Founded in 1991 by John Acquaviva and Richie Hawtin in Windsor, Canada, Plus 8 Records quickly became one of the most influential North-American techno imprints with a string of landmark releases. Speedy J, Kenny Larkin contributed early techno classics to Plus 8, as did Hawtin and Acquaviva under guises such as F.U.S.E., Cybersonik, or Final Exposure. In 1998 Hawtin founded his new label Minus, followed by a time of reduced output on Plus 8, but with a new roster of artists like Mike Shannon, Paco Osuna, and Marco Carola, the legendary label has once again developed a strong, independent profile over the past few years.