The History Of Rawkus Records

Rawkus Records is an American hip hop record label known for starting the careers of many rappers1. It was established in 1995 by Brian Brater and Jarret Myer, with financial backing from their high school buddy James Murdoch, son of Rupert Murdoch1. In 1996, Rupert Murdoch bought a majority of Rawkus1.

The label started with releases in hip-hop, drum and bass, and fun-dustrial (Dystopia One)1. Label heads Brian Brater and Jarret Myer then signed some of the top underground talent from the New York area, notably Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Hi-Tek, and Company Flow, who went on to define the label’s sound1. The string of 12" releases and full-length albums that followed helped initiate a resurgence in the New York/East Coast sound1.

During the mid to late 1990s, Rawkus became a dominant label in the underground hip-hop scene, producing a string of gold albums and a platinum album1. In 1999, the label entered into a distribution deal with Priority Records1. Over the years, Rawkus recorded several notable independent hip hop artists, including Reflection Eternal, Company Flow, the High and Mighty, Mos Def and Talib Kweli (as Blackstar), Eminem, Common, Pharoahe Monch, and Skillz1.

In 2002, Rawkus signed a joint venture deal with MCA. Soon after, MCA folded and Interscope/Geffen bought Rawkus1. After the sale of its catalog in 2004, Rawkus split from Geffen1. In 2006, Rawkus signed with RED, a Sony Music distribution company, and reemerged with a new line up of notable independent hip hop artists1.

In early 2007, Rawkus Records accepted album submissions from Hip Hop artists, known or unknown, to be considered for their new campaign1. The 50 artists chosen to wear the Rawkus 50 badge were signed to a digital distribution deal through IODA’s (Independent Online Distribution Alliance) digital distribution network and had their albums released under the banner "Rawkus 50 presents"1.