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Rawkus Records
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==History== Rawkus Records was established in 1995 by Brian Brater and [[Jarret Myer]], with financial backing from their high school friend [[James Murdoch (media executive)|James Murdoch]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Grigoriadis |first=Vanessa |url=http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/people/features/2883/ |title=35 Under 35 |publisher=Nymag.com |date=2000-04-17 |access-date=2015-11-06}}</ref><ref name="Encyclopedia of Business, 2nd ed">{{cite web |url=http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/biography/M-R/Murdoch-James-1972.html |title=James Murdoch 1972β |publisher=Advameg, Inc.|access-date=2015-11-06}}</ref><ref name="guardian profile">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2003/nov/10/bskyb.rupertmurdoch |title=Ivy League to Isleworth |publisher=Guardian News and Media Limited | location=London |first=Nils |last=Pratley |date=10 November 2003}}</ref> son of [[Rupert Murdoch]]. In 1996, Rupert Murdoch bought a majority of Rawkus.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Emery |first1=Andrew |title=When James Murdoch was a hip-hop mogul |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/jul/11/james-murdoch-hip-hop |access-date=2019-05-27 |work=The Guardian |publisher=Guardian News & Media Limited |date=2011-07-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Mahler |first1=Jonathan |last2=Rutenberg |first2=Jim |title=How Rupert Murdoch's Empire of Influence Remade the World |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/04/03/magazine/rupert-murdoch-fox-news-trump.html |access-date=2019-05-27 |work=The New York Times Magazine |publisher=The New York Times Company |date=2019-04-03}}</ref> In 1999 the label entered into a distribution deal with [[Priority Records]]. Over the years, Rawkus recorded several notable independent hip hop artists,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://music.barnesandnoble.com/Soundbombing-Vol-3/e/008811291723/?itm=2 |title=Soundbombing, Vol. 3 | 8811291723 | CD | Barnes & Noble |publisher=Music.barnesandnoble.com |access-date=2015-11-06}}</ref> including [[Reflection Eternal]], [[Company Flow]], the [[High and Mighty (band)|High and Mighty]], [[Mos Def]] and [[Talib Kweli]] (as [[Black Star (group)|Blackstar]]), [[Eminem]], [[Common (rapper)|Common]], [[Pharoahe Monch]] and [[Skillz (rapper)|Skillz]]. In 2000, Rawkus released New York City rapper [[Big L]]'s second and final studio album, ''[[The Big Picture (Big L album)|The Big Picture]]''. Released posthumously after Big L's 1999 murder, the album debuted and peaked in the top 15 on the ''[[Billboard 200]]''. Anchored by the success of the single, ''Flamboyant'', the album was certified Gold by the [[RIAA]] for selling over 500,000 copies in America. In 2002, Rawkus signed a joint venture deal with [[MCA Records|MCA]]. Soon after, MCA folded and [[Interscope Records|Interscope]]/[[Geffen Records|Geffen]] bought Rawkus. After the sale of its catalog in 2004, Rawkus split from Geffen. In 2006, Rawkus signed with [[RED Distribution|RED]] (a [[Sony Music]] distribution company) and reemerged with a new line up of notable independent hip hop artists: [[The Procussions]], [[Mr. J. Medeiros]], [[Kidz in the Hall]], [[Marco Polo (producer)|Marco Polo]], and [[Panacea (group)|Panacea]]. 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 campaign was unsuccessful. Since 2007, Rawkus has not released a new project.
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