US 2.

US 2 Records was founded by Tori Fixx — one of the first openly gay hip-hop artists — out of Minneapolis. At a time when the mainstream hip-hop industry wouldn't even acknowledge queer artists existed, US 2 created a home for them.

The label launched with Johnny Dangerous' Dangerous Liaisons, produced entirely by Tori Fixx. It was nominated for a 2004 Outmusic Award for Outstanding New Recording. From there, US 2 became a hub — releasing music, producing for artists across the homo hop movement, and building a catalog that spans two decades.

Tori Fixx produced for or worked with half the artists featured in the groundbreaking documentary Pick Up the Mic (2005, TIFF). The label's influence stretched from Minneapolis to San Francisco to Chicago — connecting a scene that the industry ignored.