Formally Prism Records a dance music label before the owner Len Fichtelberg merged, partnered and co-operated with Juice Crew manager and co-owner, Tyrone Williams in 1986 to establish Cold Chillin' Records. Known for its contributions to the culture and legendary roster of Hip-Hop’s pioneers like Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, MC Shan, Marley Marl and more. In 1988, Cold Chillin' Records signed a five-year distribution deal with Warner Bros Records. In the early 90s, the label’s parent company Time Warner felt political pressure to reject the releases of gangsta rap albums like Juice Crew members Kool G. Rap & DJ Polo joint album, Live and Let Die part of the anti-rap campaign waged on rappers. This setback did not stop William’s and his co-partner from releasing the label’s next few projects.
In 1994, they decided to set their sights on moving independently and found a new distributing partnership with Epic Street, a division of Epic Records. However, the partnership agreement was short-lived. Cold Chillin' later formed a small independent label, Livin' Large, which released the sophomore efforts from Roxanne Shante’s, October 1991 released album, The Bitch is Back and YZ’s, September 1993 released album, The Ghetto’s Been Good to Me distributed under Tommy Boy Records. But the record company struggled to stay in business and abruptly closed in 1993.
Cold Chillin' Records catalog was acquired by Traffic Entertainment Group.
