Rat Cage Records

Last updated
Rat Cage Records
FounderDonna Lee Parsons
Country of originUnited States
Location New York City

Rat Cage was an independent punk record label founded by Donna Lee Parsons in New York City. [1] [2] It was run out of a record store of the same name. [3]

The label is best known for releasing the Beastie Boys’ debut EP, Polly Wog Stew , as well as their first hip-hop release, the maxi-single Cooky Puss. Some of its other notable signees included Agnostic Front and Heart Attack. Donna Parsons is also credited with designing the Bad Brains’ iconic “lighting bolt” cover featured on their self-titled LP. [2]

In 2002, Parsons came out as a trans woman; although they had long achieved worldwide fame, the Beastie Boys paid for her gender-affirming surgery. Knowing she wouldn’t accept such a donation, they sent her money under the guise of royalties for Polly Wog Stew. Parsons died an year later - on September 23rd, 2003 - of colon cancer. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Rat Cage discography:

References

  1. 1 2 Browning, Bil (2024-04-04). "Beastie Boys paid for trans woman's gender-affirming surgery". LGBTQ Nation. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  2. 1 2 3 Brannon, Norman (2024-04-02). "True Trans Soul Rebel". Anti-Matter. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  3. 1 2 Dunn, Thom (April 4, 2024). "The forgotten trans history of the first Beastie Boys record". BoingBoing.
  4. ↑ Diamond, Michael; Horovitz, Adam (2018-10-30). Beastie Boys Book. Random House Publishing Group. ISBN   978-0-8129-9554-1.

See also



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