Fake Four Inc. is an independent record label based in New Haven, Connecticut. Founded in 2008 by brothers Ceschi and David Ramos, the label has become a significant force in progressive hip-hop and experimental music.
The Ramos brothers started Fake Four Inc. with help from Grimm Image Records in San Bernardino, California and Squids Eye Recording Collective in Dayton, Ohio as an outlet to release and distribute their personal music projects and those of their friends.
The first full-length release came with This Up Here by David Ramos on May 20, 2008. David Ramos, a co-founder of the label, was recognized by Modern Drummer magazine as one of the Top 10 Progressive drummers.
In 2010, Fake Four Inc. became official label partners with Circle Into Square in Portland, Oregon, taking on production and distribution duties. The label is exclusively distributed by Sonic Unyon in Canada and Redeye Distribution worldwide.
In 2013, a successful Indiegogo campaign raised over $52,000 to cover manufacturing costs and operating expenses, demonstrating the strong community support for the label.
Fake Four Inc. does not adhere to genre specifications, pushing the boundaries of indie rap and experimental music. Brett Uddenberg of URB magazine praised the label for its innovative approach to indie hip-hop.
Chris Faraone of The Phoenix wrote: “you heard it here first: Fake Four is the most important label in progressive hip-hop right now.”
The label has been noted for its intra-label collaborations, with artists signed to the label self-booking tours through the United States, Canada, and Europe.
Fake Four Inc. has released albums by numerous influential artists including:
Nearly all releases on the label have placed on CMJ charts, including Vesselby Dark Time Sunshine which reached #2 on the CMJ Hip Hop ranking. This consistent chart performance demonstrates the label's ability to produce quality music that resonates with audiences and critics alike.
The label continues to release innovative music, including anniversary reissues such as Blue Sky Black Death's NOIR 10 Year Anniversary Reissue and Ceschi's They Hate Francisco False 15 Year Remastered Pressing.
Since its inception, Fake Four Inc. has been a self-sufficient label, maintaining its independence while supporting a diverse roster of artists. The label represents more than just a business—it's a community of artists pushing the boundaries of underground hip-hop and experimental music.