Missouri-based independent label Strange Music notches its eighth debut on Rap Albums this year as Stevie Stone’s “2 Birds 1 Stone” opens at No. 9 with 5,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. No other imprint has placed as many titles on the chart so far in 2013.
For comparison’s sake, Young Money and Cash Money are tied for the second-most debuts on Rap Albums this year with four titles.
All but two of the Strange Music’s eight chart entries this year made the top 10 of the list. Its onslaught of charting titles is far from over, with Krizz Kaliko’s “Son of Sam” (Aug. 27) and Prozak’s “We All Fall Down” (Sept. 17) still on deck. Both artists already have top 10 albums under their belts.
Artist, Title, Debut Position, Debut Date
Brotha Lynch Hung, “Mannibalector,” No. 8, 2/23/13
Kutt Calhoun, “Black Gold,” No. 13, 3/16/13
Ces Cru, “Constant Energy Struggles,” No. 9, 4/13/13
Rittz, “The Life and Times of Jonny Valiant,” No. 5, 5/18/13
Wrekonize, “The War Within,” No. 9, 7/13/13
Mayday!, “Believers,” No. 11, 8/3/13
Tech N9ne, “Something Else,” No. 2, 8/17/13
Stevie Stone, “2 Birds 1 Stone,” No. 9, 8/31/13
Strange Music was founded by Kansas City rapper Tech N9ne and California businessman Travis O’Guin in 1999 as a way to release N9ne’s solo albums. After a couple of joint ventures with JCOR Entertainment and MSC Entertainment, it went full-fledged independent in 2006, and is distributed by Ingrooves.
Impressively, Strange has logged its eight debuts this year with little radio support. No Strange Music act has charted a song on a Billboard airplay chart in 2013. What it lacks in airplay, however, it makes up in fan engagement with constant touring and timely merchandise.
