Label Watch: Play Me Records

You know, it’s difficult to be a fan of EDM and not know DJ Reid Speed and her label Play Me Records. The Los Angeles based digital record label has become an industry darling when it comes to the American dubstep and fidget house genres. DJ Reid Speed, born Reid Margolis, started out in New York’s legendary Breakbeat Science Store working the counter while in college at School of Visual Arts. Her love of drum and bass music always there, but two step and speed garage sounds inspired Margolis to start spinning full-time.

After signing to Breakbeat Science’s label, Reid garnered quite a bit of recognition and critical acclaim after her 2001 release “Resonance.” The success from her 2003 follow-up “Life After Dark” allowed for touring opportunities around the world and with artists like Ming and FS. It was while she was on tour with Ming and FS that was was able to fine tune and develop her signature genre breaking sound that earned her the respect of a premiere DJ. Reid’s innovative sound and eclectic ear would serve her well in her next endeavor. After almost a decade of making a name for herself as “old school” drum and bass spinner in the very competitive New York DJ scene, Reid was presented with an opportunity to run her own record label. Shortly after the release of 2009’s “Under The Influence,” Play Me was founded alongside her husband Alex Ronsson. Since then, the label has gone on to remarkable success such as being voted Best Dubstep Label of 2010 by Beatport, and Best Branded Label of 2012 on Symphonic Distribution.

Play Me Records has also released several chart toppers or top 10 mainstays in the dubstep music charts. Play Me Records claim to fame is offering impeccably produced full frequency range dance music. The label offers an exhibition of entries Dubstep, Drumstep, Drum & Bass, Glitch Hop, Electro House, Moombahton, and Trap genres. They also feature a rather impressive roster of artists featuring: Figure J. Rabbit, Dillon Francis, Singularity, Dirt Monkey, Riot, Mantis, SirensCeol, Donkong, Bro Safari, MUST DIE, Spag Heddy Nostalgia, ORFAZ and 2010’s Best New Artist, Bare just to name a few.

The success of Play Me promped Reid and Ronsson to start up a sub label Play Me Too Records. With over 250 artists on board and eagerness to find new and exciting artists, Play Me remains poised to not only compete with the big name record labels in the currently offered genres, but to also excel and pioneer any new ones that arise.

—Cory Royster

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