Shut Up And Dance Records

Pioneering British breakbeat label, established by PJ (3) and Smiley in London in 1989. Company credits are sometimes to Shut Up And Dance Music. Related labels are Red Light (2) (drum 'n' bass), Ruff Quality Recordings (experimental breaks), and the more recent New Deal Recordings (2-step/UK garage/breakbeat), under the Shut Up And Dance Records umbrella. In 1986, Smiley, PJ, Daddy Earl and DJ Hype formed a sound system called Heatwave and organised illegal raves back, with Smiley & PJ rapping. Unable to get a record deal, they started their own label, the name of which was taken from the title of one of the songs on their demo tape. Their first release was was sold from the boot of PJ’s car, before success brought expansion, a proper distribution deal and even number 2 in the UK singles chart with Raving I'm Raving.