Mad Decent is a giant.
If they were a planet, they wouldn’t be a planet; they’d be a super-massive star 14 galaxies a way. If they were a food, they’d be one of those 36 foot long boa constrictor sub sandwiches at corporate functions. If they were a person, they’d need to buy an entire aisle on the plane to accommodate their ever-expanding mass and influence.
Obviously this makes us pretty excited to feature their SXSW showcase at Austin Party Weekend this year. But, this year, they didn’t just stop there; they’re also co-hosting Super Party, our conglomerate mega-event at SXSW we’re putting on along with Fool’s Gold Records.
But before we and Mad Decent throw ourselves face first into the madness that is SXSW, we thought we’d give you a short recap of who they are and why it’s so rad they’re doing this event with us.
Mad Decent is Diplo‘s record label. If you’re reading this on the IHC site, we probably don’t have to explain the significance of that to you. Diplo started the label in Philadelphia in 2005, and moved it to LA in 2010. In 2011, it announced the launch of the imprint label Jeffrees as “an outlet to curate and promote new music that errs on the side of experimental, in keeping with the label’s original mission.” Together, Mad Decent and Jeffrees have catapulted artists like Major Lazer, Zeds Dead, Liz, DJ Snake, Dillon Francis and Riff Raff into infamy. Not only that, but …
… remember the Harlem Shake? Mad Decent.
… Major Lazer’s “Bubble Butt” with video directed by Eric Wareheim? Mad Decent.
… “Turn Down For What”? Mad fuckin’ Decent. If you’ve heard of it, Mad Decent’s probably touched it.
Aside from launching the careers of today’s most megalithic artists, Mad Decent is also responsible for popularizing a number of musical genres including Brazilian baile funk, Angolan kuduro and moombahton, #casual.
Apart from creating worldwide sensations, Mad Decent is also beloved for their events, Mad Decent Block Party being the most infamous. In 2008, the launched the traveling festival with just one rented tent, dunk tank and a BBQ. As time went on and the world spun, it exploded into an event attended by thousands and graced by the likes of OutKast and Matt and Kim. Like the label, Mad Decent Block Party places a heavy emphasis on global pop and dance music.
Check out their lineup for their Austin Party Weekend SXSW showcase and our mutual throwdown, Super Party. then scroll down for some of our favorite tracks from Mad Decent’s APW artists.
RSVP@AustinPartyWeekend.com
