Fat Beats

SOOO SAD THIS PLACE CLOSED! One of the last Real HIP HOP SPOTS IN L. A… It was like a shot in the heart when I saw them closing for good…
If anyone knows if there’s any other spot like Fat Beats in L. A, with the same vibe and feel, please let me know.

Helpful on line customer service— Shipping was with little haste.
is the correct website address I believe that the one listed above is either outdated or not in service.

Great place to support underground hip hop. Employees have the right attitude, chilll spot.
Bought a hard to find RZA CD

They always sold tickets for shows I did, often it was the only place to get tickets for a lot of the underground shows I did etc. — good record selection, a great place for community. Kind of like what Workmen’s wanted to be.
So what does it mean, that it is closing?
Is that it?
Is underground hip hop done-​datta? Or it’s all going to be more digital now? I think so many things in general can’t keep physical stores open, doesn’t necessarily mean shit is over for good.
Don’t worry.

Goodbye fat beats =(toooo sad

I was lucky enough to experience FAT BEATS before they close ⁹⁄₁₈.
I stopped by here on Labor Day afternoon, and lone and behold a live show by some local rappers in LA. It was a pretty sick freestyle flow by 4 artists paying respect to the place.
Everything I imagined from a record shop that is known for hip hop is this place. The raw underground feel of hip hop was here… They have tons of signed posters of artists giving props to FAT BEATS… The staff is chill. Good selection, good prices, and good beats…
While record diggin’ I came across some oldies but goodies to fire tracks I never even heard of. I STRUCK GOLD!!!
As a lover of 90’s music, the raw and early positive groove of rap was still full and effect I was able to find the love of my life HIP HOP.
I easily spend almost 2 hrs here that is without listening to any of the records.
This place will be truly missed.

Fat Beats, «the Last Stop for Hip Hop» is CLOSING on ⁹⁄₁₈.
I don’t know what’s worse: the end of a legendary hip hop institution, or the fact that none of the old heads in Unilocalville are around to comment on this.
Anyway, most of the cool stuff has been on sale and is gone, but if you loved Fat Beats as much as I did you should roll thru and pay your respects.
There are some crazy performances planned over the next couple of weekends, culminating in a blow out on the 18^th. I might be there; just look for the hysterical black woman dressed in a black funeral hat, dress and gloves trying to jump in the proverbial Fat Beats coffin. «Lawd have mercy, don’t take my Hip Hop away! Take me with you!»
RIP
For performances from the NYC Closing held Labor Day weekend, click here.

I’ve been making regular trips to Fat Beats since before they changed locations. Fat Beats was where everyone would go to get their music, their knowledge, and earn their stripes in the local Hip Hop scene. Just walking into the store on a regular day, I would run into the local DJ Allstars. They would come in to hang out, shop around, or even take their turn on the store’s decks.
I have fond memories of this place. I learned a lot, and made some great connections here.
Hopefully this review has been Useful and Cool enough for you. Don’t know how much cooler I can get. Maybe I’ll start name dropping all of the people I know. Would that be cool enough for you?

Compared to other record shops, it’s definitely at the top of the list for «hip hop love/​support», the music playing was dope, and the product selection was interesting. I got a couple 12″ vinyls I hadn’t seen elsewhere. I appreciated the employee’s knowledge of hip hop.
On the negative side, for me, was primarily that the selection was far from complete. I didn’t feel like I was in a store that carried underground music, but maybe one that has mainstream rarities. I hella would have gotten a shirt, even just because it was in this legendary building, but all the clothes were sized for your stereotypical hip hop head, none of which came near a medium.
All and all, I didn’t feel pressured by the clerk, and it felt god to be somewhere where others that love hip hop have been.

you can never go wrong at fat beats! I am a huge fan of underground hip hop and this is the place to go for me. I met MURS there one time and he is so chill. to bad slug wasnt there. but ya fat beats is the place to be.

Fat Beats is not just a hip-​hop music store, it’s an institution. The atmosphere alone is worth it with posters covering wall to ceiling to wall from current artists to wayyyyyyyy back in the day when the game started.
Most is in vinyl, but they have CDs as well. As someone with very little knowledge compared to an artist, DJ, or industry pro, it felt good to walk away with exactly what I was looking for — good conversation, solid advice on what to consider, and radio killa…
When you can’t Shazam fast enough to a track blowing your mind, it probably was sourced through Fat Beats or a place just like it.

Like another reviewer mentioned, I finally get the chance to visit Fat Beats and look who is at the front door– none other than Percee P standing out front hustlin’ his records. It’s always nice to meet an underground hip hop semi-​celebrity, but come on P, your days have been relegated to pushin tapes on the street corner? Well if there’s one thing that Percee P got right is the spot to stand in front of. Fat Beats is a hip hop record shop, and one that is heavily centered on vinyl. This place is for serious hip hop fans only, so come here to buy some music, clothes, dvds, or other essentials. Despite the small and clausterphobic space, this place is steeped in history, along with its NYC counterpart. Pretty much everyone worth mentioning has rolled through Fat Beats at some point, and for that reason alone it is worth checking out.

This is the place where hip-​hop underground lives. There once was a time when every time I walked into this store, I walked out with five CDs. That time has passed, but it’s only because underground has taken a bit of a hiatus. It’s still out there, but I’m waiting for the good ‘ish…
It’s a cool spot that reminds me of the East Coast when I walk in. It’s its own little world unto itself. The grit and grime of authenticity is literally papered on the walls. Both LPs and CDs are all over.
If you’re looking to learn more about hip-​hop and underground, this is the spot. Sometimes it’s difficult to know what the newest notes are. Just walk in and ask. They’ll direct you to the legit.
I only live a few blocks away. Imma step out right now and stop in for some flavor… that’s real.

A must stop for music if you ever catch yourself in the area. It’s like being in a candy store for anyone who love’s hip hop.

Probably one of the last good hip hop record stores still standing. Great selection and the customer service is top notch thanks fat beats
ps second story super cool

bay area knows fat beats.
been to fat beats in nyc. about the same size, except this store is just a tiny bit larger than nyc.
i only came here, in hopes, to score another fat beats t-​shirt. the one i currently have is a gray t with a crate full of records in a black outline with fat beats on top of it in red letters. simple design, just like how i like it. but they were completely out. they get scooped quick.
but fat beats represents, a true hip hop record store with alot more records than cd’s. alot more.
note: took a dope pic in there and can’t wait to print and frame it.
word… when in l.a. — you gotta.

follow that familiar sweet aroma of the purple haze and let your ears lead you upstairs to the feast of beats.
legendary.
another one of the few places for diggers to satiate their vinyl desires. a sanctuary for the wax fiends and beat mongers alike. when that hunger for hip hop strikes… this is the place.
since i can’t get up to LA as much as i’d like to anymore… i hit up their website which is just as ill, sans the stinky green scents.
parking is a headache, so are gas prices… now that i’m older with less time on my hands… i find that i’d rather spend that money on shipping and handling. ah… to dig another day!

Long trek up one day to find The East Flatbush Project «Tried By 12» record for a SD friend of mine. No one had it for some reason but Fat Beats did!
Good selection. Old school ish. Helpful.
I love buying records for my DJ buddies! :)

Fat Beats lived up to its name. I found some hole in the wall gritty hip hop tracks in here so I am forever grateful. The guys behind the counters will help you as needed and are friendly.
If it’s your first time on Melrose, remember that it’s on the second floor of the building. You definitely don’t want to miss an opportunity of checking out their selection.

Great selection of Hip Hop old school and new, with a most knowledgeable staff. You can find a lot of repressings here of the hard to find stuff. There’s a whole wall dedicated to battle records for all you turntablists.
They also have a ton of In-​store performances by a lot of great artists. I caught a live session with Oh-​No, Wildchild, Medaphor and DJ Rhomes. Shit was off the chain and it didn’t even cost me a dime!
So glad they moved locations from Los Feliz to the much closer Melrose area.