Prism Records
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| Prism Records | |
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| Parent company | Cold Chillin' Records |
| Founded | 1978 |
| Distributing label | Warner Bros. Records Epic Records |
| Genre(s) | Various |
| Country of origin |  USA |
| Location | New York City, New York |
Prism Records was an American record label formed in 1978. It was originally an independent label, focusing on the New York R&B and disco music scene of the day. Into the 1980s, Prism struck up a distribution deal with Warner Bros. Records and shifted its focus to the burgeouning hip hop sound. In 1989, it renamed itself Cold Chillin' Records, which was once a subsidiary of Prism.
As Warner Bros. premier hip-hop based subsidiary label, Cold Chillin' released many classic records in the late 1980s and early 1990s from such notable acts as Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, The Juice Crew, and Marley Marl.
As the 90s progressed though, the label began to flounder. It eventually left the Warner fold and began having its records released through Epic Records. Cold Chillin' though continued to lose its steam, and folded in 1998. Today the namesake is still used on its reissues and the catalog and trademark, save for the recordings of Big Daddy Kane, are now owned by LandSpeed Records
There is no connection between the Prism Records of this article and the Prism Records bootleg CD manufacturer of 1994-1998, known for Dream Theater and Rush releases.
