TopNotch

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TopNotch logo

TopNotch is a Dutch record label specializing in

PIAS Entertainment Group. It has expanded into Dutch-language music by singer-songwriters such as Lucky Fonz III, and in 2009 signed a distribution and marketing agreement with Universal Music Group
. Still praised in 2009 as "the brand for high-quality Dutch hip-hop", it sought to expand into other musical genres.

History

Founder Kees de Koning is a former music journalist and manager of

PIAS Entertainment Group signed a distribution and marketing deal with TopNotch, saving the label. The first releases after the restructuring were by VSOP, Duvel Duvel, and Kubus.[5] In 2009, the label make a distribution and marketing agreement with Universal Music Group (owners of Virgin EMI) and signed a non-hip-hop act, gabber punk band Aux Raus.[6]

Their fifteenth anniversary, in 2010, was celebrated with a two-day festival in the Melkweg.[2] That same year the label signed Lucky Fonz III, a Dutch-language singer, in a more comprehensive effort to expand beyond hip-hop which also included signing Surinamese singer Damaru; de Koning had personally pursued the artist, whose monthly performances in the TV show De Wereld Draait Door he admired.[7] Their biggest commercial success to date is Gers Pardoel, whose "Ik neem je mee" is referred to as the most successful Dutch song ever; the song's video had 15 million views by 15 August 2013, a Dutch record.[8]

De Koning started another company in 2006, Good Life, with Jerry Leembruggen and Ruben Fernhout (founders of The Partysquad and owners of the production company F & L Entertainment). Good Life aimed to produce more pop-oriented, rhythm and blues artists (such as Wudstik) through record deals and events.[9]

In 2012, NopTotch started also signing Flemish rappers, the first Flemish rappers who signed were Safi & Spreej. 1 year later, Tourist LeMC also signed in TopNotch short after winning Humo's Rock Rally. Signing these 2 Flemish rappers was the first step to help Flanders grow the Flemish hip-hop culture.

Artists

Current artists

Artists produced together with Magnetron Music

Former artists

References

Footnotes

  1. ^ De Koning commented in 2009 on reports that Universal Music Group made $100 million from YouTube videos, and said that YouTube was good for promoting artists but was not itself a "goldmine" for record companies. He could not say how much his label made from YouTube since Universal did the label's video distribution.[3]

Reference footnotes

  1. 3VOOR12
    . 17 January 2007. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  2. ^ a b Kerkhof, Sander (27 November 2010). "Kees de Koning over 15 jaar TopNotch, shine, Lucky Fonz, Kempi en Lange Frans" (in Dutch). Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  3. 3VOOR12
    . Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  4. ^ a b c d Leeuwen, Rob van (20 August 2013). "'Minder ruimte voor bullshit in de muziekindustrie'". Management Team (in Dutch). Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  5. ^
    3VOOR12
    . 16 April 2004. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  6. ^ Loorbach, Liedewij (1 May 2009). "Topnotchbaas: 'Ik wil me niet vastpinnen'". Het Parool (in Dutch). Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  7. ^
    3VOOR12
    . Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  8. ^ a b Unen, D. van (20 August 2013). "15 miljoen views voor hitje Gers Pardoel". Spits (in Dutch). Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  9. ^ "Achter nieuw label Good Life schuilen Partysquad en TopNotch anchorman De Koning" (in Dutch). 22 March 2006. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  10. ^ Arendonk, Femke van (28 April 2012). "Jack Parow: Zuid-Afrikaans sarcasme vindt zijn roots in Nederland" (in Dutch). Kindamuzik. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  11. ^ Bommel, Koen van (2 November 2007). "Salah Edin en Winne geven rauwe hiphopshow" (in Dutch). Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  12. ^ Nauta, Hans (6 August 2006). "U-Niq rapt recht op zijn punt af, en smijt de realiteit zo van de straat op de plaat". Trouw (in Dutch). Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  13. ^ "Ronnie Flex voelde zich bedrogen door platenlabel Top Notch" (in Dutch). NU.nl. 22 April 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  14. ^ "Top Notch stopt samenwerking Bilal Wahib, Zapp en RTL reageren geschokt" (in Dutch). NU.nl. 24 March 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  15. 3VOOR12
    . 15 March 2007. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  16. 3VOOR12
    . Retrieved 13 September 2013.

External links

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