Ninja Tune

Ninja Tune is a British independent electronic label founded in 1990 in London by Matt Black and Jonathan More, the duo known as Coldcut. It is home to Bonobo, ODESZA, Bicep, Black Country New Road, and Young Fathers. On March 12, 2026, Concord acquired Ninja Tune, including its publishing arm Just Isn't Music (whose catalog includes works by The Prodigy, Soulwax, and Nova Twins). The label continues to operate under its existing leadership team (Marie Clausen, Dawn Dobson, Martin Dobson, Adrian Kemp, Tess Kendall, Peter Quicke, and Samantha Sissons) from its London and Los Angeles offices.

Ninja Tune has been at the forefront of independent electronic music for over 30 years. It has earned multiple GRAMMY nominations for Bonobo, ODESZA, Jayda G, and via its Brainfeeder partnership (Hiatus Kaiyote, Louis Cole, Thundercat). The label has released Top-5 UK charting albums from Bicep, Bonobo, and Black Country New Road, and a Top-10 album from Young Fathers. It relaunched its Big Dada imprint as a label run by Ninja Tune's Black, POC, and minority ethnic staff.

How Ninja Tune Operates

Ninja Tune runs dedicated A&R for electronic, downtempo, dance, and experimental music. It has a longstanding partnership with Brainfeeder (Flying Lotus's label) to release and distribute its catalog worldwide, and a partnership with ODESZA's Foreign Family Collective. Following the March 2026 Concord acquisition, distribution moved to Concord, expanding the label's access to Concord's publishing and label services (supported by Concord's 2025 acquisition of the Stem distribution platform).

Notable Artists and Releases

• Bonobo - Simon Green, one of Ninja Tune's most successful artists. His albums Black Sands (2010), The North Borders (2013), and Migration (2017) earned multiple GRAMMY nominations and charted in the UK Top 5. Bonobo on Ninja Tune
• Bicep - Belfast duo Andy Ferguson and Matt McBriar. Their self-titled debut album (2017) and Isles (2021) both reached the UK Top 5, with Isles earning a BRIT nomination. Bicep on Ninja Tune
• Young Fathers - Edinburgh-based trio Alloysious Massaquoi, Kayus Bankole, and Graham Hastings. They won the Mercury Prize in 2014 for Dead and released the Top-10 album Heavy Heavy (2023) on Ninja Tune. Young Fathers on Ninja Tune
• The Cinematic Orchestra - Jason Swinscoe's project, known for blending jazz, electronic, and orchestral music. Their 2002 album Every Day and the live score Man With a Movie Camera are regarded as classics of the Ninja Tune catalog. The Cinematic Orchestra on Ninja Tune
• ODESZA - Seattle duo Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight, signed through Ninja Tune's partnership with their Foreign Family Collective. Their albums A Moment Apart (2017) and The Last Goodbye (2022) received GRAMMY nominations. ODESZA on Ninja Tune
• Roots Manuva - Rodney Smith, a pioneer of UK hip-hop. His albums Brand New Second Hand (2001) and Run Come Save Me (2001) were released on Big Dada, Ninja Tune's imprint. Roots Manuva on Ninja Tune
• Jayda G - Canadian DJ and producer. Her 2020 single "Both of Us" earned a GRAMMY nomination for Best Dance Recording. Jayda G on Ninja Tune
• Floating Points - Sam Shepherd, whose 2021 album Promises (a collaboration with Pharoah Sanders and the London Symphony Orchestra) was widely acclaimed. Floating Points on Ninja Tune

Label History and Milestones

• 1990: Matt Black and Jonathan More (Coldcut) found Ninja Tune in London after a tour of Japan. The name comes from Japanese ninja TV shows they discovered on tour. The first release is Zen Brakes Vol. 1 by Bogus Order (a Coldcut alias).
• 1990 to 1994: The DJ Food Jazz Brakes series (five volumes) is released, establishing Ninja Tune as a source of breakbeats and sample material for DJs and producers.
• 1995: The label's first compilation album, Funkjazztical Tricknology, is released.
• 1996: The Ninja Tune club night Stealth is named Club of the Year by NME.
• 1997: Big Dada imprint is founded as one of the UK's early hip-hop labels focused on Black and minority ethnic artists.
• 2008: Ninja Tune begins its partnership with Flying Lotus's Brainfeeder label for worldwide distribution and releases.
• 2014: Young Fathers win the Mercury Prize for their album Dead, released on Big Dada.
• 2017: Bonobo's Migration and ODESZA's A Moment Apart both receive GRAMMY nominations.
• 2021: Bicep's Isles reaches number 2 on the UK album chart and receives a BRIT nomination.
• 2023: Young Fathers' Heavy Heavy reaches the UK Top 10 and is Mercury Prize nominated.
• March 2026: Concord acquires Ninja Tune, including its publishing arm Just Isn't Music. The label continues under its existing leadership team.

Video Gallery

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

Ninja Tune is one of the most respected independent electronic labels in the world. Its roster of GRAMMY-nominated and chart-topping electronic acts shows it can break artists both critically and commercially. The Concord acquisition gives it additional resources while preserving its leadership and identity.

Drawbacks and Things to Consider

• Concord ownership: As of March 2026, Ninja Tune is no longer fully independent. It is now part of Concord, though it operates under its existing team.
• Highly selective: Ninja Tune signs a limited number of artists each year.
• No unsolicited demos: Ninja Tune does not accept cold submissions.
• Electronic focus: Ninja Tune primarily signs electronic and experimental music, though its roster has expanded into indie (Black Country New Road).

Related Resources

• Record Label Contracts Explained - What a Ninja Tune deal contains
• Independent Labels vs Major Labels - The Concord acquisition in context
• How to Get a Record Deal in 2026 - Building an electronic music profile
• Warp Records - A related electronic indie label
• Ninja Tune Official Site - Roster and releases