Up Above Records | |
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Founded | 1995 |
Founder | Papadoug Kato KeyKool DJ Rhettmatic |
Distributor(s) | Independent |
Genre | Hip hop |
Country of origin | United States |
Location | Long Beach, United States |
Official website | www.upabove.com |
Up Above Records is an independent hip hop record label based in Long Beach, California, United States, co-founded in 1995 by Doug "Papadoug" Kato and The Visionaries member KeyKool, along with DJ Rhettmatic and Beat Junkies. The label's first release was a 12" single, KeyKool & Rhettmatic's "Can U Hear It". The single's b-side, "E=MC5" featuring Ras Kass, Meen Green, Voodoo, and Visionaries member LMNO, was deemed "an underground classic" by Source Magazine (Feb. '96).
Up Above Records has built a reputation as vinyl record specialists releasing 12-inch singles (the Jay Dee a.k.a. J Dilla hip-hop hit "Fuck the Police"), as well as distributing vinyl releases for Jurassic 5, Legendary Music, and other distinguished artists such as Kool G Rap, The Beatnuts, Tony Touch, Dilated Peoples, DJ Spinna, and Sadat X, to name a few.
Up Above Records has also released four moderately successful albums by the Visionaries, along with numerous albums for artists such as those listed below.