Armada Music revamps New York's King Street Sounds label
New York's iconic house music label, King Street Sounds, is undergoing a revival under the wing of Armada Music's investment arm.
Established in 1993 by Hisa Ishioka, King Street Sounds has been a cornerstone of the house music scene, boasting nearly 2,000 releases from esteemed artists such as Ultra Naté, Blaze, Kerri Chandler, and many more. Now, with Armada Music's support, the label is poised to embark on a new chapter while preserving its rich legacy.
Hisa Ishioka expressed excitement about the partnership with Armada Music and Beatport, highlighting the opportunity to rejuvenate the label's extraordinary music. A remix series titled “King Street: Beat Match” is set to debut, featuring reworked tracks from Dennis Ferrer, Barbara Tucker, and Mood II Swing by Kasango, Demi Riquísimo, and Demuja. Additionally, new original music is in the pipeline, complemented by a visual rebranding effort.
Armada Music's acquisition of King Street Sounds last year through the BEAT Music Fund underscores its commitment to honoring dance music's heritage. The BEAT Music Fund, established in 2023 with a $100 million budget, aims to invest in iconic dance music labels and artists. With acquisitions like King Street Sounds, KMS, and ARTY, Armada Music is dedicated to preserving and advancing the dance music genre.
Maykel Piron, CEO of Armada Music and BEAT Music Fund, expressed enthusiasm for the relaunch of King Street Sounds, emphasizing the label's significance in dance music history. The collaboration with Hisa Ishioka signifies a joint effort to uphold the label's legacy while exploring new opportunities for growth and innovation in the evolving dance music landscape.
"Relaunching King Street Sounds signifies a big step for Armada Music and BEAT as we strive to bolster and honour dance music’s existing footprint,” said Piron. “We are incredibly excited to continue to work alongside Hisa to preserve the legacy King Street Sounds holds in dance music while working toward new opportunities as the label evolves.”