Planet Mu is an English electronic music record label created and run by Mike Paradinas, also known as μ-Ziq. The label started out as a subsidiary of Virgin Records then Paradinas set up the label independent of Virgin. After releasing intelligent dance music, the label moved to jungle and breakcore, and then grime and dubstep and later footwork. The label also releases the music of Paradinas under various aliases such as μ-Ziq, Kid Spatula, and Tusken Raiders. It celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2025.

Beginning

When Mike Paradinas signed as a musician to Virgin Records in the mid-1990s, Paradinas was asked for suggestions for the new dance subsidiary and suggested Planet Mu as a play on Carl Craig's label Planet E. The label also releases Paradinas's music under a range of aliases including Kid Spatula, Tusken Raiders, and Mu-Ziq, establishing itself as an electronic music label to rival Skam Records and Warp records. Later in the decade, Paradinas moved towards grime and dubstep, signing artists such as Boxcutter, Milanese, Mr. Mitch, Pinch, Vex'd, and Virus Syndicate. In 2006, the label released three Warrior Dubz compilations curated by Mary Anne Hobbs. In the 2010s, Planet Mu changed direction again, releasing the footwork compilation Bangs & Works Vol. 1 which featured DJ Rashad and brought the Chicago genre to wider attention.

In 2020, the label celebrated its 25th birthday. In 2019 it had not made a profit but in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, sales went up.

See also

  • List of electronic music record labels

References

  • Official website
  • Discogs Planet-Mu