Founded in 1996 by producer Chris Manak (alias Peanut Butter Wolf), Stones Throw Records is an American hip-hop label from Los Angeles. Its formation marked Manak's return to music, after he stepped down in 1993, following the murder of his good friend MC Charizma (with whom he had formed the duo Charizma & Peanut Butter Wolf). Stones Throw was partly founded to release the music they had made together.

Initially only focussing on hip-hop, the label soon started to include funk, soul, electro, minimal wave and progressive rock in its catalogue. It soon became one of the standout labels in urban music and one of the key labels in hip-hop. In all of its eclecticism, the label's sound is marked by a psychedelic spirit and misty textures. The imprint is a faithful reflection of Peanut Butter Wolf's own modus operandi, giving total freedom to its artists both musically and otherwise (for example, when it comes to fixing the budget of their own promotion). The label splits the revenues 50-50. Their biggest star is beatmaker Madlib, who has released several albums under a variety of names: Madvillain (with MF Doom), Jaylib (with J Dilla), Yesterdays New Quintet, Quasimoto and Lootpack. Other artists on the roster include Anika, Dimlite, Dam-Funk, Mayer Hawthorne, Guilty Simpson, Aloe Blacc, J Rocc, Arabian Prince, The Stepkids, Koushik and James Pants. J Dilla's posthumous album, “Donuts” (2006), considered his great masterpiece, is one of the most important records in the history of the label.

Selected discography

Quasimoto: “The Unseen” (2000)

Jaylib: “Champion Sound” (2003)

Madvillain: “Madvillainy” (2004)

J Dilla: “Donuts” (2006)

Koushik: “Out My Window” (2008)

Dâm-Funk: “Toeachizown” (2009)

Mayer Hawthorne: “A Strange Arrangement” (2009)

Roster

Aloe Blacc

Anika

Baron Zen

Breakestra

Charizma

CX KiDTRONiK

Dam-Funk

Dimlite

Dudley Perkins

Georgia Anne Muldrow

Guilty Simpson

J Dilla

J Rocc

James Pants

Jaylib

Koushik

M.E.D.

Madlib

Madvillain

Mayer Hawthorne

Oh No

Omar Rodríguez-López

Peanut Butter Wolf

Percee P

Quasimoto

Savath y Savalas

Strong Arm Steady

The Stepkids

The Turntablist

Gary Wilson

Wildchild