Matt Black and Jonathan More of Coldcut founded Ninja Tune in London in 1990. They wanted an outlet beyond the commercial expectations they had encountered elsewhere, and DJ Food’s Jazz Brakes series was among the early releases. The label developed across electronic production, hip-hop, and other styles rather than specialising in drum and bass.
That breadth also runs through its imprints and partnerships. Big Dada was relaunched under Ninja Tune’s Black, POC, and minority ethnic staff, while Counter Records forms another part of the operation. Partnerships with Brainfeeder and Foreign Family Collective cover releasing, promoting, and distributing music worldwide.
In March 2026, Concord announced its acquisition of Ninja Tune and the associated Just Isn’t Music publishing company. The existing leadership continued to run the business, carrying the label into a new stage of its history.
