The Beggars Group is the home of 4AD, Matador Records, Rough Trade Records, XL Recordings and Young.
The Beggars Group in the last decade has gone from strength to strength, not only confirming their position as one of the largest independent groups of record labels in the world, allowing recording artists the time to develop, and offering them unparalleled freedom and support.
With origins stemming from the Beggars Banquet record shops in London, whose first branch opened in 1973 in Earls Court, the label was born in 1977 with the 7” release of the ‘Free Admission Single’ by The Lurkers. Success was quick to follow via one of the first signings, Gary Numan
Chaired by founder Martin Mills, Beggars Group now comprises many of the world’s most respected independent labels and is home to 4AD, Matador Records, Rough Trade, XL Recordings and Young, in addition to a growing publishing wing (Beggars Music) and a successful catalog imprint (Beggars Arkive). Based in London with US headquarters in New York City, The Beggars Group also have dedicated offices in all major markets in addition to an office in Los Angeles, CA and a Matador office in Austin, TX.
Beggars has also been a pioneer in the digital world and had its catalogue available digitally before the end of the last century. It self-distributes digitally and to US indie stores, and have been active proponents in promoting the collective interests of the independent sector, instrumental in the setting up of the sector’s various representative bodies. They are proud to be founding members of the Association of Independent Music (UK), IMPALA (Europe), A2IM (USA), and the Worldwide Independent Network, each of which represent the interests of the independent music industry. The Beggars Group are also active members of Merlin, the independents’ rights licensing body.
With numerous Brit, GRAMMY® and Mercury Music Prize wins among them, success in recent years have included releases from innovative and groundbreaking artists such as Adele, ANOHNI, Arca, Big Thief, Jarvis Cocker, FKA twigs, Grimes, Interpol, M.I.A., The National, Queens Of The Stone Age, Radiohead, Sampha, Kamasi Washington, The xx and more. Over it’s lifetime, the Group has also had the privilege of releasing music from the likes of Alabama Shakes, Badly Drawn Boy, Bauhaus, Basement Jaxx, Beirut, Bon Iver, Biffy Clyro, The Birthday Party, British Sea Power, The Breeders, Cat Power, The Charlatans, Cocteau Twins, Cornershop, The Cult, Dead Can Dance, Deerhunter, Dizzee Rascal, The Fall, The Go-Betweens, PJ Harvey, The Libertines,The Lurkers, Lush, Mercury Rev, Gary Numan, Pavement, Pixies, The Prodigy, Purity Ring, Queens of the Stone Age, The Raconteurs, Savages, The Strokes, St. Vincent, This Mortal Coil, Tune-Yards, Tyler, The Creator, TV On The Radio, Vampire Weekend, Scott Walker, Warpaint, Jack White, The White Stripes, Wiley and Yo La Tengo, among countless others.
martin mills q&a
It’s been forty years since Beggars Banquet unleashed its first 7” single, the three-chord buzzsaw rush of The Lurkers’ ‘Shadow’ / ‘Love Story’. In that time the South West London label based has consistently released groundbreaking records while also establishing a group of equally groundbreaking labels. They’ve experienced the lows of near bankruptcy and the highs of hitting number one all over the world. They’ve been at the forefront of every major change in distribution for independent record labels, from deals with majors to helping to establish a truly independent distribution network, and on to today when they are seizing the opportunities and changes brought about by the increasing influence of the internet.
Where hundreds have failed, Beggars have continued to grow, proving in the process that an independent doesn’t have to adopt the same values as a major in order to succeed. For today, just as always, the main motivation behind the entire Beggars Group is quite simply to put out great music. And if commercial success happens along the way (as it so often has – to a startling degree) then that’s just an added bonus.
Here label founder Martin Mills discusses the history of Beggars Banquet and the subsequent Beggars Group. And shows exactly why Beggars will remain an inspirational independent force…
awards and accolades
2024 – NOMINEE – Best Dance/Electronic Recording – Romy & Fred Again… “Strong” (Young)
2024 – NOMINEE – Best Rock Song – Queens Of The Stone Age – “Emotion Sickness (Matador)
2024 – NOMINEE – Best Rock Album – Queens Of The Stone Age – In Times New Roman… (Matador)
2024 – NOMINEE – Best Recording Package – Dry Cleaning – Stumpwork (4AD)
2023 – NOMINEE – Best Alternative Music Performance – Big Thief – “certainty” (4AD)
2023 – NOMINEE – Best Alternative Music Album – Big Thief – dragon new warm mountain I believe in you (4AD)
2023 – NOMINEE – Best Rock Album – Spoon – Lucifer On The Sofa (Matador Records)
2023 – WINNER – Songwriter Of The Year, Non-Classical – Tobias Jesso Jr. – (True Panther/Matador Records alumni)
2022 – NOMINEE – Best Boxed Or Special Limited Edition Package – Gang Of Four – 77-81 (Matador)
2021 – NOMINEE – Best Rock Performance – Big Thief – “Not” (4AD)
2021 – NOMINEE – Best Rock Song – Big Thief – “Not” (4AD)
2021 – WINNER – Best Recording Package – Desert Sessions – Vols. 11 & 12 (Matador)
2021 – NOMINEE – Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media – Kamasi Washington – Becoming (Young)
2021 – NOMINEE – Best Dance/Electronic Album – ARCA – KiCk i (XL Recordings)
2020 – NOMINEE – Best Alternative Album – Big Thief – UFOF (4AD)
2020 – NOMINEE – Best Alternative Album – Thom Yorke – Anima (XL Recordings)
2020 – NOMINEE – Best Song Written For Visual Media – Thom Yorke – “Suspirium” (XL Recordings)
2020 – NOMINEE – Best Boxed Or Limited Edition Package – Thom Yorke – Anima (XL Recordings)
2020 – NOMINEE – Best Music Film – Thom Yorke – Anima (XL Recordings)
2020 – NOMINEE – Music Video – FKA Twigs – “Cellophane” (Young)
2018 – WINNER – Best Alternative Album – The National – Sleep Well Beast (4AD)
2018 – NOMINEE – Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical – Perfume Genius – No Shape (Matador Records)
2018 – NOMINEE – Best Rock Album – Queens Of The Stone Age Villains (Matador Records)
2018 – NOMINEE – Best Recording Package – The National – Sleep Well Beast (4AD)
2018 – NOMINEE – Best Remixed Recording – The xx – “A Violent Noise (Four Tet Remix)” (Young)
2017 – NOMINEE – Best Rock Song – Radiohead – “Burn The Witch” (XL Recordings)
2017 – NOMINEE – Best Alternative Album – Radiohead – A Moon Shaped Pool (XL Recordings)
2017 – NOMINEE – Best Music Video – Jamie xx – “Gosh” (Young)
2017 – NOMINEE – Best Recording Package – Parquet Courts – Human Performance (Rough Trade)
2016 – NOMINEE – Best Dance/Electronic Album – Jamie xx – In Colour (Young)
2015 – NOMINEE – Best Recording Package – FKA Twigs – LP1 (Young)
2014 – NOMINEE – Best Rock Performance – Queens Of The Stone Age – “My God Is The Sun” (Matador)
2014 – NOMINEE – Best Rock Album – Queens Of The Stone Age – …Like Clockwork (Matador)
2014 – WINNER – Best Alternative Album – Vampire Weekend – Modern Vampires Of The City (XL Recordings)
2014 – NOMINEE – Best Alternative Album – The National – Trouble Will Find Me (4AD)
2013 – NOMINEE – Best Recording Package – David Byrne & St.Vincent – Love This Giant (4AD)
2010 – NOMINEE – Best Alternative Album – Vampire Weekend – Contra (XL Recordings)
2023 – Best Folk Record – Big Thief – Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You (4AD)
2023 – Best Heavy Record – black midi – Hellfire (Rough Trade Records)
2023 – Best Hip-Hop/Rap Record – Kenny Beats – LOUIE (XL Recordings)
2023 – Best Jazz Record – Kamasi Washington – The Garden Path (Young)
2023 – Best Latin Record – Helado Negro – Ya No Astoy Aquí (4AD)
2022 – Label of the Year (Big) – Matador Records (tied with Mom + Pop Music)
2022 – Best Jazz Record
– BADBADNOTGOOD – Talk Memory (XL Recordings/Innovative Leisure)
2022 – Best Latin Record
– Helado Negro – Far In (4AD)
2022 – Best Live/Livestream Act
– Mdou Moctar – “Live at the Niger River” (Matador)
2022 – Best Reissue
: Radiohead – Kid A Mnesia (XL Recordings)
2022 – Best World Record
– Mdou Moctar – Afrique Victime (Matador Records)
2021 – Best Jazz Record – Gil-Scott Heron & Makaya McCraven – We’re New Again – A Reimagining by Makaya McCraven – (XL Recordings)
2021 – Video Of The Year – FKA twigs – “Sad Day” – (Young)
2020 – Album Of The Year – Big Thief – U.F.O.F – (4AD)
2020 – Best Americana Album – Steve Gunn – The Unseen In Between – (Matador Records)
2020 – Video Of The Year – FKA Twigs – “Cellophane” – (Young)
2019 – Album Of The Year – Kamasi Washington – Heaven And Earth – (Young)
2019 – Best Jazz Album – Kamasi Washington – Heaven And Earth – (Young)
2019 – Best Reissue – Pixies – Come On Pilgrim…It’s Surfer Rosa – (4AD)
2019 – Creative Packaging – Kamasi Washington – Heaven And Earth – (Young)
2018 – Best Jazz Album – Kamasi Washington – The Harmony Of Difference – (Young)
2018 – Best Rock Album – The National – Sleep Well Beast – (4AD)
2018 – Best World Album – Ibeyi – Ash – (XL Recordings)
2018 – Breakthrough Artist – Princess Nokia – 1992 Deluxe – (Rough Trade Record)
2018 – Video Of The Year – Perfume Genius – “Die 4 U” – (Matador Records)
2017 – Best Live Act – Radiohead – (XL Recordings)
2017 – Marketing Genius – The xx – I See You – (Young)
2017 – Video Of The Year, Fan Vote – Radiohead – “Daydreaming” – (XL Recordings)
2016 – Into The Pit – Savages – (Matador Records)
2016 – Shifting Beats – Jamie xx – Two Weeks (Young)
2016 – Video Of The Year – Fan Vote Grimes – Kill V. Maim (4AD)
2015 – Video Of The Year – FKA Twigs – Two Weeks (Young)
2014 – Creative Packaging Award – Kurt Vile – Wakin On A Pretty Daze Deluxe LP (Matador Records) by Stephen Powers/ESPO
2017 – Brits Global Success Award – Adele
2016 – British Female Solo Artist – Adele
2016 – British Single – Adele – “Hello”
2016 – Mastercard British Album Of The Year – Adele – 25
2016 – Global Success – Adele
2013 – British Single – Adele
2012 – British Female Solo Artist – Adele
2012 – Mastercard British Album Of The Year – Adele
2008 – Critic’s Choice Award – Adele
2004 – Best British Dance Act – Basement Jaxx
2013 – Best International Group – The White Stripes
2002 – Best British Dance Act – Basement Jaxx
1999 – Best British Newcomer – Belle & Sebastian
1998 – Best British Dance Act – Prodigy
1997 – Best British Dance Act – Prodigy
2022 – Best Independent Label – Rough Trade Records
2022 – Best Independent Remix – Ibeyi – “Lavender & Red Roses ft. Jorja Smith (Champion Remix – (XL Recordings)
2020 – International Breakthrough – Yaeji – (XL Recordings)
2020 – Best (Difficult) Second Album – FKA Twigs, Magdalene – (Young)
2017 – Independent Breakthrough Of The Year – Sampha – (Young)
2017 – Independent Track Of The Year – The xx – “On Hold” – (Young)
2016 – Best “Difficult” Second Album – Daughter- Not To Disappear (4AD)
2016 – Independent Track Of The Year – Adele – Hello (XL Recordings)
2016 – Pioneer Award – Richard Russell, XL Recordings
2015 – Independent Track Of The Year – FKA Twigs – Two Weeks (Young)
2015 – PPL Award for Most Played New Independent Act – Jungle (XL Recordings)
2014 – Pioneer Award – Martin Mills, Beggars Group
2013 – Best “Difficult” Second Album – The xx – Coexist (Young)
2013 – Independent Track Of The Year – Vampire Weekend – Diane Young (XL Recordings)
2013 – Pioneer Award – Geoff Travis, Rough Trade
2012 – PPL Award for Most Played New Independent Act – Adele (XL Recordings)
2012 – Independent Label Of The Year – 4AD
2011 – Best “Difficult” Second Album – Adele – 21 (XL Recordings)
2011 – Catalogue Release Of The Year – Matador At 21 – Various Artists (Matador)
2011 – Independent Breakthrough Of The Year – SBTRKT (Young)
2011 – PPL Award For Most Played Independent Act – Adele (XL Recordings)
2023 – Shortlisted – Lankum – False Lankum (Rough Trade)
2019 – Shortlisted – black midi – Schlagenheim (Rough Trade Records)
2018 – Shortlisted – Everything Is Recorded – Everything Is Recorded (XL Recordings)
2018 – Shortlisted – King Krule – The Ooz (XL Recordings)
2017 – WINNER – Sampha – Process (Young)
2017 – Shortlisted – The xx – I See You (Young)
2016 – Shortlisted – Anohni – Hopelessness (Rough Trade Records)
2016 – Shortlisted – Radiohead – A Moon Shaped Pool (XL Recordings)
2016 – Shortlisted – Savages – Adore Life (Matador Records)
2015 – Shortlisted – SOAK – Before We Forgot How To Dream (Rough Trade Records)
2015 – Shortlisted – Jamie xx – In Colour (Young)
2014 – Shortlisted – FKA twigs – LP1 (Young)
2014 – Shortlisted – Jungle – Jungle (XL Recordings)
2013 – Shortlisted – Savages – Silence Yourself (Matador Records)
2011 – Shortlisted – Adele – 21 (XL Recordings)
2010 – WINNER – The xx – xx (Young)
2009 – Shortlisted – Friendly Fires – Friendly Fires (XL Recordings)
2009 – Shortlisted – The Horrors – Primary Colours (XL Recordings)
2008 – Shortlisted – Adele – 19 (XL Recordings)
2008 – Shortlisted – British Sea Power – Do You Like Rock Music (Rough Trade Records)
2008 – Shortlisted – Radiohead – In Rainbows (XL Recordings)
2007 – Shortlisted – Dizzee Rascal – Maths + English (XL Recordings)
2006 – Shortlisted – Thom Yorke – The Eraser (XL Recordings)
2005 – WINNER – Antony And The Johnsons – I Am A Bird Now (Rough Trade Records)
2005 – Shortlisted – M.I.A. – Arular (XL Recordings)
2004 – Shortlisted – Basement Jaxx – Kish Kash (XL Recordings)
2003 – WINNER – Dizzee Rascal – Boy In Da Corner (XL Recordings)
2003 – Shortlisted – Lemon Jelly – Lost Horizons (XL Recordings)
2001 – Shortlisted – Basement Jaxx – Rooty (XL Recordings)
2000 – WINNER – Badly Drawn Boy – The Hour Of Bewilderbeast (XL Recordings)
1998 – Shortlisted – Cornershop – When I Was Born for the 7th Time (Wiiija)
1997 – Shortlisted – The Prodigy – The Fat Of The Land (XL Recordings)
1994 – Shortlisted – The Prodigy – Music For The Jilted Generation (XL Recordings)
2016 – Kaytranada – 99.9%
2009 – Fucked Up – The Chemistry Of Common Life
ADELE – 19 – 3X PLATINUM – XL Recordings/Columbia
ADELE – Chasing Pavements – 7X PLATINUM – XL Recordings/Columbia
ADELE – Make You Feel My Love – GOLD – XL Recordings/Columbia
ADELE – Rolling In The Deep – GOLD – XL Recordings/Columbia
ADELE – Rolling In The Deep – 8X PLATINUM – XL Recordings/Columbia
ADELE – Rumor Has It – 2X PLATINUM – XL Recordings/Columbia
ADELE – Set Fire To The Rain – 4X PLATINUM – XL Recordings/Columbia
ADELE – Skyfall – PLATINUM – XL Recordings/Columbia
ADELE – Someone Like You – 5X Platinum – XL Recordings/Columbia
ADELE – Turning Tables – GOLD – XL Recordings/Columbia
GRIMES – Oblivion – GOLD – 4AD
GRIMES – Genesis – GOLD – 4AD
HOUNDMOUTH – Sedona – GOLD – Rough Trade Records
INTERPOL – Antics – GOLD – Matador Records
INTERPOL – Turn On The Bright Lights – GOLD – Matador Records
LIZ PHAIR – Exile In Guyville – GOLD – Matador Records
LIZ PHAIR – Whip Smart – GOLD – Matador Records
M.I.A. – KALA – GOLD – Intersope/XL Recordings
PIXIES – Doolittle – PLATINUM – 4AD
PIXIES – Surfer Rosa – GOLD – 4AD
RADIOHEAD – A Moon Shaped Pool – GOLD – XL Recordings
SIGUR ROS – Heima – PLATINUM – XL Recordings
THE CULT – Electric – PLATINUM – Sire/Beggars Banquet
THE CULT – Love – GOLD – Sire/Beggars Banquet
THE CULT – Sonic Temple – PLATINUM – Sire/Beggars Banquet
THE XX – Intro – GOLD – Young
THE XX – XX – GOLD – Young
TYLER THE CREATOR – Goblin – GOLD – XL Recordings
TYLER THE CREATOR – Yonkers – PLATINUM – XL Recordings
VAMPIRE WEEKEND – A-Punk – PLATINUM – XL Recordings
VAMPIRE WEEKEND – Contra – GOLD – XL Recordings
VAMPIRE WEEKEND – Modern Vampires Of The City – GOLD – XL Recordings
VAMPIRE WEEKEND – Vampire Weekend – PLATINUM – XL Recordings
Click here to read the full list
#438 BELLE AND SEBASTIAN – If You’re Feeling Sinister (Matador)
#434 PAVEMENT – Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain (Matador)
#423 YO LA TENGO – I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One (Matador)
#421 MIA – Arular (XL Recordings)
#390 PIXIES – Surfer Rosa (4AD)
#387 RADIOHEAD – In Rainbows (XL Recordings)
#328 VAMPIRE WEEKEND – Modern Vampires Of The City (XL Recordings)
#293 THE BREEDERS – Last Splash (4AD)
#276 RADIOHEAD – The Bends (XL Recordings)
#273 GANG OF FOUR – Entertainment! (Matador)
#265 PAVEMENT – Wowee Zowee (Matador)
#245 COCTEAU TWINS – Heaven Or Las Vegas (4AD)
#199 PAVEMENT – Slanted and Enchanted (Matador)
#141 PIXIES – Doolittle (4AD)
#137 ADELE – 21 (XL Recordings)
#56 LIZ PHAIR – Exile In Guyville (Matador)
#42 RADIOHEAD – OK Computer (XL Recordings)
#20 RADIOHEAD – Kid A (XL Recordings)