A Love Letter To The Gospel: Past, Present & Future (2022) by Punch RecordsPunch Records
At its core the job of a record store is to market and sell records. However, their value supersedes this job alone and they have played a vital role in knitting together the cultural fabric of this country, especially in the black community.
Record stores have always played an important role in the cultural identity of Black Britain. From the reggae shops of the 60s & 70s to the grime and garage stores of the 2000s.
Record StoresPunch Records
These shops have provided a space for Black music and culture to flourish.
In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at two influential Black music stores in Britain: Deal Real Records and Punch Records.
Deal Real Records
Deal Real Records was a record shop and hip-hop cultural center located on Carnaby Street in London. The shop was founded in 2002 by DJ Harry Love, rapper/activist Ty and others - which quickly became a hub for the UK hip-hop scene.
Record StoresPunch Records
Deal Real Records was more than just a record shop – it was a community centre for Black and Brown youth in London. It provided a space for young people to express themselves creatively and connect with others who shared their interests.
Punch Records
‘Punch Records’ was founded in the Perry Barr area of Birmingham in 1997 by Ammo Talwar. The agency began as an Black music record store, and quickly became a major hub for artists and DJ culture, pioneering sales for vinyl and mixtapes of various genres.
Record Stores by Punch RecordsPunch Records
In its early days, Punch Records hosted legendary DJ competitions in the region and organised large scale events. This led to working with major labels including Def Jam, Bad Boy, Island and Rawkus supporting global artists in UK campaigns.
Record StoresPunch Records
Why are record stores important?
It’s more important than ever to support Black music stores and the communities they serve. They hold great importance in bringing people together and share their love of music.
Get to know your local record stores and share them with music lovers.
