Ghostly International

09/14/20 • 80 min

We meet Samuel Valenti IV, head of Ghostly International.

We meet Samuel Valenti IV, head of Ghostly International. Founded on the outskirts of Detroit in 1999, Ghostly began as a platform for multitalented locals Matthew Dear, Tadd Mullinix and Todd Osborn, and later expanding into hip-hop, ambient and even harp music. Valenti has also been a savvy operator in the shift to digital media, pioneering new technology and selling everything from art prints to xylophones under the Ghostly marque. We talked about his early rave days, the loss of an important mentor, and how labels can survive “the dip”.

Check out the accompanying RELEVANT PARTIES Playlist on Spotify: https://bit.ly/relevantparties_playlist

Ghostly International: https://open.spotify.com/user/ghostlyint | https://ghostly.com | https://www.instagram.com/ghostly/

Carhartt WIP: https://www.carhartt-wip.com/ | https://instagram.com/carharttwip/

We meet Samuel Valenti IV, head of Ghostly International.

Check out the accompanying RELEVANT PARTIES Playlist on Spotify: https://bit.ly/relevantparties_playlist

Ghostly International: https://open.spotify.com/user/ghostlyint | https://ghostly.com | https://www.instagram.com/ghostly/

Carhartt WIP: https://www.carhartt-wip.com/ | https://instagram.com/carharttwip/

Previous Episode

Stones Throw Records

We meet the founder of Stones Throw Records Chris Manak, better known as Peanut Butter Wolf.

In the first episode of RELEVANT PARTIES we meet Chris Manak, better known as Peanut Butter Wolf. As the founder of Stones Throw Records, Manak is behind some of the most ground-breaking hip-hop records ever made, assisting artists like Madlib, J Dilla and MF Doom to reach their creative peaks. But although Stones Throw will always be associated with a certain seam of underground beatmaking, the Los Angeles label is home to every kind of musical eccentric: from Mayer Hawthorne’s vintage soul and the eccentric grooves of Dâm-Funk to Gary Wilson’s lo-fi new wave and experimental pop from Sudan Archives. Manak talks to Chal Ravens about the label’s musical growth, his childhood in San Jose, the tragic loss of his rap partner Charizma, and the extraordinary experience of watching a Stones Throw single go platinum around the world.

Check out the accompanying RELEVANT PARTIES Playlist on Spotify: https://bit.ly/relevantparties_playlist

Stones Throw Records: https://www.instagram.com/stonesthrow/ | https://www.stonesthrow.com/ | https://open.spotify.com/user/stonesthrowrecords

Carhartt WIP: https://www.carhartt-wip.com/ | https://instagram.com/carharttwip/

Next Episode

Jazzy Sport

We meet Taro Kesen, the co-founder behind Jazzy Sport, one of Japan’s most important hubs for hip-hop culture.

We meet Taro Kesen, the co-founder behind Jazzy Sport, one of Japan’s most important hubs for hip-hop culture since it launched in 2003. Taking influence from the vinyl-worshipping beat culture that hails Dilla and Madlib as kings, the label has been a crucial platform for homegrown artists like hip-hop crew Gagle, veteran selector Grooveman Spot, and acid jazz ensemble Cro-Magnon. But while Jazzy Sport’s roots are in hip-hop, the label and its record stores are an eclectic portal for all kinds of music – and they’ve even branched out into physical recreation, famed for their ski trips and hip-hop-soundtracked climbing competitions. In this episode, Taro talks to Chal about hip-hop's global reach, clubbing in ‘90s London and his undying love for underground culture.

Check out the accompanying RELEVANT PARTIES Playlist on Spotify: https://bit.ly/relevantparties_playlist

Jazzy Sport: https://soundcloud.com/jazzysport | https://www.jazzysport.com/

Carhartt WIP: https://www.carhartt-wip.com/ | https://instagram.com/carharttwip/