Marc Mac, Gus Lawrence, Dennis McFarlane and Ian Bardouille established Reinforced Records in 1989 after meeting through London pirate radio station Strong Island. They had first encountered one another at college in 1987, where they studied electronic engineering. The label gave them a way to issue their own instrumental work independently after other labels declined it. Its musical range encompassed breakbeat hardcore, jungle and drum and bass, with early productions combining hip-hop and rave-era house and techno.
Reinforced’s debut, 4hero’s “Rising Son,” came out in July 1990. The founders later moved their equipment into a Dollis Hill rehearsal studio to develop their production setup. Another early 4hero track, “Mr Kirk’s Nightmare,” passed 24,000 sales. The label subsequently considered outside demos, and a Manix release helped settle money owed to its pressing plant. Goldie provided artwork and design before taking on A&R duties; he also recorded for the label as Rufige Kru, including the Darkrider EP. Its Enforcers picture-disc series brought experimental pieces together with dancefloor-oriented tracks.
Reinforced’s associated labels include 2000 Black, Enforcers, Haters Inc. Records and Partners Inc. Paradox and 4hero are among the artists whose work it released. Its second wave included producers involved in the development of broken beat, while a later generation from 2000 included Breakage. The label issued Reinforced Presents 4hero - The Early Plates in 2008 and Stupid Dope Years by 4hero and Tek 9 in 2021. It has made older recordings available digitally, while keeping some limited picture-disc editions exclusive to vinyl, and has issued previously unreleased music and remixes of classic tracks.
