2101 Records

2101 Records was a record-label venture established in 2010 by Moroccan-Swedish record producer RedOne in partnership with Universal Music Group. RedOne served as the label's founder and principal producer, linking the imprint to a production-led model centered on international pop, dance-pop, and crossover releases. The label operated through changing distribution relationships rather than as a fully self-contained recording company: its early arrangements included distribution through Cash Money Records and Island Records, while a later agreement moved distribution to Capitol Records within Universal Music Group's Capitol Music Group structure. The first artist associated with the label was Mohombi, whose single "Bumpy Ride" became an international success. The song reached number one in 14 countries and earned double-platinum certification in Sweden and gold certification in Denmark, giving the label some of its earliest significant commercial recognition. The imprint also developed a strong connection with dance music through Australian DJ and singer Havana Brown. Her single "We Run the Night" became 2101 Records' first platinum single, and "Big Banana" reached number one on the United States dance chart. Other artists linked to the label included Porcelain Black, Priyanka Chopra, Zander Bleck, Midnight Red, 7Lions, Ericka Guitron, Sabrina Claudio, Talkback, and Dive Bella Dive. Several arrangements were joint ventures or used separate distribution partners, including Interscope Records, Island Records, and Cash Money Records. The label's releases therefore reflected a networked international strategy in which RedOne's songwriting and production relationships were combined with the marketing and distribution resources of larger music companies. Porcelain Black's releases provided another visible part of the imprint's dance-pop profile. "Naughty Naughty" performed strongly in American clubs and reached the top ten of the relevant chart, while "This Is What Rock n' Roll Looks Like" reached the top 40 and generated additional attention for the artist. The label's recorded output also included an extended-play release and a remix-oriented maxi release, although it did not establish a large catalog of full-length albums during the period described in the available reference material. In 2012, RedOne collaborated with Bollywood actor and singer Priyanka Chopra on "In My City," featuring will.i.am. The track debuted on the NFL Network's Thursday Night Football, illustrating the label's effort to place its artists and releases within high-profile international entertainment channels. In February 2013, Ray De La Garza, formerly a Radio Disney programming executive, became the label's general manager. On May 1, 2013, 2101 Records announced a distribution agreement with Capitol Records. Later reference material describes a rebranding or successor-facing setup under the RedOne Records name, with artists such as John Mamann, Chawki, Midnight Red, Porcelain Black, Kika, Sophia Del Carmen, and Wayne Beckford associated with that configuration. The available material does not clearly establish the precise legal status or current operating condition of 2101 Records itself.

2101 Records was founded in 2010 by Moroccan-Swedish producer RedOne as a joint venture with Universal Music Group. Its structure reflected RedOne's position as both a hit producer and a talent developer: instead of relying solely on a traditional in-house album program, the imprint connected artists to different distribution partners according to territory and project. An August 2010 arrangement included distribution through Cash Money Records for Mohombi, while Havana Brown and Dive Bella Dive were associated with Island Records. Priyanka Chopra and Zander Bleck were linked to Interscope Records, and some other artists were distributed independently. Mohombi was the first artist signed to the label. His "Bumpy Ride" became an international breakthrough, reaching number one in 14 countries and receiving double-platinum certification in Sweden and gold certification in Denmark. The result established 2101 Records as a vehicle for globally targeted releases rather than a label limited to the United States. Dance music became another central part of the imprint's identity. Havana Brown's "We Run the Night" became the label's first platinum single, and "Big Banana" reached number one on the United States dance chart. Porcelain Black also released dance-pop material through the label. "Naughty Naughty" performed well in American nightclubs and reached the top ten, while "This Is What Rock n' Roll Looks Like" reached the top 40 and increased attention around the artist. The label's catalog included singles, an extended-play release, and a remix maxi release, but the available reference material does not indicate a substantial full-length album program under the 2101 Records name. The imprint expanded its roster and affiliations during the early 2010s. Names associated with 2101 Records included 7Lions, Ericka Guitron, Midnight Red, Priyanka Chopra, Sabrina Claudio, Talkback, Zander Bleck, and previously Jennifer Lopez, Mohombi, Porcelain Black, Dive Bella Dive, and KMC. Many of these relationships were joint or partner-based rather than uniform exclusive arrangements. RedOne also worked with a network of songwriters and producers, including Bilal Hajji, Achraf Jannusi, Giorgio Tuinfort, Astrid Roelants, Geraldo Jacop Sandell, Arjang Shishegar, and Jimmy Paul Thornfeldt. In 2012, RedOne worked with Priyanka Chopra on "In My City," featuring will.i.am. Its debut during Thursday Night Football on the NFL Network demonstrated the imprint's interest in combining music releases with major entertainment and broadcast exposure. In February 2013, Ray De La Garza was appointed general manager after working in programming at Radio Disney. On May 1, 2013, 2101 Records announced a distribution deal with Capitol Records, another Universal Music Group company. Later material describes a rebranded or successor-facing operation called RedOne Records. Artists connected with that setup included John Mamann, Chawki, Midnight Red, Porcelain Black, Kika, Sophia Del Carmen, and Wayne Beckford. The events-production entity SuperMartXé is also described as affiliated with RedOne Records. The available sources do not provide enough information to determine whether 2101 Records remains active as a distinct legal imprint, when its operations formally changed names, or whether all later RedOne Records activities should be treated as a direct continuation.

• 2013

  New general manager appointed

  [1]RedOne Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Ray De La Garza became general manager of 2101 Records.

• 2013

  Capitol Records distribution deal announced

  [1]RedOne Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  2101 Records announced a distribution agreement with Capitol Records.

• 2012

  Priyanka Chopra project receives broadcast debut

  [1]RedOne Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  "In My City," performed by Priyanka Chopra and featuring will.i.am, debuted on the NFL Network's Thursday Night Football.

• 2010

  2101 Records founded

  [1]RedOne Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  RedOne established 2101 Records as a joint venture with Universal Music Group.

• 2010

  Early distribution partnerships announced

  [1]RedOne Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  The label arranged distribution through Cash Money Records, Island Records, Interscope Records, and independent channels for different artists and projects.

An internationally oriented, producer-led pop and dance imprint built around RedOne's songwriting and production network and supported by major-label distribution partnerships.

• Music releases · 2010

  Recorded singles

  Singles formed the core of 2101 Records' output. The label focused on internationally marketable pop and dance releases, often using partner labels for distribution and promotion. Notable examples associated with the imprint include Mohombi's "Bumpy Ride," Havana Brown's "We Run the Night" and "Big Banana," Porcelain Black's "Naughty Naughty," and Priyanka Chopra's "In My City."

• Music releases

  Extended plays and remix releases

  The label also issued shorter-form projects, including an extended-play release associated with Mohombi and Island Records and a remix-oriented maxi release built around Porcelain Black's "Naughty Naughty." These projects emphasized club circulation and alternate versions rather than a conventional full-length album strategy.

• 2012"In My City" broadcast launch

  United States

  The launch of Priyanka Chopra's debut single "In My City," featuring will.i.am, used a Thursday Night Football debut on the NFL Network to connect an international pop release with a major American sports broadcast.

  Outcome. The broadcast placement gave the release high-profile entertainment exposure.

  Source

• 2013

  Moved distribution arrangement to Capitol RecordsStrategy

  Background

  After earlier distribution relationships involving Cash Money and Island, the label sought a new major-label distribution platform.

  Action taken

  2101 Records announced a distribution agreement with Capitol Records within Universal Music Group.

  Aftermath

  The agreement aligned the imprint with Capitol Music Group distribution, but the sources do not describe its duration or subsequent performance.

  Source

• 2010

  Adopted a multi-partner distribution modelStrategy

  Background

  2101 Records was built as an international imprint whose artists used different major-label and independent distribution arrangements.

  Action taken

  The label worked with Cash Money Records, Island Records, Interscope Records, and independent channels for different acts.

  Aftermath

  This model enabled the imprint to place releases through established partners in different markets, although the available sources do not quantify the commercial effect.

  Source

1. 1RedOne Recordsen.wikipedia.org