Independent label, distributor, and publisher EMPIRE has acquired San Francisco-based dance record label, Dirtybird.
Founded in 2010 by Bay Area native Ghazi Shami, EMPIRE has worked with various multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Anderson .Paak, XXXTentacion, Fireboy DML and more.
The acquisition now marks EMPIRE’s entrance into the dance music scene.
Dirtybird was founded in San Francisco in 2005 by Barclay Crenshaw, also known as Claude VonStroke.
The acquisition is inclusive of the Dirtybird catalog of music, including artists such as Claude VonStroke, Nikki Nair, Walker & Royce, as well as the label’s clothing, publishing and Web3 assets.
Claude VonStroke will continue to own and run all of the Dirtybird live events and festival brands.
Dirtybird Records issued its first vinyl release in January, 2005.
Notable artists A&R’d by the label’s founder VonStroke include Walker & Royce, Fisher, Shiba San, Nala, Nikki Nair, Eats Everything and many more.
Other recent news from EPIRE includes the launch of EMPIRE Africa in February, and the appointment of music industry veteran Stephen White as Chief Product Officer in March.
“EMPIRE at its core is a company that is for the culture. Dirtybird embodies the independent ethos and understands the cultural nuance of everything San Francisco and dance music.”
Ghazi, EMPIRE
Ghazi, CEO and Founder of EMPIRE, said: “Growing up in San Francisco and the Bay Area at large, dance music has always been a huge part of our music scene.
“EMPIRE at its core is a company that is for the culture. Dirtybird embodies the independent ethos and understands the cultural nuance of everything San Francisco and dance music.”
“I’m so excited to join another incredible independent Bay Area music company.”
Barclay Crenshaw, Dirtybird
Barclay Crenshaw, CEO and Founder of Dirtybird, added: “I’m so excited to join another incredible independent Bay Area music company.
“I will continue to A&R the Dirtybird label and direct the creative for the music and clothing, while EMPIRE has the capacity and resources to grow the brand globally. This is a dream come true.”Music Business Worldwide