In the mid-1980s, though hip hop was still primarily an east coast phenomenon, it was quickly spreading to other locales like the musically rich bottom of the map, New Orleans. In 1984, Mannie Fresh, Mia X, DJ Wop and New York-transplant Denny D formed New Orleans’ first rap crew, New York Incorporated. Two years later, The Ninja Crew (ninjas being hugely popular then) released the first N.O. rap recording “We Destroy” on 4-Sight, the Ft. Lauderdale bass label. The Ninja Crew included Gregory D, Sporty T and DJ Baby T (aka DJ Lil Daddy).
After those acts broke up, other local rappers began emerging in a rapidly expanding field including MC J’ Ro J’, Tim Smooth, 39 Posse and the subject of this blog, Warren Henry Mayes III.
Warren Henry Mayes III (often spelled “Mays”) was – along with Ann, Lisa, Travis, Eldridge,
Bernell J, Melanie , Izell, Stella “Sunshine” and Renaldo – one of Melba “Ann” Mayes and Warren “Swingin’ Gate” Mayes’s many children. Warren Jr. was a songwriter and dancer. The large Mayes family lived in the 4th ward’s Iberville projects.
Warren III (nicknamed “Stone”) was also a songwriter. He released his debut, Doin Them Right (Touchdown Records) in 1986. It included the songs “Rock 
the Bells Baby,” “It’s Real When a Man Loves a Woman,” “Full Time Lover,” Warren Mayes Doin’ Them Right,” “That’s the Way it Is/I’m Backin’ Out,” “Telephone Lover,” “So How Ya Livin Homies,” “Straight From the Project,” “Don’t Stop,” “Stop Jocking,” “Do Your Thing,” “Backin’ Out.”
In 1994, Warren released the thirteen track Back for the 94’ on Party Time Records. For reasons unbeknownst to me, he dropped the “e” from his last name on this and all subsequent releases. He 
That same year he released Warren Mays and the Canivin’ Boys (1995/Hot Crescent Records) which included the songs “Intro,”“Booty Shake,” “Get It Girl (Remix),” “ Bounce to This,” “Real Ass Brother,” “Revenge,” “Get Their Skull Cracked,” “Don’t Bounce Bitch,” “Represent Yourself,” “No One Wants to Get Shot,” “Do My Thang,” “You Make Me Nasty, “Let It Hang ,” “Doin’ Em Right,”
In 1996, he appeared on Pimp Daddy’s posthumous release/tribute, Pimpin’ Ain’t E Z, with the tongue twisting bounce classic “Keep on Kick It” with production courtesy of Mannie Fresh.
The double album, Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now – See Me When I Get There appeared in 1999, credited to Warren Mays and Da Posse. With 8th Ward Villian, Von Ness, YTs and a host of others, it’s an epic 
Unfortunately, like so many New Orleanians, Warren Mays lost his life an early age, killed August 6th, 1999. As is the case with 99% of murdered rappers, the case remains unsolved. RIP
*****
Eric Brightwell is an adventurer, writer, rambler, explorer, cartographer, and guerrilla gardener who is always seeking writing, speaking, traveling, and art opportunities — or salaried work. He is not interested in writing advertorials, clickbait, listicles, or other 21st century variations of spam. Brightwell’s written work has appeared in Amoeblog, diaCRITICS, and KCET Departures. His work has been featured by the American Institute of Architects, the Architecture & Design Museum, the Craft & Folk Art Museum, Form Follows Function, Los Angeles County Store, Skid Row Housing Trust, and 1650 Gallery. Brightwell has been featured in the Los Angeles Times, Huffington Post, Los Angeles Magazine, LAist, Eastsider LA, Boing Boing, Los Angeles, I’m Yours, and on Notebook on Cities and Culture. He has been a guest speaker on KCRW‘s Which Way, LA? and at Emerson College. Art prints of his maps are available from 1650 Gallery and on other products from Cal31. He is currently writing a book about Los Angeles and you can follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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