When DJ LC got a job at VIP Records in 1988, he was 18 years old looking to make money after the military. By working on sorting records, LC became an instrumental figure in the birth of Long Beach Culture and G-Funclap, solidifying at the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue.
As rapping became more popular, shop owner Kelvin Anderson bought the SP 1200 drum machine to help employees mix sounds and create a straight beat from the shop.
He saw his cousin DJ slices and his friend Jinx used the equipment to produce ice cubes, public ainmings and music for various Long Beach artists. Shortly afterwards, LcBrber brbered some of his Poly High School friends to do the same thing. Friends like Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg and Warren G.
A West Long Beach teenager found his calling, and he and his friends found a place to call home. They went on to map Long Beach as the birthplace of West Coast rap and helped cement VIP records as an important part of hip-hop history.
DJ LC began working at VIP Records as an 18-year-old straight from the military. Eventually he took Poly High School friends Snoop Dogg and Warren G to a studio that was arranged between the stores, changing the history of West Coast rap. On March 25, 2025, LC played instrumentals for artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Laurin Hill and Biggie Smalls as Kelvin Anderson shared his vision for the Music Museum and Education Center, mainly at record stores. (Samantha Dias | Signal Tribune)
Artist Daniel Hagen’s paintings from VIP Record Store were displayed inside the store on March 25th, 2025. (Samantha Dias | Signal Tribune)
On Tuesday, March 25th, Anderson was surrounded by people like his children and LC, whose lives would change through VIP Records and announced plans to create a Music History Museum and Education Center.
The shop’s nonprofit organization, VIP Family Foundationparticipates in efforts with nonprofit organizations. A group of creative classesworking to promote creativity in an influential way across the city.
“I’m the first to admit that I can raise money for you, but I can’t raise money for me. I’m not that guy,” Anderson said. “But I know there’s a lot of love for VIPs [Records] Coasts and coasts around the world and I have to put together the right programs to raise these funds to build this museum… I’m ready to do this hard push. We need to be creative. ”
With the surprising appearance from Snoop Dogg, he expressed his support for the creation of the museum, adding that he hopes it can be built in an iconic location.
He also thanked Anderson for the way VIP Records changed his life, highlighting the differences the store makes for a difference to the youths of town.
“I want to thank you for giving us the opportunity to actually show off our talent when rap wasn’t that popular and not that easy. You, dj slices, LC, y’all at the VIP, all gave us the opportunity to make our dreams come true. “So, thank you for giving us the means, opening a record store for us and our dreams, and giving us the option.”
VIP Records is more than a small business success story, and more than a landmark of black culture and music history. For kids who live in East Long Beach, it’s an escape from the street and a place where their creativity can open new doors for them.
Music, Culture, “All” Centers for Young People
As the owner of VIP Records in Long Beach, Anderson worked with great care. Not only did it study and remember the radio’s top 40 charts, but it was about creating a safe space for young people in East Long Beach, as well as selling music from independent artists that they couldn’t find on the radio. At least that’s the role he took on.
Today, young people in town lovingly call Anderson “pop.” Both his father’s appearance and his leader. At age 70, Anderson currently has plans to maintain his legacy using a Music History Museum and Education Center built from VIP Records.
Long Beach city signs iconic VIP records Historic Landmarks 2017, and We have announced plans to restore the signature. However, the shops themselves are not historically designated, so there is no guarantee of city support.
Anderson is negotiating with the city to restore and build the sign across the street in time for the 2028 Olympics, but his vision is even wider than the photo shoot.
He shared his goal of purchasing the entire shopping centre where VIP Records had been for 46 years. The center currently has a laundromat, 7/11, smoke shop, MMA gym, perfume shop, beauty goods shop, massage parlor, beauty salon and boxing gym.
The space hopes to create an “All in One” facility with recording studios, printing spaces and radio stations. There, you can teach young people not only to the marketing side of the music industry, but also to record and create music.
Over the past 46 years, the shopping centre has been on sale three times, and we hope that two nonprofits can make progress to buy it this year. When asked if he thought the city would contribute to making museums possible, Anderson expressed doubt.
“It’s great, but I don’t think they have that kind of love for me. I see love for signs, but not on missions. My concern is that I am currently 70 years old and am a two-time cancer survivor. Today it really energised me to see turnout and positive energy. I’m like I’m in a hurry over time… I think this will become my legacy. ”
-Kelvin Anderson, Owner of VIP Records
Anderson’s vision for the museum includes a journey through musical history showing equipment used up until the ’80s, as well as music made from equipment over the years. He paints a performance area that can accommodate up to 50 people in the museum, so young talent has a chance to shine and continues the legacy of VIP Records.
The space endured the work the VIP Family Foundation had done for many years, and invited young people to use their studios and equipment to create music and podcasts.
“People will come just to see the signs, but they will be surprised by what they see,” Anderson said. He added that he hopes not only hip hop but also the museum will encapsulate the history of black contributions to music. “It’s very important that this is the Fursarkal Museum.”
