RELEVANT PARTIES Vol. 2

RELEVANT PARTIES is a project by Carhartt WIP that explores some of music’s foremost independent record labels, with a podcast hosted by UK music journalist Chal Ravens. Each episode speaks to the people behind the music, gaining a unique insight into their history and the inner-workings of their imprint. The project then culminates in a capsule collection that includes products made in collaboration with each featured label. 

Volume 2 offers up an eclectic vision, bringing together an array of labels, including Bill Kouligas’ PAN imprint; the legendary producer Adrian Sherwood and his On-U Sound label; Busy P’s Ed Banger Records; Exit Records, helmed by producer dBridge; Amsterdam-based label, record store and distributor Rush Hour; and the iconic Detroit label Mahogani Music, founded by Kenny Dixon Jr., better known as Moodymann. 

The Vol. 2 capsule sees each label collaborate with Carhartt WIP on a selection of products – such as graphic t-shirts, hoodies and work shirts – as well as a limited edition cassette mixtape. These are complemented by a series of RELEVANT PARTIES items, including a sweatshirt, record bag, and sterling silver pendant.

First launched in the summer of 2020, RELEVANT PARTIES has sought to pay tribute to pioneers and tastemakers, whose unerring vision has helped shape the landscape of independent music. Volume 1 featured the likes of Stones Throw, DFA, and Ninja Tune. You can listen to both volumes of RELEVANT PARTIES on all major podcast platforms. 

The final installment of RELEVANT PARTIES Vol. 2 sees Carhartt WIP partnering with Mahogani Music, brainchild of the seminal Detroit producer and DJ Moodymann. The release features three products — two t-shirts and a hoodie, designed in partnership with the label — plus a limited edition cassette tape, curated by DJ Dez Andres, featuring artwork from Sheefy McFly. The launch of these products will be marked by an event in Detroit on May 29th, as part of Moodymann’s Soul Skate weekend.

For the third installment of RELEVANT PARTIES Vol. 2, Carhartt WIP has collaborated with the iconic Amsterdam label Rush Hour. Since 1997, the imprint has made room for fresh, up-and-coming acts like Tom Trago, Hunee, and Interstellar Funk, as well as records by legendary artists, including Ron Trent, Terrence Dixon, and Soichi Terada. The capsule collection features a selection of items, including graphic hoodies and t-shirts, as well as a limited edition cassette mixtape.

For the second installment of RELEVANT PARTIES Vol. 2, Carhartt WIP has collaborated with Exit Records and On-U Sound on a series of products. In addition, this release also includes a number of exclusive RELEVANT PARTIES items. 

⁠Since 2003, London-based Exit Records has released music that is “true to the craft.” Founded by bass music producer and DJ Darren White, aka dBridge, the imprint has had a pivotal influence on UK club culture, releasing genre-defining drum and bass, jungle, autonomic, footwork, juke, hip-hop, and soul by the likes of Rufige Kru, Steve Spacek, Calibre, Instra:mental, Skeptical, Fixate, as well as dBridge himself.  

On-U Sound, meanwhile, is an iconic independent label that sits at the juncture of Jamaican dub, reggae, roots, and evolutionary sounds like hip-hop, post-punk and industrial. Founded by legendary producer Adrian Sherwood, the label’s roster includes revered acts such as African Head Charge, Tackhead, New Age Steppers, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, and Bim Sherman. More recently, the label has released work by Nisennenmondai, as well as Sherwood’s collaboration with seminal dubstep artist Pinch.

The first products from RELEVANT PARTIES Vol. 2 are now available, as Carhartt WIP partners with two iconic independent record labels: Ed Banger and PAN. Following on from the recent podcast series, in which UK music journalist Chal Ravens speaks to the people behind the music, gaining a unique insight into the history and inner-workings of their respective labels, Vol. 2 culminates in a capsule collection that features the likes of Mahogani Music, On-U Sound, Exit Records, and Rush Hour. 

Further releases are below:

Ed Banger (Paris), PAN (Berlin)

On-U Sounds (London), Exit Records (Antwerp)

Rush Hour (Amsterdam), Relevant Parties Vol. 2 products

Mahogani Music (Detroit)