Celluloid Records

Celluloid Records, 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.
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.

2025 - It is coming back to life.