DSN Music
American label issuing heavy metal and hip hop music.
DSN Music is an American record label and music licensing company founded in 2003 as a subsidiary of Arizona-based Digital Syndicate Network (DSN). It was founded by former EMusic executive Guy Giuliano and issues music in the heavy metal and hip hop genres. The label emerged from a reorganization of earlier entities, including Digital Syndicate TV and a music platform spun off in 2003, and was renamed DSN Music in 2005.
- known_for
- Heavy metal and hip hop releases, music documentaries
Lore & Background
DSN Music originated from Digital Syndicate TV, a video production company established in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2000, which produced broadcast television commercials and music videos, including the rock music video series Crank It Up! that aired over UPN owned TV stations in fall 2000 and later on the American Independent Network (AIN). In 2003, Digital Syndicate TV spun off a separate platform named Digital Syndicate Music, which showcased content from independent musicians. In 2005, the entities were reorganized under a new Arizona-based company Digital Syndicate Network, and the music platform was transformed into a digital music label renamed DSN Music.
Reader's Guide
DSN Music represents a transitional phase in the music industry, moving from independent video production to a digital label model. Founded by former EMusic executive Guy Giuliano, the label focused on heavy metal and hip hop genres, and expanded its reach by purchasing Portland, Oregon based Tom Kat Records in 2008, which provided distribution in brick-and-mortar retail outlets for CD sales. The label also produced music documentaries such as 'Omen... Back For More' and 'Static! The Rockumentary'. Its audio and video production facility, the DSN Media Center, was based in Sedona, Arizona from 2005 to 2022. DSN Music's significance lies in its integration of video production, digital distribution, and physical retail, reflecting the evolving landscape of independent music licensing and label operations in the early 2000s.
Did You Know?
- DSN Music was founded by former EMusic executive Guy Giuliano.
- The label issues music in the heavy metal and hip hop genres.
- DSN Music produced the documentaries 'Omen: Back for More' and 'Static! The Rockumentary'.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is DSN Music?
DSN Music is an American record label and music licensing company that operates as a subsidiary of the Arizona-based Digital Syndicate Network. It focuses on releasing heavy metal and hip hop recordings.
Who founded DSN Music?
The label was set up in 2003 by Guy Giuliano, who came to the project after serving as an executive at EMusic.
What genres does DSN Music release?
Its catalog centers on two genres—heavy metal and hip hop—and it also puts out music documentaries alongside standard album releases.
How did DSN Music get its name?
The operation grew out of a reorganization that folded Digital Syndicate TV and a music platform spun off in 2003 into a single entity, which was then rebranded as DSN Music in 2005.
Why is DSN Music notable to metal fans?
It stands out as a U.S.-based label that deliberately pairs heavy metal with hip hop under one distribution and licensing umbrella, giving both scenes a shared American home through its parent company, Digital Syndicate Network.
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