Chris Atlas appointed President of Rostrum Pacific-owned distributor and retailer Fat Beats

Rostrum Pacific has appointed Chris Atlas as the new President of its recently acquired distributor and retail brand, Fat Beats.

The indie hip-hop distributor and e-commerce retailer was acquired by Rostrum Pacific in March, joining sister companies including SpaceHeater and Rostrum Records under the Rostrum Pacific banner.

Fat Beats celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Rostrum Pacific said that Atlas will lead the brand “into its next chapter of growth and innovation”.

The exec will oversee business development and marketing, build industry relationships, expand market presence, and identify new growth opportunities.

Chris Atlas’s career spans over two decades in the music industry.

He has held key positions at Tommy Boy Records, Cornerstone Promotion, Def Jam Recordings, and Warner Records.

He’s worked with a diverse range of artists and brands, earning accolades including the Culture Creators Award and recognition in XXL Magazine’s Hip Hop Heavyweights list for multiple consecutive years.

According to Rostrum Pacific, since Atlas’s onboarding, he has recruited artists such as Talib Kweli, Large Professor, Pete Rock, Rsonist, and more.

“I am honored to join Fat Beats at such an exciting time in the company’s history.”

Chris Atlas

“I am honored to join Fat Beats at such an exciting time in the company’s history,” said Chris Atlas.

“Fat Beats has long been a cornerstone of hip-hop culture, and I look forward to building on that legacy while exploring new avenues for growth and collaboration.”

 “With Chris at the helm, we are putting our great partners in the best position to succeed.”

Jonathan Partch, Rostrum Pacific

Jonathan Partch, COO of Rostrum Pacific, added:  “Chris Atlas is someone we have admired for many years. Having him join Fat Beats as President at this important time of growth at Rostrum Pacific is beyond exciting. He brings incredible leadership, vision, insight and experience. I can think of no better person to lead and continue building the legacy of this great company.

“With Chris at the helm, we are putting our great partners in the best position to succeed.”

In 2023, Rostrum Records, led by CEO Benjy Grinberg, reorganized the label and its sister companies under the new umbrella firm Rostrum Pacific, which bills itself as a “multi-faceted entertainment company” that brings together Rostrum Records, Spaceheater, and now Fat Beats.

Fat Beats began in 1994 as a hip-hop vinyl store in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, launched by Joseph Abajian (DJ Jab). According to its about page, it “quickly became an integral hub for artists, both aspiring and established, to convene and collaborate on new projects.”

The location hosted in-store performances by the likes of Jay Z, Eminem, Outkast, Mos Def and others. In the late 1990s, it expanded to new locations in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Tokyo. However, as music shifted to digital, those locations were shuttered, with the last Fat Beats brick-and-mortar stores closing in 2010. Its retail operations have since focused on e-commerce.Music Business Worldwide