Fake Four Inc.

Lore & Background

Fake Four Inc. was founded by brothers Ceschi and David Ramos in 2008, with initial support from Grimm Image Records in San Bernardino, California, and Squids Eye Recording Collective in Dayton, Ohio. The label's first full-length release was This Up Here by David Ramos on May 20, 2008. David Ramos was recognized as one of Modern Drummer magazine's Top 10 Progressive drummers. The label does not adhere to genre specifications and has been praised for pushing the boundaries of indie rap and for being 'the most important label in progressive hip-hop right now.'

Reader's Guide

Fake Four Inc. has maintained a self-sufficient model since its inception, releasing albums by a diverse roster including Astronautalis, Blue Sky Black Death, Busdriver, and Myka 9. In 2010, the label became official partners with Circle Into Square in Portland, Oregon, handling production and distribution for that smaller label. Fake Four Inc. is exclusively distributed by Sonic Unyon in Canada and Redeye Distribution worldwide. In 2013, an Indiegogo campaign raised over $52,000 to cover manufacturing costs and operating expenses. Nearly all releases have placed on CMJ charts, with Vessel by Dark Time Sunshine reaching #2 on the CMJ Hip Hop ranking and Lawson Graham by Factor Chandelier and Owl Hours by Awol One & Factor both reaching #3. The label is noted for intra-label collaborations and artists have self-booked tours through the United States, Canada, and Europe.

Did You Know?

• Fake Four Inc. was founded with help from Grimm Image Records in San Bernardino, California, and Squids Eye Recording Collective in Dayton, Ohio.
• The first full-length release on the label was This Up Here by David Ramos on May 20, 2008.
• In 2013, an Indiegogo campaign raised over $52,000 for manufacturing and operating expenses.
• Vessel by Dark Time Sunshine reached #2 on the CMJ Hip Hop chart.

Founding & Early Independence

Fake Four Inc. traces its origins to 2008, when brothers Ceschi and David Ramos established the independent label in New Haven, Connecticut. Their initial motivation was practical rather than commercial: they wanted a dedicated channel for releasing and distributing their own music as well as the work of close friends. To get off the ground, the pair received assistance from two fellow independent operations—Grimm Image Records out of San Bernardino, California, and Squids Eye Recording Collective in Dayton, Ohio. The label's debut full-length, This Up Here, arrived on May 20, 2008, and was a self-published album from David Ramos himself, a drummer recognized by Modern Drummer magazine as one of its Top 10 Progressive drummers and a contributor to XLR8R. Crucially, the Ramos brothers never remained dependent on outside support. From that very first release onward, Fake Four Inc. operated as a fully self-sufficient entity, managing its own production, distribution, and day-to-day operations without relying on the partners who had helped them launch. This early commitment to independence would define the label's ethos for years to come.

Genre-Defying Sound & Critical Acclaim

From its earliest days, Fake Four Inc. refused to confine its catalog to a single genre category. The label has never adhered to rigid stylistic specifications, instead curating a diverse roster that spans progressive hip-hop, experimental rap, and adjacent sonic territories. This boundary-pushing approach earned the label significant critical attention. Brett Uddenberg of URB singled out Fake Four for stretching the limits of independent rap, while Chris Faraone of The Phoenix declared the label a leading voice in progressive hip-hop at that moment. Industry validation followed: nearly every release on the label found its way onto CMJ charts. Standout placements include Vessel by Dark Time Sunshine, which reached the number two spot on the CMJ Hip Hop ranking, and both Lawson Graham by Factor Chandelier and Owl Hours by Awol One & Factor, which each landed at number three on that same chart. These consistent showings underscored that Fake Four's genre-fluid philosophy was not merely an aesthetic choice but a commercially viable one, resonating with both critics and listeners across the underground hip-hop landscape.

Business Infrastructure & Strategic Partnerships

Although rooted in a small New Haven operation, Fake Four Inc. built a surprisingly robust business infrastructure over its first several years. In 2010, the label formalized a partnership with Circle Into Square, a like-minded independent based in Portland, Oregon, taking on production and distribution duties for that smaller imprint. For its own releases, Fake Four secured exclusive distribution through Sonic Unyon in Canada and Redeye Distribution for the rest of the world, giving its catalog a genuine international footprint. Financial sustainability was another pillar of the label's strategy. In 2013, the Ramos brothers launched an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign that ultimately raised more than $52,000, earmarked specifically for manufacturing costs and day-to-day operating expenses—a clear signal that the label was investing in long-term viability rather than relying on sporadic revenue. Beyond the studio and the shipping dock, the label fostered a touring culture in which signed artists self-booked their own shows across the United States, Canada, and Europe, keeping overhead low while maintaining a strong live presence. These operational choices reinforced Fake Four's identity as a lean, artist-driven enterprise.

Roster Depth & Collaborative Spirit

Fake Four Inc.'s roster reads like a who's-who of the underground hip-hop and experimental music scene. As of 2017, actively promoted artists included Andy the Doorbum & Justin Aswell, Bleubird, Ceschi, Factor Chandelier, Gregory Pepper & His Problems, Onry Ozzborn, and Zavala. The broader catalog stretches further still, with names like Busdriver, Blue Sky Black Death, Boy in Static, Open Mike Eagle, Louis Logic, Sole, Astronautalis, Electric President, Myka 9, and Noah23 all having released material on the label at various points. A handful of artists—Delby L, Hired Hand, Lord Fowl, Pretend You're Happy, and Ron Contour—contributed one-time releases, adding further texture to the label's output. Equally important was the collaborative culture the label cultivated. Fake Four was recognized for fostering creative projects among its own signed artists, allowing them to cross paths and build together. This spirit of mutual support, combined with the fact that many artists handled their own touring logistics, gave the label a distinctly community-oriented character that set it apart from more top-down independent operations.

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