The Burning Man art car Titanic's End is making waves with the launch of its very own record label, Titanic's End Records. This innovative venture aims to not only showcase the unique sounds of the Burning Man community but also contribute to important causes. Co-founders Justin Kan and Nicholas Parasram tell Billboard that the label will play a crucial role in funding the annual cost of bringing the art car to the event. A significant portion of the label's profits, 50%, will go to Big Arts Organization, a registered 501(c) nonprofit dedicated to creating public art and raising awareness about climate change.

Focus on Music Genres and Artists

Titanic's End Records will primarily focus on house, Afro house, and global music. The label will feature singles from the collective of DJs and producers within the community, as well as talented artists from outside this world. As Parasram states, "Success for us is if we help artists bring the sounds we are listening to to a broader audience in the world." The independent label and artist services of Warner Music Group are handling the distribution. In January, the first release will be a collaborative track by producers JK, Arabic Piano, ORSO, and Maejor.

Art Car and Its Significance

The art car itself is a remarkable co-creation between Justin Kan and entrepreneur Eddie Sellers. Designed in the shape of an iceberg, it was built in San Francisco by over 200 volunteers from the Titanic's End Burning Man camp and made its debut at Burning Man in 2022. Known for having one of the highest-quality sound systems at the event, Titanic's End has hosted sets by renowned producers like LP Giobbi, Diplo, Acraze, Tokimonsta, Francis Mercier, and many others from the global Titanic's End community.

Worldwide Events and Impact

Like several other big and loud art cars at Burning Man, Titanic's End also hosts events around the world. It plans to present label artists at parties scheduled for 2025. For instance, in October 2023, it made an appearance at a set by Fisher and Chris Lake that took over Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, attracting an estimated crowd of 12,000. Kan emphasizes that all the activities outside of Burning Man, including those related to Titanic's End Records and the events they host, contribute to funding the annual bringing of the art car to the playa. The label founders also highlight their focus on creating opportunities for artists from various disciplines to present their art. As Kan says, "Music is one area, but we are also excited about large format sculptural and LED art and building more in-person events to introduce the culture to more people."

Community and Symbiotic Platform

Parasram adds with excitement, "We are very excited to launch this label because our community has worked so hard to build Titanic's End into a symbiotic platform, and the label is our final piece of the puzzle for a truly connected [inside/outside Burning Man] experience." This record label represents the culmination of the efforts of the Titanic's End community, bringing together music, art, and a sense of purpose. It showcases the power of creativity and collaboration in creating something truly remarkable.