In a monumental celebration of one of New York City’s most enduring house music labels, King Street Sounds, Armada Music and Beatport have partnered to unveil a new documentary, House Music Royalty: The Story of King Street Sounds. This 35-minute film, premiering in December, dives deep into the label’s rich history and the influence it has wielded globally, marking an exciting new chapter under the guidance of Armada Music.
Founded by Hisa Ishioka in 1993, King Street Sounds quickly became an iconic force in the house music world, grounded in the vibrant underground scenes of both New York City and Japan. Over the years, it has championed some of the genre’s most respected artists, releasing defining records that have left an indelible mark on the global music landscape. The documentary traces King Street’s rise from its early days to its current status, featuring a soundtrack that pulls from its most impactful records by artists like Kerri Chandler, Dennis Ferrer, and Mood II Swing.
The documentary is not just a look back but also a celebration of King Street’s future. Through interviews with house music legends like Blaze, Barbara Tucker, David Morales, and Ultra Naté, as well as modern voices like Kasango and House Gospel Choir’s Natalie Maddix, House Music Royalty brings together stories that highlight the label’s early roots at the legendary Paradise Garage nightclub. The film paints a vivid picture of King Street’s role in establishing the soulful house movement that continues to thrive and evolve to this day.
Maykel Piron, CEO of Armada Music and the BEAT Music Fund, emphasized the significance of the documentary in honoring King Street’s influence: “We are thrilled to present a film that we hope will resonate with both longtime fans and newcomers alike. This moment of relaunch is the perfect opportunity to reflect on King Street’s journey, and with Beatport’s help, we’re able to amplify this story to a global audience.”
David Browne, Head of Live at The Beatport Group, echoed this excitement, stating, “Working with Armada to tell the story of King Street Sounds is a privilege. Until now, the history of King Street has been shared in fragments, and with this documentary, we aim to capture the full picture. At Beatport, we’re dedicated to preserving these cultural legacies and connecting them to the future of house music.”
This documentary is part of a broader relaunch for King Street Sounds, undertaken by Armada Music and its BEAT Music Fund, which acquired the label in mid-2023. Alongside the film, the relaunch includes a fresh visual rebranding and several initiatives aimed at both celebrating the label’s past and setting the stage for its future. Highlights of this new era include King Street: Beat Match, a remix series that invites contemporary artists to reinterpret some of the label’s classic tracks. In addition, there will be new frontline releases and vinyl repressings of iconic catalog entries. BEAT and Armada Music are also organizing writing camps, creating spaces where artists can collaborate and innovate under the King Street legacy.
In October, the documentary premiered at the EYE Filmmuseum during the Amsterdam Dance Event, an exclusive event attended by artists, media, and members of the King Street community, past and present.
As King Street Sounds enters this new phase, House Music Royalty: The Story of King Street Sounds stands as a tribute to a label that helped define house music’s soulful roots while continuing to shape its future.
