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
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
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)
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
Ya Hoidz Me? – Talk About Bounce Music
For some reason, the Bounce scene, born nearly 20 years ago, seems to be undergoing a minor critical reassessment as it inspires curiosity in a new generation of fans amongst the young, the Euro, the old and new. I can only guess why. I suspect that part of it is a development of the ongoing, … Continue reading Ya Hoidz Me? – Talk About Bounce Music
I feel like bootin’ up — The Take Fo’ story
Take Fo' Records is a little known (outside of New Orleans) music label that truly broke ground with its motley roster of artists and progressive attitude, yet it's never received adequate recognition for its pioneering role in music. Whereas New Orleans's other big labels: Big Boy, Cash Money, Mobo, Parkway Pumpin', Untouchable, Tombstone and No Limit … Continue reading I feel like bootin’ up — The Take Fo’ story
Warren Mayes – Keep on kickin it
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, … Continue reading Warren Mayes – Keep on kickin it
Eric Brightwell 