2011 has been one of the biggest years yet for Ultra Music, with the New York based music company celebrating multiple gold and platinum certifications, as well as a variety of #1s on Billboard’s Hot Dance Airplay Chart.
Certified Gold in the US and Platinum in Canada for his hit single “Ghosts ‘n Stuff,” Ultra Music producer deadmau5’s mainstream success continues to build. In his native Canada, deadmau5 garnered his first Gold selling album with ‘4x4=12’ in addition to receiving his 4th consecutive JUNO Award (Canadian equivalent of a Grammy) for Dance Recording of the Year with “Sofi Needs A Ladder.” deadmau5’s latest single, “Raise Your Weapon” is currently in Billboard’s Top 10 Dance Airplay Chart and continues to rise.
Dance music newcomer, Alexandra Stan broke out of the gate with her massive hit, “Mr. Saxobeat,” receiving certifications for Platinum (Canada) and Gold (US) from Ultra in under a year. Continuing to climb the charts, Stan’s “Mr. Saxobeat” is in its 8th week at #1 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Airplay Chart and at its highest position to date on iTunes Top Songs (US - #22, CA - #28). In addition to continued success as a Top 40 hit on US radio, “Mr. Saxboeat” is now in rotation at both MTV and FUSE. “Mr. Saxobeat” continues to heat up YouTube with over 165 million views and is receiving over 40, 000 digital downloads a week.
Releasing his newest artist album, aptly titled ‘Electroman,’ success continues to build for Benny Benassi. His collaboration with Chris Brown, “Beautiful People” charted Top 10 around the world achieving certifications of Double Platinum (Australia), Platinum (UK) and Gold (Denmark & New Zealand). As if that wasn’t enough, “Cinema (feat. Gary Go)” peaked at #1 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Airplay Chart and saw significant acclaim among international radio.
Wolfgang Gartner is in the midst of a massive break out year, with a sold out North American tour and the release of his first artist album, ‘Weekend In America.’ Claiming Top 10 status on Beatport with the single “Menage A Trois”, the album debuted at #1 on Beatport’s Top Releases. Featuring amazing collaborations with will.i.am, Eve, Kelis, Jim Jones & Cam’ron (of Dipset) and Omarion, this is Wolfgang’s first foray into mainstream - and it hasn’t gone unnoticed.
So far, 2011 has been an amazing year for producer and America’s number one DJ (as ranked by Pioneer and DJ Times), Kaskade, who’s just wrapped his main headliner slot on the 20 plus date Identity. He has just curated his first BBC Essential Mix and coming off tour, he’s rolling into the November 8 release of his seventh studio album, the double CD ‘Fire & Ice,’ that includes collaborations with artists Skylar Grey, Skrillex, Neon Trees, Marcus Bentley, and more. The first single from the album “Eyes (feat. Mindy Gledhill)” was played by Pete Tong to open his Essential Selection show and went on to go Top 10 on Beatport and Top 20 Dance Airplay. “Turn It Down (with Rebecca & Fiona)” went Top 20 on Beatport.
Calvin Harris’ impression on North America has certainly ramped up in 2011. With first single “Bounce (feat. Kelis)” heading straight to Top 5 Billboard Dance Airplay and second single ‘Feel So Close’ not far behind, the set up for his record next Spring is primed. He launched a residency at Surrender in Las Vegas this year, did 20 plus dates through the States and was a headliner at the famed Electric Daisy Carnival.
Internationally, Ultra Music has seen immense success with Gold Certification (Canada) being awarded to Mischa Daniels for his massive single, “Where You Wanna Go (feat. J-Son).” Similarly, Italian producer/DJ Alex Gaudino broke through with his hit “I’m In Love” which peaked at #1 on the iTunes Dance Chart in the UK, #7 on iTunes Overall Chart and #10 on the Official UK singles Chart. Gaudino’s follow-up single, “What A Feeling (feat. Kelly Rowland)” made a similar impact in the UK, reaching #6 on the iTunes Dance chart and #6 on the Official UK Singles Chart. Additionally, “What A Feeling” won the Nielsen Music Impact Award (5,000 plays on UK Radio within 8 weeks) and was put into rotation on A List Radio 1 and Capitol FM. This week, Alyssa Reid and Jump Smokers, “Alone Again” is added to rotation at Capitol in the UK following the single’s Platinum Certification in Canada.
2011 has been a big year of signings for Ultra Music, closing worldwide deals with Steve Aoki, Adrian Lux, The Bloody Beetroots and Drop The Lime.
