After 8 years in business, Rawkus Records is closing their doors. According to sources, the label will officially shut down as of Jan 31. Rawkus signed a joint venture deal with Geffen/Universal in 1999. The parent label opted not to renew the deal which leaves Rawkus without distribution. Sources said the label will vacate their Broadway offices by the end of the month and certain artists will be absorbed by Geffen, but which artists weren't know as of press time.

Rawkus was founded in 1996 by Brian Brater, Jarret Meyer and James Murdoch, son of billionaire investor and News Corp. head Rupert Murdoch. They were known as the label to drop a hot new 12" single almost each month by people such as Sir Menelik, RA The Rugged Man, High & Mighty, Shabam Sahdeeq, L-Fudge, Black Attack to Brick City Kids. Then over the years the label released albums by groundbreaking artists such as Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Company Flow, to Hi-Tek. They also released Neo-Soul music by artists such as Novel.