Odd Future launch label through RED Distribution/Sony deal

April 26th, 2011

Like any hyped group in their position, Odd Future started a serious bidding war earlier this year that attracted the likes of Jay-Z and Diddy, among others. It became a guessing game to the music industry: would it be major imprints like Interscope, Roc Nation, Bad Boy or would bigger indies like XL and Fat Possum, which will be releasing Odd Future solo releases?

As expected, Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All have come out on top, signing a deal that will give them 100 percent creative control. What’s unexpected, is that they’ve decided to go with RED, a Sony-affiliated artist development company that also specializes in distributing labels like ATO, Fat Possum, Fat Wreck Chords, Metal Blade, Relapse and Fader.

Hints came yesterday when Odd Future’s defacto leader Tyler, the Creator tweeted “Odd Future…..Records? Maybe.” The group’s manager Chris Clancy also told Rap Radar that it was “based on getting the distribution deal we’ve always envisioned that allows the group to ‘sign themselves’ to their own company and keep their masters. They will have 100% creative control of all aspects of their music, art, and release schedule with no 3rd party participation in outside business. Freedom and ownership was the whole point. Red and Sony know that its in everyone’s best interest to maintain the group’s authenticity and control. They built it, they deserve it. There’s no cheesy hooks or fluorescent liquor product placements in the works.. It’s about to be fun.. and different.. “

Today, their publicist issued a statement titled “Odd Future Sign Themselves”:

“LA artist collective OFWGKTA continue down a non-traditional path creating their own recorded music label ‘Odd Future Records’. Tyler, Hodgy, Leftbrain, Domo, Mike, Syd and crew will partner with Sony’s RED Distribution arm to release music-based content consistent with their vision.”

Tags: Odd Future, Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All, Red