Rawkus Records
Encyclopedia
Rawkus Records is an American hip-hop
record label
known for jump-starting the careers of both Mos Def
and Talib Kweli
. Rawkus started in 1996 with initial releases ranging from hip-hop to drum and bass
. 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 sound. The string of 12" releases and full length albums that followed helped initiate a resurgence in the New York/East Coast sound. Many of these are considered classics among hip-hop aficionados. During the mid to late '90s, Rawkus became a dominant label in the underground hip-hop scene, producing a string of gold albums and a platinum album with Mos Def's Black On Both Sides
.
, son of Rupert Murdoch
. In 1999 the label entered into a distribution deal with Priority Records
.
Over the years, Rawkus has 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 Skillz
.
In 2002, Rawkus signed a joint venture deal with MCA
. Soon after, MCA folded and Interscope
/Geffen
bought Rawkus. After the sale of its catalog in 2004, Rawkus split from Geffen.
In 2006, Rawkus signed with RED
, a Sony Music distribution company and reemerged with a new line up of notable independent Hip Hop artists including The Procussions
, Panacea
, Mr. J. Medeiros
and Kidz in the Hall
, among others.
In early 2007, Rawkus Records accepted album submissions from hip-hop artists, known or unknown, to be considered for their new campaign. 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".
artists." In early 2007, Rawkus Records accepted album submissions from Hip Hop artists, known or unknown, to be considered for their new campaign. 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".
The Rawkus 50 project is a landmark undertaking in the music business. In an industry plagued with low physical album sales and digital music becoming more and more the norm in society, record labels have been trying various strategies to adjust to the new landscape. The Rawkus 50 project focus' on a digital distribution model to get the music to the masses and mixes part traditional marketing and internet/social networking based forms of promotion. The idea is to use the accumulated fan base of all 50 artists to promote the project as a whole via mediums such as Myspace and Rawkus Records owned site MyRawkus. In addition, Rawkus has taken out an ad in a major Hip Hop magazine XXL
listing the names of all artists in the 50. Other promotional efforts are to include National Internet marketing and promotion, sponsored NY and LA Showcases for the artists to perform and blog and podcast hosting, marketing and promotion. Critics of this way of distributing and promoting hip hop argue that the idea is not, in fact, raw.
The musicians in the Rawkus 50 and their respective releases are listed below in alphabetical order by artist name:
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
known for jump-starting the careers of both Mos Def
Mos Def
Dante Terrell Smith is an American actor and Emcee known by the stage names Mos Def and Yasiin Bey. He started his hip hop career in a group called Urban Thermo Dynamics, after which he appeared on albums by Da Bush Babees and De La Soul. With Talib Kweli, he formed the duo Black Star, which...
and Talib Kweli
Talib Kweli
Talib Kweli Greene , better known as Talib Kweli, is an American hip-hop artist and poet from Brooklyn, New York. His first name in Arabic means "student" or "seeker" ; his in Swahili means "true"...
. Rawkus started in 1996 with initial releases ranging from hip-hop to drum and bass
Drum and bass
Drum and bass is a type of electronic music which emerged in the late 1980s. The genre is characterized by fast breakbeats , with heavy bass and sub-bass lines...
. Label heads Brian Brater and Jarret Myer
Jarret Myer
Jarret Myer, born February 6, 1973, is an American media entrepreneur who co-founded the record label Rawkus Records and is currently the co-founder of Big Frame, an influencer-powered, data-driven media company that creates branded content media campaigns on YouTube and CEO and co-founder of...
then signed some of the top underground talent from the New York area, notably Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Hi-Tek
Hi-Tek
Tony Cottrell, better known as Hi-Tek, is an American record producer and rapper from Cincinnati, Ohio. He is best known for his work with Talib Kweli on his Reflection Eternal album and on Black Star...
and Company Flow
Company Flow
Company Flow is an American underground hip hop group from Brooklyn, New York City at one time associated with the independent record label Rawkus Records. Rapper/producer El-P and DJ/producer Mr...
, who went on to define the label's sound. The string of 12" releases and full length albums that followed helped initiate a resurgence in the New York/East Coast sound. Many of these are considered classics among hip-hop aficionados. During the mid to late '90s, Rawkus became a dominant label in the underground hip-hop scene, producing a string of gold albums and a platinum album with Mos Def's Black On Both Sides
Black on Both Sides
Black on Both Sides is the debut solo album of American rapper Mos Def, released October 12, 1999 on Rawkus Records. Prior to the album's recording, Mos Def had collaborated with rapper Talib Kweli for the duo's studio album, Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star , which raised high expectations for...
.
Overview
Rawkus Records was established in 1996 by Brian Brater and Jarret Myer, with financial backing from James MurdochJames Murdoch (media executive)
James Rupert Jacob Murdoch is the younger son of media mogul Rupert Murdoch and currently serves as chairman and chief executive of News Corporation, Europe, and Asia, overseeing assets such as News International , SKY Italia , Sky Deutschland, and STAR TV .He sits on the News...
, son of Rupert Murdoch
Rupert Murdoch
Keith Rupert Murdoch, AC, KSG is an Australian-American business magnate. He is the founder and Chairman and CEO of , the world's second-largest media conglomerate....
. In 1999 the label entered into a distribution deal with Priority Records
Priority Records
Priority Records is an American record label, owned and operated by EMI, which has made a name for itself dealing primarily in hip hop, pop and world...
.
Over the years, Rawkus has recorded several notable independent hip hop artists, including Reflection Eternal, Company Flow
Company Flow
Company Flow is an American underground hip hop group from Brooklyn, New York City at one time associated with the independent record label Rawkus Records. Rapper/producer El-P and DJ/producer Mr...
, the High and Mighty
High and Mighty (band)
The High & Mighty are an underground hip hop duo from Philadelphia consisting of rapper Mr. Eon and DJ Mighty Mi...
, Mos Def
Mos Def
Dante Terrell Smith is an American actor and Emcee known by the stage names Mos Def and Yasiin Bey. He started his hip hop career in a group called Urban Thermo Dynamics, after which he appeared on albums by Da Bush Babees and De La Soul. With Talib Kweli, he formed the duo Black Star, which...
and Talib Kweli
Talib Kweli
Talib Kweli Greene , better known as Talib Kweli, is an American hip-hop artist and poet from Brooklyn, New York. His first name in Arabic means "student" or "seeker" ; his in Swahili means "true"...
(as Blackstar
BlackStar
Blackstar is an American animated television series, a science fantasy story sometimes reported as being inspired by Thundarr the Barbarian. It was produced in 1981 by Lou Scheimer and Norm Prescott for Filmation. The series was Filmation's second fantasy epic, the first being tucked in as a...
), Eminem
Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
, Common
Common (rapper)
Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr. , better known by his stage name Common , is an American hip-hop artist and actor....
, Pharoahe Monch
Pharoahe Monch
Pharoahe Monch is an American hip hop artist. He is known for his complex lyrics, complex delivery, and internal and multisyllabic rhyme schemes.-Biography:...
, and Skillz
Skillz
Shaquan Lewis, also known as Mad Skillz, Skillz, is an American rapper known for his acclaimed 1996 album From Where???, a reference to his origins in Virginia, not the stereotypical New York City or Los Angeles rapper, and he's also known for his yearly "Rap Ups", which he has done since...
.
In 2002, Rawkus signed a joint venture deal with MCA
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
. Soon after, MCA folded and Interscope
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
/Geffen
Geffen Records
Geffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:...
bought Rawkus. After the sale of its catalog in 2004, Rawkus split from Geffen.
In 2006, Rawkus signed with RED
Red
Red is any of a number of similar colors evoked by light consisting predominantly of the longest wavelengths of light discernible by the human eye, in the wavelength range of roughly 630–740 nm. Longer wavelengths than this are called infrared , and cannot be seen by the naked eye...
, a Sony Music distribution company and reemerged with a new line up of notable independent Hip Hop artists including The Procussions
The Procussions
The Procussions was an American hip-hop act from Colorado Springs, Colorado, that consisted of three members: Mr. J. Medeiros, Rez, and Stro The 89th Key...
, Panacea
Panacea
In Greek mythology, Panacea was a goddess of healing. She was the daughter of Asclepius and Epione. Panacea and her five sisters each performed a facet of Apollo's art: Panacea was the goddess of cures, Iaso was the goddess of recuperation, Hygieia was the goddess of disease prevention, Aceso was...
, Mr. J. Medeiros
Mr. J. Medeiros
Jason C. Medeiros better known as Mr. J. Medeiros, is an American M.C., record producer, songwriter, and social activist. He is responsible for forming the Hip Hop group The Procussions, the IAmConstance campaign, and his own label De Medeiros...
and Kidz in the Hall
Kidz in the Hall
Kidz in the Hall is an American hip hop duo from Chicago, Illinois.-History:Group members Jabari Evans and Michael Aguilar met in 2000 during a talent show at the University of Pennsylvania. They began recording songs, making demos, and performing at local shows which eventually led to Double-0...
, among others.
In early 2007, Rawkus Records accepted album submissions from hip-hop artists, known or unknown, to be considered for their new campaign. 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".
Rawkus 50
The Rawkus 50, according to the promotional materials, is a group of "the 50 next important Hip hopHip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
artists." In early 2007, Rawkus Records accepted album submissions from Hip Hop artists, known or unknown, to be considered for their new campaign. 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".
The Rawkus 50 project is a landmark undertaking in the music business. In an industry plagued with low physical album sales and digital music becoming more and more the norm in society, record labels have been trying various strategies to adjust to the new landscape. The Rawkus 50 project focus' on a digital distribution model to get the music to the masses and mixes part traditional marketing and internet/social networking based forms of promotion. The idea is to use the accumulated fan base of all 50 artists to promote the project as a whole via mediums such as Myspace and Rawkus Records owned site MyRawkus. In addition, Rawkus has taken out an ad in a major Hip Hop magazine XXL
XXL (magazine)
XXL is a Hip-Hop magazine, published by Harris Publications.In 1997, XXL was founded by former Source staffers as well as other Harris Publication employees, who wanted to create their own magazine about the hip-hop music and culture using the model developed by the founders of The Source...
listing the names of all artists in the 50. Other promotional efforts are to include National Internet marketing and promotion, sponsored NY and LA Showcases for the artists to perform and blog and podcast hosting, marketing and promotion. Critics of this way of distributing and promoting hip hop argue that the idea is not, in fact, raw.
The musicians in the Rawkus 50 and their respective releases are listed below in alphabetical order by artist name:
| Artist | Album | |
| 12Bit | 12Bit | |
| 3rd Brillyance | Grass Roots | |
| 6th Sense | It's Coming Soon | |
| Aarophat | Aarodynamix | |
| Atllas | Arizona Ceasr | |
| Barak Yalad | A Loss For Words | |
| Bekay | The Horror Flick | |
| Chuck Taylor | Black Hop | |
| Clan Destined | And For Our Next Trick | |
| Custom Made Custom Made (hip hop group) Custom Made is an American hip hop trio from Los Angeles, California known for their hardcore reality based mixtape series, Street Cinema. They were key players in helping to establish a mixtape scene in Los Angeles during the early 2000s... | Truth Be Told | |
| Cy Young | Exactly | |
| Cymarshall Law | Hiphop In The Flesh | |
| Doujah Raze | Where You Are | |
| Dutchmassive | Crush Your System | |
| Dynas | Me, Myself & Rhymes | |
| East | The Right Direction | |
| Finale | Develop | |
| Grand Agent | Peak Oil / Agent & Raynge | |
| Hassaan Mackey | Soul For Sale | |
| Intricate Minds | Self-Hypnosis | |
| Kaimbr | Why Be Somebody Else | |
| Kaze | Block 2the Basement | |
| kojoe | Rawnin | |
| Krukid | Afr-I-Can | |
| L.E.G.A.C.Y. L.E.G.A.C.Y. L.E.G.A.C.Y. is a rapper from North Carolina, and member of the Justus League collective.-Biography:L.E.G.A.C.Y. is an acronym for Life Ends Gradually and Changes You. He was born on the military base Fort Bragg, and grew up in Fayetteville, before moving to Goldsboro, North Carolina... | L.E.G.A.C.Y. | |
| Laws | Super Thug Killa Rap EXCLAMATION | |
| Mookie Jones | Catch Me If You Can | |
| Mr. Metaphor | The Evolution of Marc Bars | |
| Phenetiks | Revolutionary Non-Pollutionary Mechanical Wonder | |
| Pizon Pizon Michael "Mike" Scala , also known as Pizon, is an Italian-American rapper, record producer, and computer science graduate on the verge of earning his law degree. He is the son of the late actor Michael Scala , who played Sally Gaga in Martin Scorsese's first feature film Who's That Knocking at My... | I Am Hip Hop | |
| Prime | From The Ground Up | |
| Protoman | Grey Area | |
| Red Clay | The Red Dawn | |
| Roddy Rod | Blunt Park Sessions (413) | |
| scanz | Prelude To A Legacy | |
| Scavone | The Rehab Record | |
| Sev Statik & Dust | Back To Dust | |
| Silent Knight | Hunger Strike | |
| Span Phly | Two Weeks Notice | |
| Spit Supreme | Whole Life For This | |
| Spokinn Movement | 60 Min. Spin Cycle | |
| SunN.Y. | Sun.N.Y. | |
| The Foundation | Forever Behind The Music | |
| The Regiment | The Come Up | |
| The Smile Rays | Smilin' On You | |
| The1shanti | the1shanti | |
| TheBREAX | theBREAX | |
| Together Brothers | Together Brothers | |
| Wildabeast | Many Levels | |
| Willie Evans Jr. | Communication | |
Studio Albums
- 1997: Company FlowCompany FlowCompany Flow is an American underground hip hop group from Brooklyn, New York City at one time associated with the independent record label Rawkus Records. Rapper/producer El-P and DJ/producer Mr...
- Funcrusher PlusFuncrusher PlusFuncrusher Plus is the debut album by Brooklyn, New York hip-hop group Company Flow, released on July 28, 1997 . It was the first album released on Rawkus Records, arguably the most popular and successful independent hip hop label of the late 1990s... - 1998: Black Star - Mos Def and Talib Kweli are Black Star
- 1999: Company FlowCompany FlowCompany Flow is an American underground hip hop group from Brooklyn, New York City at one time associated with the independent record label Rawkus Records. Rapper/producer El-P and DJ/producer Mr...
- Little Johnny from the Hospitul: Breaks & Instrumentals Vol.1Little Johnny From the Hospitul: Breaks & Instrumentals Vol.1Little Johnny from the Hospitul is Company Flow's second album, which was released in 1999, soon after the group disbanded.The song "Bee Aware" became the song "Arize" by Mr. Lif.... - 1999: The High & MightyHigh and Mighty (band)The High & Mighty are an underground hip hop duo from Philadelphia consisting of rapper Mr. Eon and DJ Mighty Mi...
- Home Field AdvantageHome Field Advantage (album)Home Field Advantage is the debut album by hip hop group The High & Mighty. It is mostly produced by DJ Mighty Mi, but also features production from The Alchemist and Reef... - 1999: Mos DefMos DefDante Terrell Smith is an American actor and Emcee known by the stage names Mos Def and Yasiin Bey. He started his hip hop career in a group called Urban Thermo Dynamics, after which he appeared on albums by Da Bush Babees and De La Soul. With Talib Kweli, he formed the duo Black Star, which...
- Black on Both SidesBlack on Both SidesBlack on Both Sides is the debut solo album of American rapper Mos Def, released October 12, 1999 on Rawkus Records. Prior to the album's recording, Mos Def had collaborated with rapper Talib Kweli for the duo's studio album, Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star , which raised high expectations for... - 1999: Pharoahe MonchPharoahe MonchPharoahe Monch is an American hip hop artist. He is known for his complex lyrics, complex delivery, and internal and multisyllabic rhyme schemes.-Biography:...
- Internal AffairsInternal Affairs (album)Sample credits* "Intro" contains samples of "Blues and The Abstract Truth" by Oliver Nelson.* "Behind Closed Doors" contains samples of "Aftermath" by Quincy Jones.* "Queens" contains samples of "Til the Cops Come Knockin" by Maxwell.... - 1999: DJ SpinnaDJ SpinnaDJ Spinna is an American hip hop music artist and producer, who, according to Allmusic.com, has "remained strictly an underground artist despite his astonishing talent."-Biography:...
- Heavy Beats Volume 1 - 2000: Various - Hip Hop for RespectHip Hop for RespectHip Hop for Respect was a 2000 project which released one EP for Rawkus Records. It was organized by Mos Def and Talib Kweli to speak out against police brutality in general, and the case of Amadou Diallo in particular,-History:...
- 2000: Big LBig LBig L may refer to:* Lamont Coleman , better know by Big L, American hip-hop artist.Or a number of British radio stations:*Big L 1395, a British radio station.*Radio Luxembourg's English-language progammes ....
- The Big Picture - 2000: Talib KweliTalib KweliTalib Kweli Greene , better known as Talib Kweli, is an American hip-hop artist and poet from Brooklyn, New York. His first name in Arabic means "student" or "seeker" ; his in Swahili means "true"...
& Hi-TekHi-TekTony Cottrell, better known as Hi-Tek, is an American record producer and rapper from Cincinnati, Ohio. He is best known for his work with Talib Kweli on his Reflection Eternal album and on Black Star...
- Train of ThoughtTrain of Thought (Reflection Eternal album)Train of Thought is the debut album of American hip hop duo Reflection Eternal, released October 17, 2000 on Rawkus Records. Collaborating as a duo, rapper Talib Kweli and DJ and hip hop producer Hi-Tek recorded the album during 1999 to 2000, following their individual musical work that gained... - 2001: Smut PeddlersSmut PeddlersSmut Peddlers are a punk band originally from Redondo Beach, California. The band has been performing live since 1993 and has toured in Europe and North America. The Smut Peddlers are notorious in Southern California for their spirited and rowdy live shows....
- Porn AgainPorn AgainPorn Again is a 2001 album by the Smut Peddlers, a group composed of Mr. Eon and DJ Mighty Mi from The High & Mighty, and Cage. Guest appearances include Kool Keith, Kool G Rap, R.A. the Rugged Man, Copywrite, and Apani B. Fly. The album was re-released on March 7, 2006, with four bonus tracks that... - 2001: Hi-TekHi-TekTony Cottrell, better known as Hi-Tek, is an American record producer and rapper from Cincinnati, Ohio. He is best known for his work with Talib Kweli on his Reflection Eternal album and on Black Star...
- Hi-TeknologyHi-TeknologyHi-Teknology is the debut album from producer Hi-Tek, released on Rawkus Records. Most songs feature rapping or singing by other artists, and all are produced by Hi-Tek... - 2001: Da BeatminerzDa BeatminerzDa Beatminerz are a hip-hop production crew from Bushwick, Brooklyn, and are known for their dark, gritty sound that is very popular with the underground hip-hop scene.-History:The crew, originally composed of brothers Mr...
- Brace 4 ImpakBrace 4 ImpakBrace 4 Impak is the debut album from the production team Da Beatminerz, on Rawkus Records.-Track listing:... - 2002: Mad Skillz - I Ain't Mad No More
- 2002: Talib KweliTalib KweliTalib Kweli Greene , better known as Talib Kweli, is an American hip-hop artist and poet from Brooklyn, New York. His first name in Arabic means "student" or "seeker" ; his in Swahili means "true"...
- QualityQuality (album)Quality is rapper Talib Kweli's first solo album. It was released on November 19, 2002 under Rawkus Records. It received wide critical acclaim and had some commercial appeal from the song "Get By" produced by Kanye West... - 2004: Talib KweliTalib KweliTalib Kweli Greene , better known as Talib Kweli, is an American hip-hop artist and poet from Brooklyn, New York. His first name in Arabic means "student" or "seeker" ; his in Swahili means "true"...
- The Beautiful StruggleThe Beautiful StruggleThe Beautiful Struggle is the second solo album by American rapper Talib Kweli. The album was released in 2004, and features guest appearances by rappers such as Common and Jean Grae... - 2006: The ProcussionsThe ProcussionsThe Procussions was an American hip-hop act from Colorado Springs, Colorado, that consisted of three members: Mr. J. Medeiros, Rez, and Stro The 89th Key...
- 5 Sparrows for 2 Cents - 2006: Kidz in the HallKidz in the HallKidz in the Hall is an American hip hop duo from Chicago, Illinois.-History:Group members Jabari Evans and Michael Aguilar met in 2000 during a talent show at the University of Pennsylvania. They began recording songs, making demos, and performing at local shows which eventually led to Double-0...
- School Was My HustleSchool Was My HustleSchool Was My Hustle is the first studio album from Kidz in the Hall, a Chicago hip hop duo. It was the first release since Rawkus Records was reactivated independently after its catalog was purchased by Universal Music Group. It was created in the fall of 2010 in the basement of Naledge's mom... - 2006: PanaceaPanacea (group)Panacea is an American hip hop duo, formed in 2003 in Washington DC. The duo consists of MC Raw Poetic and producer K-Murdock ,. Throughout their musical career, Panacea has had deals with various labels, including: Glow-in-the-Dark-Records, Rawkus Records and Tasteful Licks...
- Ink Is My DrinkInk Is My DrinkInk is my drink is the second full-length album by Panacea. It was released on October 3, 2006 on Rawkus Records.-Track listing:#"Trip of the Century"#"Invisible Seas"#"Place on Earth"#"Steel Kites"#"Coulda Woulda Shoulda"#"Reel Me In"#"PULSE"... - 2007: Mr. J. MedeirosMr. J. MedeirosJason C. Medeiros better known as Mr. J. Medeiros, is an American M.C., record producer, songwriter, and social activist. He is responsible for forming the Hip Hop group The Procussions, the IAmConstance campaign, and his own label De Medeiros...
- Of Gods and Girls - 2007: Blue ScholarsBlue ScholarsBlue Scholars is a hip hop duo based in Seattle, Washington, created in 2002 while the members, DJ Sabzi and MC Geologic, were students at the University of Washington....
- BayaniBayani (album)- Additional personnel :* Baha'i Healing Prayer on Track 1 chanted by "Amu" Behnam Khoshkhoo.* Trombone on Track 6 by Ben O'Shea, additional vocals by Khingz.* Additional vocals on Track 11 by Rahwa Habte and Semone Andu.... - 2007: Marco PoloMarco Polo (producer)Marco "Polo" Bruno is a Canadian hip hop producer. Born in Toronto, he moved to New York City in the early 2000s to pursue a career in hip hop production, and has since gone on to become one of the most sought-after underground producers on the US East Coast....
- Port AuthorityPort Authority (album)Port Authority is the debut studio album of Canadian hip hop producer Marco Polo, released May 15, 2007 on Soulspazm/Rawkus Records.The album is entirely produced by Marco Polo, and features guest appearances from Masta Ace, Kool G Rap, Buckshot, Wordsworth, O.C., Kardinal Offishall, Large... - 2007: PanaceaPanacea (group)Panacea is an American hip hop duo, formed in 2003 in Washington DC. The duo consists of MC Raw Poetic and producer K-Murdock ,. Throughout their musical career, Panacea has had deals with various labels, including: Glow-in-the-Dark-Records, Rawkus Records and Tasteful Licks...
- The Scenic Route - 2007: Point Blank - Don't Get Carried Away
- 2007: Hezekiah - I Predict A Riot
- 2010: Reflection EternalReflection EternalReflection Eternal is a hip hop duo composed of emcee Talib Kweli and DJ Hi-Tek. They released their first album, Train of Thought, in 2000...
- Revolutions Per MinuteRevolutions per Minute (Reflection Eternal album)Revolutions per Minute is the second studio album by American hip hop duo Reflection Eternal, released May 18, 2010, on Blacksmith Records and Rawkus Records...
Compilations
- 1997 SoundbombingSoundbombingSoundbombing is a 1997 compilation album from independent Hip Hop label Rawkus Records. This was the first in a long line of acclaimed compilations from Rawkus, followed by two installments of the Lyricist Lounge series and two more Soundbombing albums...
- 1998 Lyricist Lounge, Volume OneLyricist Lounge, Volume OneLyricist Lounge, Volume One is the first installment of Rawkus Records Lyricist Lounge album series, based on the Lyricist Lounge showcases in New York...
- 1999 Soundbombing 2Soundbombing 2Soundbombing II is the second installment in Rawkus Records Soundbombing series, and was possibly the most successful and acclaimed release out of all the Rawkus compilations. Soundbombing 2 fuses up-and-coming MC's with established rappers, and was able to deliver an underground Hip Hop sound to a...
- 2000 Lyricist Lounge 2Lyricist Lounge 2Lyricist Lounge 2 is the second installment in Rawkus Records Lyricist Lounge album series. The release was one of Rawkus' most commercially successful releases, featuring the hit crossover singles, "Oh No" and "Get Up", the former charting on the Billboard Hot 100...
- 2002 Soundbombing III
- 2005 Best of Decade I: 1995-2005Best of Decade I: 1995-2005Best of Decade I: 1995–2005 is a compilation album, featuring singles released on Rawkus Records during their first ten years. The compilation revolves around the label's star Mos Def, who appears on eight of the fifteen tracks...
- 1996 Dancehall Rawkus