Page 42 - Reggae Festival Guide Magazine 2019

After 40 years as VP Records’ flagship retail store in Queens, NY, the location is one of the oldest record shops in the northeast region.
Photo courtesy of VP Records

a cultural hub for reggae music in Jamaica, as other sub-brands, such as Roots From The Yard,
legendary artists including Bob Marley, Peter Jah Guidance, Reggae Sound and producer-

Tosh and Gregory Isaacs frequently recorded affiliated labels. VP Records grew to become

there. By the time the Chins moved to New one of the world’s largest reggae companies

York City in the late 1970s, they had already over the next 20 years, helping secure Jamaica’s

established deep roots in the Jamaican music standing in the music world and making reggae
scene and played an integral role in introducing a globally accessible genre.

the musical talents of the Caribbean to the The roster of VP Records artists over the

United States and eventually the world.
past 40 years is a testament to this label’s

The Chins purchased the VP Records retail store professionalism and knowledge in producing

in Queens in 1979, beginning a new chapter in and selling reggae music. In collaborating with

their business. Developing relationships with some of the most impactful artists in reggae,
record stores throughout North America allowed VP Records has had direct involvement in many

the Chins to become prominent wholesale major developments of reggae music in recent

distributors of reggae music in the United history. VP Record’s distribution arm, VPAL, has

States. Once firmly entrenched in the U.S. as a helped independent artists and producers by

force in music distribution, the Chins leveraged giving them better access to a global market.
their position to promote the VP label as well as VP Records has played an instrumental role in

42 Reggae Festival guide 2019