In the 1990s, when people still primarily consumed music by via aluminum compact discs, rap label No Limit Records rose to national attention in part by flooding shelf space with a seemingly endless number of releases by rappers whose albums were packaged in brightly colored cases, recognizable by their insane, perspective-defying artwork courtesy of Pen & Pixel, and musically … Continue reading No Limit Records 1990-1996: The Independent Years
Tag: New Orleans Hip-Hop
Tim Smooth, pioneering and influential New Orleans rapper, has passed away
Pioneering New Orleans rapper Tim Smooth died yesterday (Tuesday 26th 2011) at the young age of 39, after a long battle with cancer. Though not a household name outside of New Orleans and circles of New Orleans Rap fans, he was one of the undisputed pioneers in the city's scene. Like a hip-hop Zelig he … Continue reading Tim Smooth, pioneering and influential New Orleans rapper, has passed away
The freaks come out at night – Bounce Queen Big Freedia visits L.A. and the sissies’ strange path to the spotlight
Tashi Condelee takes the stage whilst Big Freedia does her thang Wednesday night I was mulling my options about what exciting way to spend my evening. Since my brother won't let me come to his house to play Battlefield 2 - Bad Company, I was weighing whether or not to go to the Support Your … Continue reading The freaks come out at night – Bounce Queen Big Freedia visits L.A. and the sissies’ strange path to the spotlight
New Orleans Block Party – Bounce Music goes to SXSW 2010
This looks incredible. South By Southwest is hosting a bounce music showcase. This is your chance to experience some of the biggest talents to come out of the New Orleans Rap scene. Although they made their pledge goals, you can still donate and get various merchandise. Now I may have to go to SXSW for the … Continue reading New Orleans Block Party – Bounce Music goes to SXSW 2010
Cash Money Records – The Independent Years (1991-1998)
By now, anyone that reads this blog and is a fan of the many, great New Orleans labels that sprouted in the fertile hip-hop delta back in the '90s may've wondered why no Cash Money thus far. Well, I've been working on it but the greatest of labels required a lot of work. Hope you … Continue reading Cash Money Records – The Independent Years (1991-1998)
Fucking with the Tombstone! — A history of New Orleans’s Tombstone Records
This blog entry is a look back at one of New Orleans's more obscure hip-hip labels, Tombstone. Tombstone Records was a notable New Orleans Rap label in the 1990s that released a handful of high caliber releases that sold over 100,000 albums around the South in three years before abruptly ceasing operations after a series … Continue reading Fucking with the Tombstone! — A history of New Orleans’s Tombstone Records
Parkway Pumpin – Be Pumpin’ Hits Like its Motown
Although many independent labels appeared in the wake of New Orleans's 1991 bounce explosion, Parkway Pumpin' was one of the first. It was also one of the most influential stables of talent, although the limited finances of KLC (the man behind the boards) resulted in precious few recordings. When Master P relocated No Limit from Richmond, … Continue reading Parkway Pumpin – Be Pumpin’ Hits Like its Motown
Untouchable Records – down wid it cuz we bound to get it
Untouchable Records was one of the many New Orleans rap labels that sprang up in the early nineties after the advent of bounce. A small label with a roster of musicians that, for the most part, came and went as they pleased, they nonetheless featured some of New Orleans' biggest, most notable talents. It was started by … Continue reading Untouchable Records – down wid it cuz we bound to get it
Big Boy Records
For several years in the '90s, before Master P moved to New Orleans and gobbled up most of the talent of the legendary Parkway Pumpin, Big Boy Records was one of the main creative and commercial rivals to uptown's fledgling Cash Money. Over the course of the next few years, they released some of New Orleans' … Continue reading Big Boy Records
Mobo Records – West Bank’s Finest
In the old days (the '80s), most New Orleans rap was released by labels from outside the state. Dallas's Yo! had handled Gregory D & Mannie Fresh and Tim Smooth. Ft. Lauderdale's famous bass label, 4 Sight, released Ninja Crew's "We Destroy." Juvenile was initially on New York's Warlock. When majors got involved, they invariably … Continue reading Mobo Records – West Bank’s Finest
Eric Brightwell 