Shogun Audio

Friction set up Shogun Audio in 2004; the Brighton label focuses on drum and bass. Its early partnership included K-Tee, who handled label business, while Friction took charge of talent scouting and A&R. The label secured a residency at London club The End within a year of launching.

Alix Perez was among its early successful artists, and his album 1984 became Shogun Audio’s first artist album. Pola & Bryson rose to prominence on the label, while Monrroe later joined the roster. Its releases have also included Noisia’s 2005 single Brainstitch / Deeper Love and music by Technimatic, GLXY and Sustance. Shogun Audio’s affiliated imprints include Elevate Records and SGN:LTD; Technimatic joined SGN:LTD exclusively in 2012 and the main roster in 2014.

The label has organised international tours and showcases, and marked its 20th anniversary with a series. Its anniversary compilation, 20 Years of Shogun Audio, arrived on 15 November 2024, pairing remixes of earlier tracks with new music. An earlier milestone was the 15 Years of Shogun Audio compilation, released in 2019 with new tracks from roster artists and the label’s wider circle.