Parent company Fontana Genre Hip hop, R&B Parent organization Fontana Distribution Founded 2005 | Distributor(s) Element 9/Fontana (US) Official website blacksmithnyc.com Founder Talib Kweli Country of origin United States of America | |
Blacksmith is a music management company and a record label founded by Harlem born Corey Smyth and Talib Kweli of Black Star. Signees include Jean Grae, Strong Arm Steady and Idle Warship and Kweli has stated he hopes to sign Camp Lo and had expressed interest in Rakim. Talib Kweli announced that there will be a 'BlackSmith TV' where people will get information about the label. The label was originally distributed through Warner Bros. Records but split in December 2008. Talib did confirm to AllHipHop.com that Warner Bros. would still distribute Reflection Eternal & Talib Kweli projects but not any other Blacksmith acts. It's now believed that the label has distribution through Element 9/Fontana with Strong Arm Steady latest project and Idle Warship's upcoming debut album said to have distribution through them. As of 2012 the label is defunct and was disbanded after Kweli's manager decided to focus the Blacksmith brand elsewhere rather than the label. Blacksmith management is currently home to artists such as Chad Hugo, and Vince Staples, among others.