Big Crown Records is an American independent soul and funk label founded in 2016 by Leon Michels and Danny Akalepse in Brooklyn, New York. It is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2026 with a series of showcase events: September 11 at Chicago's Thalia Hall, October 10 at Los Angeles' The Bellwether, and October 24 at Brooklyn's Elsewhere. The label's roster includes El Michels Affair, Lady Wray, Marco Benevento, Bobby Oroza, Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band, Homer, Dave Guy, Thee Heart Tones, and Thee Marloes.
Big Crown built its reputation on modern soul and funk recordings with a global sensibility. Its signings span American soul (Lady Wray, El Michels Affair), Finnish soul (Bobby Oroza), German funk (Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band), Indonesian soul (Thee Marloes), and Turkish psych (Derya Yildirim & Grup Simsek). The label's 10th anniversary in 2026 includes a rollerskating record fair at Brooklyn's Xanadu venue on July 25, featuring DJ sets from Edan, El Michels Affair, and Akalepse. Marco Benevento's album Glera was released in 2026.
How Big Crown Operates
Big Crown runs a small, selective A&R operation from its Brooklyn headquarters. The label is built around Leon Michels' production and a community of musicians who record for the label. Its model favors artists with a distinct soul, funk, or global sound. The label's 10th anniversary showcases in 2026 feature cross-pollination between roster acts, reflecting the collaborative nature of the Big Crown community.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
If you make soul, funk, Afrobeat, or global music with an analog aesthetic, Big Crown is one of the most respected independent labels in that space. Its global roster (American, Finnish, German, Indonesian, Turkish artists) shows it signs across borders. Its 10-year track record and anniversary showcases in 2026 signal continued growth.
Drawbacks and Things to Consider
- Highly selective: Big Crown signs very few artists each year.
- No unsolicited demos: Big Crown does not accept cold submissions.
- Analog soul aesthetic: The label has a distinct sound. Music outside that aesthetic will not fit.
- Small team: A boutique operation has limited marketing bandwidth.
Notable Artists and Releases
| Artist | Release | Year | Chart Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Michels Affair | Return to the 37th Chamber | 2017 | iTunes Hip-Hop Albums No. 11, Wu-Tang Clan instrumental reinterpretations |
| El Michels Affair | Yeti Season | 2021 | UK Record Store Chart No. 39, KEXP Top 30 |
| Lady Wray | Queen Alone | 2016 | iTunes R&B/Soul Albums No. 18, Big Crown debut release for Lady Wray |
| Lady Wray | Piece of Me | 2022 | UK Americana Chart No. 17, UK R&B Chart No. 7, UK Indie Chart No. 43 |
| Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band | 55 | 2016 | "PIMP" cover surpassed 40 million Spotify streams, featured in Academy Award-winning film Anatomy of a Fall (2024) |
| Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band | The Serpent's Mouth | 2018 | iTunes Albums No. 76, covers of Dr. Dre, Mobb Deep, Jan Hammer |
| Bobby Oroza | This Love | 2019 | "This Love" sampled by Earl Sweatshirt on "Hat Trick", underground hit in Scandinavia |
| Thee Marloes | Di Hotel Malibu | 2026 | Qobuz Album of the Week, sophomore album from Indonesian soul trio |
Video Highlights
Deal Structures
Big Crown Records operates as a boutique independent label. The label offers traditional recording contracts with Leon Michels producing most releases at The Diamond Mine studio in Queens, New York. Master ownership is retained by the label during the contract term. The label provides recording budgets, analog production, vinyl pressing, and distribution through its independent network. Big Crown does not offer 360 deals. Contracts are typically single-album or multi-album deals focused on analog soul and funk recordings. The label's small size means limited marketing budgets compared to larger independents. Licensing deals are available for artists who own their masters and seek distribution only.
How Artists Get Signed
- Personal relationships: Big Crown signs artists through founder Leon Michels' personal network and the Brooklyn soul community.
- A&R scouting: Michels and co-founder Danny Akalepse identify artists through live performances and word-of-mouth.
- Manager or agent submissions: Artists submit through established representation. Cold demos are not accepted.
- Community integration: Artists who record with Big Crown's house musicians are more likely to be signed.
- Creative meeting: Michels and Akalepse meet with the artist to discuss sound, production approach, and compatibility.
- Contract negotiation: The label offers a recording contract with terms specific to the artist's project scope.
Similar Labels
- Daptone Records - Brooklyn-based soul label with similar analog recording approach
- Colemine Records - Ohio-based soul and funk label with similar aesthetic
- Fat Possum Records - Blues and roots indie label with boutique approach
- Numero Group - Boutique label focused on curated reissues and new recordings
- International Anthem - Chicago-based indie label with global sensibility
Related Resources
- Record Label Contracts Explained - What a Big Crown deal contains
- Independent Labels vs Major Labels - The boutique independent model
- How to Get a Record Deal in 2026 - Building a soul music profile
- Daptone Records - A related Brooklyn soul label
- Big Crown Records Official Site - Roster and releases
