The first release on the new imprint comes from Munich-based artist BASHKKA.
Nene H has unveiled her new label UMAY. The non-profit imprint is a “platform for emerging music artists, aimed to build bridges and empower local culture, giving visibility for geographically underrepresented regions and artists with a strong focus on South, Western Asian and African artists as well as QTBIPOC.“
The inaugural release on UMAY comes from Munich-based artist and trans activist BASHKKA who makes her debut solo released with Maktub. Speaking on the EP, BASHKKA – who is a resident at Munich’s Blitz Music Club – said, “Maktub is an idiosyncratic love letter to myself, my heritage and my community. My songs reflect the expedition of the past year and a half up until now and all the emotions that I gave myself space and fortitude to deal with and to also to relish in.” The accompanying artwork for the release is by Copenhagen drag artist Noah Umur Kanber and draws on BASHKKA’s own personal story and narrative elements of Mesopotamian mythology.
In establishing UMAY as a non-profit label – with revenue going to the artists – Nene H, real name Beste Aydin, seeks to offer a transparent alternative to the dominant music business model that she herself has experienced and to critique industry standards. Last year, the DJ and producer shared a statement detailing her experiences with Paris techno label Possession, claiming that she was still owed money from her 2021 Beast EP released via the Parisian imprint.
The debut UMAY release is comprised of four original tracks by BASHKKA plus a remix by Nene H. Listen to DeFol from the forthcoming EP – due out 15 February – below.
Sharing the news of her label to Instagram, she wrote, “My ambition is to build a fair ecosystem within the modern music industry, while serving you a super fresh sound and incredible artists.” Listen back to Nene H’s Crack Mix below.
