Boogie Down Productions was one of the most important hip-hop crews of the 1980s and ‘90s, and are rightfully revered by both fans and scholars. First exploding out of the South Bronx in 1986, the group created an amazing mix of raw power and hyper-intelligence, and gave the world multiple classics throughout the late ‘80s, under the BPD moniker, even after losing DJ and chief producer Scott LaRock to gun violence in 1987.
For reasons unknown, the group’s early 1990s output – which also includes Live Hardcore Worldwide and Edutainment – lost some luster in the eyes and ears of fans. But this wasn’t KRS-One’s fault. The legendary MC never faltered in bringing true intelligence and a forward-thinking stance to the rap world, even as derivative gangsta rap took over the music scene on the whole, in the wake of N.W.A.
1992’s Sex & Violence, the last album made under the Boogie Down Productions name, is a perfect example of an underrated classic, and fans will appreciate it getting new shine here, to correct its lukewarm reception upon its initial release. Produced by KRS-One and Pal Joey, the album explores the darkest sides of the American urban landscape and psyche, with KRS as narrator, detailing all sides of the matrix.
While singles like the granite hard “Duck Down” and the funky-as-hell “We In There” got most of the attention in ‘92, the deeper sequence reveals plenty of additional gems: the history lesson of the dark and dusty “Drug Dealer”; “Ruff Ruff,” with scowling MC favorite Freddie Foxxx; the grooving “Questions and Answers”; and the frantic “How Not To Get Jerked.”
Back on vinyl and ready for another (or, for some, first) listen, fans of old-school-done-right classics have no excuse this time around.
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Joseph Abajian (DJ Jab) founded Fat Beats in 1994 with nothing more than a shoestring budget and an earnest obsession with the music, the culture, and the brotherhood of New York’s burgeoning rap scene. What began as a simple vinyl shop in Manhattan’s Lower East Side quickly became an integral hub for artists, both aspiring and established, to convene and collaborate on new projects. Joseph’s timing couldn’t have been more impeccable. When the 90’s cultural zeitgeist – and, in turn, the music industry establishment – chose hip-hop as its new arbiter of cool.
International tourists and touring artists alike flocked to Fat Beats for rare vinyl, kindred spirits, and exclusive in-store performances from Jay Z, Eminem, Gang Starr, Outkast, Slum Village, Mos Def, and more. One thing was clear: the Fat Beats phenomenon could no longer be contained in a single basement shop.
In the late nineties, Abajian proceeded to open new stores in Amsterdam, Tokyo, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. He further expanded the company’s profile to include global distribution and record label branches. Distribution has since proven to be the company’s strongest and most enduring enterprise. Today Fat Beats Distribution stands poised as one of the country’s pre-eminent distributors of vinyl & specialty item records: a proud survivor in an industry now famous for its mortality rate. Despite market fluctuations, technology innovations, and stylistic revolutions, Fat Beats has remained steadfast in its commitment to the timeless vinyl format and to the loyal community who keeps it spinning.
Important information when ordering with Fatbeats.com...
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Fat Beats offers internship opportunities. You must be enrolled in college and reside in the Los Angeles area to be eligible for our programs. If you meet these requirements, please paste your cover letter below and we will contact you if there are open positions available.
We are currently offering an internship program that offers an educational experience in all facets of our distribution operation. The intern would have the ability to assist in each of the following departments:
- Enrollment in an accredited college/university that offers an internship program for academic credit - Knowledge and passion in independent music and culture; with a specific interest in the artists/releases that Fat Beats supports - Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications - Positive attitude - no task should be considered too small - Must be located in the greater Los Angeles area
Resumes/Cover Letters should be emailed to fatbeatsjobs@gmail.com
