Springstoff

Springstoff (stylized SPRINGSTOFF) is a Berlin-based independent music label, publisher and broader culture platform. Founded in 1998 by opera singer and sound engineer Rainer Scheerer together with Robin Haefs (Mad Maks), it began as a loose DIY hip-hop collective and label. Over time it expanded into publishing, artist management, education and workshops, and a curated webshop, describing itself as "more than a label" and "a culture platform in motion." The label is known for hip-hop but also releases ska, reggae and electronic music, with a particular emphasis on promoting women in music. Distribution is handled via Indigo. The label's early years were defined by its own artists' productions. After Haefs left, rapper Sookee became a central figure, shaping the label's profile and direction. In 2011, linguist and cultural scientist Anna Groß joined the company, and the label's orientation shifted further. In cooperation with Sookee, Springstoff developed numerous feminist and queer event series, workshops and projects. Today Springstoff operates as an ecosystem combining label and publishing entities, artist management, education and a webshop. Its roster includes artists such as 100 Kilo Herz, ACUD, AFAR, Alex Hoevelmann, ANIQO, Assaf Kacholi, Berlin Boom Orchestra, Bi Män, Blaske, Bobby Rausch, Brigade, BYLJA, Camea, Dana Ruh, Daniel Brandt, David Bergmüller, David Dorad, DeFranzy, dfumh, Duxius, Eat Lipstick, EsRAP, FaulenzA, Fabian Kalker, Fernweher, Gina Sabatini, Grey Paris, Gutto Serta, Helaine Vis, Hyenaz, Jamila Al-Yousef, Jamila & The Other Heroes, Janus Rasmussen, JBXDR, Johannes Motschmann, Julian Maier-Hauff, KID BE KID, KIDSØ, Koltbach, KOMFORTRAUSCHEN, Lasse Winkler, Loop Motor, Malonda, Mila Stern, Msoke, mytripismytrip, Natascha Polké, Oliver Deutschmann, Owen Ross, Red Rooms, Re.decay, Robert Gromotka, Rocko Garoni, Schœneberg, shejust_left, Shubangi, Sir Mantis, Smilla, SOKO LiNX, Suz, Sylvie Maziarz, T.C.H.I.K., teepee, TEZA, The Bay, Tim Xavier and VLQR. Beyond its main label and publishing arm, Springstoff encompasses sub-labels and publishing editions including slowtrane, TAKTSCHLEIFE, RDK RECORDS, Edition Deutschmann, Edition Bakraufarfita, Edition Ocko Garen, Edition Laut & Luise, Edition Nest BLN, Edition Skelette & Liebe, Edition Komfortrauschen, Edition MiZiNoTeZ and Edition Smarakt. The company also distributes other labels as a service. Its mission, as stated on its website, is to foster creative freedom, social awareness and musical innovation, supporting artists who blur the lines between acoustic and electronic, genre and emotion.

Springstoff was founded in 1998 by opera singer and sound engineer Rainer Scheerer together with Robin Haefs (Mad Maks) as a loose association of various artists, initially conceived as a DIY label for hip-hop. Early releases were productions by the label's own artists. Artists such as BierPimp and Chrizzow Flex left the label. After Haefs's departure, it was primarily Sookee who made the label known and also determined its further direction. In 2011, linguist and cultural scientist Anna Groß joined the company, and the label's orientation changed. In cooperation with Sookee, a large number of feminist and queer event series, workshops and projects emerged. The label is known mainly as a hip-hop label but also releases other styles such as ska, reggae and electronic music. Springstoff places a particular emphasis on promoting women in music. Distribution is handled via Indigo. Over the years, Springstoff expanded beyond a single label into a broader ecosystem. Its website describes it as "more than a label" — a hub for boundary-pushing organic music rooted in authenticity and depth, operating at the intersection of label work, publishing, artist management, education and workshops, and retail via a curated webshop. The company now encompasses multiple labels and publishing entities, including slowtrane, TAKTSCHLEIFE, RDK RECORDS, and various editions such as Edition Deutschmann, Edition Bakraufarfita, Edition Ocko Garen, Edition Laut & Luise, Edition Nest BLN, Edition Skelette & Liebe, Edition Komfortrauschen, Edition MiZiNoTeZ and Edition Smarakt. It also distributes other labels as a service. Its roster spans hip-hop, electronic, experimental and genre-blending artists, reflecting a mission to foster creative freedom, social awareness and musical innovation.

• 2011

  Anna Groß joins the company, shifting the label's orientation toward feminist and queer projects.

• 1998

  Springstoff founded in Berlin by Rainer Scheerer and Robin Haefs (Mad Maks) as a DIY hip-hop label.

• Artists BierPimp and Chrizzow Flex leave the label.

• Robin Haefs departs; Sookee becomes a defining figure and shapes the label's direction.

• Expansion into publishing, artist management, education/workshops and a curated webshop; multiple sub-labels and editions established.

Independent, artist-centric Berlin label and culture platform focused on organic music, authenticity, social awareness and promoting women in music.

• Springstoff label releases

• slowtrane

• TAKTSCHLEIFE

• RDK RECORDS

• Edition Deutschmann

• Edition Bakraufarfita

• Edition Ocko Garen

• Edition Laut & Luise

• Edition Nest BLN

• Edition Skelette & Liebe

• Edition Komfortrauschen

• Edition MiZiNoTeZ

• Edition Smarakt

1. 1SPRINGSTOFF - empowering musicspringstoff.com
2. 2Über uns – SPRINGSTOFFspringstoff.com
3. 3Springstoff - Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4Springstoff - Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org