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VIP Records Celebrates 46 Years of Rapper’s Delight as Cardi B Visits Iconic Long Beach Store to Promote Am I The Drama

Long Beach, CA – September 2025 – This month marks the 46th anniversary of Rapper’s Delight, the groundbreaking 1979 single by the Sugar Hill Gang that became the first commercially successful hip-hop record. Long Beach’s legendary VIP Records played a key role in that history, becoming the first store to sell the single on the West Coast.

Now, nearly five decades later, VIP Records continues to stand at the center of hip-hop culture as global superstar Cardi B visited the shop to promote her highly anticipated new album, Am I The Drama.

From Rapper’s Delight to Cardi B

Kelvin Anderson of VIP Records recalls how his brother helped break Rapper’s Delight in California:

“VIP Records, under my brother’s leadership, was the first to sell a rap record on the West Coast, period. My brother had a relationship with the Robinson family, and I remember when they sent us the Rapper’s Delight 12-inch. They asked us to listen and see if we thought we could sell it—and of course, we said yes. We brought it in, put it in VIP, and got it into the majority of independent retail stores across California.”

That historic moment connected East Coast innovation with the growing West Coast hip-hop movement, making VIP Records a cultural hub.

Cardi B’s recent visit pays homage to that legacy. While at the store, the Bronx rapper shouted out VIP’s influence on hip-hop history and posed with fans while promoting Am I The Drama.

A Living Legacy

The visit demonstrates how VIP Records continues to bridge generations of artists and fans. From selling the 12-inch Rapper’s Delight in 1979 to welcoming Cardi B in 2025, the shop remains a symbol of independence, culture, and innovation in music.

“Seeing Cardi B here shows that what started with Rapper’s Delight is still alive and resonating today,” Anderson said. “VIP will always be about pushing the culture forward.”

About VIP Records

Founded in Long Beach, California, VIP Records is one of the most iconic record stores in hip-hop history. Known for introducing Rapper’s Delight to the West Coast, the store has supported independent artists and major stars alike, serving as a landmark in West Coast music culture for over four decades.