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VP Records#VP Associated Label Group

{{short description|US independent reggae record label}}

{{use mdy dates|date=April 2020}}

{{Infobox record label

| name = VP Records

| image = Vp-logo-BW 300x300.png

| parent = VP Music Group

| founded = {{start date|1979}}

| founder = Vincent "Randy" Chin
Patricia Chin a.k.a. Miss Pat

| distributor = Warner Music Group, Atlantic Records

| genre = Reggae, dancehall, soca

| country = U.S.

| location = Queens, New York

| website = {{URL|www.vprecords.com}}

}}

{{Infobox YouTube personality

| name = VP Records

| channel_display_name = VP Records

| channel_handle = vprecords

| years active = 2006–present

| genre = Music

| views = 1.6 billion

| subscribers = 1.83 million

| silver_button = Yes

| gold_button = yes

| gold_year = 2020

| stats_update = August 13, 2024

}}

VP Records is an independent Caribbean-owned record label in Queens, New York. The label is known for releasing music by notable artists in reggae, dancehall and soca. VP Records has offices in New York City, Miami, London, Kingston, Tokyo, Johannesburg, Rio de Janeiro and Toronto. Additionally, the label has established a presence in Australia and New Zealand.

History

The VP Records label was founded in 1979 by the late Vincent "Randy" Chin and his wife Patricia Chin, who owned the Randy's Records store in Kingston, Jamaica (as seen in the 1978 film Rockers), as well as the Studio 17 recording studios. In the mid-1970s, the Chins moved to New York City, setting up a record store in Brooklyn called VP Records in 1975, from which they sold and distributed records. In 1979, they relocated the store to Jamaica, Queens.Hartley, Darren (1995) "[https://books.google.com/books?id=xgsEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22jigsy+king%22&pg=PA55 VP Retail Brings Reggae To Jamaica (N.Y.)]", Billboard, August 19, 1995, p. 55, retrieved 2011-07-03Campbell, Howard (2014) "[http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/VP-Records----according-to-Pat-Chin_17085278 VP Records... according to Pat Chin]", Jamaica Observer, July 4, 2014. Retrieved July 6, 2014 In 1993, the record label was formed after the success of the retail store.Wartofsky, Alona (May 10, 2004) "[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A13339-2004May9.html At Radio City Music Hall, A Happy Reggae Birthday]", The Washington Post, retrieved 2011-04-30 The name of the label is a product of the first letters in the founders' names.{{Cite magazine |last=Meschino |first=Patricia |date=November 26, 2014 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/6327824/reggae-miss-pat-chin-vp-records-35-years-america |title=Reggae Pioneer Miss Pat Chin of VP Records Celebrates 35 Years in the U.S |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250202224731/https://www.billboard.com/pro/reggae-miss-pat-chin-vp-records-35-years-america/ |archive-date=February 2, 2025 |url-status=live}}

The label established itself as one of the first and largest independent record labels for reggae and dancehall,{{Cite web |title=Reggae documentary shows connection to hip-hop and different cultures |url=https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2025/02/17/reggae-documentary-shows-connection-to-hip-hop-and-different-cultures |last=Meminger |first=Dean |website=Spectrum News NY1 |publisher=Charter Communications |date=February 18, 2025 |access-date=February 26, 2025}} and with the popularity of the riddim sound of the early 2000s, the label achieved worldwide success for artists such as Sean Paul through the label's deals with Warner Music Group's Atlantic Records and Virgin Music Canada.Guzman, Rafer (2003) "Getting Busy / VP Records, the label behind such crossover dancehall stars as Sean Paul and Wayne Wonder, is just warming up", Newsday, April 27, 2003, p. D26 The label is often also accredited with having increased the popularity of the now globally recognized Elephant Man, also known as the 'Energy God' or 'Ele', through a deal with Bad Boy Records. VP Records has acquired the slogan "Miles Ahead in Reggae Music" to signify that they could be considered to be the future of music that derives from the Caribbean. In addition to reggae, VP is also known for dancehall, soca, and reggaeton music. VP also releases a series of Riddim Driven albums, which feature various artists tracks using the same rhythm. The Biggest Reggae One-Drop Anthems is a series of CD reggae compilations that began in 2005 released by Greensleeves Records; Greensleeves was acquired by VP in 2008, and with Greensleeves' catalogue of over 12,000 songs, VP became the largest reggae label and publisher in the world. VP has also issued the compilations series Strictly the Best, which has now reached over 50 volumes.

VP Records has been awarded Billboard's "Best Independent Label" for two consecutive years (2002 and 2003), and has received the award for "Best Reggae Imprint Label" for three consecutive years. VP was also nominated for Best Independent Reggae Label at the 2003 Billboard Hip-Hop and R&B awards, and had been mentioned and featured in publications such as Vibe magazine, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Billboard, and Time magazine.

Vincent Chin died in 2003. The label is now run by the Chins' sons Randy and Christopher, while Patricia Chin continues to assist with the maintenance of her late husband's company as well. In 2007, VP Records began re-issuing classic albums from the 1970s and 1980s on the 17 North Parade label, the address of Randy's Studio, where it all began.

Artists

Former artists

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

{{div col end}}

VP Associated Label Group

VP Associated Label Group (VPAL) is a subsidiary of VP Records that allows independent artists to access VP Records' distribution channel, allowing them broader visibility.

{{cite web

|url=http://www.vpreggae.com/aboutus.asp

|title=VP Records Distribution

|publisher=VP Records

|access-date=May 24, 2012

}}

See also

{{Portal|Companies}}

References

{{Reflist}}

  • {{cite web |title=VP Expands presence in Africa |url=https://www.mzansireggae.co.za/vp-records-expands-presence-africa/}}

External links

  • {{Official website|https://www.vprecords.com}}
  • [https://www.discogs.com/label/14280-VP-Records Discography at Discogs]

{{Authority control}}

Category:American independent record labels

Category:Reggae record labels

Category:Record labels based in New York (state)

Category:Record labels established in 1979