Punch Records

Punch Records is primarily a record shop and hip hop record label based in Birmingham city centre, England. It is also delivers dance and music workshops for the Afro-Caribbean community.

History

Punch Records was founded in the Perry Barr area of Birmingham in 1997 by Ammo Talwar. The shop began as a black music record store, and also a place where underground DJs from the West Midlands could demonstrate their mixing and rapping abilities.

Workshops for children were later added as part of punchs outreach programme that were used by local schools. From this, Birmingham City Council became involved and have since used Punch for various events including a roadshow in Centenary Square during Birmingham's European Capital of Culture 2008 bid.

In 2002, the success of the record shop has led owner, Ammo, to relocate to the Custard Factory complex in Digbeth where the company now runs rhythm, song writing, music production, poetry, lyrics, dance, street art, photography and percussion lessons for the local community, schools and youth centres.

In 2003, Punch produced a film called "Preskool", highlighting and promoting Birmingham's black music scene

Punch now collaborate with companies such as Artfest, the BBC, BMG, OOM Gallery, Sony, Urban Music Seminar and Warners.

Ammo Talwar was awarded an MBE in the Queen's Honours list 2008 for his contribution to music and young people in the West Midlands.

External links

* [http://www.punch-records.co.uk/ Punch Records official site]