Nick Halkes started Positiva Records in 1993 after working at XL Recordings. The label formed as EMI expanded into the emerging club scene. Its early releases centred on house and trance, before its output broadened into mainstream dance and multiple subgenres. The label moved from vinyl to digital releases and had connections first with EMI and later with Universal’s Virgin EMI Records. It is now part of Universal Music Group.
An early release was Reel 2 Real’s “I Like to Move It,” which became a UK and international hit in 1994. Positiva also issued music by Alice Deejay, Spiller, the Shapeshifters, Paul van Dyk and Swedish House Mafia. Spiller’s “Groovejet (If This Ain’t Love)” reached number one in the UK in 2000, while the Shapeshifters’ “Lola’s Theme” was among the label’s releases in the 2000s. The label issued Martin Garrix’s “Animals” in 2013.
Positiva has never been a drum and bass label as such, but its crossover hits helped open the mainstream doors later used by acts such as Chase & Status, Sigma and Sub Focus. EMI approached Nick Halkes and Dave Lambert about establishing the label, and Jason Ellis joined in 1999, later serving as its A&R director by the 25th anniversary in 2018. The label marked its 30th anniversary with a relaunch in 2023.
