Rawkus returns from the dead!!!

[davida.b.]

Rawkus Records Reactivated, Planning Aggressive 2006
By Kye Stephenson
Date: 7/20/2005 4:00 pm





Underground heads should clear some space in their backpack, cause indie Hip-Hop label and underground stalwart, Rawkus Records, has just signed a exclusive distribution deal with RED Distribution.

The label was founded by Brian Brater and Jarret Myerin 1996. Rawkus helped launch the careers of Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Pharaoh Monch and countless others until they closed their doors in January of 2004.

The owners said the reactivated Rawkus imprint will aim at releasing more quality music.

“Jarret and I are very excited to bring Rawkus to the RED/Song/BMG fold,” says Brater. “We intend to make RED Distribution, once again, the dominant urban music player in the independent world. Expect an extremely active 2006 schedule.”

RED Distribution is an independent distribution company owned by Sony/BMG that distributes more than 20 independent labels and Sony/BMG product. According to Vice President and General Manager Bob Morelli, Rawkus should feel right at home.

“We are thrilled to work with Brian and Jarret as they re-create the Rawkus Records brand,” says Morelli. “Their vision and passion for everything they do will be right at home with us. RED is committed to its urban music roster and Rawkus will be a major part of this commitment in 2006 and beyond.”

A fall release schedule will be announced shortly.

In addition to the music, Rawkus has also formed its own management company called Rawkus Management, and will be launching a film division.

The first project to be released will be through Lake Shore Entertainment called “Excite Loves Vita,” starring Rosario Dawson.

[ABN]

great news!! can´t wait to hear some new shit from one of the best hip hop labels of all time

[We Fly High]

damn.. theyre going to have to rebuild... damn they were straight up classic at one point. pharoahe monch internal affairs, blackstar , mos def, all that shit.

[Bramsterdam (see ya)]

YES!

[UKnowWhatItIs: welcome to my traps....game over]

great news!! can´t wait to hear some new shit from one of the best hip hop labels of all time

[Sikotic™]

That's dope news. It was sad to see Rawkus go.

[Leggy Hendrix]

good news...it'll be interesting to see what their roster is like...

[Kill]

That's dope news. It was sad to see Rawkus go.

[Throwback]

That's dope news. It was sad to see Rawkus go.

[On The Edge of Insanity]

Will be dope to see who they bring in artist wise. In order to stay true to how they were before its gonna have to be some young hungry talent mixed with a couple of older guys like they had before. I get the feeling Kweli may still be on Rawkus, because Beautiful Struggle still had the Rawkus logo on the back of album despite the fact that it dropped on Geffen, maybe they just leased Kweli out while they were sorting out the company.

[WeSTSidE_Don]

wow dude this is dope im a big fan of rawkus...

[.:Hercy Buggz:.]

nice!

[eKardz]

rawkus is the shit.  this if fuckin nice, maybe some new soundbombings and lyricist lounges.  royce and nottz shoppin for a label....they call him independy.  maybe he found a home

[davida.b.]

I seem to be the only one who remembers how Rawkus fucked over Kool G Rap, Last Emporer, Skillz, Pharoahe Monch, Shabam Sadeeq, etc.

[Juronimo]

Does that mean we'll get a new Pharoah Monch album?


One can only dream...