How Hellbent is Incubating the Next Generation of Tech House Producers
Tech house producer Cloonee has been making his mark in more ways than one in the electronic music community. As a result, he’s on track to become one of house music’s biggest names. Beyond his sub-thumping productions, his DJ sets are expertly curated and prove that he’s got a keen ear for unexpected records that can get a crowd hyped. So, it makes sense that he’d parlay that expert ear into launching his record label, Hellbent Records, earlier this year.
Hellbent Records was launched for Cloonee to shine a light on up-and-coming artists in the scene who may not be getting the exposure they deserve, as well as to release some of his highly-requested unreleased work. Cloonee has expressed his love for discovering new music in the past, and this will elevate that passion to a whole new level. Ever the crate digger, he is always on the hunt for new artists. Starting an imprint seemed like a logical step forward.
Hellbent Records is home to “good music for bad people,” according to Cloonee. The first track released on the label was “Tripasia,” in collaboration with rising Brazilian producer Brisotti. Cloonee teased this track numerous times in his festival and club sets, making it a fan favorite, so it was a perfect way to kick off the label’s launch. And considering Brosotti’s relatively small but impressive catalog (he’s got releases on Nervous and Solid Grooves), getting the co-sign with a collaboration with a producer who carries at much weight as Cloonee does, is a significant boost. This kind of creative cross-pollination is precisely what the label is all about.
Brisotti isn’t the only Brazilian producer with a Hellbent track. Rio de Janeiro-based bewav has releases on the label as well – “Baila Co.” and “All On Me.” Hellbent also recently saw the release of the upbeat house flip of the classic Fergie song “Glamorous.” Titled “G.L.A.M.,” by up-and-coming producer Trace —who hails from Uzbekistan—it carries the same low-end weight and crispy clean drums indicative of the Cloonee sound.
Finding these international gems proves that Cloonee is genuinely doing the work to support young rising talent and create a home and platform for the future stars of house music. And DJs and dancefloors agree, even in it's infant stages Hellbent has scored big wins. Both the Welcome to Hell and Baila Co EPs ended up at number one in Beatport's overall releases chart.
Cloonee has made it clear that if listeners are looking for “chart appeal,” this is not the label for them. Hellbent is a passion project for the producer. He intends to strictly sign records he would play in his own sets or want to hear in the club.
