1995–2005: Early years In 1995,
graffiti writer and
DJ Ollie Bobbit opened up a record store at 4A Izett Street, located within the
Melbourne suburb of
Prahran called "O.B.'s Records." With only
A$2000, one clothes rack and one crate of vinyl, Bobbit started the business in the back of a
skateboarding store in the neighbouring Greville Street, before eventually relocating to Izett Street. In 1998, Bobbit sold the business to Shazlek One (Don Shazlek). Rapper
Bias B suggested adding two E's to the store's name to play off of Shazlek's weight at the time, making it "Obese Records." Shazlek laid down the early foundations for the store's in-house record label, launching it in 2000, with its first two releases,
Reason's
Solid and the first volume of the
Culture of Kings compilation series both releasing that year. In 2002, the store was bought by artist and Obese employee
Pegz (Tirren Staaf), who had been affilliated with the business since 1996 and had been working at the Izett Street retail store since 2000. Periscope Pictures announced on 19 September 2013, that Obese Records would be distributing its documentary
Hunter: For The Record locally in
Australia. The feature film chronicles
hip-hop artist
Robert Hunter before his death from cancer in 2011. Hunter had released all his albums on Obese, and in conjunction with the DVD, the label released his final album,
Bring it All Back, posthumously. While no specific reason was given, Pegz posted a short statement about the label on Facebook:"I am so thankful for the times we shared. We ruled the country for a beautiful moment. The little record store that launched Australian hip-hop to the masses. Thank you for your amazing support and contribution over her 21 years." ==Staff==