ABOUT US
East Park Productions
FOUNDED IN 1987
East Park Productions is a Canadian independent record label and production company established in Toronto in 1987. The label was formed to support the release of its sole act the Get Loose Crew due to the lack of major record labels in the country willing to sign local Hip Hop acts at the time.
Kory Neely (MC Shadow) attended a meeting on behalf of Get Loose Crew in Scarborough, Ontario at Electric Distribution where after much debate, he successfully convinced executive Dominic Zgarka to enter into a global distribution agreement for their soon to be released record. The distribution agreement was originally to be for the Canadian territory and released in in December 1987.
It was not the first independent hip hop label in Canada, though it is credited for the release of the first Canadian Hip Hop record to achieve international sales. The formation of this company marked it as only one of two Hip-Hop independent record labels in Toronto and Canada. Beat Factory Records in Pickering was the first to be established and ultimately secured distribution from a major US record label.
The unendorsed distribution agreement was in place (in principle) November 1987 with the intention of releasing the GLC record in December during the Christmas season. After evaluating the overwhelming competition with established artists and seasonal themed recordings, the release was intentionally delayed until February 1988 along with the endorsement of the Agreement.
With the endorsed Agreement in February 1997, the Get Loose Crew (P Line) “EPP-001” became the first Canadian authentic Hip Hop mini album manufactured in Canada and sold internationally. To this point, only 12” domestic products had been produced without known or recognized distribution and no Canadian Hip-Hop record had been sold outside of Canada. The Get Loose Crew record was considered a mini-LP, (or EP) having only four individual tracks with four accompanying instrumentals.
CINRAM, located in Markham, Ontario was selected for pressing the record as opposed to having it manufactured in New York City and shipped to Canada.
There were two delays in producing the record which were caused by damage to the machines and equipment in the plant disrupting the manufacturing process. The levels of bass in the original recording from the studio contained in the master reels recording song Get Loose Crew and the manufacturers lack of expertise in vinyl production for the genre. These considerations damaged equalizer equipment and shut down production lines for a couple of weeks. After the initial repair, a subsequent similar event occurred causing an additional shut down of the line and a further delay.
The record landed on shelves on March 16th, 1988 in local iconic record stores ‘Sam the Record Man’, ‘Streetsound’, ‘Traxx’ as well as other national stores throughout Canada. Shortly after, the record was distributed to and sold in United States markets and other Countries throughout the world. Distribution and sales of the record are confirmed in Canada, United States, Australia, U.K, Germany, France, Italy, China, Japan, and other parts of Europe. This defined them as the first Canadian Hip Hop group to achieve international distribution and record sales.
Locally promoted by Ron Nelson’s “Fantastic Voyage Program” on Ryerson CKLN 88.1 FM and also DJ Niel Scobie’s “In Effect” on CiTR 101.9 FM Radio in Vancouver, the record received airplay on New York City radio WBLK & HOT 97 WBLS, which were widely recognized as the voices of Hip hop music of the day.
After the release of the Get Loose Crew record, the intention was to utilize the label to promote and release other local artists: MC Rok, West End Kids, Junior MC’s, and Bubble Gum MC’s between June and October of 1988. Notwithstanding an organized business plan and artists available to develop, it was ultimately the lack of funding that led to the demise of the goal to expand the label. East Park Productions became dormant in late 1989.
The label remained dormant after the separation of the Get Loose Crew in 1990, until 2015 when the company rebranded itself to include Film & Video production in 2016 and television in 2021.
The limited released Get Loose Crew recording has become a rare find, selling at online auctions and private collectors, having commanded as high as 107.00 Euro (approximately $138.00 US Dollars) and remains highly sought after among vinyl collectors.
Frequently Asked Questions
East Park Productions is a Toronto, Ontario based independent label and production company. Its global headquarters are located at 21 Fire Route 392, Trent Lakes, Ontario Canada.
For a list of contact numbers for East Park Productions offices, please visit our Contacts page.
East Park Productions and its employees do not accept, or consider, unsolicited sound recordings, musical compositions or any other creative materials.
For East Park Production’s to review a demo, it must come recommended through an established music industry professional, such as a manager, lawyer, agent, producer, artist, programmer, or tastemaker. We suggest you consult with one or more of these professionals for more information.
Please note that if, despite our policy, you submit unsolicited material to us, then East Park Productions has no obligation, and shall not be liable to you, or to any person claiming through you, based on such submission. We do not receive, open and do not listen to unsolicited material.
Media questions about East Park Productions artists should be directed to either via Contact Us or to a Contact for any previous artists directly through their representation.
If you would like to license master recording rights from an East Park Productions artist, please send us an email via Contact us page.
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