Oxygen Music Works
Encyclopedia
Oxygen Music Works, or OMW, was an Anglo-America
n independent record label
. Founded in 1991 by Andy Shih, its initial, occasional releases (all vinyl) focused on the sounds of the then-thriving New York underground house music scene. By the time of its last release in 2001, the label's roster had expanded to include hip hop
and electronic dance music
. Its releases were widely licensed, including video games, film, and TV. OMW releases were distributed world-wide via a network of independents, and in the US by K-Tel Records
. The label's best known artists include Small Fish with Spine (aka Neotropic), Kurtis Mantronik, Elements of Life, Mateo & Matos, Ultramagnetic MCs
, Binger the Voyager, and Daniel Wang. A digital selection of OMW releases are available from emusic.
The label's motto
was "a song for everything and everything for a song".
Anglo-America
Anglo-America is a region in the Americas in which English is a main language, or one which has significant British historical, ethnic, linguistic, and cultural links...
n independent record label
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
. Founded in 1991 by Andy Shih, its initial, occasional releases (all vinyl) focused on the sounds of the then-thriving New York underground house music scene. By the time of its last release in 2001, the label's roster had expanded to include 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...
and electronic dance music
Electronic dance music
Electronic dance music is electronic music produced primarily for the purposes of use within a nightclub setting, or in an environment that is centered upon dance-based entertainment...
. Its releases were widely licensed, including video games, film, and TV. OMW releases were distributed world-wide via a network of independents, and in the US by K-Tel Records
K-tel
K-tel International is an "As-Seen-On-TV" company, which is most noted for its compilation music albums, such as "The Super Hits" series, "The Dynamic Hits" series and "The Number One Hits" series...
. The label's best known artists include Small Fish with Spine (aka Neotropic), Kurtis Mantronik, Elements of Life, Mateo & Matos, Ultramagnetic MCs
Ultramagnetic MCs
The Ultramagnetic MC's is an American hip hop group based in Bronx, New York. Originally founded by Kool Keith, the group is composed of Ced Gee, TR Love, and Moe Love. Tim Dog became an unofficial member in 1989. In 1990, DJ Jaycee was added as Roadmanager and backup DJ. A former member, Rooney...
, Binger the Voyager, and Daniel Wang. A digital selection of OMW releases are available from emusic.
The label's motto
Motto
A motto is a phrase meant to formally summarize the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin is the most used. The local language is usual in the mottoes of governments...
was "a song for everything and everything for a song".