Ultra Music

Ultra Music (also known as Ultra Records) is an American electronic and dance music label owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Founded in 1995, the label is led by president David Waxman (since 2022) with Carlos Alcala as Director of A&R. Ultra's roster includes MK, Benny Benassi, Gordo, DVBBS, Monolink, Black Coffee, Icona Pop, TroyBoi, Anabel Englund, Boris Brejcha, Eli Brown, and Solardo. The label has 574 releases tracked, with its latest release being Lose Control (July 24, 2026). Its 2026 releases include Nelly Furtado and DVBBS' Torture of the Heart, Marshall Jefferson and Solardo's Move Your Body, Anabel Englund and DEPARTAMENTO's Midnight Calling, TroyBoi and Toxic Rob's Way Better, and Tom Novy, Mooglie, and Mont Rouge's Your Body 2026.

Ultra Records operates under the Sony Music Entertainment umbrella, positioning it within a major-label structure while maintaining an identity tied to club and electronic music culture. The label is also known as Ultra Music and Payday. Within its roster and releases, Ultra Records is associated with electronic and dance-oriented music, reflected in artists such as MK, Benny Benassi, Gordo, DVBBS, and Monolink. The label's catalog also extends into adjacent pop and crossover territory, illustrated by acts like Icona Pop and Tommy Genesis. Ultra Records entered the A&R Pop-Up Lounge at Winter Music Conference 2026 with Sony backing behind it and one of the business's key players at the helm. With David Waxman leading the label as president since 2022, Ultra brings major-label reach, strong market presence, and the kind of industry gravity that gives this appearance real weight. Carlos Alcala, Ultra's Director of A&R and label rep, holds a big position inside one of WMC's most exciting new activations.

How Ultra Music Operates

Ultra Music runs dedicated A&R under president David Waxman and Director of A&R Carlos Alcala from its New York headquarters. It operates under the Sony Music Entertainment umbrella, giving it major-label distribution and resources. The label's strength is its major-label backing combined with a club and electronic music identity. Its model combines a record label with Sony Music Entertainment distribution, positioning it within a major-label structure while maintaining its club and electronic music culture identity. Its presence at industry events like the Winter Music Conference 2026 A&R Pop-Up Lounge shows its active A&R engagement.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

If you make electronic dance music, house, pop dance, tech house, or melodic techno, Ultra Music is a major-label-backed electronic label with Sony Music Entertainment distribution and resources. Its roster of established electronic artists (MK, Benny Benassi, Black Coffee, Boris Brejcha) alongside crossover acts (Icona Pop, Gordo) shows it can develop artists across both club and pop contexts. Its major-label backing provides marketing and distribution resources that independent labels cannot match. Its presence at industry events like the Winter Music Conference shows its active A&R engagement.

Drawbacks and Things to Consider

• Major-label structure: Ultra operates under Sony Music Entertainment, which means deals may be less artist-friendly than independent labels.
• Electronic and dance focus: Ultra signs electronic and dance music. Artists in other genres should look elsewhere.
• No unsolicited demos: Ultra does not accept cold submissions.
• Major-label bureaucracy: Major-label deals can involve more bureaucracy and less creative control than independent label deals.

Related Resources

• Record Label Contracts Explained - What an Ultra deal contains
• Independent Labels vs Major Labels - The major-label-backed electronic label model
• How to Get a Record Deal in 2026 - Building an electronic profile
• Astralwerks - A related major-label electronic imprint
• Ultra Music Official Site - Roster and releases