Midnight Riot Records is a London disco and house label founded in early 2012 by Yam Who? (Andy Williams) and Jaegerossa (Phil Rose). Named after the London riots of the summer before, it became one of the most respected disco labels of its era, known for global disco compilations such as Riot In Lagos and releases from Amp Fiddler, Robert Owens, Arthur Baker and Soul Clap.
Midnight Riot Records at a glance
- Founded: early 2012, London
- Founders: Yam Who? (Andy Williams) and Jaegerossa (Phil Rose)
- Sound: disco, house, boogie, Afro and gospel
- Sister label: Black Riot
- Recognition: named by Mixmag in 2017 as one of the most influential disco labels of the decade
How the label started
Andy Williams had already launched ISM Records in 2009 when he teamed up with Phil Rose to start a new label in early 2012. The pair took the name from the riots that had hit London months earlier, and set out to release disco and house with soul, swing and a sense of fun.
Compilations that travelled the world
The label’s compilations were among its most successful releases. They dug deep into disco and boogie from Japan, Brazil and Africa, introducing a new generation of DJs to records that had never made it to UK dancefloors. Riot In Lagos and the Roller Boogie series are good places to start.
Artists on Midnight Riot
- Amp Fiddler, whose album Motor City Booty came out in 2017
- Robert Owens and Arthur Baker
- Eli Escobar and Soul Clap
- Michael Gray, Birdee and Hifi Sean
- Groove Assassin
Yam Who?
Andy Williams made his DJ debut in 1989 and became a promoter, producer, DJ and Mixmag’s disco editor. He also made the Glitterbox album Prophecy as one half of Qwestlife. He died in March 2025. Read our full tribute to Yam Who?.
Jaegerossa
Phil Rose, aka Jaegerossa, co-founded the label and is a DJ and producer in his own right. It was Phil who shared the news of Andy’s death with the label’s followers in March 2025.
Midnight Riot Records in Plymouth
Yam Who? and Jaegerossa brought the Midnight Riot sound to Plymouth for DancersHip on Saturday 11 November 2023, a night that showed exactly why the label’s mix of disco and house fills dancefloors.
Frequently asked questions about Midnight Riot Records
Who founded Midnight Riot Records?
Yam Who? (Andy Williams) and Jaegerossa (Phil Rose), in early 2012.
Why is it called Midnight Riot?
The name refers to the London riots of summer 2011, a few months before the label launched.
What music does it release?
Disco, house, boogie, Afro and gospel-flavoured dance music, including global disco compilations.
Source: DJ Mag.
Keep listening
Steve Bell plays soulful, deep and vocal house and disco 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.
