Rawkus Records

American record label Record label Rawkus RecordsFounded1995 (1995)FounderBrian BraterJarret MyerStatusInactiveDistributorsPriority Records (1999–2002)MCA Records (2002–2003)Geffen Records (2004)RED Distribution (2006–2007)GenreHip-hopCountry of originU.S.LocationNew York City Rawkus Records (or Rawkus Entertainment) is an American hip-hop record label, owned by James Murdoch, known for starting the careers of many rappers. Rawkus started in 1995 with releases in hip-hop, drum and bass and fun-dustrial (Dystopia One). 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 1990s, Rawkus became a dominant label in the underground hip-hop scene, producing a string of gold albums and a platinum[citation needed] album. History Rawkus Records was established in 1995 by Brian Brater and Jarret Myer, with financial backing