Armada Music and Beatport launch documentary about New York City’s King Street Sounds

Armada Music and Beatport Honor NYC’s House Music Legacy with King Street Sounds Documentary.

Armada Music and Beatport have released a new documentary celebrating New York City’s house music legacy, focusing on the iconic label King Street Sounds. Titled House Music Royalty: The Story of King Street Sounds, the 35-minute film explores the label’s evolution from its roots at Paradise Garage to its influence on modern house music. The documentary is available to stream on YouTube.

Founded in 1993 by Hisa Ishioka, King Street Sounds quickly became a crucial player in NYC’s underground scene. Influenced by the soulful beats of Paradise Garage, the label championed a mix of soulful, Afro, Latin, and tech-infused house music that reached global audiences. It also played a vital role in the city’s LGBTQ+ community, promoting diversity and innovation.

The documentary features interviews with house music legends like Barbara Tucker, Blaze, and David Morales, alongside newer voices such as Natalie Maddix of House Gospel Choir. It covers the label’s origins in New York’s vibrant music scene and its expansion to international prominence.

In 2023, Armada Music acquired King Street Sounds, marking a new chapter for the label. The relaunch includes a refreshed brand, remix series, and vinyl catalog repressings, connecting classic house fans with a new generation. Armada’s efforts blend tradition with innovation, honoring King Street’s legacy while pushing its sound forward.

Why This Documentary Matters

King Street Sounds has been a pioneering force in house music, both in NYC and around the world. The documentary pays tribute to a label that has championed diversity and shattered boundaries, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. It highlights house music’s deep cultural significance, blending history with innovation to inspire a new generation of fans.

With a legacy that continues to influence the house music scene, King Street Sounds is a testament to the genre’s enduring power to unite and uplift. The documentary is an invitation to explore that legacy and to feel the pulse of house music’s vibrant past and future.

House Music Royalty: The Story of King Street Sounds is now streaming on YouTube. Discover the story of one of house music’s most influential labels and see how it continues to shape the scene today. For more on Armada Music, King Street Sounds, and The Beatport Group, visit their official websites and social media channels.

Featured image courtesy of label press team.