New York-based independent music company Many Hats Distribution has paid out more than $50 million directly to artists since its launch in 2020, the company announced.
Founded by Zack Zarrillo, co-founder of management firm Alternate Side, and Fred Feldman, a veteran independent executive and founder of Triple Crown Records, the company operates an artist-first model that combines distribution, label services, physical product strategy, retail access, and operational support. Artists retain full ownership of their catalogs.
Annual sales grew from just over $1 million in 2021 to nearly $20 million in the most recent year, with 90% of revenue returned to artists.
Growth has been fueled by both digital and physical distribution. Breakout moments include Kesha’s first independent release, “Joyride,” viral campaigns with Pinegrove and Mom Jeans, and white-label distribution partnerships with management companies Crush, Monotone, and Vector.
The company has also placed physical releases in retail for artists such as JPEGMAFIA, Mk.gee, Weezer, Lizzy McAlpine, and Mannequin Pussy. Its in-house label, Wax Bodega, is home to Hot Mulligan, Arm’s Length, Free Throw, and others.
Zack Zarrillo said:
“It’s my favorite day of the month when we pay out. Seeing that money go directly to artists never gets old. The whole point of Many Hats is to give artists the infrastructure to grow while keeping ownership of what they’ve built. When you see artists who were earning a few thousand dollars a month grow into real, sustainable businesses, that’s the model working exactly the way it should.”
