LUAKA BOP’S 10th ANNIVERSARY: ZERO ACCIDENTS ON THE JOB In 1989, the factory opened. The product, Beleza Tropical, was released and hit Billboard’s Top 200 – and with that, David Byrne’s Luaka Bop was born. The International Music Age was upon us, and pop music would never be the same again. With the demand for the first compilation so high, production had to be stepped up. To feed consumer appetite, Luaka Bop proceeded to develop and execute more precedent-setting projects, including the first U.S. releases of Cuban music in 30 years; the Asia Classics and Adventures in Afropea series; the unheard music of Afro-Peru, and the latest exploration, World Psychedelic Classics. Customer response was phenomenal. But Luaka Bop R&D had more innovation in store: Luaka Bop Artists™. Sure, there were extra production steps involved. Each mold has to be individually cast. Today, Luaka Bop Artists™ range from African hip-hop stars to Latin rock gods, from four-eyed soul brothers to pomo Brazilian samba models. But, as predicted, Luaka Bop Artists™ quickly became noticed by critics and fans alike. We’re happy to report production is skyrocketing and consumer demand at an all-time high. Diversification of a premium product line can be a risky corporate strategy – but, Luaka Bop Artists™ have one thing in common: they groove uncommonly hard. Ten years of Luaka Bop = Zero Accidents on the Job! Beleza Tropical = 1st Brazilian compilation to make Billboard Top 200 #1 Album of the Year (Spin) & #2 Album of the Year (Rolling Stone) = When I Was Born for the Seventh Time by Cornershop Bloque’s debut makes two NY Times Top 10 lists and = Chicago Tribune’s #1 Album of the Year ("the best rock band on the planet") Cuba Classics series = 1st Cuban music in U.S. since the Cuban Revolution of 1959 Geggy Tah’s Whoever You Are makes the Billboard Top 40 Sabsylma by Zap Mama = 1994 Grammy nominee King Chango = first Latin rock act signed to a U.S. major label Jorge Ben’s Ponta de Lanca Africano (Umbabaurama) = 1st & only Brazilian video ever broadcast on MTV in America Ry Cooder joins Shoukichi Kina = U.S. debut Peppermint Tea House America first hears three-time Grammy nominee Cesaria Evora on Telling Stories to the Sea Massive Hits = Tom Ze’s 1st release outside Brazil 1st Indian film music on major U.S. label = Dance Raja Dance