It was at this time that DJ Honda decided to leave Sony Music Japan behind to embark on opening his own, independent record label, "DJ Honda RECORDINGS" simultaneously in New York City and Tokyo with Seoul, South Korea branch office opening in 2002. DJ Honda released two albums on Christmas Day, 1999: h 2000, a compilation album featuring all production by DJ Honda coupled with New York's prominent emcees and Turntablist Revolution: I.T.F. World DJ Compilation Album Vol. 1, a compilation of scratches & beat juggling tracks by the best turntablists from around the world. The first official U.S. & international single, "El Presidente" with Jeru the Damaja was distributed by RED and the music video was in rotation on national TV stations such as B.E.T.'s Rap City, MTV2, and other local cable shows. With the momentum of releasing this independent debut single, DJ Honda released his junior, compilation album titled, h III in Japan and Korean Versions only. He enlists yet another group of New York's finest lyricists: M.O.P, Teflon, The Beatnuts, Gravediggaz, Jeru The Damaja, Parish "PMD" Smith of EPMD, Triple Seis, 8 Off Agallah, Black Attack along with Rob Jackson, DJ Alladin, and more. For the first time ever, DJ Honda collaborates solo with one emcee on an album titled, "Underground Connection" with Parish "PMD" Smith of the duo group, EPMD and is released in Japan and S.Korea with bonus tracks from Korean hip hop artists, Erick Sermon and a few other emcees.
DJ Honda opens to the general public his U.S. flagship retail store in SoHo, New York City in June 2000 which carries music, his clothing and accessory collection, "h, DJ Honda", as well live DJ sessions, events and sake parties. Following the footsteps of the "h 272" Store in NYC, four satellite "h, dj honda" stores opened their doors in Seoul, South Korea. With the rise of DJ Honda's popularity in South Korea, 2002 World Hip Hop Clan Festival organizers invites DJ Honda to perform live in front of over 10,000 screaming fans. DJ Honda surprises the Korean fans by bringing legendary EPMD with him on this Korean tour. DJ Honda also performs at the subsequent 2003 World Hip Hop Clan Festival as well bringing Parish "PMD" Smith, Strong Island's K-Solo, & Headcrack, a bubbling NYC underground emcee. American celebrities such as comedian, Robin Williams, David Bowie, Susan Sarandon, Dennis Haysbert as well as music artists such as Mike Shinoda from Linkin Park, DJ Qbert, and countless number of hip hop artists.