Big Beat

Big Beat Records was an American East Coast hip hop and dance-music record label that operated as a subsidiary of Atlantic Records. Founded as an indie label in 1987 by 22-year-old New York deejay Craig Kallman, the company initially operated out of Kallman's parents' apartment. After achieving some notoriety on the underground dance music circuit, Doug Morris — then head of Atlantic Records — brought Kallman and Big Beat into the Atlantic stable in 1991. Atlantic purchased the label outright in 1992. Although the label originally focused on house music, being entrenched in the often cutting-edge New York music scene inevitably led Big Beat to embrace the growing hip hop genre as the 1990s progressed. It also had a sub-label named Turnstyle. In 1998, Kallman was promoted to Vice President of Atlantic. Following his promotion, Big Beat (and most of its roster) was subsequently absorbed into its parent company. Big Beat's artists included Lil Kim, Skillz, Changing Faces, Robin S., Junior Mafia, Jomanda, Double X Posse, Jody Watley, The Bucketheads, Jay Williams, David D'Or, and Quad City DJs.

Not to be confused with the British reissue label Big Beat Records.