Blacksmith Records

Lore & Background

The label released several notable projects, including Talib Kweli's 'Eardrum' (2007) and 'Gutter Rainbows' (2011), Jean Grae and 9th Wonder's 'Jeanius' (2008), and Vince Staples' 'Summertime '06' (2015) and 'Big Fish Theory' (2017). After the label ceased operations in 2012, the Blacksmith brand continued as a management company. By 2024, Blacksmith Management represented artists including Chad Hugo and Vince Staples.

Reader's Guide

Blacksmith Records occupies a distinct place in hip-hop history as a boutique label founded by an artist-manager partnership. Its significance lies in its early support of artists who would later achieve critical and commercial success, most notably Vince Staples, whose debut album 'Summertime '06' was released under Blacksmith. The label also provided a platform for Jean Grae and the group Strong Arm Steady, contributing to the underground and alternative hip-hop scenes of the late 2000s and early 2010s. Though the label itself was short-lived, its transition into a management company allowed the brand to persist, continuing to work with artists like Chad Hugo. Blacksmith's legacy is tied to its curated roster and its role in bridging independent sensibilities with major-label distribution before its dissolution.

Did You Know?

• Blacksmith Records was founded by Harlem-born Corey Smyth and Talib Kweli of Black Star in 2005.
• The label originally distributed through Warner Bros. Records but split in December 2008.
• As of 2012, the label was defunct and was disbanded after Kweli's manager decided to focus the Blacksmith brand as a management company.
• As of 2024, Blacksmith Management is home to artists such as Chad Hugo and Vince Staples.