Inside STMPD RCRDS: How Martin Garrix built his own Dance Music Empire

By 2015, Martin Garrix had already conquered electronic music. After breaking through at just 17 with the global festival anthem “Animals”, he became the youngest DJ ever to headline Ultra Music Festival and rapidly climbed the rankings of the DJ Mag Top 100.

Inside STMPD RCRDS: How Martin Garrix built his own Dance Music Empire

Yet despite the monumental success, Garrix had a bigger vision. Rather than simply playing festivals around the world, he set out to build something lasting, a label that could support artists, nurture creativity, and shape the future of music. That vision would soon become STMPD RCRDS, a label that has since grown into one of the most recognisable brands in modern dance music.

The New Blueprint for Artist Owned Labels in EDM:

On March 4, 2016, STMPD RCRDS was officially launched, introducing a unique identity to the electronic music world. Not many labels in dance music were built this way, and STMPD quickly proved it was something different. From the very beginning, the label’s vision wasn't centred around a single superstar artist, but rather around building a collective of talent from around the world. It was a platform designed to showcase both established producers and rising stars, united by a shared commitment to quality and creativity.

The name itself reflected that philosophy. “STMPD” (pronounced Stamped) represents a stamp of recognition, a mark that the music released under the label meets a certain level of originality and artistic identity. As anticipation began to build around the launch, fans and DJs alike were curious about what STMPD RCRDS would represent, and more importantly, who would become part of this new movement.

The label’s first release, “Now That I've Found You” featuring John Martin and Michel Zitron, set the tone for what was to be expected. This track showcased the emotional and melodic sound that would become synonymous with the label.

But ambitions stretched far beyond a single style.

A new generation of producers quickly formed around the imprint. Artists like Brooks pushed a vibrant future house sound, while Matisse & Sadko and DubVision carried the euphoric progressive house energy that would soon echo across festivals around the world, other artists like Julian Jordan and Justin Mylo also added their own distinctive sounds to the growing catalogue.

These artists were not just early contributors to the label, they helped shape the whole identity of the brand. What began as a record label was quickly evolving into a creative collective that reflected the diversity of the modern dance music scene.

From Record Label to Global Stage Brand:

As STMPD RCRDS continued to grow, its imprint soon moved beyond simply releasing music.

The heart of the dance music industry has always been driven by festivals, moments where the culture truly comes alive and STMPD saw an opportunity to bring its community of artists from the studio directly onto the global stage.

One of the most defining milestones in the label’s evolution came with the development of the “Stampd stages” at major festivals. These showcases allowed fans to experience the label’s sound in real life, with artists from the roster performing back to back throughout the day. Soon, the STMPD showcases were appearing at some of the most iconic events in dance music, including Tomorrowland, Amsterdam Dance Event and Creamfields.

These stages transformed the brand from a record label into an iconic festival brand, one that represented a distinct sound and community within the wider dance music landscape.

By building its presence both online and on stage, STMPD RCRDS evolved into something far greater than a traditional label. It became a collective experience, one that fans could stream, attend, and connect with across the world.

Recent Highlights and a Lasting Legacy

A decade has passed since STMPD RCRDS was launched, and in 2026 their presence continues to grow exponentially. Among the label’s most notable releases is the single “Caramelle” by Mesto. The song instantly became a favourite and was played by heavy weight DJs on main stages around the world. This sound perfectly encapsulated the energetic style that the label has come to embody in recent years.

At the same time, the rise of new artists has continued to highlight STMPD’s role as a platform for emerging talent. One of the best examples of is the rise of Merow, whose releases on the label have helped display a whole new generation of producers shaping the future. The continued success of Merow reflects the label’s ongoing commitment to fresh talents while maintaining a good standard associated with the name.

As the label looks further into its next chapter, one thing is clear, the impact on the dance music world will always be felt. What began as a personal vision of Martin Garrix has blossomed into a creative network around the globe that not only continues to support new talent, new sounds, and new boundaries in music, but also defines the face of dance music globally. In a sense, STMPD RCRDS is a testament to the fact that a platform built by artists can be a legacy beyond a record label.