R&S Records is an independent label founded in Ghent, Belgium, in 1983 by Renaat Vandepapeliere and Sabine Maes. Its name draws on the founders’ initials, and the label grew from their interest in music and Vandepapeliere’s work as a DJ and record-shop employee. It first issued one record as Milos Music Belgium before adopting the R&S Records name. Emerging amid Belgium’s New Beat scene, the label released electronic music, including dance music, techno and drum and bass.
R&S Records gained prominence in dance music during the 1990s, releasing work by Aphex Twin, Joey Beltram and Model 500. Joey Beltram’s “Energy Flash” was among its releases. Drum-and-bass records by Wax Doctor appeared during the middle of the decade, and the label issued his album Selected Works 94-96 in 1998. Its releases across several decades also include Lakker’s conceptual album Struggle & Emerge from 2016. The 1992 R&S release “Plastic Dreams” by Jaydee sold more than 500,000 copies.
The label stopped operating in 2000 and took a break from the music industry through 2006, then relaunched in 2008 from London. Its subsidiary Apollo Records resumed activity in 2009. R&S used “In Order To Dance” as its motto, and its manager said it favored music suited to club play. Andy Whittaker managed the UK office, working on signings, promotion, manufacturing and distribution.
