Overview: What is Strictly Rhythm?

Strictly Rhythm Records is house music. Since 1989 the legendary New York label not only put out records by almost every name in the game, but it also defined house music throughout the 1990s with Erick Morillo, Todd Terry, Louie Vega, Kenny Dope, Armand Van Helden, DJ Pierre, Roger Sanchez, Josh Wink, Ultra Naté and Barbara Tucker. As well as keeping the underground stoked with a steady supply of club grooves, the label also delivered a stream of crossover hits with Reel 2 Real’s “I Like To Move It”, Ultra Naté’s “Free”, Wamdue Project’s “King Of My Castle” and Wink’s “Higher State Of Consciousness”.

Relaunched in 2007 after a five year break following a short-lived venture with Warner Music, Strictly Rhythm did what no dance label had ever done: successfully re-launch itself. The label made many of its classic releases available on digital download for the first time and signed new productions from the likes of Quentin Harris, Osunlade, Bingo Players Vs Chocolate Puma, Dennis Ferrer, Michel Cleis, Dirty South and Bob Sinclar. Three years later and now fully re-established, Strictly Rhythm opened a new London office in November 2010.

Still an innovator, the label that invented the 12” white label and put out the first ever commercially released DJ Mix CD in 1993 (The Tony Humphries Strictly Rhythm Mix) is now enabling both new and established talent through its joint venture label set-up, the Strictly Rhythm Music Group. The Strictly Rhythm Music Group currently has 20 labels with partners in the US, UK, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Australia and Ireland. Recent signings include Tristan Garner (Xtra Life), Doman & Gooding (Superficial) and Jupiter Ace (Big Vision).

Strictly Rhythm has offices in New York, London, Rome and Berlin.

Strictly Rhythm is an established record label operating within the global electronic music market. Based out of New York, United States, this imprint plays a vital role in connecting music producers with electronic music enthusiasts, DJs, and streaming audiences worldwide. Through curated releases, digital distribution, and targeted promotion, the label works continuously to build a distinct musical brand and foster emerging artist talent.

📍 Location & Base: New York, United States. 1989 – present

Sound Profile and Genres Released

Understanding the sonic identity of Strictly Rhythm is crucial before pitching your music. The label focuses heavily on signature underground and commercial electronic soundscapes, maintaining high standards for composition, rhythm, and overall production value.

The primary music genres and styles released by this imprint include:

• House – Soulful vocal chops, classic four-on-the-floor drum patterns, and warm groove basslines.

Tracks considered for release generally share key elements: dynamic build-ups, strong dancefloor appeal, punchy drums, balanced low-end frequencies, and a distinct melodic or rhythmic motif that sets them apart from standard productions.

Complete Guide: How to Submit Demos

Submitting your unreleased tracks to the A&R team at Strictly Rhythm requires careful preparation. Record labels receive dozens of submissions daily, so presenting your demo professionally significantly increases your chances of getting noticed and signed.

1. Technical Track Preparation

• Finish Your Track Completely: Do not send unfinished loops, rough ideas, or work-in-progress clips. Only submit fully arranged, structured tracks ready for release consideration.
• Mixdown Quality: Ensure proper headroom (around -3dB to -6dB), crisp highs, and clear separation between instruments. Clean mixes grab A&R attention immediately.
• Audio Format: Use private streaming links such as SoundCloud or Box/Dropbox. Ensure tracks are downloadable if requested by the label.

2. Pitching Email Best Practices

• Personalize Your Message: Address the A&R team properly. Avoid generic template emails or mass CC/BCC sends, which are often automatically filtered out as spam.
• Include Essential Details: Briefly introduce yourself, mention 2–3 of your strongest unreleased tracks, and include your social media or Spotify artist profile links.
• Respect Privacy Settings: Always keep your SoundCloud playlist or track set to Private. Independent labels strictly prefer exclusive, unreleased music.

What Happens After You Submit Your Demo?

Once your demo is sent, the A&R (Artists and Repertoire) team evaluates the track based on musical fit, production quality, and current release schedules. Due to high submission volumes, response times can vary from a few days to several weeks.

If your track is accepted, representatives will reach out with a contract offer covering release schedules, master rights, revenue splits, and promotional plans across major streaming platforms like Beatport, Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.

Official Contacts & Digital Channels

Use the verified contacts and official platforms below to connect with Strictly Rhythm for demo submissions, licensing inquiries, and business communications:

Official Websites & Social Profiles:

Stream Music Catalog

Explore recent releases and signature tracks directly through the official streaming players below:

Catalog & Latest Discography

To explore the newest releases, EPs, and compilation albums from Strictly Rhythm, we recommend browsing their official streaming profiles and digital stores. Analyzing a label’s recent discography is essential for producers to understand their current sound direction, mixdown standards, and release frequency before pitching music.

• Beatport Catalog: Check the official Strictly Rhythm Beatport Store for high-quality WAV/AIFF downloads, charts, and new releases.
• SoundCloud Channel: Stream track teasers, podcast episodes, and previews on SoundCloud.

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Are you looking to submit demos to more record labels similar to Strictly Rhythm? Browse through our Find My Labels directory to discover active record labels filtered by genre, submission status, contact emails, A&R links, and location.