Quango Music Group and its Quango brand, self-described as a "lifestyle music" or "tastemaker" label, came into existence in 1995 when Island boss Chris Blackwell heard a mix tape by Los Angeles DJ Bruno Guez. Guez and Jason Bentley were subsequently tapped to curate Quango as a "global groove"-oriented imprint of Island Records through 1997. After a brief absence, the label relaunched in 2000 in a joint venture with Blackwell's Palm Pictures, then became fully independent in 2004, with distribution via Fontana Distribution (US) and Fontana North Distribution (Canada).