MUSIC

Kartel Records is the flagship company of the Kartel Music Group. Formed in 2004 with the initial objective of managing the career of Asia’s then biggest hip-hop duo, Too Phat, the record label has grown from strength to strength under the leadership of company CEO and founder, Johan Ishak, better known to his peers as Joe Flizzow.

The first major release from Kartel Records, ‘President’ by recording artist Joe Flizzow, won the 16th annual Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM) award for ‘Best Local English Album’ in May 2009.

With recent additions to the label’s management team, Kartel Records is set to build upon its success thus far in 2009 with an array of exciting new releases which will be officially announced in the near future.

Kartel Music Group operates several other music-related entities including Kartel Music Publishing, Kartel New Media and Kartel Media Network. As a co-publishing agreement with EMI Music Publishing, Kartel Music Publishing handles the intellectual property rights of a group of successful music writers and composers who have contributed to platinum-award winning projects. Kartel New Media is a relatively new company set up with the objective of exploring the field of mobile content creation and distribution. As the media arm of Kartel Music Group, Kartel Media Network provides entertainment related media coverage and currently own MalaysianEmcee.Com – Malaysia’s most popular Internet based news portal for regional hip-hop and urban culture.

ENTERTAINMENT SOLUTIONS

Having been at the forefront of the entertainment industry for the past decade, Johan Ishak realised the need for a solutions firm to handle the business administration of talented artists who still wish to retain the proprietary rights of their own brand. The first of its kind in Malaysia, The Kartel Administration was formed in 2009 with the sole purpose of providing a comprehensive all-in-one solution for artists in need of administrative and creative direction.

“We mind your own business”

Roping in the talents and expertise of Ahmad “Altimet” Alhadad and David Tee, The Kartel Administration boasts of a team with over 20 years of collective experience in the record label management, A&R, legal, music publishing and artist management fields.

The Kartel Administration essentially acts as a “virtual record label” for its clients. We believe that this service will enable an artist to have more creative freedom without being tied to demands of administrative work. The Kartel Administration assumes specific administrative and creative responsibilities without interfering in the client’s brand and image. This includes the handling of:

a) Intellectual Property rights
b) Artist bookings
c) Service of invoices and receipts
d) Correspondences i.e. telephone calls, faxes and mail 
e) Sales & Marketing Consultation
f) Legal Consultation

“We not only know what a hit sounds like, we also know how to make it”

As one of the most prolific producers and songwriters in the music industry, Johan Ishak has been a recipient of the prestigious MACP “Most-Promising Songwriter of the Year” award. Overseeing the creative arm of The Kartel Administration enables him to produce hits for both aspiring and established artists. With a growing network of internationally renowned composers, musicians, songwriters, engineers and recording artists, The Kartel Administration is in a position to broker the right deals to give you the best sound.

APPAREL

Being one of the first artists in Malaysia to sign an international clothing endorsement deal with FUBU in 2001, Johan Ishak understood and appreciated the convergence of the world of fashion and entertainment. Credited and acknowledged as a major influence in introducing urban-wear to young Malaysians over a decade ago, Johan Ishak has taken his love for fashion to the next level with the conception of Kartel Clothing.

The ‘Kartel Records t-shirt’ which was released as a limited edition product and made available to only a select few proved to be a milestone for Kartel Clothing. Such is its exclusivity that top regional and international artists have been seen donning the ‘Black&Silver’ and ‘KartelCamo’ editions of the t-shirt – an unprecedented feat for a local urban-wear company.

When Kartel Clothing introduced the ‘KL Cap’ in 2006, it took Malaysia by storm and instantly cemented the company’s position as one of Asia’s premier urban clothing brands. What started out as Johan Ishak’s vision of a nation proudly representing their hometown state quickly grew into a regional phenomenon.

In celebration of its 2nd Anniversary, the ‘KL Cap’ underwent a face-lift and was rebranded under the ‘State of Mine’ fashion line. It now enjoys eye-catching new designs and an improved product quality while still retaining Kartel Clothing’s philosophy and commitment to sustainable trend-setting.

As Malaysia awaits in anticipation, Kartel Clothing expects to release a new line of freshness in the beginning of 2010.

FOUNDATION

The Kartel Foundation is a non-profit organisation based in Malaysia. It was founded by Johan Ishak as a way of giving back to the community that had provided unwavering support throughout his youth and career. The Foundation has a focus on youth-centric programmes with a particular interest in promoting a balanced lifestyle amongst today’s Malaysian youths.