Select Records

About

Throughout its rich history, the recording industry has produced genuine and innovative independent label owners. It has been said, Fred Munao, founder and CEO of Select Records since 1981, is among the best of those urban and pop music pioneers. Over the last two decades, Munao has been responsible for breaking chart-topping, genre elevating acts such as UTFO, Kid ‘N Play , The Real Roxanne, Chubb Rock , Whistle, and AMG. Other past roster artists include the platinum act The Jerky Boys, revolutionary rap group M.O.P., R&B diva Nerissa, charismatic dancehall heartthrob Shawnie Ranks, and alternative rocker Mike Peters , ex-lead singer/songwriter of The Alarm . Select expects the next generation of artists to continue the ongoing success the label has endured. “Our success can be attributed to an emphasis on artist growth and development, which was clearly reflected in the expansive careers of acts like UTFO, Kid ‘N Play, and Chubb Rock,” the Brooklyn, New York born and raised Munao explains. “For us, in addition to having hit singles and albums, longevity is also a key focus. When readying an artist for release we are always thinking in terms of artist staying power. Therefore, we constantly work on and encourage our artists to hone their writing, recording and performance skills. Some even develop strong studio production ability. All of this, he further informs, “adds up to distinctive, self-contained artists, whose true talent and mass appeal can be limitless.” Munao’s pre-Select days were filled with memories and experiences that helped shape his current success. His father was a musician whose band became local favorites around the family’s close knit Brooklyn neighborhood. “My dad encouraged me to play an instrument but I couldn’t get into that, although I loved music per se,” Munao recounts. “The recording end of it fascinated me though. Even way back then I remember wondering why certain records were hits and others were not. I must have been vocal about it