406 Sixth Ave, 2nd Floor
New York, NY
212-673-3883

In 1994, Joseph Abajian had aspirations of opening a record shop in New York “to preserve the foundation of hip-hop” and to provide a one-stop shop for enthusiasts.  Ten years later, what started out as a cramped store in an East Village basement has flourished into a chain of Fat Beats stores in NYC, L.A. and Amsterdam, and a label distribution arm that posted $4millin in sales in 2003.  Conveniently located in Greenwich Village, the flagship New York store is the Mecca for underground hip-hop in the city, with stickers and posters plastered on its walls and ceilings, and a pair of turntables for visiting DJs.  The merch varies from hard-to-find vinyl from indies like Definitive Jux an Stones Throw to classics and break beats to DJ paraphernalia.  Fat Beats’ hallowed halls have welcomed everyone from Outkast to KRS-One for in-store signings and performances, adding to a history that’s made it live up to its slogan, “The last stop for hip-hop”.