NoCopyrightSounds (NCS) continues to shine as the world’s preeminent copyright-free record label. With an astounding 33M devotees on YouTube and a monumental 500B views, it’s evident that NCS is more than just a label—it’s a movement.
This movement’s newest highlight is the dazzling remix of “Royalty,” the celebrated track by Egzod & Maestro Chives, from the future house prodigy, Don Diablo. Taking an already revered piece, Don seamlessly integrates vivacious future house melodies, a vocal line evoking the familiar echoes of Sia, and the unmistakable touch of Maestro Chives’ violin brilliance, alongside Egzod’s adept composition.
Sharing his elation, Don Diablo noted his long-standing camaraderie with NCS and expressed his excitement to finally unite with the NCS realm. Meanwhile, Daniel J. Lee, NCS’s General Manager, emphasized the mutual admiration that made this collaboration inevitable and long-awaited.
The foundational track, “Royalty,” has been nothing short of a sensation. In just a month, the track has witnessed an influx of 1K radio plays, 12M streams, 120K Shazams, and an impressive TikTok presence. This pairs well with Don Diablo’s legacy, an artist renowned for his collaborations and tours with music luminaries like Tiësto, Madonna, and Rihanna, with an impressive catalog including hits like “Keeping Your Head Up.”
Yet, what truly sets NCS apart is its commitment to a vibrant and diverse repertoire, resonating especially with the under-30 audience deeply entrenched in the digital age. Its affiliation with personalities like Kim Kardashian, Mr. Beast, and Jack Black underlines NCS’s transcendent appeal.
With Don Diablo now officially part of the NCS Family, this alliance signifies a harmonious blend of two titans in the music realm, promising an anthem that will echo for generations.
On top of this, the general manager of NCS, Daniel J. Lee, took the time out to chat, sharing a bit of his origin story, the NCS model, and more.
Exclusive Interview
How’d you first come across NCS, and what sparked your interest to jump in as the general manager?
I first discovered NCS during its early years when the YouTube channel was on its immense rise. An artist manager at the time, I was constantly pitching my artists songs to labels, including NCS. One day I had the opportunity to meet with Billy Woodford (the founder of NCS) and he shared his vision and emphasized how busy and overloaded he was. I instantly offered to help in any way I could. I believed in Billy’s vision, the business model and saw the opportunity to scale the idea further.
NCS has this great angle of giving out high-quality tunes without the copyright aspect. How do you think this idea has made a difference for both the artists and the folks creating content?
The ‘no-copyright’ aspect of NCS has been a game-changer for both artists and content creators. For artists, it offers exposure to a global audience, allowing them to showcase their talent and creativity on a massive scale. It also provides them with a reliable monthly revenue stream through streaming and downloads. For content creators, it’s a treasure trove of quality music that they can use for free without worrying about copyright infringements. This freedom to enhance their content with music without legal complexities or pricey subscriptions has enabled creators to focus on what they do best – creating engaging content.
NCS isn’t just about any old music — it always hits a quality marker. How do you make sure you keep that bar high?
Maintaining a high standard for our music is essential. We achieve this by rigorously curating and selecting the best tracks to be part of the NCS catalog. Our A&R team listens to hundreds of demos every week and they are dedicated to finding the best artists and tracks that align with our brand’s identity. We also actively engage with the NCS community, seeking feedback and staying attuned to their preferences. This collaborative approach ensures that we consistently deliver music that resonates with our audience and maintains our high-quality standards.
I’ve noticed a younger audience is really vibing with NCS. What’s the secret to staying relavent in this demo?
Relevance with a younger audience is crucial, and our secret lies in adaptability and collaboration. We continuously monitor trends and emerging music styles. We work closely with our community of creators, who often have their fingers on the pulse of youth culture. Our integrations with platforms like YouTube, TikTok and Twitch have allowed us to stay at the forefront of what’s trending and what tools can help us reach our audience.
With celebrities like Mr Beast and Kim K embracing NCS’s music, how do you guys help cultivate or expand on major moments like this, or does it happen randomly/organically.
The involvement of any large creators using NCS music does indeed create significant moments for us. While these moments sometimes happen organically, we also proactively work with large creators and influencers to ensure our music is part of their content. This collaboration involves understanding their content and providing them with the right tracks to elevate their videos.
How does NCS help support their artists when they kick off a tour or are having a big pop at the moment?
We specialize in digital and music, so tour support tends to fall a slight bit out of our remit. But when our artists experience a surge in popularity or have a song that’s gaining traction, our approach is to collaborate with them to maximize the momentum. We work closely with these artists to remarket their song, push it to new audiences and re-pitch their songs to DSPs. This involves leveraging our extensive creator network, and exploring opportunities with DSPs to enhance the track’s visibility.
What’s coming up for NCS? With the way the online world is changing, is there anything upcoming to keep things fresh and surprising perhaps?
Our immediate focus centers on empowering creators, be it music or content creators. We’re in the process of building a new division within the company dedicated to securing marketing opportunities and promotions for our brand, catalog and artists while nurturing relationships with top creators, UGC platforms and music DSPs. We think there is so much potential in this space between content and music.
Connect with Don Diablo:
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialDonDiablo
https://twitter.com/dondiablo
https://soundcloud.com/dondiablo
http://www.dondiablo.com/
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