High Times Records to Debut With Vinyl Disc | "Smoke Signals" Featuring Damien Marley, Big Gigantic & Action Bronson

High Times Records to Debut With Vinyl Disc Featuring

Damian Marley, Big Gigantic & Action Bronson

“Smoke Signals” Partnership with Record Store Day To Light Up Black Friday 

After 43 years as a juggernaut media company covering the world and culture of Cannabis, High Times is expanding into music, joining with independent record stores nationwide on Black Friday to promote its first release, a 12-song compilation called Smoke Signals: Songs from the Mother Plant. “Countless musical artists start their careers while working at a record store. We are a safe place to work while they sort out their music,” said Michael Kurtz, co-founder of Record Store Day, which represents indie music retailers. “It’s exciting to partner with High Times and the artists featured on ‘Smoke Signals.’ We’re looking forward to joining with High Times for special in-store events that will bring that connection full circle.” “Smoke Signals” features artists such as Damian Marley (with Stephen Marley), Big Gigantic (with Waka Flocka Flame), and Action Bronson. "We have compiled tracks featuring new, rare and unreleased tracks from amazing artists who support the cannabis culture and the High Times vision," said High Times Records President Jonathan Scott Miller. “We are thrilled to launch our first High Times Records release in conjunction with Amped Distribution and Record Store Day on Black Friday.” Backing the compilation is High Times’ substantial media muscle, including more than 250,000 readers of the physical magazine, 15 million impressions across online platforms, and an upcoming IPO that will provide significant new financial resources. The magazine has announced planned investments across traditional entertainment, from music to video and beyond into lifestyle, event, e-commerce, and related sectors. “Smoke Signals” will be the publication’s first notable venture into recorded music, with another compilation coming soon. "High Times has always been an advocate for the world of Cannabis, in its broadest definition,” said Adam Levin, CEO of High Times. “That world often overlaps with music. Given vinyl’s resurgence, and the importance of record stores to popular culture, this Black Friday partnership with Record Store Day is a natural fit." “When Record Store Day first launched in 2008, the medium of vinyl records was pretty much dead in the record store,” said Kurtz. “Not anymore. This year we celebrated our 10th Anniversary by selling more vinyl records in a day than during any day in history.” The multi-release partnership will continue into next year with planned major promotions with artists who are featured on the compilations. “We’re viewing this as an opportunity to create new and engaging content uniquely focused on our audience,” said High Times Records producer John Babbit. “We’re opening our doors to artists of all types, from superstars to independents. And we look forward to reminding the world of the cultural importance of record stores.”

For general information about Record Store Day, including a Black Friday FAQ and participating stores, please visit http://www.recordstoreday.com