Young Heavy Souls

Young Heavy Souls is an independent record label and music publisher established in 2011 and currently based in Detroit, MI. Influenced by the region’s signature sounds, YHS embraces a wide sampling of hip-hop, indie and electronic sub-genres. Releasing music in both digital and physical formats, YHS currently represents a large roster of artists, and a catalog of over 250 songs. Inspired by musician-owned record labels such as Stones Throw, Def Jux, and Ninja Tune, Young Heavy Souls founder Matt Black worked to assemble a group of versatile and experimental musicians for the label’s initial roster. YHS was born with the intention of helping under-promoted artists build their brands, share knowledge and grow together as musicians. In 2013, the label moved from it’s West Michigan home in Kalamazoo to Detroit and began to integrate with the flourishing creative scene in the city. As the label’s catalog grew, YHS began its venture into music licensing and has since had music placed with ABC, Hulu, Converse, GoPro, Bravo Network, PBS and more. Nurturing a love for music in physical formats, YHS Records increased its cassette and vinyl output in 2016. This included teaming up with Eliot Lipp for the release of his album Come To Life on vinyl, and working with veteran producers Blockhead and Mux Mool to reissue their albums Uncle Tony’s Coloring Book and Implied Lines respectively. While the label continued to build out it’s catalog with reissues, the team remained focused on developing new artists and discovering new talent.