B1 Recordings

Lore & Background

B1 Recordings was founded in 2007 by Wolfgang Boss as a joint venture with Universal Music Germany. The label quickly established itself by releasing hits from artists such as Stromae ('Alors on Danse'), Edward Maya ('Stereo Love'), Pitbull ('I know you want me'), Lucenzo & Don Omar ('Danza Kuduro'), and Klingande ('Jubel'). In late 2011, B1 Recordings released 'Ai Se Eu Te Pego!' by Brazilian artist Michel Teló, which reached number one in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland and became the most downloaded song in Germany at the time. Two other B1 releases—Gotye's 'Somebody That I Used to Know' and Israel Kamakawiwo`ole's 'Over the Rainbow'—are among the top ten most downloaded songs in German history.

In 2014, Boss entered a long-term partnership with Sony Music Entertainment, and B1 Recordings has since worked exclusively with Sony on new releases. In 2018, B1 Recordings released 'In My Mind' by Lithuanian producer Dynoro, which went to number one in 13 countries, ranked as Shazam's global number one for eight weeks, was number one in the German charts for almost three months, and became 2018's most successful song. The track amassed more than 1.5 billion streams. A year later, the label saw success with the Grammy-winning remix 'Roses (Imanbek Remix)' by US rapper SAINt JHN, which won Best Remixed Recording and topped charts in numerous countries, accumulating approximately 1.5 billion streams on Spotify by November 2024.

In 2022, Boss began working with Brazilian DJ Alok, leading to several global dance hits released through B1 Recordings. In 2024, the label signed 'Pedro,' a track by German producers Jaxomy and Agatino Romero, which went viral on TikTok and surpassed 350 million streams on Spotify within a year.

Reader's Guide

B1 Recordings, founded by Wolfgang Boss in 2007, has been a significant force in the global music industry, particularly in the dance and electronic genres. The label's ability to identify and develop international hits—from Latin-infused tracks like 'Danza Kuduro' to electronic anthems like 'In My Mind'—demonstrates a keen ear for cross-cultural appeal. Its partnership with Sony Music Entertainment from 2014 onward allowed B1 to expand its reach, and by 2019 it had established local representative labels in France and the UK. The label's track record includes multiple songs that have achieved billions of streams, reflecting its role in shaping the digital-era music landscape. B1 Recordings has also been instrumental in the careers of major electronic artists such as Kygo and Martin Garrix, contributing to their global success through A&R support and strategic releases.

Did You Know?

• B1 Recordings was founded as a joint venture with Universal Music Germany in 2007.
• The label's release 'In My Mind' by Dynoro was the most successful song of 2018 in Germany.
• B1 Recordings' release 'Roses (Imanbek Remix)' won a Grammy for Best Remixed Recording.
• In 2024, B1 signed 'Pedro,' which went viral on TikTok and surpassed 350 million streams on Spotify.

Label Identity & the Alle Farben Partnership

b1 Recordings is a German record label that operates in tandem with Guesstimate, forming the combined imprint Guesstimate/b1 Recordings. The label is also linked to the publishing house Budde Music, creating a broader creative ecosystem for its roster. Since 2014, b1 Recordings has been home to Frans Zimmer, the Berlin-based DJ and producer who performs under the stage name Alle Farben—a German phrase translating to "All Colours." Zimmer, born on 5 June 1985, grew up in the Kreuzberg district of Berlin, where he continues to live and work. His path to the label was anything but linear: after being denied admission to an art university following high school, he took on odd jobs, including working as a confectioner in a Berlin café, before he began spinning records in the city's nightclubs and bars in 2010. Inspired by the painter Friedensreich Hundertwasser, he initially adopted the alias "Hundert Farben" before settling on his current name. His signing to b1 Recordings marked a pivotal institutional step in a career that had already been building momentum through grassroots Berlin club nights.

Catalog & Musical Direction

The musical output associated with b1 Recordings reflects a commitment to the German electronic and dance music scene. One notable release on the b1 imprint is the 2015 remix of Buray's "Istersen," reworked by Alle Farben, showcasing the label's interest in bridging Turkish pop sensibilities with Berlin's electronic production style. More broadly, the artist signed to the label has built an extensive discography spanning original singles, EPs, and a substantial body of remix work. Zimmer's debut album, Synesthesia – I Think in Colours, arrived on 25 May 2014 through Kallias and Sony Music, featuring fifteen tracks with vocal collaborations from Graham Candy, Lydmor, and Sway Clarke II, plus bonus remixes by Bakermat and Goldfish. His catalog includes EPs like Pretty Small (with YOUNOTUS, 2015) and My Ghost (2016), as well as singles such as "Get High" featuring Lowell and "Remember Yesterday" with Perttu and Michael Schulte. The label's association with this body of work positions it within a vibrant ecosystem of German dance music production.

Berlin Roots & European Reach

b1 Recordings is deeply embedded in the Berlin music scene, a city whose club culture has long served as a crucible for electronic music. The label's principal artist, Alle Farben, was raised in the Kreuzberg district and still calls that neighbourhood home, where he both lives and produces. His journey into music began in 2010, when he started playing sets in Berlin's bars and nightclubs—a grassroots origin that many labels in the city champion. A defining live moment came on 9 May 2012, when Zimmer performed for a crowd of 30,000 at the former Tempelhof Airport, a venue that has become synonymous with large-scale electronic music events in the capital. Since that breakthrough, he has maintained a relentless touring schedule, playing almost every weekend across Europe and also taking his sets to Tel Aviv. This combination of local Berlin authenticity and international touring reach gives b1 Recordings a distinctive profile: a label rooted in one of the world's most important electronic music cities while its artist's music travels far beyond Germany's borders.

Recognition & Career Trajectory

The awards and nominations tied to the artist on b1 Recordings' roster trace a clear arc from emerging talent to established figure in German dance music. In 2011, Zimmer won the PARTYSAN Award in the Newcomer category, and the following year he took the DJ National prize at the Newcomer Contest Bayern. By 2014, he was nominated for a 1Live Krone in the Beste Single category, and in 2015 he received an ECHO nomination for Dance National. That same year, the Newcomer Contest Bayern recognised his growth with a nomination in the "From Newcomer to Star" category—a fitting label for an artist who had moved from spinning in Kreuzberg bars to headlining major European festivals. His 2019 collaboration with James Blunt on the single and music video "Walk Away" demonstrated that his reach extended well beyond the dance music world into mainstream pop territory. For b1 Recordings, these milestones underscore the label's role in nurturing an artist who has consistently earned recognition across multiple German music institutions.