world_famous_vip_lbc

VIP Records is located at 1028 East Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach, CA 90806 and was established in 1978. I purchased the store from my brother, Cletus Anderson, in January of 1979. VIP was very instrumental in the launching of the music career of many recording artist local, national and international. In the early 90’s after the success of Compton rap groups NWA and the Bay Area, Too Short and The Click, I took a room in the back of the store that was used for storage and turned it into a recording studio. Kids from the neighborhood, and surrounding areas would spend the whole day there learning how to rap, sing, DJ and be a producer. Some of todays well known artists got their start at VIP Records such as Snoop Dogg, Warren G, and Nate Dogg, who started as the group 213, and many others. VIP Records in Long Beach became World Famous VIP after the release of Snoop Dogg's debut album Doggy Style. Scenes from the hit video of the single Whats My Name were shot on the roof of VIP Records under the now famous sign.