Defected Records is a London house music label founded in January 1999 by Simon Dunmore, and one of the most successful house labels in the world. Its hits include Roger Sanchez’s UK No.1 Another Chance and CamelPhat & Elderbrook’s Grammy-nominated Cola. It also runs the Glitterbox brand, the Defected in the House compilations, Defected Croatia and Ibiza residencies, and a family of labels including Soulfuric, Sub-Urban and Classic Music Company.
Defected Records at a glance
- Founded: January 1999, London
- Founder: Simon Dunmore, former A&R at AM:PM and Cooltempo
- Owners: Wez Saunders (CEO) and Stephen Devonshire, since 2022
- First release: Soulsearcher, I Can’t Get Enough (UK No.5)
- Biggest hits: Another Chance, Finally, Cola and Love Generation
- Brands: Glitterbox, Defected in the House, Defected Croatia
- Ibiza: residencies at Pacha, Eden and, from 2024, Ushuaïa
The origins of Defected Records
Simon Dunmore launched Defected in January 1999, after working as an A&R at AM:PM and Cooltempo. The label was initially funded by Ministry of Sound. Its first release, Soulsearcher’s I Can’t Get Enough, reached No.5 in the UK, and Lenny Fontana’s What You Need soon followed into the top 15.
Defected’s biggest records
- 2001: Roger Sanchez, Another Chance, a UK No.1
- 2002: Kings of Tomorrow, Finally, and Shakedown, At Night (UK No.6)
- 2005: Bob Sinclar, Love Generation (UK No.12)
- 2017: CamelPhat & Elderbrook, Cola, Grammy-nominated and platinum in the UK
- 2020: Inner City, No More Looking Back featuring Idris Elba
The label passed its 500th release in late 2016, and its Defected in the House compilation series, launched in 2003, has become one of the best-known mix series in house music.
Defected in Ibiza
Defected held its first Ibiza event in 2001. Since then it has had some of the island’s best-known residencies:
- 2006–2012: Pacha Ibiza
- 2013–2014: Booom!
- 2015: Amnesia, with Together
- 2017–2023: Eden, San Antonio
- 2024: Ushuaïa, Playa d’en Bossa, with a 22-week Tuesday residency
Glitterbox
In 2014 Simon Dunmore created Glitterbox, Defected’s disco and house brand. It started at Space Ibiza, moved to Hï Ibiza in 2017, and now has its own label and a weekly radio show hosted by Melvo Baptiste. Seamus Haji works on Glitterbox Recordings as an A&R.
Defected Croatia
Since 2016, Defected Croatia has taken place every August in Tisno, a four-day festival for around 3,000 people. Sam Divine, the first female DJ on the Defected roster, has been a regular.
The Defected family of labels
Defected now runs or owns a large family of labels, including Glitterbox Recordings, DFTD, Classic Music Company, Faith, Azuli, Nu Groove, Slip ‘N’ Slide, Soul Heaven, Soulfuric, Sub-Urban, Big Love Music and DVINE Sounds.
New owners and a 25th anniversary
In September 2022 Simon Dunmore sold Defected to CEO Wez Saunders and investor Stephen Devonshire. For its 25th anniversary in 2024, the label ran a world tour of 25 residencies in 25 countries and released 25 “Together” collaborations.
Frequently asked questions about Defected Records
Who founded Defected Records?
Defected Records was founded in London in January 1999 by Simon Dunmore, a former A&R at AM:PM and Cooltempo.
Who owns Defected Records now?
Since September 2022, Defected Records has been owned by CEO Wez Saunders and investor Stephen Devonshire.
What was Defected’s first release?
Defected’s first release was Soulsearcher’s I Can’t Get Enough in 1999, which reached No.5 in the UK.
What is Glitterbox?
Glitterbox is Defected’s disco and house brand, created in 2014, with events in Ibiza and around the world, its own label and a weekly radio show.
Where is Defected Croatia?
Defected Croatia takes place every August in Tisno, Croatia.
Read more on the Defected Records Wikipedia page.
Keep listening
Steve Bell plays soulful, deep and vocal house across the UK, Ibiza and beyond. Catch his monthly DancersHip show and live sets, or see the media pack to book Steve for your event.
