The Legacy of CEMUZIK

Founded in 2003 in Brooklyn, New York, CEMUZIK (originally known as Collateral Entertainment) was born from a spark of creative fire and the unwavering hustle of a group of young artists determined to carve out their own place in the music world. At its core were co-founders Arthur Retiz (Grand Finale Beats) and Jason Olowoyo (Johny Rocstar), backed by a collective of passionate visionaries including Isz, Koz, Elegy, Skane Money, ZoneOut, Matt Johnson, D’Mor, Lights, Spook, DJ Killahertz, and DJ Blakghost. Together, they laid the groundwork for an independent label defined by grit, raw talent, and brotherhood.

Built on a do-it-yourself ethos, Collateral Entertainment was never about waiting for permission—it was about making something from nothing, pouring blood, sweat, and soul into every beat, bar, and brick. From Brooklyn basements to overseas stages, the goal was simple: make music that mattered, and do it on their own terms.

In 2004, the collective expanded westward with the addition of Koz, a Bay Area artist whose arrival marked a turning point. The following year saw the release of Take It Back 2 Da Streets, Vol. 1—a landmark mixtape largely produced by Grand Finale Beats and Isz, and featuring Koz, Isz, Elegy, Spook, Skane Money, Johny Rocstar, and Lights, this became a defining moment for the label. Though major labels like Warner Brothers came calling, the crew chose to keep it independent, securing their own distribution deal and maintaining full creative control.

Koz became the flagship artist, dropping his single Money On My Mind in 2005 and his debut album Soul of a Soldier in 2006. His charismatic stage presence and authentic storytelling made him a standout, and DJ Killahertz—his hype man and DJ—helped turn every live performance into an unforgettable experience. Meanwhile, Slush, a lifelong friend of Killahertz, joined the label as its official videographer and creative director, giving CEMUZIK a distinct visual identity that matched the music’s intensity and vision.

Back in Brooklyn, Isz was forging his own path. With a darker, more introspective sound, he offered a powerful counterpoint to Koz’s mainstream appeal. In 2009, he dropped Let Me Show You, the lead single from his haunting debut album A Dreamer’s Worst Nightmare, officially released in 2011. Isz became a cornerstone of the label’s sound and voice, known for his raw emotion and lyrical sharpness.

As the family grew, Jae Brook from Queens joined the roster, bringing a fashionable, avant-garde energy that set him apart. His debut mixtape EP, The Wait Is Over, introduced a new dimension to CEMUZIK’s expanding universe and hinted at even bigger things to come.

By 2009, the winds began to shift. Koz moved to Los Angeles to further his career, while the rest of the team—Grand Finale Beats, Slush, Isz, DJ Blakghost, and Jae Brook—continued to drop music and produce visuals, keeping the label’s spirit alive.

By 2012, CEMUZIK had mostly disbanded. Life took its turns: Grand Finale Beats began composing for films and commercials, Slush built a career as a top-tier music video director and festival producer, and DJ Blakghost stepped into the spotlight as the label’s final official DJ. But the music never truly stopped.

DJ Blakghost released mixtapes and hosted his own radio show, while Isz remained the torchbearer, continuing to release music independently—including his long-awaited follow-up, The Broken Glass Project, which was released January 2025. Arthur Retiz, now working under his real name in Los Angeles, released a solo EP called Stonedrummer in January 2024, blending his love of rhythm and melody into a new artistic offering.

Though the label itself may no longer operate as it once did, the spirit of CEMUZIK lives on—in the catalog, in the memories, and most of all, in the brotherhood. What began as a dream in Brooklyn turned into a legacy of sound, visuals, and community. The music will always be there—etched in beats, bars, and film—and so will the bond.

CEMUZIK was never just a label. It was a movement. A moment in time. A family.
And the music? The music lives forever.