By R&S Records boss Renaat Vandepapeliere’s “nightmare experience” fighting “a failed attempt to discredit” him and his label is over. Thanking label fans and industry peers for their support after he was accused of racial discrimination, Vandepapeliere says he is now looking ahead to celebrating the label’s 40th anniversary in 2023.
“The allegations made against myself and the record label were not only false, but hugely damaging to me on a personal basis – particularly the notion of any discrimination or racism being uttered in the same breath,” said Vandepapeliere. “As someone who has worked with artists of colour for many years, this has been the most upsetting. I would like to thank the music fans, DJs and record industry people who have supported myself, my partner Sabine and the record label through this incredibly difficult time. It has taken two years out of our lives having to defend our name and the integrity of the record label.”
Opportunity
Raj Chaudhuri, a freelance A&R for the label, lodged a claim with London South Employment Tribunal in February 2021, alleging he was discriminated against, unlawfully dismissed and victimised. In April this year, his claim was dismissed on the grounds that he was not an R&S employee. At the time, Employment Judge Victoria Wright stated: “The Tribunal concludes the claimant was not in employment under a contract to personally do work. He was an independent freelancer and an entrepreneur. Once he had met [Renaat Vandepapeliere] he saw an opportunity to align himself with [R&S Records], to benefit his own reputation as a DJ (and all of the other activities he pursued).” Chaudhuri’s application for costs was also dismissed and now his legal appeal against the employment tribunal judgement has also been refused.
“The claims and allegations made by Chaudhuri against R&S Records and Vandepapeliere have been hugely damaging to the record label and its founder,” according to a statement issued on behalf of R&S. “From the outset, it has been their position that none of the claims had any merit and were founded on spurious grounds with no evidential basis. The proceedings, which have taken more than two years, have cost in excess of £250,000 in legal costs but R&S and Vandepapeliere were determined to resist the false and malicious allegations.”
Celebrations
Set up in 1983 by Vandepapeliere and his partner Sabine Maes, the Belgian label is revered for championing the likes of Aphex Twin, Lone, CJ Bolland and Joey Beltram. A new ‘In Order to Dance’ compilation will form part of the imprint’s 40th anniversary celebrations next year. Vandepapeliere also revealed: “I am excited that R&S Records has signed a number of acts that we will be releasing next year, including the long-awaited debut album from African American singer-songwriter and spoken word artist Mikahl Anthony, which has been some five years in the making.”
Anthony, who supported R&S and Vandepapeliere throughout the tribunal ordeal, described Renaat as a “true supporter of diversity”, while fellow R&S signing Subject 13 said the allegations of racism against Renaat were “pretty ridiculous”. The UK artist added: “Renaat, historically, has been a pioneer promoting artists and producers of colour regardless of ethnicity since the label started all those years ago.”
In September 2020, US artist Eddington Again accused Vandepapeliere of racism for a phrase he used in an email exchange. Vandepapeliere issued a public apology, claiming the phrase had a different connotation in Dutch.
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