Mantra : Profile

Set up in 1995, by John Empson and Beggars Banquet owner Martin Mills, Mantra Recordings filled the musical gap between the guitar rock of Beggars and the purist dance ethic of XL Recordings.

Early signings included Natacha Atlas (then front woman with Transglobal Underground), Asian agit hip-hoppers Fun^Da^mental, South African rap outfit Prophets of Da City and Scottish (trip) hoppers Coco & The Bean. With a global sound already established, the addition of legendary reggae artist Bim Sherman was a natural.

As Mantra started to become established globally the roster was further strengthened by the addition of powerful guitar acts Six By Seven, Groop Dogdrill and China Drum - all supported by heavy touring schedules and heavy drinking that took it's toll on bands and label alike.

1999 saw two critical signings for Mantra in Gorkys Zygotic Mynci and Saint Etienne both established acts with strong individual identities that fit perfectly into the Mantra mould.

Mantra also distributed The Delgados’ Chemikal Underground albums outside the UK and realeased their incredible fourth album, “Hate”, worldwide in 2003.

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