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.
Notable Artists and Releases
Ultra Music has 574 releases tracked. Here are the most significant:
- Benny Benassi - Hypnotica (2003). His debut album reached #5 on the French album charts. The single "Satisfaction" became a global electro house anthem and is considered a landmark of the genre.
- Benny Benassi - Electroman (2011). Third studio album, released on Ultra Music. The single "Cinema" feat. Gary Go peaked at #20 on the UK Singles Chart and #6 on the UK Dance Chart.
- MK - 17 (2017). Released on Area10/Ultra, the track amassed over 6.5 million Spotify streams and climbed charts worldwide. The official video has over 4.9 million YouTube views.
- MK ft. Chrystal - Dior (2025). MK's first UK #1 as a lead artist, topping the Official Singles Chart in summer 2025. It came 30 years after his chart debut in 1995.
- Black Coffee and David Guetta - Drive feat. Delilah Montagu (2018). Released on Ultra Records, the track peaked at #31 on the US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart. The official video has over 60 million YouTube views on the Ultra Records channel.
- MK and Dom Dolla - Rhyme Dust (2023). A chart-topping tech house collaboration that reinforced MK's position at the forefront of the club scene.
- Kygo - One-album deal with Ultra Records and Sony International (2014). The Norwegian producer's signing was competitive, with Ultra winning due to its muscle in major EDM markets like Brazil and Northern Europe.
- DVBBS and Nelly Furtado - Torture of the Heart (2026). One of Ultra's 2026 releases, alongside Marshall Jefferson and Solardo's "Move Your Body" and TroyBoi and Toxic Rob's "Way Better."
Official Music Videos
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.
Deal Structures
Ultra Music operates as a fully Sony-owned major imprint. Sony Music acquired a 50% stake in Ultra in 2013 under a global strategic partnership covering A&R, distribution, and international repertoire. In January 2022, Sony bought the remaining 50%, taking full ownership. Founder Patrick Moxey exited, and David Waxman became president. Ultra offers multi-album recording deals (e.g., M4SONIC signed a multi-record deal with Sony/Ultra in 2014). The label also offers one-album deals for specific projects (e.g., Kygo's initial 2014 deal). Distribution runs through Sony's RED network in the US and Sony Music internationally. Ultra's deals typically involve major-label master ownership, with Sony providing global marketing, radio promotion, and streaming playlist support.
How Artists Get Signed
Ultra does not accept unsolicited demos. The label signs artists through A&R scouting and industry networking. Director of A&R Carlos Alcala actively scouts talent at industry events like the Winter Music Conference. The label has signed artists discovered through YouTube (M4SONIC was signed 19 months after uploading his first video) and SoundCloud (Kygo was signed within two months of uploading remixes). Manager relationships play a significant role. Kygo's manager Myles Shear was described by founder Patrick Moxey as "part of the package" in the signing. The label also shares resources with Sony Music's electronic artists, creating cross-label opportunities. Building a strong streaming and social media profile, combined with manager representation, is the most realistic path to getting noticed by Ultra's A&R team.
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
Similar Labels
- Astralwerks - Major-label electronic imprint with a comparable roster focus
- Anjunadeep - Independent electronic label with overlapping artist connections
- Ed Banger Records - French electronic label with shared house music DNA
