Chris Atlas named president of retailer and distributor Fat Beats

NEW YORK (CelebrityAccess)—Rostrum Pacific has announced Chris Atlas Named the new President of Fat Beats, the acclaimed indie hip hop distributor and e-commerce retailer. This leadership change comes as Fat Beats celebrates its 30th anniversary and continues its journey under the Rostrum Pacific umbrella following its acquisition in March. The company, known for its rich heritage in hip hop culture, joins SpaceHeater and Rostrum Records in complementing Rostrum Pacific’s diverse portfolio.

Atlas will drive the development of Fat Beats and focus on business development, marketing and expanding the brand’s market presence. His responsibilities will also include strengthening industry relationships and discovering new growth opportunities.

With over 20 years in the music industry, Atlas brings a wealth of experience to his new position. His career includes key roles at Tommy Boy Records, Cornerstone Promotion, Def Jam Recordings and Warner Records. He has worked with various artists and brands and has received numerous awards including the Culture Creators Award.

Since joining Fat Beats, Atlas has made significant progress in recruiting notable artists such as Talib Kweli, Big Professor, Pete RockAnd Rsonist. Regarding his new role, Atlas said: “I’m honored to join Fat Beats at such an exciting time in the company’s history. 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.”

Jonathan Parch, COO of Rostrum Pacific, expressed his excitement about Atlas’ appointment, stating: “Chris Atlas is someone we have admired for many years and having him join Fat Beats as President during this important period of Rostrum Pacific’s growth is beyond exciting. He brings incredible leadership, vision, insight and experience. I can’t think of a better person to lead this great company and continue to build on its legacy. With Chris at the helm, we are putting our great partners in the best position for success.”

Rostrum Pacific has restructured its structure and strategy under the leadership of CEO Benjy Grinberg. In 2023, the company reorganized and brought together Rostrum Records, Spaceheater and Fat Beats under its newly formed entertainment company. Rostrum Pacific aims to foster innovation and expand its influence across various facets of the entertainment industry.

Fat Beats began in 1994 as a hip-hop vinyl store in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, founded by Joseph Abajian (DJ Jab). It quickly developed into a cultural hub that attracted both emerging and established artists. The store hosted legendary in-store performances by Jay Z, Eminem, Outkast, And Mos Defamong others. In the late 1990s, Fat Beats expanded internationally with locations in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Tokyo. However, with the rise of digital music, these physical stores closed, leading to the closure of the last locations in 2010. Since then, Fat Beats has focused on its online retail business and continues to serve the hip hop community.