Beggars Group

The Beggars Group is the home of 4AD, Matador, 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 labels in the world, but also, by allowing their artists the time to develop, affording them freedom and support, releasing the best the decade had to offer.

About

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.

Over forty successful years of trading later and still run by founder Martin Mills, Beggars Banquet has since graduated to the Beggars Group, home to five of the most recognizable independent record labels around – 4AD, Matador, Rough Trade, XL Recordings and Young. Each one is run independently of the other, with the Beggars Group owning 50% stakes in each except 4AD, which it now fully owns.

With its own worldwide network in place, unique in the independent sector, the Group now has three offices in London (two of which also house recording studios), two in the US (New York and Los Angeles), and a dedicated office in every major territory. The company has also been actively involved in helping to promote the collective interests of the sector, proud to be founding members of the Association of Independent Music (UK) in 1999, IMPALA(Europe) in 2000, A2IM (USA), and most recently 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.

In its life, the Group has had the privilege to release music from the diverse likes of Adele, Alabama Shakes, Anthony & The Johnsons, Ariel Pink, The Associates, Badly Drawn Boy, Basement Jaxx, Bauhaus, Beck, Beirut, Bon Iver, Biffy Clyro, The Birthday Party, The Breeders, British Sea Power, Buffalo Tom, David Byrne, Cat Power, The Charlatans, Chrome, Jarvis Cocker, Cocteau Twins, Cornershop, The Cult, Dead Can Dance, Deerhunter, Dizzee Rascal, The Fall, FKA Twigs, The Go-Betweens, Giggs, Grimes, PJ Harvey, The Hold Steady, The Horrors, The Libertines,The Lurkers, Lush, Mercury Rev, M.I.A., Interpol, The National, Nico, Gary Numan, Pavement, Pixies, The Prodigy, Purity Ring, Queens of the Stone Age, The Raconteurs, Radiohead, Red House Painters, Lou Reed, Saint Etienne, Savages, The Strokes, St. Vincent, This Mortal Coil, Tune-Yards, TV On The Radio, Vampire Weekend, Scott Walker, Warpaint, Jack White, The White Stripes, Wiley, The xx and Yo La Tengo, among countless others.

Most notable achievements for the Group in recent years include the XL (UK)-released albums from Adele, 19, 21 and 25; all worldwide smashes to say the least. The Group has also achieved three Number One albums in the US in recent years (Vampire Weekend twice and Queens of the Stone Age), a rare feat for an independent label.

Grammy® awards/nominations



  • 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)
  • 2010 – NOMINEE – Best Alternative Album – Vampire Weekend – Contra (XL Recordings)

    A2IM award winners



    • 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


    Brit award winners



    • 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



    AIM award winners



    • 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)


    Mercury Prize winners



    • 2017 – Sampha – Process (Young)
    • 2010 – The xx – xx (Young)
    • 2005 – Antony And The Johnsons – I Am A Bird Now (Rough Trade)
    • 2003 – Dizzee Rascal – Boy In Da Corner (XL Recordings)
    • 2000 – Badly Drawn Boy – The Hour Of Bewilderbeast (XL Recordings)


    Polaris Prize winners



    • 2016 – Kaytranada – 99.9%
    • 2009 – Fucked Up – The Chemistry Of Common Life


    RIAA Certifications

    • 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
    • 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

    Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time

      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)