Independent producer, distributor and publisher EMPIRE has acquired San Francisco-based dance music record label Dirtybird.
Founded in 2010 by Gulf native Ghazi Shami, STAFF has worked with various multi-platinum, Grammy award winning artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Anderson .Paak, XXXTentacion, Fireboy DML, etc.
The acquisition now marks EMPIRE’s entry into the dance music scene.
Dirtybird was founded in San Francisco in 2005 by Barclay Crenshaw, also known as Claude VonStroke.
The acquisition includes Dirtybird’s music portfolio, which includes artists such as Claude VonStroke, Nikki Nair, Walker & Royce, as well as the label’s clothing, publishing and Web3 content.
Claude VonStroke will continue to own and operate all of Dirtybird’s festival and live event brands.
Dirtybird Records released its first vinyl in January 2005.
VonStroke founder A&R’d artists 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 appointment by music industry veteran Stephen White as Product Manager in March.
“EMPIRE is at its core a company for culture. Dirtybird embodies the independent ethos and cultural nuances 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 in general, dance music has always been a big part of our music scene.
“EMPIRE is at its core a company for culture. Dirtybird embodies the independent ethos and cultural nuances of all things San Francisco and dance music. “
“I’m so excited to be joining another incredible independent Bay Area music company.”
Barclay Crenshaw, Dirtybird
Barclay Crenshaw, CEO and Founder of Dirtybird, added: “I am delighted to be joining another incredible independent Bay Area music company.
“I will continue to A&R the Dirtybird label and creatively direct the music and clothing, while EMPIRE has the capacity and resources to grow the brand globally. This is a dream come true.”Worldwide music business
