The Because Music label was launched in Paris in November 2004, immediately achieving global success when it released “Dimanche à Bamako”, an album by Amadou & Mariam, which was co-produced by Manu Chao. The catalogue soon expanded with prestigious names such as Keziah Jones, Manu Chao, Les Rita Mitsouko and Camille, followed by Charlotte Gainsbourg, who rose to international fame. At the same time, the label signed a partnership with Ed Banger, the Parisian electronic music label that had discovered artists such as Justice, Sebastian, Breakbot and Myd.
In 2005, Because Group went on to open a branch in London, immediately signing internationally acclaimed artists such as Metronomy and Django Django. In 2017, Because UK was named “Best UK Indie Label” at the AIM awards.
The phenomenal success of Selah Sue in Europe built on this momentum, which was further boosted by the signing of international artists such as Moby, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Calypso Rose and, more recently, top acts such as London Grammar, Parcels and Jorja Smith.
Because Group reinforced its leading international position with global chart toppers by Diplo and Major Lazer, as well as the breakthrough of Christine and the Queens, whose recent track “People I’ve been Sad” was voted Single of the Year 2020 by Time Magazine.
In 2017, Because Music acquired a number of prestigious catalogues:
London records : Happy Mondays, Fine Young Cannibals, Bananarama, Jimmy Somerville, Bronski Beat, Communards, Carmel, Orbital, Armand Van Helden, Chagrin d'Amour.
A portion of the Parlophone catalogue: Mano Negra, Rita Mitsouko, JJ Cale, Camille, Keziah Jones, Les Negresses Vertes, Tonton David, les Innocents, Arno, Betaband.
Because also distributes distinguished catalogues such as Zagora (La Compagnie Créole, Ottawan, Gibson Brothers) and the Jacques Canetti catalogue (Jacques Brel, Jeanne Moreau, Boris Vian, Serge Reggiani and Obouo Music (Fally Ipupa).
Because followed on from these achievements by re-releasing the Stardust project in 2019.
The label continued its international expansion when it opened a Los Angeles office in 2019.
This year, the label is actively pursuing its strategy, signing promising artists such as Shygirl, Logic1000, Alewya, Crystal Murray, Saint DX, Timothée Joly, Denzo and Joysad, as well as electronic music label Deewee. At the same time, Because is strengthening its foothold in urban music with hits by Marwa and Lartiste, followed by the new Booba-sponsored label La Piraterie Music, the Art de Rue project in 2020, and the signing of rap artist Shay in April 2021.
Today, Because Music defines itself as an integrated framework for artistic creation that takes an independent, boutique approach to provide turnkey solutions for conception and promotion, from content production through to the new global distribution model launched in 2018, which interfaces seamlessly with digital platforms.
Prizes and Awards:
Major Lazer - Certified diamond disc for “Lean On” (>1B sales/streams - 2021)
Metronomy - Mercury Prize nomination (2011) and certified gold album for “Metronomy Forever” (2021)
CATQ – Four Victoires de la Musique Awards (2014/2015/2016), two BRIT Awards nominations (Best International Solo Artist 2017 & 2019), two NME Awards (Best Song for “Tilted” and Best Female Artist 2017), German International Music Awards nomination (Best Live Act - 2019), Q Awards (Q Icon - 2019), Attitude Magazine Awards (2019), AIM Awards (Breakthrough Artist of the Year - 2016) and European Border Breakers Awards (Album of the Year France - 2016)
Justice - Grammy Award “Woman Worldwide” (Best Dance/Electronic Album - 2018)
Parcels - Certified platinum album for “Parcels” (>135K sales/streams - 2021)
Manu Chao - Latin Album Grammy nomination (2008) and Grammy Album nomination (2001)
Charlotte Gainsbourg - Certified gold album for “Rest” (>70K sales/streams - 2017)
Django Django - Mercury Prize nomination (2012)
Stardust - Certified diamond disc for “Music Sounds Better With You” (>60M venues/streams - 2021)
Breakbot - Certified triple diamond disc for “Baby I’m Yours feat. Irfane” (>155M sales/streams - 2021)
Selah Sue - Certified double platinum album for “Selah Sue” (>300K sales/streams - 2015)