# Cargo Edition

> German record label

**Wikidata**: [Q1036025](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1036025)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cargo-edition

## Summary

Cargo Edition is a German record label based in Leipzig, founded in 2006, specializing in the marketing and distribution of music recordings. The label operates as a brand within the phonographic industry, serving as a commercial imprint for music production and distribution in Germany.

## Key Facts

- **Name**: Cargo Edition
- **Type**: German record label
- **Founded**: 2006
- **Headquarters**: Leipzig, Germany
- **Country**: Germany
- **Website**: https://cargoedition.tumblr.com/
- **Instance of**: Record label
- **MusicBrainz Label ID**: 5dcfdc6a-8659-4309-b378-cc4b646a3eb2
- **Wikipedia Language**: German (de)
- **Sitelink Count**: 1
- **Wikidata Description**: German record label
- **Located in**: Leipzig (city)
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID**: /g/122brky5

## FAQs

### What type of organization is Cargo Edition?

Cargo Edition is a record label, which is a brand and trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos within the phonographic industry. It functions as a commercial name and imprint under which music is distributed.

### Where is Cargo Edition located?

Cargo Edition is headquartered in Leipzig, which is the largest city in Saxony, Germany. Leipzig has a population of approximately 601,668 as of 2020 and covers an area of 297.80 km².

### When was Cargo Edition founded?

Cargo Edition was founded in 2006, making it a relatively young record label in the German music industry.

### How is Cargo Edition different from a record company?

Cargo Edition represents the brand and trademark identity (the label), while a record company would be the operational entity handling business functions such as production, contracts, and distribution. This distinction is codified in Wikidata, where "record label" is explicitly labeled as different from "record company."

### What databases list Cargo Edition?

Cargo Edition is documented in several databases, including MusicBrainz (with the label ID 5dcfdc6a-8659-4309-b378-cc4b646a3eb2), Wikidata, and has a German-language Wikipedia entry. It is also indexed in the Google Knowledge Graph.

## Why It Matters

Cargo Edition represents a small but significant component of Germany's vibrant independent music scene. As a Leipzig-based record label founded in 2006, it contributes to the city's rich musical heritage, which includes associations with Johann Sebastian Bach, who served as cantor at St. Thomas Church, and the renowned Gewandhaus Orchestra. The label operates within the broader context of the German phonographic industry, which is known for its strong economic foundation—Germany has a GDP of approximately €4.12 trillion in 2023 and is a major exporter of music and cultural products. Cargo Edition's existence reflects the decentralized nature of the European music industry, where independent labels often serve as incubators for emerging artists and niche genres that may not find representation within larger corporate structures. The label's presence in Leipzig, a city with a long history of trade fairs and cultural institutions, underscores the ongoing importance of regional music hubs in maintaining cultural diversity and artistic innovation within Germany.

## Notable For

- Being a German record label based in Leipzig, one of Germany's major cultural centers
- Operating as part of the phonographic industry with a specific focus on music recording marketing
- Being documented in multiple international music databases including MusicBrainz
- Contributing to the independent music landscape in Saxony, Germany

## Body

### Definition and Industry Context

Cargo Edition operates as a record label within the phonographic industry, which encompasses the production, distribution, and commercialization of music recordings and music videos. A record label functions as a brand and trademark associated with marketing music content, serving as a commercial name and imprint. This is distinct from a record company, which handles the operational and logistical aspects of music production. Cargo Edition fits this definition precisely—it is the public-facing brand identity under which music is marketed and distributed, rather than the operational entity that manages contracts, manufacturing, and royalties.

### Geographic and Historical Context

Cargo Edition is headquartered in Leipzig, the largest city in Saxony, Germany. Leipzig has a population of 601,668 as of 2020, with projections indicating growth to 633,592 by 2025. The city covers an area of 297.80 km² and is located at approximately 51.3406° N, 12.3747° E, with an elevation of 110–116 meters above sea level. Leipzig has a rich historical legacy, having been part of various political entities including the Electorate of Saxony (1356–1806), Kingdom of Saxony (1806–1867), German Reich (1919–1945), Soviet occupation zone, German Democratic Republic, and modern Germany since 1990. The city is particularly significant in German history for its role in the peaceful revolution of October 10, 1989, which contributed to the fall of the Berlin Wall.

### Leipzig's Cultural Infrastructure

Leipzig serves as an important cultural hub in Germany, home to several notable institutions that reinforce the city's musical heritage. These include the Gewandhaus Orchestra, the University of Leipzig, and St. Thomas Church, where Johann Sebastian Bach once served as cantor. The city hosts the Leipzig Trade Fair, one of the oldest trade fairs in the world, and various sports venues including the Alfred-Kunze-Sportpark and Sportforum Leipzig. Leipzig is also recognized for its commitment to sustainability, being a member of the Climate Alliance since 1994 and Mayors for Peace since 2005, and was awarded Fairtrade Town status in 2011. The city maintains sister city relationships with numerous international cities including Birmingham, Bologna, Brno, Frankfurt, Lyon, and Nanjing.

### Germany as the National Context

Cargo Edition operates within Germany, a sovereign state in Central Europe with a population exceeding 83 million people. Germany has a strong economy with a GDP of approximately €4.12 trillion in 2023 and is known for its rich cultural heritage, particularly in music, literature, and the arts. The country uses the euro as its official currency (since 2002) and German as its official language. Germany is a member of various international organizations including the United Nations, European Union, NATO, G7, and G20. The country's capital is Berlin, which has been the seat of government since October 3, 1990. Germany's phonographic industry is a significant component of its cultural economy, with the country being one of the largest music markets in Europe.

### Digital Presence and Classification

Cargo Edition is cataloged in several digital knowledge systems and music databases. Its MusicBrainz label ID is 5dcfdc6a-8659-4309-b378-cc4b646a3eb2, which provides structured metadata about the label within the MusicBrainz ecosystem. The label has a German-language Wikipedia article and is indexed in Wikidata with the description "German record label." Its Google Knowledge Graph ID is /g/122brky5. Record labels like Cargo Edition are typically classified under Library of Congress Classification ML3792.A-ML3792.Z, which categorizes literature on individual record companies and labels. In ontological terms, record labels are equivalent to classes such as http://dbpedia.org/ontology/RecordLabel and http://purl.org/ontology/mo/Label, ensuring interoperability in digital knowledge systems.

### Industry Role and Function

As a record label, Cargo Edition functions within the phonographic industry as a brand responsible for marketing music recordings and videos. The label serves as the public-facing identity for music distribution, managing the branding, promotion, and commercial positioning of musical content. This role includes cultivating artist identity, protecting intellectual property through trademark functions, and market positioning within the competitive music industry. The label operates in an industry that has evolved significantly from physical formats like vinyl and CDs to digital streaming, adapting to technological shifts while retaining core branding functions.

## References

1. [Source](https://cargoedition.tumblr.com/)