After announcing the closing of their New York and Los Angeles locations, Fat Beats is excited to present a send-off worthy of their hip-hop legacy. A week-long series of in-store performances and music industry panels at both stores will allow the music community to not only learn about the history of Fat Beats and what the future of the music industry holds, but to also celebrate the legacy of one of the strongest music brands in the company of their favorite artists. These week-long in-stores are sure to go down in hip-hop and New York history. Everyone is welcome to come and all events are free.

Today marks the official start of the week-long in-stores for the New York location. This location will host artist perfomances every day this week from 4-9pm until it closes its doors for the final time on Saturday, September 4th, 2010. Additionally, both locations will be selling limited edition commemorative t-shirts, as well as discounted music and merchandise

The schedule for the New York location is as follows:

Monday, August 30th: Artifacts, Da Beatminerz, Immortal Technique, and more
Tuesday, August 31st: Ras Kass, Sav KIllz, DJ Ready Cee, panel discussion, and more
Wednesday, September 1st: Bobbito, Mayhem, Riz, Juggaknots, Sputnik Brown, and more
Thursday, September 2nd: Rob Swift, Torae, DJ Concept, DJ Amir, and more
Friday, September 3rd: Masta Ace, J-Live, Pacewon, Tanya Morgan, and more
*FINAL DAY* Saturday, September 4th: Just Blaze, A-Trak, Pete Rock, DJ Premier, and more

Los Angeles residents can expect a similar send-off later on in the month, as that location will remain open until September 18th. The final LA schedule will be announced soon.

Despite these farewells, Fat Beats will continue doing what it does best - bringing hip-hop to the people. Fat Beats Distribution has been renamed FB Distribution and continues to work with both independent and major labels. Likewise, Fat Beats Records is pllaning rleases from a number of artists from their impressive roster, including ILL BILL, TruMaster/KRS-One, Black Milk, Trinity, Sha Stimuli, Q-Unique and more. The company's online store, FatBeats.com, which carries everything available in their retail locations and more, will remain the number one destination for hip-hop fans for all their music needs. Though these two landmarks may be closing, Fat Beats' persistence during tough times for the record industry proves it is still very much alive and well.

Catch AWKWORD live for the first time since this benefit show with Asheru and South Africa's Hip Hop Pantsula. This time he will be joined by the Lessondary Crew's Che Grand as well as the homies (and GYMR Feature Artists) The Brown Bag All Stars.

Past Brown Bag Thursdays events have featured:

* Percee P
* Natural Elements
* Pumpkinhead
* Poison Pen
* Homeboy Sandman
* P.SO
* Breez Evahflowin
* L.I.F.E. Long
* Scienze