Department Musik

Department Musik is a German multi-genre independent record label based in Berlin. It was founded in October 2012 as Chimperator Department, a sister company to the hip-hop label Chimperator Productions. The label was created to handle music that stylistically sits "to the left and right of rap," expanding beyond the hip-hop focus of its parent. The founding managing directors were Sebastian Andrej Schweizer, Jan-Simon Wolff, Steffen Posner, Kodimey Awokou, and Niko Papadopoulos. In summer 2015, following the label's separation from Chimperator Productions, it was renamed Department Musik, with Wolff becoming sole managing director. The label's first signing was the rock band Heisskalt in October 2012, followed by singer Lary, producer Psaiko.Dino, electronic musician Elenka, pop singer Lot, and the band I Heart Sharks, among others. Its first chart success came with Psaiko.Dino's album #hangster, which reached No. 7 in the German album charts. Other notable releases include Heisskalt's Vom Stehen und Fallen (No. 29) and Lot's 200 Tage (No. 100). Distribution was handled by Sony Music Entertainment from 2013 to 2016, and by Warner Music Group from mid-2016 onward. The label has also cooperated with Mediakraft Networks to sign the duo Die Lochis. As of the Wikipedia article, current artists include Finn, Kex Kuhl, and the band Grizzly. Past artists include Elenka, Lary, I Heart Sharks, Heisskalt, Psaiko.Dino, Lot, and Miller. The label continues to operate in Berlin, releasing music across rock, pop, electronic, and hip-hop genres.

Department Musik was founded in October 2012 as Chimperator Department, a sister company to the hip-hop label Chimperator Productions. The idea for the label arose after Chimperator Productions signed rapper Cro in October 2011, whose debut album Raop achieved platinum status and provided the financial means to expand. Since Chimperator had already released albums by Tua that could not be classified as hip-hop, the decision was made to create a department for music situated "to the left and right of rap." The founding managing directors were Sebastian Andrej Schweizer, Jan-Simon Wolff, Steffen Posner, Kodimey Awokou, and Niko Papadopoulos. Wolff had previously worked as an A&R manager at Universal Music Publishing since 2010. In early October 2012, the rock band Heisskalt became the first signing. Their second EP, Mit Liebe gebraut, was released on 11 January 2013 in a limited edition of 5,000 copies through Chimperator Department in cooperation with independent distributor Groove Attack. Singer Lary followed on 1 September 2013, releasing the free mixtape Lary says on 4 September. In mid-September 2013, the label signed a distribution and marketing deal with Sony Music Entertainment. Around the same time, producer Psaiko.Dino was presented as the third artist. Electronic musician Elenka was signed in late October as the fourth artist. Psaiko.Dino's album #hangster, initially announced for 8 November 2013 but delayed to 17 January 2014, entered the German album charts at No. 7, marking the label's first chart placement. Heisskalt's first regular studio album, Vom Stehen und Fallen, was released on 21 March 2014 and reached No. 29. Pop singer Lot was presented in early June 2014. In summer 2014, the EP Wie wär's? featuring Psaiko.Dino remixes of songs by Austrian singer Marla Blumenblatt was released. On 30 July 2014, Lana Wittig joined as artist manager, and I Heart Sharks moved to the label with her. Patricia "Pia" Dünnebier was introduced as junior product manager. On 12 September 2014, Lary's debut album FutureDeutscheWelle and Lot's EP Warum soll sich das ändern were released. In early 2015, Lot accompanied Teesy on the Glücksrezepte tour and released the album 200 Tage, which entered the German charts at No. 100. Elenka released her debut album Elenka on 22 May 2015. In July 2015, three years after its founding, Chimperator Department separated from Chimperator Productions and was renamed Department Musik. Jan-Simon Wolff became the sole managing director. Distribution was handled by Sony Music Entertainment from 2013 to 2016, and by Warner Music Group from mid-2016 onward. The label also entered a cooperation with Mediakraft Networks to sign the duo Die Lochis. As of the Wikipedia article, current artists include Finn, Kex Kuhl, and the band Grizzly. Past artists include Elenka, Lary, I Heart Sharks, Heisskalt, Psaiko.Dino, Lot, and Miller. The official website lists artists such as Chimperator Department, Heisskalt, Rockstah, Cobblepot, Kex Kuhl, Stokkholm, Psaiko.Dino, #hangster, Grizzly, Polaroids, Marla Pétale, Turkish Coffee, LOT, Der Plan ist übers Meer, Loifior, and Nordlicht, and reports releases by Grizzly and River Becomes Ocean in 2019.

• Founded as Chimperator Department in Berlin as a sister company of Chimperator Productions.

• Rock band Heisskalt becomes the first signing.

• Heisskalt release EP Mit Liebe gebraut in a limited edition of 5,000 copies.

• Singer Lary signs with the label.

• Distribution and marketing deal signed with Sony Music Entertainment.

• Electronic musician Elenka signs as the fourth artist.

• Psaiko.Dino's album #hangster enters German album charts at No. 7, the label's first chart placement.

• Heisskalt release Vom Stehen und Fallen, reaching No. 29 in German charts.

• Pop singer Lot is presented as a new signing.

• Lana Wittig joins as artist manager; I Heart Sharks move to the label.

• Lary's debut album FutureDeutscheWelle and Lot's EP Warum soll sich das ändern are released.

• Label separates from Chimperator Productions and is renamed Department Musik; Jan-Simon Wolff becomes sole managing director.

• Warner Music Group takes over distribution.

• Grizzly release their third album Movement.

Multi-genre independent label focusing on music outside the hip-hop spectrum, operating under the umbrella of Chimperator Productions until 2015.

• Heisskalt – Mit Liebe gebraut (EP)

• Lary – Lary says (Mixtape)

• Psaiko.Dino – #hangster (Album)

• Heisskalt – Vom Stehen und Fallen (Album)

• Lary – FutureDeutscheWelle (Album)

• Lot – Warum soll sich das ändern (EP)

• Lot – 200 Tage (Album)

• Elenka – Elenka (Album)

• Grizzly – Movement (Album)

1. 1Department Musik official websitedepartmentmusik.de
2. 2Department Musik – Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
3. 3Department Musik – Wikidatawikidata.org