Ninja Tune is an independent record label based in London, England, created in 1990 by the duo known as Coldcut: pioneers of the emerging hip-hop/electro scene in the eighties. Inspired by a visit to Japan, Matt Black & Jonathon More primarily created Ninja Tune to release music of a more underground, experimental nature, free from the restraints placed on artists by major labels (the restraints they themselves experienced during brief stints with Arista and Big Life.) Their initial releases were quickly heralded by the press and music afficionados simultaneously.
The five volumes of 'DJ Food - Jazz Brakes', saw Coldcut adopt a different moniker in order to release the hypnotic, instrumental hip-hop they'd been working on. Hugely influential on the burgeoning electronic music scene, the releases are still regarded as classics to this day. Ninja Tune went on to achieve notoriety for its singularly irreverant, funky style and commitment to eclecticism. Despite the releases having a shared attitude and ethos, a constantly growing roster of very different sounding artists was key to the label's success.
Home of Ninja Tune, Coldcut, Bonobo, Cinematic Orchestra, Kelis, Roots Manuva, Kate Tempest, Young Fathers, Wiley, Amon Tobin, The Bug, Actress and more. Home of Ninja Tune, Coldcut, Bonobo, Cinematic Orchestra, Kelis, Roots Manuva. 10 million streams on YouTube and 10 million streams on Soundcloud.
The darkly imagined, melodically industrial d&b of Amon Tobin was contrasted by the playful, colourful funk of Mr Scruff; DJ Food's line up encompassed Strictly Kev and PC, who went on to craft boundary breaking electronica. In 1997, journalist Will Ashon founded Big Dada as a hip hop imprint of Ninja Tune, and the sub-label went on to release classic records by Diplo, Roots Manuva, Wiley and Spank Rock, amongst others. With the musical and multi-media, cut n' paste innovation of Black and More, the studio know-how and musical expertise of artists such as Bonobo, Illum Sphere, Actress, Kid Koala and The Bug, the graphic vision of Openmind, and the sound business practices of the label managers and employees, Ninja Tune has grown into a label that prides itself on producing quality music while serving its artists in a way that no major label would. Satellite offices have opened in Los Angeles and Montreal, and the label has established an excellent reputation and strong networks across the globe. Ninja Tune now also acts as an umbrella for other creative hot houses such as Flying Lotus' Brainfeeder imprint, and the brilliant Werkdiscs, the label founded by Actress.
In this way, Ninja continues to release uncompromising, forward looking music in the highest quality packaging and most professional fashion. The label's aim is not to be underground, but to win the most exposure possible for the most exciting music there is. Ninja Tune’s tracks by published on 2019/02/26 09:43:21 +0000 by published on 2019/02/15 12:26:39 +0000 by published on 2019/01/28 16:03:03 +0000.
Solid Steel Solid Steel Launched by Ninja Tune founding duo Coldcut (Matt Black and Jonathan More) in 1988 on the then pirate radio station KISS FM, Solid Steel is now possibly the longest running mix show in the world. Since 1999, the show has been available online, making it a pioneer of the internet mix-show phenomenon. Constantly evolving, the show embraces new talent and technologies alike and is now syndicated to over 30 radio stations across the world, as well as its availability through a variety of online outlets. Currently this website relies on JavaScript for streaming Soundcloud tracks and providing continuous music playback as you browse around the site.
However we are working very hard to provide tracklists, mix notes and artist imagery for those of you without JavaScript, so look out for an update soon. In the meantime you can find out more at these links: -.