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Utilizing a keen ear for quality music, Hip-Hop label Basement Records has moved to the forefront of the west coast independent music scene. Signing acts that are often overlooked by the majors, Basement Records is committed to bringing new hip-hop to light.

We want to support indie acts who dont necessarily fit into the major label structure but who are extremely talented, explains the label president and founder, Robert Roc Meraz. We arent looking for name recognition or artists who follow trends, he continues, we want charismatic, skilled MCs who are in it for the long haul. Todays current Basement roster includes the Crown City Rockers, People Under The Stairs, LA Symphony, Penuckle, Abstract Rude, Pigeon John, and Blood of Abraham--to name a few.

Roc has been a long time member of LAs hip-hop scene. After graduating in 1998 from UC Berkeley, the hip-hop junkie opened a small record shop in Sherman Oaks, CA. This store, now famous for lively, late night in-stores, grew into one of LAs most respected record stores and soon became a mainstay in LAs hip-hop landscape.

In 2000 Roc started the distribution branch of Basement in an effort to provide local artists with adequate exposure to retail. Today, three years later, Basement distributes to over 150 stores in the US, Canada, France and Germany. In addition, Basement Records brings local hip-hop acts directly to the public by hosting two hugely popular shows each year, The Basement Anniversary Show and The Basement Barn Yard Boogie, with headliners such as the Living Legends, J-Live, Atmosphere, and Aesop Rock.

Having secured nation-wide chain store distribution through Sony Red, Basement Records has put out over 20 albums from the likes of, the A-Team (Aceyalone & Abstract Rude), LA Symphony, Pigeon John, Crown City Rockers, Blood of Abraham, and Johnny Five, among others.

The future is bright for this new Hip-Hop powerhouse. With multiple big projects on the horizon, like the new album from the People Under The Stairs entitled, "The Stepfather" due out in April of 2006, Hip Hop fans out there who don't know...better ask somebody!

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Artists

People Under the Stairs