Chris Davidson, known professionally as Dj Cutman and VideoGameDJ, is the visionary founder of GameChops, the seminal record label established in 2011 that revolutionized the landscape of licensed video game music remixes and covers. Starting his journey as a recording studio engineer and a prominent DJ in the chiptune scene, Davidson recognized the burgeoning talent within the video game music community and the need for a legitimate platform to support and distribute their creative endeavors. His foresight led to the creation of GameChops, which has since grown into a globally recognized entity, amassing over 1 billion streams across its diverse catalog.
GameChops specializes in reimagining iconic video game scores across a spectrum of genres, including lofi hip hop, jazz, synthwave, electronic dance music (EDM), and ambient soundscapes. The label frequently releases albums featuring music from beloved franchises such as The Legend of Zelda, Pokémon, Super Mario, Sonic the Hedgehog, Stardew Valley, and Final Fantasy. Their highly successful "& Chill" series, particularly "Zelda & Chill," has not only garnered tens of millions of streams but has also played a pivotal role in popularizing lofi hip hop remixes of video game music on mainstream platforms.
Under Davidson's leadership, GameChops maintains a strong emphasis on high production value, ensuring that all releases are expertly mixed and mastered. The label operates on a listener-funded model, taking no outside investment, and actively engages with its community through social media, a Substack newsletter, and live streams. In addition to digital distribution, GameChops has a significant presence in physical media, producing vinyl records, CDs, and cassette tapes through partnerships with global distributors like Materia Collective and Pixel Crib. Davidson's influence extends beyond the label, with his past live performances at major events like MAGFest and his role in popularizing video game music and chiptunes in live settings.
Davidson's commitment to supporting artists is evident in GameChops' extensive network of collaborators, which includes notable names such as Coffee Date, Pete Frogs, The Deku Trio, and Super Piano 64, among many others. The label's dedication to proper licensing and distribution has positioned it as a leader in the video game music industry, fostering a vibrant ecosystem for creators and fans alike. GameChops continues to innovate, recently launching the "Mellow Mode" imprint for acoustic and ambient soundscapes, further solidifying its position at the forefront of the evolving video game music landscape.