Mind of a Genius Records explained

Mind of a Genius Records
Founded:	2013
Url:	https://www.mindofagenius.com/
Founder:	David Dann

Mind of a Genius Records is an independent record label founded by David Dann. Founded in 2013, the US/UK-based label has released music that focuses on electronic, hip-hop, and R&B. The label's roster includes Zhu, Gallant, THEY., and more.

History

Mind of a Genius Records is an independent record label founded by David Dann.^[1] The label's vision is to "create an environment in which artists could express themselves in their purest form possible". This vision emphasizes signing artists across all genres, and fostering artists' creative freedom by allowing them "no contact with anyone in the label offices until an album is finished".

The label's first signee was dance/electronic musician ZHU.^[2] After signing ZHU, the label signed Gallant. On June 30, 2015, Gallant's single "Weight in Gold" became one of the first tracks to premiere on Zane Lowe's "World Record" Beats 1 show.^[3] After signing Gallant, the label signed THEY, an R&B duo consisting of Dante Jones & Drew Love.^[4] The label then signed the Dutch band Klangstof.^[5]

The label's roster currently totals eight artists.^[6] Artists record in-house at Mind of a Genius Studios, adjacent to the label's headquarters in Culver City, CA.

Reception

Mind of a Genius Records has been lauded by media outlets for the label's progressive outlook on label-artist relationships.

• Complex Magazine - "A few blocks north from Apple Music's headquarters in Culver City, Los Angeles, there's another music company quietly masterminding one of the most essential and future-formed independent labels out right now."
• HYPEBEAST- "MOAG is an example of talent and artist ingenuity falling into the right hands." ^[7]
• NME- "The burgeoning Los Angeles songwriting powerhouse, record label and all-encompassing creative collective."
• REVOLT- "Following in the footsteps of the iconic XL Recordings, Mind of a Genius Music Group aims to bring back the true artistry and musicianship back to the forefront of music." ^[8]

Artists

• Gallant - an American singer-songwriter from Columbia, Maryland, who released his Grammy-nominated album Ology^[9] under the label in 2016. In 2019, Gallant released his second debut album, Sweet Insomnia.^[10]
• Klangstof - a Dutch alternative act who released their EP Everest under the label in 2017.^[11] That year, they became the first Dutch band to play at Coachella. Klangstof were also named "Best Alternative Act" at the Edison Awards.
• THEY. - an R&B duo based in Los Angeles, California, who collaborated with fellow Mind of a Genius signee ZHU and Skrillex on the single "Working for It." The song has been streamed more than 150 million times. Since then, the duo have released an LP titled Nü Religion: Hyena, ^[12] an extension of their previous EP, Nü Religion.
• ZHU - an Asian-American singer/producer from San Francisco, California, best known for his Grammy-nominated hit, Faded,^[13] which peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard US Dance/Electronic chart. In 2016, ZHU released his debut album GENERATIONWHY, ^[14] which reached No. 1 on Billboard's Dance/Electronic Chart. In 2018, ZHU collaborated with Tame Impala^[15] to record the viral hit, "My Life." which has been streamed more than 20 million times and reached No. 1 on Spotify's Global Viral 50. In 2019, ZHU returned with his album Ringos Desert.^[16] The album reached #1 on iTunes Electronic Albums Chart and has been streamed over 150 million times since its release.
• Mindchatter - a producer of electronic music from New York City who has earned praise from Pete Tong, a premier British disc jockey for BBC Radio 1.^[17]
• Karnaval Blues- a British producer who released his debut EP, You Come With the Rain, in late 2019.^{[18] [19]}
• KWAYE - a Zimbabwean singer/songwriter based in Los Angeles, California, whose songs have appeared in the Netflix series Topboy and On My Block. KWAYE's single "Cool Kids" was released in 2017 alongside his debut EP, Solar. ^[20]
• Peter $un- a rapper from Richmond, Virginia, whose music blends rap, jazz, and electronica.^[21] On August 20, 2020, Peter $un released a new single titled "100 Proof" featuring Guapdad 4000.^[22]

Discography

• ZHU- Nightday EP (2014)
• ZHU- Genesis Series (2015)
• THEY.- Nü Religion EP (2015)
• Gallant- Ology (2016)
• Klangstof- Close Eyes to Exit (2016)
• ZHU- GENERATIONWHY (2016)
• Klangstof- Everest EP (2017)
• KWAYE- Solar EP (2017)
• KWAYE- Love & Affliction (2018)
• ZHU- Ringos Desert (2018)
• THEY.- Fireside EP (2018)
• Klangstof- The Noise You Make Is Silent (2019)
• Karnaval Blues- You Come With the Rain (2019)
• Gallant- Sweet Insomnia (2019)

Notes and References

1. Web site: about. 2020-08-22. Mind of a Genius.
2. Web site: Behind the Mystery of Mind of a Genius Records. 2020-08-22. Complex. en.
3. Web site: Spotlight: Gallant – GRAMMY Museum. 2020-08-22. en-US.
4. Web site: 2017-02-17. LA Rap duo THEY. on their genre-hopping debut album - NME. 2020-08-22. NME. en-GB.
5. Web site: 2016-01-18. Klangstof: 'Hostage' - New Music Of The Day. 2020-08-22. NME. en-GB.
6. Web site: Mind of a Genius. 2020-09-19. Mind of a Genius.
7. Web site: Mind of a Genius: When Ingenuity Falls into the Right Hands. 2020-08-22. HYPEBEAST.
8. Web site: Hitmen . The . 2016-02-29 . Behind The Boards: Mind of a Genius . 2020-08-22 . REVOLT . en.
9. Web site: Monroe. Jazz. Gallant Announces Ology LP, Shares "Bourbon". 2020-08-22. Pitchfork. en-us.
10. Web site: Gallant Shares Emotive Sophomore Album 'Sweet Insomnia'. 2020-08-22. HYPEBEAST.
11. Web site: BarryGruff. 2017-11-03. Klangstof – 'Everest'. 2020-08-22. BARRYGRUFF. en-GB.
12. Web site: 2017-02-23. THEY. - 'Nü Religion: HYENA' Album Review - NME. 2020-08-22. NME. en-GB.
13. Web site: Brown. August . 2015-02-05. Zhu, the mystery man behind 'Faded,' opens up (a little) pre-Grammys. 2020-08-22. Los Angeles Times.
14. 2016-07-29. ZHU's Debut Album 'GENERATIONWHY' Worth the Wait. 2020-08-22. Billboard.
15. Web site: 2018-03-05. Tame Impala team up with ZHU for new track 'My Life' NME. 2020-08-22. NME. en-GB.
16. 2018-09-07. ZHU's Expanded 'Ringos Desert' Finds Salvation in New Tunes: Listen. 2020-08-22. Billboard.
17. Web site: Mindchatter. 2020-08-29. Mind of a Genius.
18. Web site: 2019-10-16. Karnaval Blues Shares Sultry New Debut Album 'You Come With The Rain' Via Mind Of A Genius. 2020-08-22. This Song Is Sick. en-US.
19. Web site: Karnaval Blues. 2020-08-29. Mind of a Genius.
20. 2017-08-29. Meet KWAYE, The Fashion-Forward Singer Who Wants to Showcase Africa's Beauty. 2020-08-22. Billboard.
21. Web site: Peter $un. 2020-08-29. Mind of a Genius.
22. Web site: 2020-08-20. PREMIERE Richmond Rapper Peter $un Shares New Track "100 Proof" With Guapdad 4000. 2020-08-22. This Song Is Sick. en-US.