IDOL Signs Grammy-Nominated Producer TOKiMONSTA’s Young Art Records

15 November 2023 - Press release

 

• New Cakes Da Killa single, ‘Cakewalk’ released tomorrow 
• IDOL to provide global distribution, label services and marketing
• Alongside TOKiMONSTA, Young Art Records’ roster includes Rochelle Jordan, Cakes Da Killa and more

 

IDOL, the independent digital distributor, has agreed a global distribution and label services deal with Young Art Records, the LA-based label belonging to US producer and DJ TOKiMONSTA.

The partnership will see IDOL handle global distribution and marketing for Young Art Records’ catalogue and frontline releases, including tomorrow’s new single ‘Cakewalk’ from fast-rising US rapper Cakes Da Killa – a key figure in New York’s growing LGBTQ+ rap community.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2024, Young Art Records’ roster also includes Canadian R&B musician Rochelle Jordan, and instrumentalist and songwriter duo Daktyl & Benni Ola. The new deal with IDOL also covers last week’s first-ever digital release of ‘Time To’ and ‘Conversion Theory’ – the 2012 singles from TOKiMONSTA and Suzi Analogue’s collaborative project, Analogue Monsta.

TOKiMONSTA is known for her blend of hip hop & electronic, with her remix of Sia’s ‘Manchild’ earning her DJ Mag’s Best of North America 2023 award for ‘Best Remix’. Her third studio album, Lune Rouge, released via Young Art, was nominated for ‘Best Dance/Electronic Album’ at the 2019 Grammy Awards, making her the first Asian American woman to be nominated in the category. Her career has also seen collaborations with the likes of Anderson .Paak, Channel Tres and EARTHGANG. 

The agreement with Young Art is the next phase in IDOL’s growing North American presence, with the deal extending its repertoire of partnerships with entrepreneurial artists and their management teams. This year’s landmark US signings include rapper Erick the Architect, with IDOL servicing recent releases ‘Ambrosia’, featuring Channel Tres, and ‘Parkour’, produced by James Blake.

TOKiMONSTA said: “Young Art Records started as a way of sharing exciting music from incredibly special musicians that I truly believe in. Being an artist-run label, Young Art focuses on highlighting and lifting up musicians so they can do what they do best — make amazing music. Knowing that IDOL trusts us and understands the importance of each musician magnifies this amazing partnership. I’m looking forward to the added infrastructure and support behind each of our artists and future endeavours.”

Lewis Kunstler, co-founder at Young Art Records, commented: “As Young Art Records celebrates its 10th anniversary, we are pleased to announce our partnership with IDOL. This collaboration will empower our team, expand our reach, and enhance our presence on a global scale. We look forward to this new chapter as well as the opportunities it will bring to share our passion for music with an even wider audience.”

Thomas Sharp Maxwell, US General Manager at IDOL, added: “We’ve been fans of Young Art as well as TOKiMONSTA’s own projects for several years, and as IDOL continues to develop in North America, this partnership serves as an important benchmark for the company’s global ambition. We’re proud to welcome such a forward-thinking label that shares a similar ethos to ours being home to such a diverse roster of artists. The Young Art team comes with a reputation that is beyond reproach and we’re excited to help further develop the culture they’ve fostered while executing on the label’s vision for the future.”