The state51 Conspiracy

Operational Structure

The state51 Music Group operates three integrated businesses: state51 Conspiracy (recordings), Consolidated Independent (distribution management), and OpenIMP (technology platform). Board composition includes founder Paul Sanders, former Sony Music UK COO Paul Curran, and Beggars Group director Andy Heath. Global infrastructure spans London, New York, Budapest, Belgrade, Vilnius, Bogota, and Da Nang with physical facilities including The Church (atelier, warehouse, office at 17 Hereford Street, E2 6EX) and The Factory (studios at 8-10 Rhoda Street, E2 7EF).

The company pioneered independent digital music delivery, becoming the first independent entity to deliver music to iTunes Store at commercial launch. Restructuring in 2018 consolidated previously separate entities under unified management while maintaining distinct legal structures. The organization holds founder member status with Merlin independent licensing consortium and contributes to DDEX digital supply chain standardization. London Stock Exchange accepted the company into its Elite programme in 2018, marking the first music company to receive this status.

Operations emphasize technology-driven platform services rather than traditional A&R-heavy label model. The company’s stated philosophy prioritizes “legendary creativity” and “ethical values” in industry operations, attracting niche experimental artists and established independent catalogues.

Distribution Infrastructure

Direct-to-DSP distribution provides access to Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Tidal, Amazon Music, and all major streaming platforms. Distribution roster includes Kate Bush’s Fish People label (moved from Warner Music Group in 2023), Wire, Madness, Donovan, and 150+ boutique labels including Ghost Box Records, PRAH Recordings, Trunk Records, Clay Pipe Music, and Damaged Goods Records.

Revenue models include standard distribution agreements returning 91% royalties to artists/labels and Collective 15 agreements with 85% retention. The company manages YouTube channel monetization, neighbouring rights collection across UK and European territories, and publishing administration for select catalogues. Physical distribution operates through Greedbag mail-order platform and wholesale channels for vinyl, CD, and cassette formats.

Platform coverage extends to all major digital service providers with accompanying metadata management, ISRC/UPC code generation, and release scheduling. The infrastructure supports synchronization licensing, broadcasting royalty collection, and copyright administration. Services integrate digital distribution, physical manufacturing partnerships, and retail fulfillment under single operational framework.

Artist Partnership Experience

Artist feedback demonstrates satisfaction among selected roster members, particularly regarding creative support and production quality. Polish experimental musician Wacław Zimpel released “Train Spotter” following a commission by the City of Warsaw to capture urban soundscapes through musique concrète techniques. The album features found sounds from municipal parks and transit systems processed through electronic equipment, reflecting the label’s investment in conceptually ambitious projects.

One Reddit user with Collective 15 distribution experience stated the company proved “excellent in certain areas” while noting they “anticipate that clients come prepared and organized.” The testimonial characterized state51 as “well-established organization with a long history” actively broadening operations. This feedback indicates the company expects artist sophistication in release management rather than providing extensive hand-holding through basic processes.

Audio engineer Michael Lawrence from Bladud Flies!, the lathe-cut vinyl partner, described state51’s Atelier work as “the most exceptional, exciting and unique thing happening within the physical format of music right now,” adding that “working with them is inspiring” and praising their “high standards and vision for creating the coolest and highest quality physical items possible.” Artist CJ Mirra expressed profound satisfaction with the Atelier’s work on his “Wave Box” project, stating he “couldn’t believe what I was holding” and describing the finished product as “like a kinetic sculpture.”

Physical Format Innovation

The state51 Atelier produces custom vinyl including hand-finished limited editions, lathe-cut singles (1-50 copies), and bespoke packaging using historical bookbinding machinery from 1960s-Victorian era sourced through London College of Communication partnerships. The facility has produced one-off projects including Wu-Tang Clan’s “Once Upon A Time In Shaolin” and Slayer’s limited editions.

The 51 Editions project—quarterly hand-produced vinyl releases with rotating artists—won the D&AD Wood Pencil award for creative excellence in 2022, recognized among the industry’s most prestigious design honors. Each edition includes hand-cut, engraved vinyl with unique numbering, hand-lined boxes, and custom materials. Copies 1-50 retail at £40 with edition 51 in bespoke packaging. Artists receive creative control and production at label cost rather than charges passed through.

The Factory recording studio facility captures live performances and recording sessions, producing Factory Sessions video content distributed via YouTube and social platforms. Physical production capabilities extend to vinyl pressing partnerships, cassette manufacturing, and CD replication with accompanying design and packaging services. The infrastructure supports both standard commercial releases and experimental limited-run productions.

Content Management Issues

Multiple reports document false copyright claims filed through YouTube’s automated Content ID system. One creator with farm footage of chickens and turkeys received copyright claims on animal sounds. The creator disputed on grounds of originality (personally recorded from own animals), but state51 initially rejected the dispute. Upon formal appeal with metadata evidence, YouTube removed the claim, ruling in the creator’s favor.

Additional reports indicate unauthorized uploads of LazyTown’s “We Are Number One” instrumental to multiple platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Tidal, Deezer) under artist credit “4Fate” with assigned ISRC code, without apparent authorization from rights holders. This generated streaming revenue claims and platform presence without legitimate licensing basis.

The false claims pattern correlates with automated Content ID system operation rather than intentional abuse. However, the pattern indicates quality control gaps in content database management. Resolution through dispute channels suggests either appeals route to appropriate legal review or YouTube overrides determinations, though reputational damage persists from initial false claims.

Catalog Distribution Services

State51 distributes catalogues for Ghost Box Records (sub-publisher relationship), Trunk Records, Clay Pipe Music, PRAH Recordings, Damaged Goods, Permanent Draft, Subtext Records, Lo Recordings, and Scenic Route Records. The Kate Bush catalogue moved to state51 distribution in 2023 following previous Warner Music Group relationship, representing significant catalogue acquisition in established artist category.

Distribution agreements vary by partner, with standard deals returning 91% royalties and Collective 15 agreements at 85% retention with included services. The company manages digital delivery, physical distribution coordination, neighbouring rights collection, and publishing administration depending on contract structure. Platform relationships include preferred distribution partner status with major DSPs.

The company operates Greedbag e-commerce platform for direct-to-consumer sales, historically charging 21% commission on sales when shops meet minimum thresholds with free service provision above volume targets. The infrastructure supports both digital-only releases and physical format production with accompanying retail distribution.

---