99 Records 1980 Tapestry

Founded in 1980, quintessential New York City label, 99 Records (pronounced “nine-nine,” not “ninety-nine”), was among the most influential independent labels of its time, with an influence still reverberates today. The label’s sound was every bit as distinct and as it was diverse, touching on post-punk, disco, dub reggae and even avant-classical, highlighted by exhilarating experiments in minimalist art-funk, and polyrhythmic grooves. Despite being a shoestring operation run out of a record store, 99 sold an unbelievable number of records with minimal distribution, and was at one point the most successful indie label in New York City.