Jamaica's deputy director of tourism, David Shields (centre), is sandwiched by VP Records' Chris (left) and Randy Chin. - file

VP Records will not be shutting down its offices in Kingston, Jamaica, despite popular rumours.

Rumours have been circulating more than a month now that the VP office in Jamaica, which has been in existence for four years since November 2004, would be closed.

According to www.yardflex.com, "VP Records' top guns have been remaining tight-lipped about word on the street claiming the newly amalgamated major reggae music administrators will be shutting down their offices in Kingston soon."

The site continues, "Many wonder now if the new acquisition of Greensleeves Records by VP that was followed by some staff layoffs; or their recent appointment of former Director of A&R, Cristy Barber, have anything to do with the 'closing' rumours."

Open for business

However, when THE STAR contacted Yolan Zanders, marketing manager, VP Records, Jamaica, she denied that VP would be closing its office in Kingston.

"As far as I know, the office is open for business, it will not be closed and that word is coming from my boss in New York, Mr. Randy Chin," Zanders said.

The VP office in Jamaica is currently located at 1 Upper Sandringham Avenue, Kingston 10, and according to Zanders, "We've been at that location about a year and a half now."

Recognised globally as the largest independent reggae music label in the world, the objective then was described by Randy Chin as bringing VP closer to partners in the music and business communities. VP Records was founded in 1979 by the late Vincent 'Randy' Chin and his wife Patricia Chin, who owned Randy's Records in Kingston, Jamaica, as well as the Studio 17 recording studios.

In the mid-1970s, the Chins moved to New York City, and in 1979 they opened a store in Jamaica, Queens, called VP Records, which sells and distributes records.

Recently, VP Records bought fellow reggae label Greensleeves Records from music publisher Zest Group PLC, giving VP in essence a monopoly in the local recording business.