Coalmine Records

Coalmine Records was established in 2005 by its founder Matt Diamond p/k/a DJ Dutchmaster. As a DJ while attending Indiana University, Matt grew tired of the direction hip-hop was headed and decided to start his own label. Eventually, Matt released his first 12" titled "The Raw" and Coalmine Records was born.

Coalmine's inaugural single, "The Raw" features the lyrical talents of Saigon, Inspectah Deck and Bekay, the latter of which became Coalmine's first signed artist. After receiving tremendous feedback and gracing countless mix-shows and mix-tapes worldwide, "The Raw" charted as college radio's number one hip-hop record in the nation.

Coalmine went on to release several more 12" records that all became college chart topping singles that helped to heavily brand Coalmine into the indie radio community.

Over the coarse of the next few years, Coalmine amassed an extensive catalog and has had the opportunity to work with several iconic as well as up-coming artists, producers and DJs in the hip-hop industry such as Pharaohe Monch, Kool G. Rap, Large Professor, Sean Price, Dilated Peoples, A. Pinks, Emilio Rojas, Joell Oritz, Torae, Skyzoo, Termanology, Alchemist, JR Rotem, Illmind, Khyrsis, Shuko, Domingo, DJ Kay Slay, DJ Revolution, DJ Babu and more.

Matt has always placed an extensive focus and on music production and set out to become more involved with the careers and development of many of today's top urban music producers. In March of 2008, Matt represented Australia's super producer M-Phazes at Sha Money's One Stop Producer's Conference Beat Battle and emerged victorious in securing his first place standing amongst several producer's from around the world. Matt has gone on to become M-Phazes official state-side representative and has helped M-Phazes secure several track placements with artists that comprise a wide-brush stroke of today's diverse urban music climate.

Matt has since formed the parent company Diamond Music Group (DMG) in effort to permeate into different facets of today's music industry. DMG specializes in production, project consulting, digital distribution, sync/licensing, viral marketing, press releases, radio promotions, video production & promotions, email blasts, graphic design, street team promotions & cd duplication.

After realizing that tracks were easier to shop if they were complete with hooks, DMG began to form a strong alliance of singers & songwriters. It did not take long for industry A&Rs and tastemakers to take notice and shortly thereafter DMG began working very closely with hit maker JR Rotem among others.

Today, DMG/Coalmine Records functions as a full service enterprise that can cater to nearly every realm of the urban music community. Matt has become very fulfilled in realizing the depth of services that he can provide to today's commericial urban music industry through DMG while simultaneously satisfying his passion for releasing quality indie hip-hop music through his Coalmine imprint.

Be sure to check for the April 14th release of Coalmine's forthcoming mixtape album titled "The Foundation" produced exclusively by German's super producer, Shuko. "The Foundation" is mixed by DJ Dutchmaster and is hosted by Da Incredible Rap Team, Heltah Skeltah. Coalmine has several other projects in the pipeline for 2009 and beyond...can you dig it?!