Founded by Pepper Gomez – House Vocalist, Label Boss, and one of the significant figures who helped shape the House Music genre in the ’80s – Wake Up! Music is an indie label with a grand vision. Known for supporting artists creating Nu Music, the small yet rapidly growing, and influential label reflects Gomez’s resolute ethos that good music and real creativity matter more than anything.
Gomez began her journey in the music industry during the genesis of House. Despite the genre being nascent during her early years in the business, Pepper brought her unique style, bilingual Spanish touches, and poetic spirit to her tracks. Her unique blend of elements marked a breakthrough in her career, earning her spots on the Billboard through tracks like “Electric Baile”, “Master Plan”, and “Way to My Heart”, which she created alongside Matt Warren.
Returning to the field after a 30-year hiatus, Gomez, an indie freedom lover, founded Wake Up! Music. By then, her love for music had evolved into a mission. She tapped into her flair for identifying potential in up and coming bands and songs, driving the artists under her label to embrace their creativity and remain true to their art.
Wake Up! Music’s latest project, DJ Wall of Sound vol 3 – Fluid Dynamic’s SuperFreakMe with Pepper Gomez, is a testament to the label’s commitment to the art of the remix. This project showcases international DJs, including Eric Kupper, Tp Corleone, the youngster – Rude Minor, DJ Xtee, That Dude Dom, and, of course, Fluid Dynamic. Each one brings their distinctive style to the table, proving the vital role DJs play in keeping music innovative, fresh, and, importantly, alive.
The label deals with startup challenges, streaming revenue rates, and cutthroat competition, while the artists navigate finding the right collaborators for the optimum release. But the struggles are worth it. Their indie status affords them a level of independence, attracting a vast pool of DJ talents from across the globe.
Embodying the label’s focus on ‘Nu Music,’ these DJs have garnered recognition for their contributions to the industry. Eric Kupper, for example, has been throwing down beats that have led to 122 #1 Billboard records spanning multiple genres. Fluid Dynamic, a multi-talented DJ producer, brings fresh music to the EDM/dance world for almost three decades. Each talent, from the ‘young gun’ Rude Minor to South African DJ Xtee, adds a unique flavor to the global House Music Scene.
The label’s mission is reinforced by Gomez’s experience as a female label boss and a Latina, giving her a unique perspective in music creation. She has experienced overwhelming support from listeners and the industry, just as her label has enjoyed radio airplay and landed on the top of multiple charts. Beyond recognition, she understands the unspoken power DJs wield, “last night a DJ saved my life”, symbolizing the integral role DJs play in the music industry and in breaking new music to listeners and the dancers.
As an artist and label boss, she aspires to continue to create and provide a platform for even more artists to display their artwork. Wake Up! Music moves from strength to strength, currently garnering about 750 K to 1 million streams per month. The label’s accomplishments and continuing evolution under Gomez’s leadership attest to the power of indie labels, and indie artists, to shape the future of music.
Sprinkling sweet sounds and Nu Music into the global airwaves, Wake Up! Music is a testament to the potent potential of indie music labels and a reminder of the essential role DJs play in keeping the music world spinning.
For more information, visit wakeupmusicgroup.com or follow @wakeupmusicgrp on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
