Ed Banger Records is a French electronic music record label founded in March 2003 by Pedro Winter (Busy P) in Montmartre, Paris, as a division of Headbangers Entertainment. The label focuses on house music, particularly French house, as well as alternative dance, electro, hip hop, nu disco, and synthpop. Ed Banger is home to Justice, Sebastian, Breakbot, Cassius, DJ Mehdi, Mr Oizo, Uffie, Myd, Krazy Baldhead, Mr Flash, So Me, Feadz, and Boston Bun, as well as Winter himself under the alias Busy P. Most of the Ed Banger Records video and album art is coordinated by So Me. In June 2026, Pedro Winter joined Because Music France as Global Head of Creation and Co-Managing Director, with Ed Banger entering a partnership with Because Music. Entering 2026, the label continues its momentum with breakthrough releases from Rnboi, Sebastien Tellier, and the success of What You Want by Angele and Justice.
The label's second release, Justice's We Are Your Friend, became a generation anthem. Drawing on the street energy of hip hop, rock's explosion, and the hypnotic compression of house music, but remaining open to all other influences, the sound of the label, mostly electronic and saturated, has become a trademark registered worldwide. The revered roster (Justice, DJ Mehdi, Sebastian, BreakBot, Mr Oizo, Boston Bun) and So Me's post-cartoon imaging are practically pop culture icons, especially within the world of new media (blogs, forums, social networks) where Ed Banger remains at the top of their game. MTV and Grammy awards winner, Ed Banger is one of the most respected French record labels in the world. The label enjoyed a dramatic rise in fame in early 2007 when a number of the artists signed to its roster found mainstream success, most notably French electronic group Justice, whose rework of Never Be Alone by Simian was a success in clubs worldwide, entering the UK charts at number 20. The music video for the single won the award for best video at the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2006.
Notable Artists and Releases
Ed Banger has released over 100 records since 2003. Here are the most significant:
- Justice - Cross (2007). The duo's debut album reached #1 on the US and UK dance album charts and #11 in France. It was nominated for Best Electronic/Dance Album at the 50th Grammy Awards. The single "D.A.N.C.E." was nominated for Best Dance Recording. Cross was certified gold in the US and diamond in Europe (200,000+ sales).
- Justice - Audio, Video, Disco (2011). Second album, peaking at #5 in France, #37 on the US Billboard 200, and #15 in the UK.
- Justice - Woman (2016). Third album, reaching #17 in France and #47 in the UK.
- Justice - Hyperdrama (2024). Fourth album, debuting at #2 in France, #1 on the US Top Dance Albums chart, and #1 on the UK Dance Albums chart. The track "Neverender" feat. Tame Impala won the Grammy for Best Dance/Electronic Recording. The album was also nominated for Best Dance/Electronic Album.
- Sebastian - Total (2011). His debut album, featuring his saturated electro production style.
- Breakbot - By Your Side (2012). His debut album, featuring the hit single "Baby I'm Yours" feat. Irfane.
- DJ Mehdi - Lucky Boy (2006). The late producer's album, a defining early Ed Banger release.
- Breakbot - Baby I'm Yours feat. Irfane (2010). The watercolor-animated video, directed by Irina Dakeva with approximately 2,000 hand-painted images, became a viral hit.
- Justice - "We Are Your Friends" (2003). The label's second release ever. The Simian rework entered the UK charts at #20 and won Best Video at the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2006.
Official Music Videos
Label Documentary and Interview
How Ed Banger Operates
Ed Banger Records runs dedicated A&R under founder Pedro Winter (Busy P) from its Paris headquarters. It operates with distribution through Because Music and Virgin Music Group. The label's strength is its 23-year history as one of the most respected French electronic labels in the world, with a trademark sound that is mostly electronic and saturated. Its model combines a record label, a visual art operation (coordinated by So Me), and a global touring operation (its artists tour worldwide with DJ and live performances at sold-out venues). The June 2026 partnership with Because Music, with Winter joining as Global Head of Creation and Co-Managing Director, expands the label's reach within an integrated independent music company combining artist development, catalogue strategy, and global direct-to-platform distribution.
Deal Structures
Ed Banger operates as an independent label offering traditional recording deals. The label previously used licensing agreements for US distribution, including a deal with Vice Records (distributed by Warner Music Group's Alternative Distribution Alliance) starting in 2007. The June 2026 partnership with Because Music brought Ed Banger into an integrated independent music company with global direct-to-platform distribution. Winter's role as Global Head of Creation and Co-Managing Director at Because Music France gives the label access to expanded artist development and catalogue strategy resources. Deals are negotiated personally by Winter, who has managed artists from Daft Punk through to Justice.
How Artists Get Signed
Ed Banger does not accept unsolicited demos. Signings happen through personal connections and accidental meetings. Justice was signed after Winter met Xavier de Rosnay and Gaspard Auge at a dinner in Paris in 2003. They played him their music, and he signed them within a week. Sebastian came on board in 2004 after visiting the Ed Banger office with hip-hop tracks, then revealing his electronic productions at the end of the meeting. Mr. Flash was the first signing after he approached Winter for management and Winter decided to release his music instead. The label's A&R is driven entirely by Winter's personal taste and network. Building a relationship with the Paris electronic scene or connecting with existing Ed Banger artists is the most viable path.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
If you make French house, electro, alternative dance, nu disco, or synthpop, Ed Banger Records is one of the most respected French electronic labels in the world, with a 23-year history and a trademark sound. Its roster of iconic artists (Justice, Sebastian, Breakbot, Mr Oizo) shows it can develop artists with long-term cultural impact. The June 2026 partnership with Because Music, with Winter joining as Global Head of Creation and Co-Managing Director, expands the label's reach and resources. Its global touring operation provides live performance opportunities at sold-out venues worldwide.
Drawbacks and Things to Consider
- French house and electro focus: Ed Banger signs French house, electro, and alternative dance. Artists in other genres should look elsewhere.
- No unsolicited demos: Ed Banger does not accept cold submissions.
- Iconic roster: The label's iconic roster (Justice, Sebastian) means new artists may face comparison to established acts.
- Saturated sound: Ed Banger's trademark sound is mostly electronic and saturated, which may not fit all electronic artists.
Related Resources
- Record Label Contracts Explained - What an Ed Banger deal contains
- Independent Labels vs Major Labels - The French electronic label model
- How to Get a Record Deal in 2026 - Building an electronic profile
- Defected Records - A related house label
- Ed Banger Records Official Site - Roster and store
Similar Labels
- Anjunadeep - Independent electronic label with a comparable curatorial ethos
- Ultra Music - Electronic label with major-label backing and French house connections
- Defected Records - Independent house label with a similar single-genre focus
