About

Celluloid Records, under the visionary guidance of Jean Karakos, boldly emerged in the late ’70s, challenging musical norms and quickly establishing itself as a linchpin of the avant-garde and no-wave movements. Originating in France and expanding to New York City, the label left an indelible mark on the burgeoning hip-hop scene.

In its formative years, Celluloid played a pivotal role in nurturing the experimental no-wave scene in New York. The label, led by Karakos, embraced the raw, unapologetic essence of no-wave, signing groundbreaking acts like James Chance and the Contortions, Lydia Lunch, and the Lounge Lizards, weaving punk, jazz, and avant-garde into a captivating sonic tapestry.

Jean Karakos, an innovative music entrepreneur, envisioned Celluloid as a platform for avant-garde and experimental music, rapidly gaining recognition for its eclectic roster spanning punk, funk, hip-hop, and world music.

At the heart of Celluloid’s success was Karakos’s extraordinary talent-spotting ability. He introduced audiences to groundbreaking artists such as the legendary producer Bill Laswell, Material, Fela Kuti, The Last Poets, and more. The label’s collaborations resulted in iconic releases, exemplified by the fusion of Fela Kuti’s Afrobeat with punk on the groundbreaking « Music of Many Colors. »

Celluloid’s impact on the development of hip-hop was profound, releasing early works by Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force, notably the influential track « Planet Rock. » This collaboration between Karakos and Bambaataa catalyzed the fusion of electronic beats with rap, fundamentally shaping the trajectory of hip-hop and electronic music.

Jean Karakos’s forward-thinking approach transformed Celluloid into a hub for cultural exchange, fostering collaborations among artists from diverse backgrounds and enabling a dynamic cross-pollination of musical styles.

Celluloid’s enduring legacy stands as a testament to Karakos’s innovative spirit, with particular emphasis on his role in nurturing and collaborating with the visionary producer Bill Laswell. Together, they solidified the label’s position as a trailblazer in music history. Even as Celluloid Records closed its doors in the late ’80s, its impact continues to reverberate, shaping the trajectory of experimental and genre-defying music to this day.