Why does Collectiv Records Exist?

i. To discover, develop and unleash new talent in the world of Hip Hop. Creative collaboration is the driving force behind our projects and our success. By bringing together new voices and fresh faces under one flag, we augment our ability to impact the Hip Hop world. We strive to increase our marketability through name recognition by establishing an unparalleled reputation for presenting the highest quality music.

ii. To maximize an artist’s opportunity to capitalize financially on his or her own creative contributions. While building a culture of collaboration and mutual assistance, Collectiv Records seeks to foster and protect individual artist independence. We commit ourselves, in both actions and values, to stand against the system of indentured servitude that plagues the music industry today. Collectiv Records strives to bring artists to success, not take success from them. For this reason, Collective Records does not negotiate or honor multi-project deals. At all times, artists maintain their ability to negotiate based on their real, current worth, instead of a past projection of success.

iii. To be profitable, for two main reasons. First, good ideas cannot become great changes without the work of people. Those people should be rewarded, just as any other contributor, artistic or otherwise. Second, we recognize that the stronger our financial foundation is, the more artists we can help launch to success.

To these things we pledge,
to these things we’ve come,
upon these things we aim,
until these things are done . . .
and then some . . .

and then some . . .

The Collectiv, 2003