Tarantula Records

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For the defunct punk rock record label, see: Tarantulas Records

Tarantulas Records was a punk rock record label generally owned by the band The Explosion and run by their then manager Rama Mayo. It was officially established in 2002, as an art movement and a protest against record labels constantly signing bands that are merely rehashes of what has already been done before. Its mission statement is to "sign bands that go against what you believe to be cool." The most prominent and active bands amongst the Tarantulas were The Distillers, The Bronx, The Static Age, and Darker My Love. At its height, Tarantulas became less a label and more a movement of people across the US sick of what was happening to music and counterculture—a number of non-musicians identified themselves as Tarantulas, many tattooing themselves with the label logo—and bands turned down other, much bigger labels, to be a part of the group. Unfortunately, the label/collective ceased to be in 2005/2006 due to disagreements with distributor The Platform Group and other tensions, but a couple of the label's main bands at the time continued on to other labels and situations, namely The Static Age and Darker My Love.

Tarantula Records
Tarantula Records.png
Founded2004 (2004)
Founder Tanya Stephens
Andrew Henton
Distributor(s) VP Records
Genre Reggae, Dancehall
Country of origin Jamaica
LocationNo physical location

Tarantula Records was created by Jamaican recording artist Tanya Stephens and her life partner Andrew Henton. The label was set up because Tanya desired more freedom over her music and lyrics. Henton makes the beats out of his home and she records at hers. [1] Since being founded in 2004, the label has released three albums. VP Records handled distribution for albums Gangsta Blues and Rebelution . Infallible was an online, free album. The only hard copies were given out with "Riddim" magazine. [2]

Tanya Stephens Jamaican reggae singer

Tanya Stephens, is an influential reggae artist who emerged in the late 1990s. Stephens is most known for her hits "Yuh Nuh Ready Fi Dis Yet" — the single was later featured on the Reggae Gold 1997 compilation album — and "It's a Pity", for which Tanya achieved international recognition. She and business partner Andrew Henton have together co-founded Tarantula Records.

VP Records US independent reggae record label

VP Records is an independent record label in Queens, New York. The label is known for releasing music by notable artists in reggae, dancehall and soca.

<i>Gangsta Blues</i> album

Gangsta Blues is the fifth studio album by Jamaican recording artist Tanya Stephens. This album was probably the most politically driven album with tracks like "What A Day", "The Other Cheek" and "Sound of My Tears". The album also has a lovers rock feel to it with songs such as "Good Ride" and "It's a Pity".

Discography

TitleRelease dateChart history
Gangsta Blues March 30, 200410
Rebelution August 29, 200611
Infallible April 26, 2012 Free download, CD (with "Riddim" magazine only)-
GuiltyTBA 2012-

"-" denotes the album did not chart.

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References

  1. "Features :: Tanya's Tarantula Records :: May 14, 2010". The Jamaica Star. 2010-05-14. Archived from the original on August 10, 2014. Retrieved 2013-05-06.
  2. "Tanya Stephens Releases New Album – Infallible – Gives It Away For Free!". Dancehall.Mobi. 2010-04-27. Archived from the original on 2013-07-28. Retrieved 2013-05-06.