The VP Records Story

VP Records based in Jamaica, Queens NY, is a pioneering force in the reggae music industry. From roots & culture to soca and dancehall, VP Records is the only record label that represents the full spectrum of Caribbean music. For the past 25 years, VP has stayed true to the grassroots from whence it came, always serving its core audience first, moving swiftly to keep up with the sounds of the street. At the same time, with the international success of artists like Sean Paul, Wayne Wonder, Elephant Man, and Tanto Metro & Devonte, amongst others, VP has expanded its leadership in the effort to present Caribbean culture to a mainstream audience as worldwide demand dancehall reggae rises to new heights.

It all began over 40 years ago with reggae pioneers, Vincent Chin and his wife Patricia (their initials leading to the name "VP"), in their native Kingston, Jamaica. Mr. Chin received his first taste of the music business maintaining the jukeboxes at bars around the island. This led his creative and enterprising mind to recognize the opportunity to sell the old records that would otherwise be discarded for new ones. The entrepreneurial couple quickly learned hands-on the business of music merchandising.

THE SUCCESS OF THE CHIN'S JUKEBOX RECORD VENTURE LED TO THE OPENING OF A LANDMARK RETAIL STORE AT 17 NORTH
PARADE, RANDY'S RECORDS IN DOWNTOWN KINGSTON. WITHIN A FEW YEARS, THE CHINS OPENED STUDIO 17, A PRODUCTION
FACILITY FREQUENTED BY LEGENDARY ARTISTS BOB MARLEY, PETER TOSH, GREGORY ISAACS AND OTHERS...

In the mid-70s, the Chins moved to America and brought their business along with them to service the growing Caribbean market in the U.S. In 1979, Jamaica Queens, NY became the home of Vincent and Pat Chin's U.S. retail store, VP Records. From the start, the couple quickly became major producers and wholesale distributors of reggae as they established supply lines to record stores all across North America. During these years they earned the right to their slogan "Miles Ahead in Reggae Music," as they became the world's leading distributor of music from Jamaica and other islands of the Caribbean. In 1993, the Chins made the next obvious move and established an impressive record label. From Shabba Ranks and Super Cat to Beres Hammond, Luciano and Sizzla, VP Records became home to some of the top acts in reggae music.

In 2002, VP further strengthened its efforts by joining with Atlantic Records in a long-term strategic pact to provide VP with the vast resources of major label promotion and worldwide distribution of Atlantic. Not since Def Jam's historic joint venture with Sony has there been such an important alliance between an independent label and a major distributor. Releasing an average of 60 reggae and soca albums per year, VP has become known for carrying the hottest artists and the most current compilations. By staying true to their roots, VP Records has become a crucial link between reggae music and culture and an ever-growing market of reggae enthusiasts around the world.