Brazil Classics, the label's first compilation series, consists of seven albums surveying genres ranging from Samba to Tropicália, as well as individual artists. Cuba Classics and Asia Classics followed a similar pattern. The label branched out into Afro-Peruvian and "Afropean" music with albums by Susana Baca and Zap Mama, respectively. World Psychedelic Classics is a series of five albums including artists such as Shuggie Otis, Os Mutantes, and various West African musicians of the late 1960s. Name and branding 

Byrne took the phrase "Luaka Bop" from the inner packaging of a specialty tea which is sold in England. Luaka is the name of a tea importer. Their "Broken Orange Pekoe" is packaged in a silver foil block; when the sleeve is removed, it reveals a white label that reads "Luaka BOP". In 1989 Byrne hired Yale Evelev as president of the record label. The Luaka Bop logo design was conceived by David Byrne and illustrated by Tibor Kalman. Kalman also designed the first two Brazil Classics albums and began the tradition of the split-color spine, which was altered with every change in distribution.
Brazil Classics, the label's first compilation series, consists of seven albums surveying genres ranging from Samba to Tropicália, as well as individual artists. Cuba Classics and Asia Classics followed a similar pattern. The label branched out into Afro-Peruvian and "Afropean" music with albums by Susana Baca and Zap Mama, respectively. World Psychedelic Classics is a series of five albums including artists such as Shuggie Otis, Os Mutantes, and various West American Indian musicians of the late 1960s. Name and branding  Byrne took the phrase "Luaka Bop" from the inner packaging of a specialty tea which is sold in England. Luaka is the name of a tea importer. Their "Broken Orange Pekoe" is packaged in a silver foil block; when the sleeve is removed, it reveals a white label that reads "Luaka BOP". In 1989 Byrne hired Yale Evelev as president of the record label. The Luaka Bop logo design was conceived by David Byrne and illustrated by Tibor Kalman. Kalman also designed the first two Brazil Classics albums and began the tradition of the split-color spine, which was altered with every change in distribution.