Profile Records

As I was stepping out from a Manhattan record store during my CMJ 2011 pilgrimage, I took a leisurely glance around the store and something caught my eyes and attention.

Hanging on a wall above the cash register was a multiple vinyl compilation of Profile Records’ greatest hip hop singles. I reached up, took the box set from the wall and looked it carefully.

I was not aware a collection of Profile Records’ hip hop music was released. I reminisced about the days when I used to see the logo on cassettes, 12” singles and albums as a boy and teenager.

Profile Records is one of the most iconic labels in hip hop history.
Among its pioneer roster are Sweet Tee & DJ Jazzy Joyce, England’s Derek B, Pumpkin, Dana Dane, Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock and Run-DMC.  Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock’s pivotal It Takes Two was released on the label in 1988.

During the late 1980s to the late 1990s, DJ Quik, King Sun, Poor Righteous Teachers, Smoothe Da Hustler, Camp Lo were the label’s most visible artists.

The image for the label’s deluxe set of vinyl is just as hip hop as the label itself. For an enthusiast of hip hop music and culture like me, one can only imagine the songs DJs spun at those legendary block parties. It stands to reason that a good number of songs from Profile Records’ catalog were played at those parties from as early as 1984 with a certain Hollis, Queens’s trio’s debut. 

That compilation of the label’s music will allow anyone to revisit those glory days. It is for that precise reason I would want to add classics from Profile Records to The Suite Delight playlists. If it is still there by some miracle when I return, I aim to acquire that collection that hung on the New York record store wall.

I thank Profile Records for its contributions to hip hop music through its artists, videos and catalog.