Black Sun Empire launched Blackout Music NL in Utrecht in 2013, borrowing the name from the parties they had been running for a decade. They already had their own imprints, but wanted a label whose identity would give other artists more room. Optiv and BTK’s Bad Attitude EP became the first release, introducing Blackout as an outlet for the darker drum and bass the trio supported. The aim was to keep the label and its nights closely connected, bringing records and the artists behind them into the same operation.
State of Mind, Neonlight, and Pythius became part of a catalogue closely associated with neurofunk. The Upbeats also released on Blackout after years of friendship with Black Sun Empire and involvement in their parties. Those connections between producers, records, and events were there before the label began, and continued as more artists joined it.
Alongside established names, Blackout has released individual projects from newer producers. YOSHUU’s Outset, released in November 2024, includes a collaboration with kVR on the title track and another with Blocksberg on Morbid. Annual collections bring the roster together too: Blackout: Best Of 2025 gathers music released during that year, alongside a back catalogue of artist EPs and albums.
