Battle Axe Records

Battle Axe Records
Parent companyRegime Music Group
Founded1996 (1996)
FounderShane Bunting
DistributorsNettwerk (CAN, 1999-2005)
Caroline (US, 1999-2005)
GenreHip-hop
Country of origin Canada
LocationVancouver, British Columbia
Official websitewww.battleaxerecords.net

Battle Axe Records is an independent record label based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It was founded by Shane Bunting (Madchild of Swollen Members) in 1996.[1] The label also has multiple releases with sub-label Underworld Inc.[2][3]

History

The first releases by the label were four 12-inch singles by Swollen Members from 1997 to 1999, which were distributed by New York-based Fat Beats and sold approximately 10,000 copies each.[4]

Compilations

In addition to albums released for several artists, the label released ten compilation albums, three of which were included as a bonus CD for Mack Dawg Productions snowboarding videos.[5][6][7][8]

The first compilation album titled Defenders of the Underworld was released in 1999. The album featured many artists that primarily worked with other labels including Aceyalone, The Alchemist, Arsonists, Defari, Del the Funky Homosapien, Dilated Peoples, Divine Styler, Everlast, Kool Keith, KutMasta Kurt, Non Phixion, Pep Love, and Psycho Realm; and artists that continued working with Battle Axe Records including Buc Fifty, Evidence, Moka Only, Mr. Brady, Son Doobie, and Swollen Members.[9]

In 2000, the label released their second compilation album titled Battle Axe Warriors, which introduced Abstract Rude and LMNO to the label.[10]

In 2001, the label released their third compilation album titled Lyrics of Fury.[11]

Two more Battle Axe Warriors albums were released in 2002 and 2003,[12][13] and two more Lyrics of Fury albums were released in 2003 and 2004.[14][15]

Distribution

The label was distributed by Nettwerk in Canada and Caroline in the United States from 1999 to 2005.[16][17] In 2006, the label lost their distribution deal with Nettwerk due to Madchild's affiliation with the Hells Angels.[18][19]

Awards and nominations

Aside from Swollen Members four wins,[20] other Battle Axe Records albums have received nominations at the Juno Awards for Rap Recording of the Year. In 2004, Dark Sunrise by BrassMunk and Natural Progression by Sweatshop Union each received nominations.[21][22] In 2006, Sweatshop Union was nominated for the album United We Fall.[23] In 2012, Dagger Mouth by Swollen Members was nominated.[24] In 2013, Dope Sick by Madchild was nominated.[25]

Discography

Released with Underworld Inc.*

Abstract Rude & Tribe Unique

  • P.A.I.N.T (2001)
  • Showtyme! (2003)

Adlib

  • Primitive Tomorrow (2019)

BrassMunk

  • Dark Sunrise (2002)

Buc Fifty

  • Bad Man (2002)
  • Serve The Devil, Praise The Lord (2004)

Bukshot

  • Freak Show EP (2015)
  • Run EP (2015)
  • Assimilation EP (2016)
  • Helter Skelter: The Hunter EP (2016)

Chase Phoenix

  • Cut To The Chase (2004)*

Code Name: Scorpion

Demrick and Cali Cleve

  • Losing Focus (2015)

DJ Drez

  • The Capture of Sound (2003)

DJ Murge

  • Search and Rescue (2002)

Evidence

  • Yellow Tape Instrumentals (2003)

Fat Jack

  • Cater To The DJ 2 (2004)

Freestyle

  • Etched In Stone (2004)

Joey Chavez

  • Music From The Connection (2001)

LMNO

  • Leave My Name Out (2001)

Madchild

Moka Only

Mr. Brady

  • Dusty Baker (2002)*
  • Dirty (2003)

P.E.A.C.E

  • Megabite (2004)

Oddities

  • The Scenic Route (2003)*

Perfect Strangers

  • Moka Only + Madchild are… Perfect Strangers EP (2001)

Planet Asia

Prevail

  • Baseball Bats and Nails EP (2009)
  • Spacefase EP (with Ol' City Rocker) (2012)

Rob the Viking

  • Beats To Pillage And Conquer By (2003)

Shabazz the Disciple

Son Doobie

  • Funk Superhero (2003)
  • Doobie Deluxe (2004)

Sunspot Jonz

  • Don’t Let Em Stop You (2003)

Sweatshop Union

Swollen Members

Compilations

Bonus disc compilations [A]

  • The Resistance (2000)
  • True Life (2001)
  • Nixon Jibfest (2002)

DJ battle breaks

  • DJ Revolution - You Need New Breaks (1999)
  • Joey Chavez - Battle Axe Breaks Volume One-Three (2000)
  • DJ Kemo - Lab Rat Breaks (2001)
  • DJ Revolution - Coffee Breaks (2001)
  • DJ Science - Pizza Breaks (2003)
  • DJ Dingle Balls - Battle Break Deez Nuts
  • Alvin's Assfuzz - Battle Break Deez Nuts Volume Two
  • Louie Fangs, Top 2 Bot'm, Rock Steady Crew - Zowaxe

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Included as bonus CD with the following Mack Dawg Productions VHS/DVDs

References

  1. ↑ Cox, Alicia (19 January 2014). "The Birth of Battle Axe: The Business End of Swollen Members". Faze. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  2. ↑ Fraughton, Holly (11 July 2008). "Still going strong". Pique Newsmagazine. Retrieved 31 May 2026.
  3. ↑ "Oddities :: The Scenic Route :: Underworld Records/Battleaxe Records". www.rapreviews.com. Retrieved 31 May 2026.
  4. ↑ Staff, Billboard (20 December 2001). "Canadian Mainstream Embraces Swollen Members". Billboard. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  5. ↑ Burnett, Shari (22 June 2001). "Family wealth". Pique Newsmagazine. Retrieved 31 May 2026.
  6. ↑ "SwollenMembers". Crude Magazine. Retrieved 31 May 2026.
  7. ↑ Various - The Resistance, 15 September 2025, retrieved 6 June 2026
  8. ↑ Various - True Life, 2001, retrieved 6 June 2026
  9. ↑ Bush, John, "Various Artists: Defenders of the Underworld", AllMusic
  10. ↑ Mills, Brad, "Various Artists: Battle Axe Warriors", AllMusic
  11. ↑ "Chronique : Various Artists "Lyrics Of Fury"". HipHopCore (in French). February 2002.
  12. ↑ "Hip Hop Infinity". HipHopInfinity. Archived from the original on 27 February 2003.
  13. ↑ "Battle Axe Warriors - Battleaxe Warriors III", Discogs, 2004
  14. ↑ Rogo, DJ (5 April 2002). "AA.VV. - Battle Axe Warriors II". RapManiacz (in Italian).
  15. ↑ "Various - Lyrics Of Fury 3", Discogs, 2004
  16. ↑ Staff, Billboard (20 December 2001). "Canadian Mainstream Embraces Swollen Members". Billboard. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  17. ↑ Barclay, Michael (26 April 2022). "Chapter 12". Hearts On Fire Six Years That Changed Canadian Music 2000-2005. ECW Press.
  18. ↑ Maloney, Patrick (25 April 2013). "Learning about Madchild's Fan Club: The Battle Axe Warriors". VICE. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
  19. ↑ Woo, Andrea (5 November 2009). "Pills 'n' Deals and Biker Gangs". The Stranger. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
  20. ↑ Higgins, Dalton. "Rap's rocky road". The Juno Awards. Swollen Members won the Rap Recording of the Year four times (2001, 2002, 2003, 2007)
  21. ↑ "2004 | Rap Recording of the Year | Brassmunk". The JUNO Awards. Retrieved 17 May 2026.
  22. ↑ "2004 | Rap Recording of the Year | Sweatshop Union". The JUNO Awards. Retrieved 17 May 2026.
  23. ↑ "2006 | Rap Recording of the Year | Sweatshop Union". The JUNO Awards. Retrieved 17 May 2026.
  24. ↑ "2012 | Rap Recording of the Year | Swollen Members". The JUNO Awards. Retrieved 17 May 2026.
  25. ↑ "2013 | Rap Recording of the Year | Madchild". The JUNO Awards. Retrieved 17 May 2026.
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