Bungalo Records which is distributed by the nation’s leading distribution company, Universal, is the newest label to rep the streets of Compton, South Central, and beyond. The labels’ roster claims many of the west’s top notch acts, including DJ Quik, Suga Free, Coolio, Hi-C and Chill of Compton’s Most Wanted.
Bungalo’s founder and CEO is Paul Ring, is the former president of Private Eye Records which was home to acts such as Rick James, Cameo, James Brown, and The Gap Band. King says his label will serve as an umbrella for other labels, including Tony Lane’s Lane Way Records and Quik’s Euponic Records. As one of Compton’s most revered OG’s, Lane played a critical role in forging alliances with many of the labels artists and gives Bungalo its street credibility. Other labels in Bungalo’s camp include Organized Rhyme, headed by famed songwriter and music publisher Tony Haynes along with Chuck Fassert’s 3rd Level Records. Fassert, former Macola Records exec, was responsible for breaking acts such as NWA, Eazy E, and Dr. Dre among others.
Bungalo’s staff consists of seasoned vets of the music industry. Kenneth "Tricky" Williams, Senior VP of Marketing, also serves as Supervisor for the largest African-American-owned record chain in the country, V.I.P Records. John Ferguson (formerly A&R at Tommy Boy) will serve as Senior A&R, and David Urso will hold the position as Senior VP of Promotions.
"We’re changing the game at Bungalo," Ring said of his new label. "We view artists more as partners, which means they retain more creative and financial control of their records. We’ve got aggressive marketing and promotions campaign — including radio and retail support–in place."
Watch for Bungalo in 2002: Both Quik and Coolio LPs drop January 2002, Suga Free (produced by Quik) drops spring 2002. LPs from Hi-C and Beelow will also follow.
Also this Spring, Bungalo will drop the all star compilation, Bad Boys of Hip-Hop Vol 1 on affiliate label, Down Low’d Records. Featuring tracks by DMX, Lil’ Kim, Nas, Redman, Method Man, Snoop Dogg, and more. Bad Boys will include songs and appearances from a concert recorded live this October at the Nassau Coliseum in New York for an exclusive Pay Per View event.
