Big Beat since 1987 The label was founded in 1987 by then 21-year-old New York DJ and current Chairman & CEO of Atlantic Records, Craig Kallman, who started Big Beat in his bedroom. Having become a major presence in the Dance and Hip-Hop underground, Big Beat was acquired by Atlantic Records in 1991 where it continued to flourish, releasing music from Lil Kim, Twista, Junior Mafia, Quad City DJs, Robin S., and more. The influential imprint was re-launched by Atlantic Records in 2010, and immediately re-established itself as the leading edge & preeminent force of today’s Dance & Electronic scene. Now home to multiple GRAMMY Award-winning and platinum-selling artists, Big Beat is a global brand representing the best of today’s Dance & Electronic artists.