Xploded Music

Xploded Music is a British record label established in 2018 by Cris Nuttall and Matt Cadman. The label grew out of the founders' earlier work at All Around the World, the Blackburn-based dance-music company commonly known as AATW. AATW had been founded in 1991 after Nuttall, a record-store owner and former Phonogram employee, partnered with Cadman, a former BMG employee. Over several decades, the business developed a significant catalogue and roster in British electronic, dance and pop music, including acts such as N-Trance, Cascada, Scooter, Dannii Minogue, Darren Styles, N-Dubz, Skepta and others. The creation of Xploded followed Universal's acquisition of the AATW record-label and Clubland interests in 2017. Nuttall and Cadman remained with the business for approximately another year while their new imprint was prepared. Xploded therefore represented continuity in personnel, artist relationships and dance-music expertise, while operating as a new label rather than simply continuing the AATW name. A number of AATW staff members transferred to the new venture, including A&R manager James Hill, and some established artists continued working with the founders. The label's recorded-music activity has covered dance, electronic, pop and adjacent contemporary genres. Its roster and releases have included continuing relationships with N-Dubz and Darren Styles, as well as work involving Loud Luxury, Armin van Buuren, Sam Ryder, Ben Nicky, Timmy Trumpet, PBH & JACK and MENTIS. These associations place Xploded within the commercially oriented dance and electronic sector, with a model based on artist development, label releases and international distribution through its Universal relationship. Xploded's institutional background is closely linked to the compilation and television activities developed by AATW. Before the transition, AATW had established the Clubland compilation brand and operated Clubland TV, alongside Now-branded music television channels. Those assets moved to Universal in the 2017 transaction and are not presented as Xploded Music properties. The distinction is important: Xploded is the later record-label venture of the former AATW founders, while Universal became the owner of the predecessor label and related media assets. The available reference material does not identify a standalone corporate headquarters, public listing, financial results or a separate consumer-facing website for Xploded Music. It does, however, describe the label as operating within the Universal ecosystem and continuing to release music. In 2022, N-Dubz returned with the single “Charmer,” which became Xploded's first United Kingdom Top 40 hit according to the cited reference. The label's current public identity is consequently defined less by a broad media portfolio than by its artist roster and its specialist position in dance, electronic and crossover pop music.

Xploded Music emerged from the business and creative network built by All Around the World, the British dance-music label founded in Blackburn in 1991 by Cris Nuttall and Matt Cadman. Nuttall had worked as a record-store owner and at Phonogram, while Cadman had previously worked at BMG. Their partnership developed AATW into a prominent British electronic and dance label, initially associated with acts such as Love Decade, 2 Funky 2, Bus Stop, Porn Kings and N-Trance. N-Trance's “Set You Free” reached number two on the United Kingdom singles chart in 1995, helping establish the label's commercial profile. During the 2000s, AATW expanded its artist roster and management operation. It signed or developed acts including Flip & Fill, Ultrabeat, Cascada, Dannii Minogue, Scooter, Darren Styles, N-Dubz and Skepta. The company also created the Clubland compilation series and participated in other compilation projects, including Rock the Dancefloor, Floorfillers, Ultimate Club Anthems, Love2Club, 100% Chilled, Ultimate NRG and Dance Mania. In 2008, it extended the Clubland identity into live events, organising Clubland arena shows and subsequent tours. AATW became more closely integrated with Universal's compilation operations in 2012. Nuttall and Cadman became joint managing directors of Universal's UMTV division, where their responsibilities included compilation brands such as Pop Party, Dreamboats & Petticoats and NOW-related projects. AATW also operated Clubland TV and three Now Music-branded television channels, although these media assets later became part of Universal's holdings. In 2017, Universal acquired the AATW record label and Clubland branding. Nuttall and Cadman stayed with the label for roughly another year, then established Xploded Music in 2018. The new label retained several members of the former AATW team, including A&R manager James Hill, and carried forward relationships with artists such as N-Dubz and Darren Styles. It also released music associated with newer or continuing artists including Loud Luxury, Armin van Buuren, Sam Ryder, Ben Nicky, Timmy Trumpet, PBH & JACK and MENTIS. Xploded's development thus combined a new label identity with operational continuity from AATW. The company focused on recorded music rather than presenting itself as the owner of the predecessor's entire compilation and television portfolio. Universal retained the acquired AATW-related channels and brands; by 2021 the AATW brand had reportedly been discontinued by Universal, while the television licences had transferred fully to Universal. Xploded nevertheless continued as the label associated with Nuttall and Cadman's post-AATW activity. In 2022, N-Dubz released “Charmer,” their first single after an eleven-year gap. The release was identified as Xploded Music's first United Kingdom Top 40 hit. Publicly available reference material does not provide a detailed account of Xploded's later corporate structure, financial performance, standalone offices or current executive roster beyond the founders and the former A&R personnel connected with its launch.

• 2022

  N-Dubz releases “Charmer”

  [1]Xploded Musicen.wikipedia.org

  N-Dubz returns with “Charmer,” described as Xploded Music's first United Kingdom Top 40 hit.

• 2021

  AATW brand activity is discontinued by Universal

  [1]Xploded Musicen.wikipedia.org

  The reference material states that Universal discontinued the AATW brand while retaining control of the related television-channel licences.

• 2018

  Xploded Music launches

  [1]Xploded Musicen.wikipedia.org

  Cris Nuttall and Matt Cadman launch Xploded Music with former AATW staff and a roster combining continuing and new artist relationships.

• 2017

  Universal acquires the AATW label and Clubland branding

  [1]Xploded Musicen.wikipedia.org

  The sale separates the founders' future activity from the predecessor label and creates the conditions for a new imprint.

• 2012

  AATW integrates more closely with Universal's compilation division

  [1]Xploded Musicen.wikipedia.org

  Nuttall and Cadman become joint managing directors of Universal's UMTV division and oversee several compilation brands.

• 2008

  Clubland live events begin

  [1]Xploded Musicen.wikipedia.org

  All Around the World expands the Clubland brand into arena events and later touring activity.

• 1995

  N-Trance reaches number two with “Set You Free”

  [1]Xploded Musicen.wikipedia.org

  N-Trance's “Set You Free” becomes a major United Kingdom chart success on the All Around the World label.

• 1991

  All Around the World is founded

  [1]Xploded Musicen.wikipedia.org

  Cris Nuttall and Matt Cadman establish All Around the World in Blackburn, creating the predecessor business from which Xploded Music later developed.

A British, Universal-connected record label focused on commercially accessible dance, electronic and crossover pop music, with continuity from the artist-development and A&R operations formerly associated with All Around the World.

• Record-label catalogue · 2018

  Recorded music releases

  Xploded Music's principal offering is a catalogue of singles, albums and other recorded-music releases. The label's repertoire is rooted in commercial dance and electronic music but also includes pop and crossover projects. Its Universal relationship supports distribution and places the label within a larger international recorded-music network.

• Artist services and releases · 2018

  Dance and electronic artist roster

  The label has released or been associated with music from artists including Darren Styles, Loud Luxury, Armin van Buuren, Ben Nicky, Timmy Trumpet, PBH & JACK and MENTIS. The roster reflects Xploded's inherited expertise in dance music and its emphasis on commercially viable electronic releases.

• Artist catalogue · 2022

  N-Dubz releases

  N-Dubz remained among the artist relationships connected with Nuttall and Cadman's post-AATW operation. The group's 2022 single “Charmer,” released after an eleven-year gap, was identified as Xploded Music's first United Kingdom Top 40 hit.

• 2008Clubland arena events

  United Kingdom

  The founders' predecessor business extended the Clubland compilation identity into arena events, followed by Clubland Live 2 in December 2008 and a third tour in 2010.

  Outcome. The events broadened Clubland from a compilation brand into a live entertainment property. They predated Xploded Music and are included as relevant background to the label's heritage.

  Source

• 2018

  Launch of Xploded MusicProduct launch

  Background

  Following the sale of the founders' former label interests, Nuttall and Cadman established a new imprint based on their existing staff and artist relationships.

  Action taken

  The founders launched Xploded Music and brought several former AATW employees, including A&R manager James Hill, into the new operation.

  Aftermath

  The imprint continued to work with artists associated with the founders while signing or releasing music from additional international dance and pop artists.

  Source

• 2017

  Sale of All Around the World and Clubland interestsM&A

  Background

  Universal acquired the All Around the World record label and Clubland branding, separating ownership of the predecessor assets from the founders' subsequent label venture.

  Action taken

  Cris Nuttall and Matt Cadman sold the relevant AATW label and Clubland interests to Universal and remained temporarily involved while preparing Xploded Music.

  Aftermath

  The transaction led to the launch of Xploded Music in 2018, while Universal retained the acquired label, branding and associated television assets.

  Source

• 2022

  N-Dubz returns with “Charmer”[1]Xploded Musicen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch · Product generation

  N-Dubz released “Charmer” after an eleven-year absence. The single was described in the reference material as Xploded Music's first United Kingdom Top 40 hit.

• 2018

  Xploded Music launches[1]Xploded Musicen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  Nuttall and Cadman launched Xploded Music with a number of former AATW personnel and continued relationships with artists including N-Dubz and Darren Styles.

• 2017

  AATW label and Clubland interests sold to Universal[1]Xploded Musicen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  All Around the World founders Cris Nuttall and Matt Cadman sold the AATW record label and Clubland branding to Universal. The founders remained involved for about a year while preparing their successor label, Xploded Music.

1. 1Xploded Musicen.wikipedia.org