First Word Records was born in 2003 as a collaboration between deejays Gilla and Andy H, giving the music they loved the exposure it deserved. As the year came to an end a group of musicians, deejays, designers, emcees and producers had come together to cook up the fresh new sound of "Two Syllables", their debut compilation that was released in April 2004, preceded by a split 12" from Homecut Directive (ft Corinne Bailey Rae) and Tommy Evans.

Since then, the label has grown to house numerous artists, including Children Of Zeus, Tawiah, Kaidi Tatham, Allysha Joy, Eric Lau, Darkhouse Family, Tall Black Guy, Souleance, Quiet Dawn, Yosi Horikawa and Takuya Kuroda. Their sound has developed as they have as individuals – but the foundation is rooted in Hip Hop, Jazz and Soul. This is music that's equally at home in the clubs as it is leaking out of your late-night headphones. Like Duke Ellington said - "If it sounds good, it is good".