Goldie, Bananarama and boat trips with the Spice Girls: the hedonistic madness of 90s label London Records

TL;DR

London Records, once part of Decca, became an independent label with major distribution, aiming to be a cool, identifiable pop label with an edge.
The label was known for its hedonistic and party-centric atmosphere, with artists and staff recalling heavy drug use and wild lifestyles.
Key signings like Bronski Beat in 1984 marked a turning point, establishing the label's identity and its willingness to market artists authentically.
London Records had multiple imprints, most notably FFRR for dance music, and its roster included artists such as Orbital, East 17, All Saints, and Goldie.
The label's ethos was driven by creating hits, often signing acts that were 'slightly left of centre' rather than mainstream successes.
London Records was fined for chart hyping in 1991, a practice confirmed by staff and artists as common within the industry at the time.
The label acquired the catalogue of Factory Records after its bankruptcy, further diversifying its eclectic roster.
The extreme culture and excess at London Records inspired John Niven's novel 'Kill Your Friends'.
Despite the excesses, many artists recall London Records as a place that offered creative freedom and enabled them to achieve their artistic visions.
The label failed to recognize the potential of the internet in 1994, a missed opportunity that later proved to be significant.
The 'magic' of London Records faded in the late 1990s after its parent company was sold, with the 90s remaining its peak years.

Continuer la lecture de l'article original