In 1996 LA-based Stones Throw Records was established by beat maker/producer/DJ extraordinaire Peanut Butter Wolf as an outlet for releasing his own material after he realized that he got as much enjoyment promoting the music as he did creating it. It was also a way to release the material he produced with his late friend, emcee Charizma (who passed away in 1993, RIP) after a failed stint on Hollywood Basics (known as hip-hop subsidiary of Walt Disney that put out groundbreaking classics by Organized Konfusion). Stones Throw started by releasing 12"s, 7"s and instrumentals before breaking on to the scene hard in the late 90s. Within the years 1998 to 2002 and the release of longplayers by Peanut Butter Wolf, Lootpack, Quasimoto, Breakestra, Yesterdays New Quintet and a fantastic funk compilation called The Funky 16 Corners along with singles from from the rest of their core line-up (MED/Medaphoar, Dudley Perkins, Wildchild), Stones Throw was able to solidify their position as the essential independent hip-hop label on the west coast. The label would not have earned nearly as much popularity without Lootpack member Madlib, Stones Throw's famed flagship artist: He is not only responsible for probably about 75% of the label's music and production, but is actually 40% of the label's artists himself, just under different monikers. His unparalleled innovation musically along with PBW's creative knack for promotion and presentation has made Stones Throw maybe the most important independent label of recent times and moving strong into the future. Basically, it has made the same impact to hip-hop as Stax made on soul music in the late 60s and 70s.ÚÚMake sure to also check out Now Again Records: The subsidiary of Stones Throw is run by Peanut Butter Wolf's side-man Egon who re-releases amazing funk records and puts out fantastic compilations.ÚÚBesides releasing innovative music on a regular basis, Stones Throw is also known for creating great basic clothing to promote the label's and artist's names.