Stevie Stone

Strange Music (Strange Music Inc.) is an American independent record label specializing in hip hop music. It was founded by Tech N9ne and Travis O'Guin in 1999. It is currently distributed through Fontana Distribution. History edit: Travis, an established businessman in the world of furniture, was looking to get into the music industry. He had been a fan of Tech N9ne's and had seen how his career was being handled. Tech at the time had several commitments and deals pulling him in several directions. He was currently signed to Qwest Records as well as MidwestSide Records, he also had commitments with both QDIII's Soundlab and Sway & King Tech of The Wake Up Show. Travis came into the picture and offered Tech something he never had, his own label. They agreed upon a 50/50 set up, Travis acting as President and Tech as Vice President. Their first venture was a deal with JCOR Entertainment to release Anghellic, though JCOR mishandled the album. They would then seek another 50/50 deal, this time with Mark Cerami (previously of Priority Records) & Dave Weiner (previously of JCOR Entertainment) who were doing their own joint label at the time, MSC Entertainment. The first album Absolute Power was a success, selling about 250,000 copies. The label is now independent, no longer joined with MSC Entertainment, instead having a distribution deal through Fontana Distribution. Their first release under the deal with Fontana was Tech N9ne's 2006 effort, Everready (The Religion). While many albums were advertised for 2007 releases in the artwork for that album, only one release was seen in 2007 from Strange Music, Misery Loves Kompany. The other albums advertised inside the Everready case would however see release a year later in 2008, along with a solo effort from Project: Deadman/Bedlam member, Prozak. For the majority of 2008, Ill Bill looked to be releasing his The Hour of Reprisal through Strange Music, though the talks would fall through and he would instead sign with Fat Beats Records to release the album. February 7, 2009, it was announced on Tech N9ne's official website that Big Scoob had joined the Strange Music label. On February 9, 2009, it was announced on Tech N9ne's official website that Skatterman & Snug Brim had decided to leave the Strange Music label after fulfilling their commitment. May 2009, Tech signed Brotha Lynch Hung to his Strange Music label. Brotha Lynch released his Strange album, Dinner and a Movie on March 23, 2010. July 19, 2009, Cognito signed to the Strange Music label. Cognito did not tour with other labelmates during the KOD Tour in order to complete his 2010 album, "Automatic". It was announced by XXL magazine on September 27, 2010 that Jay Rock had signed with Strange Music for a multi-album deal. On March 31, 2011, the label announced the addition of Stevie Stone to its roster. Stone officially signed with the label on March 17, 2011. In December 2011, Strange Music announced that Prozak had signed to the label as a solo recording artist. The artist had previously worked with the label on various projects, including his 2008 Tales from the Sick which was distributed by the label. In January 2012, Strange Music signed rap duo CES Cru made up of rappers Ubiquitous and Godemis they had worked with Strange in the past with albums Bad Season, All 6's and 7's, and recently on Tech N9ne Collabos: Welcome To Strangeland. In August 2012, Tech N9ne signed Slumerican rapper Rittz. Subsidiaries edit: Strange Music West edit: On May 14, 2009, a press release was issued by the label, naming Dave Weiner (formerly of Priority Records, JCor Entertainment & MSC Entertainment) the Vice President of "Strange Music West." In this new position, Dave will work hand in hand with Label President, Travis O'Guin from his satellite office in Los Angeles. One of his duties for the label will be to find and sign new acts to the label. Weiner was responsible for signing Sacramento, California rapper, Brotha Lynch Hung to the Strange Music label. Strange Lane Records edit: In 2010, Strange Music Inc. started a new label called Strange Lane Records. The first artist signed to the new subsidiary was Young Bleed. However, the subsidiary's roster is currently empty after Young Bleed departed in early 2012. Roster edit: See also: Strange Music discography Strange Music Roster edit: Artist Year, Signed # of Albums, under Strange Music # of EP's, under Strange Music Big Scoob 2009 2 1 Brotha Lynch Hung 2009 3 -- Ces Cru, (Godemis & Ubiquitous) 2012 1 1 Jay Rock 2010 1 -- Krizz Kaliko 2006 4 2 Kutt Calhoun 2004 4 2 ¡Mayday!, (Bernbiz, Wrekonize, Gianni Cash, Plex Luthor, L.T. Hopkins & NonMS) 2011 1 1 Stevie Stone 2011 1 1 Prozak 2011 2 1 Rittz 2012 1 -- Tech N9ne 1999 9 5 Wrekonize 2011 -- -- Former artists edit: Artist Year, Signed Year, Left # of Albums, under Strange Music Cognito 2009 2010 1 Grave Plott, (Killa C & Liquid Assassin) 2008 -- 1 Project: Deadman, (Prozak & Mike E. Clark) 2004 -- 1 Skatterman & Snug Brim 2004 2009 2