Dirty Hit

History

Jamie Oborne began working in artist management after founding his company, All On Red Management. When Drive Like I Do, a Manchester-based band later known as The 1975, remained unsigned despite meetings with several record labels, Oborne decided to establish his own record label with Chuck Waite, Brian Smith and former footballer Ugo Ehiogu. The 1975 signed to the label for £20.

The 1975 and Benjamin Francis Leftwich were the company's first signings, with the former becoming the label’s first act to achieve mainstream success by reaching number one on the UK Albums Chart in September 2013 with their eponymous debut album. In February 2019, The 1975 signed a new three-album deal with the label.

In May 2017, the label launched the Dirty Hit Tour, featuring Superfood, King Nun and Pale Waves. Since its inception, Dirty Hit’s releases have been distributed to digital platforms by Ingrooves Music Group.

Since January 2019, the members of The 1975 – Matty Healy, George Daniel, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald – have been shareholders in the company. Healy served as creative director for four years before stepping down from the role in April 2023.

DH2

On 17 June 2024, Dirty Hit announced a new imprint label, DH2, focused on electronic music and run by George Daniel of The 1975. Artists signed to the label include Kelly Lee Owens, Oscar Farrel and TimFromTheHouse. Owens's album Dreamstate, released on 18 October, was her debut for the label.

International expansion

Dirty Hit expanded its presence beyond the UK market through growing critical acclaim and a strong social media presence. Following the success of artists such as The 1975, the label gained increased attention for signing younger acts including Beabadoobee and Rina Sawayama. This led to the opening of new offices in the United States and Australia in 2020.

The label partnered with Ingrooves (now folded into Virgin Music Group) to support international distribution and marketing efforts. Ingrooves provides digital marketing services, analytics, rights management and promotional tools for independent labels and artists. The partnership was made official in late 2019.

Two notable members of Dirty Hit’s international team are Greg Carr and Rachel Jones-Williams. Carr joined the Los Angeles office in May 2020, and has been credited by Oborne with bringing significant expertise to the company. Jones-Williams, based in Sydney, also joined during the same period.

Awards and accolades

Notable artists affiliated with Dirty Hit Records include Wolf Alice, The 1975, Beabadoobee, and Pale Waves, all of whom have garnered nominations or awards from prestigious institutions such as the Grammys, NME, and the Brits. The 1975, a flagship act of Dirty Hit, stands out with two nominations for the esteemed Mercury Prize, showcasing the label's dedication to artists with outstanding musical contributions. Beyond individual accolades, Dirty Hit's artists have collectively made a significant impact on the global music scene by performing at renowned festivals. The 1975 also headlined Radio 1's Big Weekend, bridging contemporary work and Dirty Hit's alternative style in mainstream media.

No Rome, an artist under the Dirty Hit banner, achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Filipino act to perform at the summer Coachella festival. In 2019, Dirty Hit Records achieved notable success at the Music Week Awards, outperforming esteemed competitors in the music industry. The label, alongside contenders such as Atlantic Records, Columbia Records, Island Records, Polydor Records, and Warner Bros Records, received recognition for its contributions. In 2019, the label was nominated for 3 awards. The label was able to win the "Best Independent Label" award.

Notable artists

• beabadoobee
• Benjamin Francis Leftwich
• Blackstarkids
• Deaton Chris Anthony
• Frost Children
• Jack Antonoff (including Bleachers)
• The Japanese House
• Kelly Lee Owens
• Lava La Rue
• Lowertown
• No Rome
• Pale Waves
• Pretty Sick
• Rina Sawayama

Former

• QTY
• Marika Hackman
• Caleb Steph
• Little Comets
• Wolf Alice
• 404 Guild
• Wallice
• The Candescents

References

References

1. (2010-02-02). "Dirty Hit Limited overview - Find and update company information - Gov.uk".
2. Andrew Trendell. (2019-02-13). ""They're at the peak of their powers" – Dirty Hit's Jamie Oborne tells us about the future of The 1975 and what's next for the label".
3. Harrison, Angus. (2017-04-21). "RIP Ugo Ehiogu, Who Brought Genuine Passion to a Cynical Music Business".
4. "Dirty Hit!".
5. (2020-08-26). "Dirty Hit expands into the US & Asia Pacific, hires Greg Carr & Rachel Jones-Williams to head up new offices".
6. Graves, Shahlin. (2017-09-02). "Interview: Dirty Hit's Jamie Oborne on the "business of selling identity".".
7. (13 December 2019). "Artistic Integrity, Creative Freedom, and the Rise of Dirty Hit".
8. "The Big Interview: All On Red/Dirty Hit's Jamie Oborne".
9. "The 1975 score debut number 1 album". [[Official Charts Company]].
10. "'The coolest of the cool': Matthew Healy and Jamie Oborne talk ambitions as The 1975 drop album number three".
11. (2016-02-29). "'Managers should make decisions based on reason, logic – and knowing their artists'".
12. (2019-02-12). "The 1975 sign new deal with Dirty Hit record label".
13. Wright, Lisa. (15 May 2017). "It's a Dirty Hit!".
14. (2019-12-10). "Dirty Hit inks global digital distribution deal with Ingrooves".
15. (2022-12-07). "Dirty Hit extends global distribution deal with Ingrooves Music Group".
16. "Dirty Hit Limited: Confirmation statement made on 23 January 2019 with updates".
17. "Dirty Hit Limited: Confirmation statement made on 23 January 2023 with updates".
18. "Director Appointment".
19. "Director Appointment".
20. Muk, Isaac. (17 June 2024). "Independent label Dirty Hit announces new electronic music imprint". [[Crack (magazine).
21. Monroe, Jazz. (July 11, 2024). "Kelly Lee Owens Announces Album, Shares Video for New Song "Love You Got"". [[Pitchfork (website).
22. (2019-12-10). "Dirty Hit inks global digital distribution deal with Ingrooves".
23. (2019-02-12). "Universal fully acquires Ingrooves Music Group".
24. (2020-08-26). "U.K. Indie Dirty Hit, Home to 1975 and Wolf Alice, Opening U.S and Australian Offices".
25. (22 May 2020). "Label in Focus: Dirty Hit".
26. "Guendoline Rome Viray Gomez (No Rome)".
27. (26 August 2020). "U.K. Indie Dirty Hit, Home to 1975 and Wolf Alice, Opening U.S and Australian Offices".
28. https://coupdemainmagazine.com/index.php/the-candescents/14525