Element 9 Hip-Hop

The Element 9 Recordings Company was established from the foundation set by hip-hop legend KRS-One. In his proclamation that hip-hop culture consists of 9 elements, KRS-One identified Element 9 as “Street Entreprenuerialism” or effectively, “the readiness to engage in the creation of a business venture that brings about grassroots business practices”.

Element 9, as a company, has set forth to turn this component into a reality. Our focus is on translating the street hustle of the hip-hop game into a legitimate business venture to work for artists who are determined to achieve success in the industry. Our goal is to work with talented artists at all levels of the music industry, ultimately grouping gifted new artists with veteran leadership to effectively rejuvenate the practice of artist development in the hip-hop industry.


About Our Founder:





At first glance, Stu “DJ Xplosive” Pflaum does not appear to be the future of the hip-hop industry. The twenty-something from Cleveland, Ohio could easily be mistaken for an average college intern. That is until he starts talking about the music industry. Xplosive is a walking encyclopedia, well-versed not only in the history of the industry but also fully conversant with the business strategies that have been successful over the years. Xplosive has made great strides in the hip-hop industry in a short period of time, but remains humble by focusing his work to the future. All the while, industry veterans are studying his every move and struggling to catch up.

Xplosive got his start as a DJ on college radio and in dance clubs. He began working with numerous record labels and assisting in their artist promotions. Through interactions with label reps, managers and artists, Xplosive was able to gain invaluable insight into the industry. Being a DJ, Xplosive was focused on breaking new records for rising artists on campus. He became a hip-hop renaissance man, working as a booking agent, a manager and a promoter for various acts in the area, all of which eventually led to the formation of his own company.

Element 9 Hip-Hop, started in the summer of 2005, is a multifaceted growing consulting company. By specializing in promotions, marketing and artist management, Element 9 aids in the development of rising artists. The company name derives from a proclamation made by rapper KRS-One about the nine elements of hip-hop culture, the last one being known as “street entrepreneurialism.” It’s a fitting title as the company embraces a grass-roots campaign style that has paid off in unprecedented success. The street-based emphasis has drawn a groundswell of support from peers from well-known business entities.

Armed with a degree in entertainment law and management from Ohio University, Xplosive relocated to New York City - the epicenter of the music industry. He contributed to the management of street team promotion and lifestyle marketing for Asylum Records, a division of the Warner Music Group. His innovative and efficient ideas allowed Xplosive to pioneer a new system of incorporating street work and growing technology. Through the use of a photography slideshow program, street team members uploaded and organized their work making it easily accessed on the Asylum MySpace webpage.

In early 2007, Xplosive left Asylum to begin working with the NuBlud Management Company. In conjunction with NuBlud, he utilized the skills honed through his work in Element 9 to develop a strong online presence for the company. Xplosive’s burgeoning knowledge of online marketing became an invaluable tool for establishing and building the career of Soulja Boy Tell'em.

These days Xplosive is wearing a number of hats in the music business. He has developed Element 9 Recordings into a full-scale online community and independent record label with a focus on artist development, rather than Soundscan and BDS numbers, while also lending a hand as a consultant to artists at all levels of success in the music industry. Xplosive’s primary professional goal is to conquer the digital divide through new strategies that implement innovative technologies for the promotion of hip-hop artists.