About Us
Unispan Records, established in 2016, exists to provide Hofstra University students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience operating a record label, while simultaneously acting as an independent entity in the music industry.
Unlike other college record companies, Unispan differentiates itself by fostering a team of students from diverse interests and majors. Students go through an extensive application process for a chance to be placed in small departments, catered towards their passions and career goals. The departments function no differently than a major record label, including ones of artist and repertoire, artist management, marketing, public relations, internet and new media, sales and distribution, radio, and project management. Here, they learn the importance of collaboration and team work in order to successfully sign and manage artists, release and distribute music, as well as promote and create press in both local and national markets.
The label was founded by Sharon Goldsmith, Acting Executive Dean of Entrepreneurship and Business at Hofstra. Before coming to Hofstra, Goldsmith worked in human resources and finance at G-Unit Records, alongside famous artists such as 50-Cent. After spending over ten years in the industry, she decided to bring her passion, knowledge and skills to mentor college students in a hands-on approach. Thus, Unispan Records was born.
Students are mentored throughout the year by executives in residences to learn specific skills at industry standard level. Some of these executives include Sr. Director of Marketing at Asylum Records, Angel Martinez, Head of Urban Marketing & Masters at Red Bull Music Publishing Leota Blacknor, Editor-in-Chief at XXL Magazine Vanessa Satten, Grammy Award winning mix engineer Patrick Viala, President of Varran Media LLC. Andre Morris, and Vice President of A&R and Artist Development at Atlantic Records Riggs Morales.
Every year, students research artists who they feel would be a good fit for the label. Once narrowed down to three artists, students work alongside the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, to put on an annual livestreamed competition, known as “Label’d.” Here, these artists compete in front of a live studio audience, where the winner receives a record deal with Unispan.
Since its establishment, Unispan has signed multiple artists including Brooklyn based rapper, IzzyYe, dark-pop singer songwriter, KarmaRé, and NYC based rapper and singer songwriter, Rian Wyld. In 2021, Unispan signed their first indie-rock band, based in Long Island , known as Weird America. In 2023, Brooklyn based rap/ hip-hop artist CIV was added to the roster, and was joined in 2024 by local indie-rock songwriter Lydia von Hof.
Unispan Records has been featured in local press such as Newsday Long Island, The Hofstra Chronicle, and WRHU. For the past 3 years, Billboard Music has ranked Hofstra University as one of the top music business schools, with Unispan Records playing a key part in its prestigious ranking.
To learn more about Unispan Records, contact us below!