Institubes

Institubes was a French independent record label founded in 2003 and based in Paris. It operated at the intersection of hip-hop, pop, and electronic music, and became a key tastemaker in the French club and electro scene during the 2000s. The label was founded by Tacteel, Tekilatex, OrioG, Aaron Krickstein, and Jean-René Étienne, initially emerging from the hip-hop collective L'Atelier. Its early releases, particularly Para One's 'Beat Down' EP (2003) and its track 'Turtle Trouble', brought the label attention among DJs and enthusiasts. After a quiet period, the label was relaunched in early 2006 under the direction of Jean-René Étienne as label manager and artistic director, assisted by Emile Shahidi. This era saw the rise of a new generation of French artists such as Surkin, Bobmo, and Das Glow, each releasing multiple EPs on the label. In 2009, Institubes expanded with sub-labels: Stunts (rap, featuring Cuizinier, Orgasmic, Joke), Unsunned (rock and experimental, with Chateau Marmont, Rob, Crystal, Poney Poney), and Sound Pellegrino (digital-only, club-oriented, curated by Tekilatex and Orgasmic). The label's visual identity was shaped by Étienne Bardelli (aka Akroe), who designed the logo and early record sleeves, later followed by House of Kids as artistic directors. In 2010, a two-day festival dedicated to the label took place at Redlight in Paris. On 16 March 2011, Institubes announced its closure via a press release, which also heralded the birth of a new label, Marble, by Surkin, Bobmo, and Para One. Sound Pellegrino continued independently under Tekilatex, Orgasmic, and Emile Shahidi. Institubes left a legacy of influential releases and helped define the French electronic sound of the 2000s.

Institubes was founded in 2003 in Paris by Tacteel, Tekilatex, OrioG, Aaron Krickstein, and Jean-René Étienne. The label grew out of the hip-hop collective L'Atelier, which had faced multiple rejections from established record labels, prompting the creation of their own imprint. The label's first release was Para One's 'Beat Down' EP in 2003, which included the track 'Turtle Trouble' and quickly gained traction among DJs and electronic music fans. Early releases were primarily side projects from members of the group TTC, and the label established a reputation for forward-thinking hip-hop and electronic music. After a period of lower activity, Institubes was relaunched in early 2006 under the direction of Jean-René Étienne, who became label manager and artistic director, with Emile Shahidi as his assistant. This new phase saw the label discover and develop a wave of young French artists such as Surkin, Bobmo, and Das Glow, each of whom released several EPs on Institubes. The label's output during this period blended electro, house, and hip-hop, and became highly influential in the French club scene. In 2009, Institubes expanded by launching three sub-labels: Stunts for rap (featuring artists like Cuizinier, Orgasmic, and Joke), Unsunned for rock and experimental music (with acts such as Chateau Marmont, Rob, Crystal, and Poney Poney), and Sound Pellegrino for digital-only, club-oriented releases, curated by Tekilatex and Orgasmic. This diversification allowed the label to cover a broader spectrum of contemporary music. Visually, the label's identity was crafted by Étienne Bardelli (known as Akroe), who designed the logo and early record sleeves. Later, the artistic direction was taken over by House of Kids. In 2010, a two-day festival dedicated to the label was held at Redlight in Paris, near the Tour Montparnasse, on 9–10 April. On 16 March 2011, Institubes officially announced its closure via a press release on its website. The same statement announced the formation of a new label, Marble, by Surkin, Bobmo, and Para One. Sound Pellegrino continued independently under the direction of Tekilatex, Orgasmic, and Emile Shahidi. Over its eight-year existence, Institubes released a catalog that included influential EPs and albums, leaving a lasting impact on French electronic and hip-hop music.

• 2011

  Label closure announced on 16 March; Marble label formed by Surkin, Bobmo, and Para One.

• 2010

  Two-day Institubes festival held at Redlight in Paris on 9–10 April.

• 2009

  Sub-labels Stunts, Unsunned, and Sound Pellegrino launched.

• 2006

  Label relaunched under Jean-René Étienne as label manager and artistic director, with Emile Shahidi.

• 2003

  Institubes founded in Paris by Tacteel, Tekilatex, OrioG, Aaron Krickstein, and Jean-René Étienne.

• 2003

  First release: Para One - Beat Down EP, featuring 'Turtle Trouble'.

Independent French label at the forefront of the 2000s French electronic and hip-hop scene, known for discovering and nurturing young talent.

• 2003

  Para One - Beat Down EP

• 2003

  L'Atelier - Buffet des anciens élèves

• 2003

  Tacteel and Screwy Truant - Blame It on the Music / The Music is to Blame

• 2004

  Teamtendo - We EP

• 2005

  Para One - Clubhoppn EP

• 2005

  Billy Crawford / M.I.A. - Orgaga and Surkin Reworks

• 2005

  Tacteel - Cheap Fun

• 2005

  Out One - Vitamin House

• 2006

  Surkin - Ghetto Obsession

• 2006

  Surkin - Radio Fireworks

• 2006

  Para One - Dudun-Dun

• 2006

  Tacteel - Feel It, Feel It

• 2006

  Para One - Dudun-Dun (Remixes)

• 2006

  Cuizinier - Pour les filles (Street Tape Volume 02)

• 2006

  Para One - Epiphanie

• 2006

  Orgasmic - The Rise and Rise of Orgasmic

• 2006

  Tacteel & John B. Rambo - Above the Law Tribute

• 2007

  Curses! - Hungry for Love

• 2007

  Das Glow - Weiss Gaz

• 2007

  Bobmo - Let's Go Bobmo !

• 2007

  Para One - Midnight Swim

• 2007

  Surkin - Fireworks Refired

• 2007

  Midnight Juggernauts - Road to Recovery

• 2007

  Midnight Juggernauts - Road to Recovery (Remixes)

1. 1INSTITUBES • Home of Bobmo Cuizinier Curses!institubes.com
2. 2Institubes - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Institubes - Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org