Founded in 1998 on the road — between asphalt, warehouses and vast starry skies where the free party movement thrived throughout the ’90s — I.O.T Records is an independent label devoted to cultivating a strong, alternative, and forward-thinking artistic expression. Its name, borrowed from MIDI language (In, Out, Thru), symbolizes a simple idea: the artist absorbs, transforms, and transmits.

​

From the very beginning, I.O.T has stood for an open and committed vision of creation. There are no sub-labels, no genre boundaries — the label navigates freely between electronic music, hip-hop, soul, dub, techno, and beyond, always driven by a taste for singular projects. This spirit of artistic freedom and hybridity is embodied by a diverse family of French and international artists whose work constantly explores new frontiers.

​

I.O.T’s distinctive imprint first took shape through the Expedisound projects — musical expeditions carried out around the world by the label’s members. At the crossroads of Sound Conspiracy, Real World, and near-ethnographic field recordings, these adventures carried a musical utopia across continents with samplers, recorders, and traditional instruments in tow. From the lands of West Africa to the Mongolian steppes and the rural provinces of China’s Yunnan region, they gave birth to an unexpected dialogue between ancestral sounds, storytelling, and the libertarian ideals of nomadic techno culture.

Since its inception, I.O.T Records has stood for more than just a record label — it’s a complete creative structure rooted in a philosophy of boundless exploration. In 2014, the label expanded its activities beyond production to include publishing, now representing a catalog of over 600 works that defy conventions, while continuing to support artists in the field of music for image. More recently, I.O.T has extended its mission further, offering dedicated artist management and long-term creative guidance.

​

In a rhythmic landscape in constant evolution, I.O.T Records continues to chart its own course — not to hold a place, but to keep moving forward. Today, with a team of five, the label remains committed to experimentation and to celebrating the diversity of musical expression.