For more than a decade, The Chainsmokers released some of their biggest records through Columbia Records and Disruptor Records. That period included ‘Roses’, ‘Don’t Let Me Down’, ‘Closer’ and ‘Something Just Like This’. Eleven years after the relationship began, Alex Pall and Drew Taggart have confirmed that The Chainsmokers are now independent artists. The decision ends a label partnership that covered much of their rise from breakthrough singles to five studio albums.

The Label Partnership Behind The Chainsmokers’ Biggest Years

The Chainsmokers began releasing music through Columbia Records and Disruptor Records in 2015, shortly before their commercial success accelerated. ‘Good Intentions’ was followed by ‘Roses’, which became their first Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. ‘Don’t Let Me Down’, ‘Closer’, ‘Paris’ and ‘Something Just Like This’ followed over the next two years, taking Alex Pall and Drew Taggart through the most commercially successful period of their career.

Their first studio album, Memories…Do Not Open, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 2017. Four more studio albums followed under Columbia Records and Disruptor Records, alongside numerous singles and collaborations. The Love Is Kind EP with Oaks, released in May 2026, became their final project with the labels.

A separate relationship connected to Disruptor Records had already ended the previous year. In 2025, Alex Pall and Drew Taggart parted ways with longtime manager Adam Alpert, who founded Disruptor Records and had worked with the duo for years. More changes to the people working around The Chainsmokers followed.

Alex Pall Had Already Spoken About Changes Around The Chainsmokers

Shortly before the label announcement, Alex Pall discussed those changes in a LinkedIn post. He said much of the team around The Chainsmokers had changed and explained why bringing new people into the project had been useful.

While he praised the work of the previous team, Alex Pall said people without years of history around the duo could approach decisions differently. It also gave him and Drew Taggart a chance to reconsider how they wanted to work and what they wanted from The Chainsmokers going forward. His comments came shortly before the pair confirmed they would also leave Columbia Records and Disruptor Records.

The Chainsmokers Are Ready To Experiment With New Music

In announcing their departure, The Chainsmokers thanked both labels for their work across the past 11 years. Alex Pall and Drew Taggart admitted they do not know exactly what independence will bring, but said they are excited to experiment with future releases.

They also told listeners that they “owe you some records,” although they have not announced a new single or album yet. Whatever they release next will be the first new music from The Chainsmokers without Columbia Records and Disruptor Records since their relationship with the labels began in 2015.