Noo Trybe Records | |
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Parent company | EMI |
Founded | 1994 |
Founder | Eric L. Brooks |
Status | Inactive |
Distributor(s) | Virgin Records |
Genre | Hip hop |
Country of origin | United States |
Noo Trybe Records was an American hip hop record label established in 1994 by Eric L. Brooks and operated as a sublabel of Virgin Records. It worked with several independent hip hop labels including Rap-A-Lot Records and AWOL.
The label was founded in 1994 by Eric L. Brooks with a manufacturing, funding and distribution deal from Virgin Records under EMI.
A portion of Noo Trybe's roster came from several artists who were absorbed from EMI when it was disbanded, which included Gang Starr and AZ. Other Virgin acts such as Shyheim, who signed with the label in 1993, were transferred to the new label.
By 1995, Noo Trybe signed Oakland, California based duo Luniz. Noo Trybe released the duo's debut studio album, Operation Stackola , on July 4, 1995. With the success of the single Playa Hata , the album debuted and peaked in the top 20 on the Billboard 200 , and ultimately achieved Platinum status in America.
Rap-A-Lot's distribution was absorbed by Virgin proper in 1998, and in 1999, the label was absorbed by its parent. In 2013, the trademark was acquired by Universal Music as a result of its purchase of EMI's recorded-music business.
"Noo Trybe Records". Discogs .
Virgin Records is a British record label owned by Universal Music Group. They were originally founded as a British independent record label in 1972 by entrepreneurs Richard Branson, Simon Draper, Nik Powell, and musician Tom Newman. They grew to be a worldwide success over time, with the success of platinum performers Paula Abdul, Janet Jackson, Devo, Tangerine Dream, Genesis, Phil Collins, OMD, the Human League, Culture Club, Simple Minds, the Spice Girls, Lenny Kravitz, the Sex Pistols, and Mike Oldfield among others, meaning that by the time it was sold, it was regarded as a major label, alongside other large international independents such as A&M and Island Records.
Gang Starr was an American hip hop duo, consisting of Houston-born record producer DJ Premier and Boston, Massachusetts rapper Guru.
Anthony Cruz, better known by his stage name AZ, is an American rapper. Best known for his affiliation with hometown native and fellow East Coast rapper Nas, they formed the New York City-based hip hop group the Firm along with Foxy Brown, Cormega and Nature in 1996. Cruz first saw recognition for his guest appearance on Nas' 1994 single "Life's a Bitch", from his album Illmatic (1994). Cruz was then signed by EMI to release his debut studio album, Doe or Die (1995), which was met with critical acclaim. Its lead single, "Sugar Hill" peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 and received gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Moreover, The Firm's sole album (1997) peaked atop the Billboard 200 chart despite unfavorable critical response; the group disbanded two years later.
Priority Records is an American distribution company and record label known for artists including N.W.A, Ice Cube, MC Ren, Eazy-E, Master P, Snoop Dogg, Mos Def, Silkk the Shocker, Jay-Z, Paris, Mack 10, 504 Boyz, Brotha Lynch Hung, C-Murder, Mia X, Westside Connection, and Ice-T. It also distributed hip hop record labels including Death Row Records, Hoo-Bangin' Records, No Limit Records, Posthuman Records, Rap-A-Lot Records, Rawkus Records, Roc-A-Fella Records, Ruthless Records Duck Down Records, and Wu-Tang Records. According to Billboard, "few record labels were as important to the rise of West Coast hip hop as Priority Records".
Moment of Truth is the fifth studio album by American hip hop duo Gang Starr, released on March 31, 1998, by Noo Trybe Records and Virgin Records. Gang Starr recorded Moment of Truth in sessions at D&D Studios. It is widely regarded as Gang Starr's magnum opus, and one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time.
Jerold Dwight Ellis III, better known by his stage name Yukmouth, is an American rapper. He is the founder of The Regime, Smoke-A-Lot Records and Godzilla Entertainment.
Luniz is an American hip hop duo from Oakland, California, formed by West Coast rappers Yukmouth and Numskull. They were signed to Noo Trybe Records and C-Note Records, and were the flagship act for the latter. The group is best known for the internationally successful hit in 1995 titled "I Got 5 on It", known as a weed-smoking anthem.
Rap-A-Lot is a hip hop record label co-founded by James Prince and Cliff Blodget in 1986. Smoke-a-Lot Records is a subsidiary.
3X Krazy was an American hip hop group formed in Oakland, California in 1994. The group consisted of members Keak da Sneak, B.A. and Agerman. They were signed to Noo Trybe Records.
Wild Pitch Records was an American Golden age hip hop record label, started in 1987 by Stuart Fine, that was eventually distributed by EMI. Artists who released records on the label included Gang Starr, Chill Rob G, Lord Finesse & DJ Mike Smooth, Main Source, The U.M.C.'s, Hard Knocks, Brokin English Klik, Street Military, Super Lover Cee & Casanova Rud, The Coup, Ultramagnetic MCs, O.C., as well as Latee, Jamose, and female rapper N-Tyce.
Hard to Earn is the fourth studio album by American hip hop duo Gang Starr. It was released on March 8, 1994, by Chrysalis and EMI Records in North America. The album featured the singles "Dwyck", "Mass Appeal", and "Code of the Streets". Guest appearances on the album include Group Home, Jeru the Damaja, and Big Shug. At the time, all were part of the Gang Starr Foundation, which made the album a stepping-stone for future DJ Premier-helmed projects by Group Home and Jeru. Hard to Earn received acclaim and commercial success upon release.
AKA the Rugged Child is the debut studio album by American rapper Shyheim. It was released on April 19, 1994 via Virgin/EMI Records. Production was entirely handled by RNS, except for 1 song produced by RZA. It features guest appearances from GP Wu, Du-Lilz, Kwazi, Prophet and Kia Jeffries. The album peaked at #52 on the Billboard 200 and at #7 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States. Its lead single, "On and On", peaked at #89 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.
The Lost Generation is the second studio album by American rapper Shyheim. It was released on May 28, 1996, via Noo Trybe Records. Production was handled by RNS, DR Period, Peter Lord, The King of Chill, V. Jeffrey Smith, L.E.S., RZA and Tone Capone. It features guest appearances from GP Wu, 9th Prince, DV Alias Khrist, Killa Sin, Smoothe da Hustler, Trigga tha Gambler, Squig, Kameelah Williams and Lamisha Grinstead. The album peaked at #63 on the Billboard 200 and at #10 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States. Its lead single, "This Iz Real", peaked at #84 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and #26 on the Hot Rap Songs.
Operation Stackola is the debut studio album by American hip hop duo Luniz. It was released on July 4, 1995, through Virgin Records, C-Note Records and Noo Trybe Records. The album was produced by DJ Fuze, N.O. Joe, Tone Capone, Shock G, DJ Daryl, E-A-Ski & CMT, Gino Blacknell, and Terry T. It features guest appearances from Dru Down, Knucklehead, Eclipse, Michael Marshall, Nik Nack, Richie Rich, Shock G and Teddy.
"I Got 5 on It" is a mobb music song by American rap duo Luniz featuring R&B singer Michael Marshall, released in May 1995 by C-Note, Noo Trybe and Virgin as the lead single from the duo's debut album, Operation Stackola (1995). The song reached number two in Germany, number three in the United Kingdom and number eight in the United States. It is a drug anthem about the consumption of marijuana.
DJ Fuze, is an American Hip-Hop DJ and record producer, who is most known for his work in the 1990s with the multi-platinum, P-Funk-inspired rap group Digital Underground.
Lunitik Muzik is the second studio album by American hip hop duo Luniz. It was released on November 11, 1997 through C-Note Records, Noo Trybe Records and Virgin Records. Production was handled by Tone Capone, Mike Dean, Bosko, Quincy Jones III, Raphael Saadiq, Redman and Smoke One Productions. It features guest appearances from Poppa LQ, 2 Live Crew, 3X Krazy, 8Ball & MJG, B-Legit, Brownstone, Christión, E-40, Harm, Madd Maxx, MoKenStef, Phats Bossi, Redman, Swoop G, TK Kirkland, Too Short, Val Young, DJ Thump & Mengesha. The album peaked at number 34 on the Billboard 200.
Dominick Antron Wickliffe, better known by his stage name Kxng Crooked, is an American rapper from Long Beach, California. He is best known as a former member of the hip hop supergroup Slaughterhouse with other members Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz and Royce da 5'9". He is CEO of his own record labels, Dynasty Entertainment and C.O.B. Digital as well as Senior Vice President of Treacherous Records. Before starting his own label, he was also signed to Virgin Records and Death Row Records. He is currently one half of the rap duo Crook and Joell with his former Slaughterhouse bandmate, Joell Ortiz. Together, they released three studio albums.
"Playa Hata" is a song by American West Coast hip hop duo Luniz featuring R&B singer Teddy. It was released in November 1995 through Virgin Records America, C-Note Records, and Noo Trybe as the second and final single off of the duo's debut studio album Operation Stackola. Production was handled by E-A-Ski & CMT, who used a sample of Bobby Caldwell's "What You Won't Do for Love" as well as the interplation during the chorus of Chuckii Booker's 1992 hit song record "Games"
"You Know My Steez" is a song by American hip hop duo Gang Starr, released on November 18, 1997 as the lead single from their fifth studio album Moment of Truth (1998). It samples "Drowning in the Sea of Love" by Joe Simon, "Flash It to the Beat" by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, "B Side Wins Again" by Public Enemy, "Real Hip-Hop" by Das EFX, "Shadowboxin'" by GZA featuring Method Man and "Usual Suspect" by Big Noyd featuring Prodigy.