Carl Crawford Opens Studio 1501 in Houston

Carl Crawford and Jarrod ‘Lacemode’ Lacy officially opened Studio 1501 in Houston, Texas, on May 12, 2026. This high-end recording complex serves as a flagship facility within the broader 1501 Certified Entertainment ecosystem. The opening marks the culmination of a project that began in 2024, when Crawford invested heavily into the aesthetic and acoustic design of the complex. The facility was designed and built over approximately two years to meet specific production standards for hip-hop artists.

The studio features a custom-tuned monitoring environment optimized for hip-hop production by Malekpour Design Partners. The control room, informally dubbed 'The Rolls-Royce Room,' was revealed to feature Italian leather seating and luxury-level design details. Technical specifications include the installation of Augspurger Duo12V monitors and Sub212 subwoofers. These equipment choices reflect Crawford’s commitment to providing a space that competes on a professional level with major industry hubs.

Crawford, a former professional baseball player, retired from MLB in 2016 and launched 1501 Entertainment in Houston. He initially invested his baseball earnings into constructing a studio to provide a unified creative space for artists and personnel. Between 2016 and 2020, 1501 Entertainment signed Houston-based artists including Megan Thee Stallion and Erica Banks, offering them profit-sharing arrangements. The new studio aims to strengthen Houston’s music infrastructure and support the next wave of local rap or hip-hop talent.

What is confirmed

Reported Studio 1501 opened or launched on May 12, 2026, in Houston, Texas.
Reported Studio 1501 is a flagship facility within the broader 1501 Certified Entertainment ecosystem.
Reported Studio 1501 was designed and built over approximately two years before its opening.
Reported Studio 1501 features a custom‑tuned monitoring environment optimized for hip‑hop production by Malekpour Design Partners.
Reported Studio 1501 was built to strengthen Houston’s music infrastructure and support the next wave of local rap or hip‑hop talent.

Timeline

2016-01-01 — Carl Crawford, former professional baseball player, retired from MLB and launched 1501 Entertainment in Houston, Texas.
2016-01-01 — Crawford initially invested his baseball earnings into constructing a studio to provide a unified creative space for artists and personnel.
1501 Entertainment signed Houston-based artists including Megan Thee Stallion and Erica Banks, offering them profit-sharing arrangements.
2024-01-01 — Studio 1501 design and construction began, with Crawford investing heavily in both the aesthetic and acoustic design of the complex over a two-year period.
2026-01-01 — Studio 1501 construction completed with installation of Augspurger Duo12V monitors and Sub212 subwoofers in the control room.
2026-05-12 — Carl Crawford and Jarrod 'Lacemode' Lacy officially opened Studio 1501, a high-end recording complex in Houston designed to serve 1501 Certified Entertainment artists.
2026-05-12 — Studio 1501's control room, informally dubbed 'The Rolls-Royce Room,' was revealed to feature Italian leather seating and luxury-level design details.

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FAQ

When did Studio 1501 open in Houston?

Studio 1501 officially opened on May 12, 2026, in Houston, Texas. The facility was designed and built over approximately two years, with construction beginning in 2024. Carl Crawford and Jarrod ‘Lacemode’ Lacy launched the high-end recording complex to serve as a flagship facility for 1501 Certified Entertainment, featuring custom-tuned monitoring environments and luxury design details.

Why did Carl Crawford build this specific studio?

Crawford stated there had not been a space of this caliber in the city attached to a label like theirs. He emphasized the importance of Houston having a hometown spot that can compete on that level. The goal was to offer artists a real creative home in their own backyards, strengthening the local music infrastructure and supporting the next wave of hip-hop talent.

What equipment and design features does the studio include?

The studio features a custom-tuned monitoring environment optimized for hip-hop production by Malekpour Design Partners. The control room includes Augspurger Duo12V monitors and Sub212 subwoofers. Informally dubbed 'The Rolls-Royce Room,' the space also features Italian leather seating and luxury-level design details. Crawford invested heavily in both the aesthetic and acoustic design over the two-year construction period.