewd move by the record label
in strengthening its position as one of Asia's fastest growing hip-hop record label
.
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
, dealing predominantly in Hip-Hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
/R&B music, founded by rapper/entrepreneur Joe Flizzow
Joe Flizzow
Johan bin Ishak , better known by his stage name Joe Flizzow, is an award-winning Malaysian hip hop artist and businessman. He is one half of the internationally renowned Malaysian hip hop duo, Too Phat - the most successful hip hop act to ever emerge from Malaysia...
in 2005. In 2008, Kartel Records entered into a distribution agreement with Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the big four record companies...
Malaysia, enabling the record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
to market its artists to a wider audience.
Beginnings
After years of being signed to EMIEMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
Malaysia as an artist and member of Malaysia's groundbreaking hip-hop duo Too Phat
Too Phat
Too Phat is a Malaysian hip-hop duo, consisting of Joe Flizzow and Malique Ibrahim .-Career:...
, Joe Flizzow
Joe Flizzow
Johan bin Ishak , better known by his stage name Joe Flizzow, is an award-winning Malaysian hip hop artist and businessman. He is one half of the internationally renowned Malaysian hip hop duo, Too Phat - the most successful hip hop act to ever emerge from Malaysia...
decided to take control of his music career by forming his own record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
. This gave birth to Kartel Records in 2005.
Rebirth Into Reality
The label's first release was "Rebirth Into Reality" by Too PhatToo Phat
Too Phat is a Malaysian hip-hop duo, consisting of Joe Flizzow and Malique Ibrahim .-Career:...
in 2005, jointly-owned and in partnership with EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
Malaysia. This hugely successful release instantly made Kartel Records an award-winning record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
, taking the Best Local English Album and Best Album Cover awards at the 2006 Anugerah Industri Muzik
Anugerah Industri Muzik
Anugerah Industri Muzik , is Malaysia's music award-giving ceremony. It is the Malaysia's equivalent of Grammy.-Best Album:-Best Song:...
(AIM).
EmceeDavid
In 2006, Joe FlizzowJoe Flizzow
Johan bin Ishak , better known by his stage name Joe Flizzow, is an award-winning Malaysian hip hop artist and businessman. He is one half of the internationally renowned Malaysian hip hop duo, Too Phat - the most successful hip hop act to ever emerge from Malaysia...
met up and coming rapper EmceeDavid and heard the work in progress of what was to finally become Just Listen (the debut album by EmceeDavid. Joe Flizzow
Joe Flizzow
Johan bin Ishak , better known by his stage name Joe Flizzow, is an award-winning Malaysian hip hop artist and businessman. He is one half of the internationally renowned Malaysian hip hop duo, Too Phat - the most successful hip hop act to ever emerge from Malaysia...
was very impressed with what he heard and immediately offered the young rapper a record deal. However, Just Listen was never released to the public due to problems then with EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
Malaysia and also EmceeDavid leaving for the United Kingdom in September 2006 to further his education in Law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
. When his contract came to an end in 2008, EmceeDavid did not seek to renew it and has in fact since retired from being an artist.
President
In 2008, Kartel Records released President , the debut solo studio album by Joe FlizzowJoe Flizzow
Johan bin Ishak , better known by his stage name Joe Flizzow, is an award-winning Malaysian hip hop artist and businessman. He is one half of the internationally renowned Malaysian hip hop duo, Too Phat - the most successful hip hop act to ever emerge from Malaysia...
. The critically acclaimed President garnered various awards for Joe Flizzow
Joe Flizzow
Johan bin Ishak , better known by his stage name Joe Flizzow, is an award-winning Malaysian hip hop artist and businessman. He is one half of the internationally renowned Malaysian hip hop duo, Too Phat - the most successful hip hop act to ever emerge from Malaysia...
including the coveted "Best Local English Album" award at the 16th annual Anugerah Industri Muzik
Anugerah Industri Muzik
Anugerah Industri Muzik , is Malaysia's music award-giving ceremony. It is the Malaysia's equivalent of Grammy.-Best Album:-Best Song:...
, continuing the legacy of Kartel Records award-winning releases. President featured many notable collaborations with regional and international superstars such as KRS-One
KRS-One
Lawrence Krisna Parker , better known by his stage names KRS-One , and Teacha, is an American rapper...
, Jin
Jin (rapper)
Jin Au-Yeung , who performs under the stage name MC Jin, is a Hong Kong hip hop rapper, songwriter, and actor. Growing up in the Miami, Florida area, and later living in New York City, he decided to reside permanently in his motherland, Hong Kong...
, Thaitanium
Thaitanium
Thaitanium is a Thai-American hip hop music group. Among the first of Thai rap artists, the group formed in 2000 by K.H. - Khanngoen "Khan" Nuanual, P. Cess - Prinya "Way" Intachai, Sunny Day - Nay Myo "Day" Thant...
, TerryTyeLee and Hady Mirza
Hady Mirza
Hady Mirza is a Singaporean singer of Bugis descent, with his grandparents hailing from Sulawesi. He is the winner of the second season of the reality TV show Singapore Idol...
. This was very much in line with the labels mission to place Malaysia in the forefront of hip-hop music at an international level.
Corporate restructuring
In 2009, EmceeDavid otherwise known as "David Tee" completed his professional studies at Cardiff Law SchoolCardiff Law School
The Cardiff Law School is the law department of Cardiff University in Cardiff, Wales. It provides an LLB degree, in addition to postgraduate courses like the LLM and research degrees...
and was called to the UK Bar as a Barrister
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
of Lincoln's Inn
Lincoln's Inn
The Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn is one of four Inns of Court in London to which barristers of England and Wales belong and where they are called to the Bar. The other three are Middle Temple, Inner Temple and Gray's Inn. Although Lincoln's Inn is able to trace its official records beyond...
, United Kingdom. Upon his return to Malaysia, Joe Flizzow
Joe Flizzow
Johan bin Ishak , better known by his stage name Joe Flizzow, is an award-winning Malaysian hip hop artist and businessman. He is one half of the internationally renowned Malaysian hip hop duo, Too Phat - the most successful hip hop act to ever emerge from Malaysia...
offered him a partnership in Kartel Records and also the position of Vice-President & COO
Chief operating officer
A Chief Operating Officer or Director of Operations can be one of the highest-ranking executives in an organization and comprises part of the "C-Suite"...
of the record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
. This offer was accepted by David Tee in a move that saw the record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
go through its biggest corporate restructuring since its formation.
Resurgence
With a new team in place, Kartel Records made 5 new artist signings in 2009. These new artists include Altimet (from Malaysia), SonaOne (from Malaysia), Richard J (from SingaporeSingapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
), Micbandits (from Brunei
Brunei
Brunei , officially the State of Brunei Darussalam or the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace , is a sovereign state located on the north coast of the island of Borneo, in Southeast Asia...
) and DJ Iman (from Malaysia). The signing of Altimet, a prominent figure and popular artist in Malaysia's hip-hop and music scene, is regarded by many to be a significant and shrewd move by the record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
in strengthening its position as one of Asia's fastest growing hip-hop record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
.
Kartel Music Publishing
Kartel Records owns a music publishing company, Kartel Music Publishing, which is sub-published by EMI Music Publishing Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.Discography
| Year | Information |
|---|---|
| 2005 | Rebirth Into Reality by Too Phat Too Phat Too Phat is a Malaysian hip-hop duo, consisting of Joe Flizzow and Malique Ibrahim .-Career:...
|
| 2006 | Just Listen by EmceeDavid
Joe Flizzow Johan bin Ishak , better known by his stage name Joe Flizzow, is an award-winning Malaysian hip hop artist and businessman. He is one half of the internationally renowned Malaysian hip hop duo, Too Phat - the most successful hip hop act to ever emerge from Malaysia... " & "The Get Down" |
| 2008 | President President A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership... by Joe Flizzow Joe Flizzow Johan bin Ishak , better known by his stage name Joe Flizzow, is an award-winning Malaysian hip hop artist and businessman. He is one half of the internationally renowned Malaysian hip hop duo, Too Phat - the most successful hip hop act to ever emerge from Malaysia... KRS-One Lawrence Krisna Parker , better known by his stage names KRS-One , and Teacha, is an American rapper... & "All Around The World featuring TerryTyeLee" |
Upcoming Releases
| Information |
|---|
| Jian Jian The jian is a double-edged straight sword used during the last 2,500 years in China. The first Chinese sources that mention the jian date to the 7th century BCE during the Spring and Autumn Period; one of the earliest specimens being the Sword of Goujian.Historical one-handed versions have blades... by Altimet
|
| Heads or Tales Heads or Tales Heads Or Tales is the fifth studio album by the Canadian progressive rock band Saga and was originally released in 1983. The album was the second of the band's to be produced by 1980s producer Rupert Hine... by Micbandits |
| Kartel Compilation by Various Artistes
|
| TBA by Richard J
|
| TBA by SonaOne
|
Shout! Awards
- 2009
- Flava Award (Hip Hop / R&B Awards): Joe FlizzowJoe FlizzowJohan bin Ishak , better known by his stage name Joe Flizzow, is an award-winning Malaysian hip hop artist and businessman. He is one half of the internationally renowned Malaysian hip hop duo, Too Phat - the most successful hip hop act to ever emerge from Malaysia...
[Won] - Break Out Award (Best New Act): Joe FlizzowJoe FlizzowJohan bin Ishak , better known by his stage name Joe Flizzow, is an award-winning Malaysian hip hop artist and businessman. He is one half of the internationally renowned Malaysian hip hop duo, Too Phat - the most successful hip hop act to ever emerge from Malaysia...
[Nominated]
- Flava Award (Hip Hop / R&B Awards): Joe Flizzow
Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM)
- 2009
- Best Local English Album: Joe FlizzowJoe FlizzowJohan bin Ishak , better known by his stage name Joe Flizzow, is an award-winning Malaysian hip hop artist and businessman. He is one half of the internationally renowned Malaysian hip hop duo, Too Phat - the most successful hip hop act to ever emerge from Malaysia...
- President [Won] - Best New Artist: Joe FlizzowJoe FlizzowJohan bin Ishak , better known by his stage name Joe Flizzow, is an award-winning Malaysian hip hop artist and businessman. He is one half of the internationally renowned Malaysian hip hop duo, Too Phat - the most successful hip hop act to ever emerge from Malaysia...
[Nominated] - Best Album Cover: Joe FlizzowJoe FlizzowJohan bin Ishak , better known by his stage name Joe Flizzow, is an award-winning Malaysian hip hop artist and businessman. He is one half of the internationally renowned Malaysian hip hop duo, Too Phat - the most successful hip hop act to ever emerge from Malaysia...
- President [Nominated] - Best Local English Song: Joe FlizzowJoe FlizzowJohan bin Ishak , better known by his stage name Joe Flizzow, is an award-winning Malaysian hip hop artist and businessman. He is one half of the internationally renowned Malaysian hip hop duo, Too Phat - the most successful hip hop act to ever emerge from Malaysia...
- All Around The World featuring TerryTyelee [Nominated] - Best Hip-Hop Song: Joe FlizzowJoe FlizzowJohan bin Ishak , better known by his stage name Joe Flizzow, is an award-winning Malaysian hip hop artist and businessman. He is one half of the internationally renowned Malaysian hip hop duo, Too Phat - the most successful hip hop act to ever emerge from Malaysia...
- Bergerak featuring Phlowtron, Isabella featuring Amy Search & Mengapa Harus Bercinta featuring Hady MirzaHady MirzaHady Mirza is a Singaporean singer of Bugis descent, with his grandparents hailing from Sulawesi. He is the winner of the second season of the reality TV show Singapore Idol...
[Nominated]
- Best Local English Album: Joe Flizzow
- 2006
- Best Local English Album - Rebirth Into Reality (with Too PhatToo PhatToo Phat is a Malaysian hip-hop duo, consisting of Joe Flizzow and Malique Ibrahim .-Career:...
) [Won] - Best Album Cover - Rebirth Into Reality (with Too PhatToo PhatToo Phat is a Malaysian hip-hop duo, consisting of Joe Flizzow and Malique Ibrahim .-Career:...
) [Won]
- Best Local English Album - Rebirth Into Reality (with Too Phat
Pelangi Awards (Brunei)
- 2009
- Best New Group: Micbandits [Nominated]
- Best Group: Micbandits [Nominated]