remember those underground rap labels from the late '90s -early 2000's

[Raheem95]

Fondlem 'Em Records

Started by WCKR radio station host Robert ''Bobbito'' Garcia. the label was ran from '95 to 2001. it was started as a joke, the label had no marketing and moved units by the popularity of the artist and they split profits 50/50. and the label introduced people to acts like MF Doom, Tha JuggaKnots, Siah and Yeshua DapoED and released work by KMD, MF Grimm,etc.


Rawkus Records

the label was started in 1995, and ran from '95 to 2007. they helped with the resurgence of the East Coast Hip Hop sound and have produced many certified gold albums and platinum albums. the artists signed were Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Company Flow, High & Mighty, Pharoahe Monch, Big L, Da Beatminerz, Hi-Tek, etc.


Stones Throw Records

the label was started in '96 and still is active today. the label was started by DJ Peanut Butter Wolf as a means to release the late Charizma's posthumous album. the label has/had artists like Madlib, Quasimoto, Aloe Blacc, Dam Funk, MadVillian, J Dilla, 7 Days Of Funk, etc.


some of the classic albums released by these labels

 

[Pinyapplesuckas]

Anticon

 

[semicko82]

Talib Kweli Quality was the first conscious album I bought. It was bangin from head to toe

 

[Carr]

House of Fire

Watch Rawlo Boys - We Got It Locked on Blastro

 

[Cheech&Chong]

Rawkus and Eastern Conference ran shyt back then, they put out so much classic music. The death row/bad boy of the underground

Brick records was a good one to

 

[Yehuda]

Yeah I'm sure most rap fans are familiar with Rawkus Records.

 

[Kitsch]

Rhymesayers
Def Jux
Babygrande

 

[Big Mel]

Old Maid Ent.
Brick
Day By Day Ent
Hydra Ent.
Beyond Real
Wu Tang Records
Next Level Ent

 

[phatphuck]

Rawkus and Eastern Conference ran shyt back then, they put out so much classic music. The death row/bad boy of the underground

Brick records was a good one to

 

[Unknown Poster]

Old Maid Ent.
Brick
Day By Day Ent
Hydra Ent.
Beyond Real
Wu Tang Records
Next Level Ent

That Beyond Real Experience cd that came with Jigmastas "Nocturnal" was beyond flames.

 

[Big Mel]

That Beyond Real Experience cd that came with Jigmastas "Nocturnal" was beyond flames.

You talking about "the early years"?

And you mean "Infectious" right?

 

[Big Mel]

7 Heads
B.U.K.A.
Uncle Howie
Duck Down
Hiero Emporium
Battleaxe Records
DITC Records
Barak

 

[Unknown Poster]

You talking about "the early years"?

And you mean "Infectious" right?

YEah, I had that confused with Heltah Skeltah's "Nocturnal" for some reason. I had Infectious in high school....and yep, that was the name of the second disc. It had the 3-6-5 joint with Skam & Emimen on it.

 

[Unknown Poster]

7 Heads
B.U.K.A.
Uncle Howie
Duck Down
Hiero Emporium
Battleaxe Records
DITC Records
Barak

These were all quality labels. Asheru & Blue Black's "Soon Come" was probably the best 7 heads release.

I remember B.U.K.A. and Uncle Howie. UH had all the dope Non-Phixion/Goretex/Necro/Ill Bill releated stuff.

BAttle Axe has Swollen Members and some other west coast indie rappers on it.

BArak released Slum Village's "Fantastic Vol 1." and "Fantastic Vol. 2". Did they put out the J-88 album?

 

[Juggalo Fred]

how yall gonna forget Psychopathic records?