Walkup Records

Walkup Records was conceived during a jam in Brett Smith’s 4th floor walkup apartment, just up the block from the original Fillmore East in New York City's East Village. Brett and childhood friend Marc Lawrence first met in kindergarten and had long dreamed of conquering the music business together. Twenty-four years into their friendship, they decided to finally make it happen. With a combined 22 years of experience in the music industry and a small investment in a recording studio, they joined forces and formed Walkup Records. In its first year, Walkup secured a worldwide digital distribution deal with The Orchard and signed legendary reggae singer, Bigga Haitian. Brett and Marc have been producing Bigga's upcoming record Sak Pase, due out on March 3, 2009. The release will feature an all-star lineup of international reggae musicians as well as some diverse musical surprises. The past months have seen the guys producing recording sessions with the likes of Jerome “Bigfoot” Brailey (Parliament/Funkadelic), Black Sheep, Clark Gayton (Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Prince, Steel Pulse), Cedric “Im” Brooks (Light of Saba, Skatalites, Bob Marley), Kevin Batchelor (Steel Pulse, Skatalites, Boogie Down Productions), Mike “Angel” McLaughlin (Peter Criss), and Mecca a/k/a Grimo (Wyclef Jean’s Sak Pase Records). Through their diverse experiences, Brett Smith and Marc Lawrence understand the strengths and weaknesses of the major labels yet possess the spirit and flexibility of an independent, and the vision to lead in this challenging time of change for the music industry. With a commitment to high quality music played by real musicians, and a determination to do things the right way, Walkup Records stands poised to make an impact that will be felt around the globe.