Reel Life Productions

Last updated
Reel Life Productions
Reel Life Productions.png
Parent companyAknu Media
Founded1989
FounderJames H. Smith
Esham
Distributor(s)Overture Records (1998–2001)
Overcore Records (1998–2001)
Pollution Distribution (1998–2001)
TVT Records (1998–2001)
Aknu Media (2007–present)
Select-O-Hits (2007–present)
Genre Horrorcore
Country of origin US
Location Detroit, Michigan
Official website www.AcidRap.com

Reel Life Productions, also known as Gothom Records, is an independent record label based in Detroit, Michigan most associated with the hip hop subgenre horrorcore. The label was founded in 1989 by James H. Smith and his younger brother, rapper Esham. Since its formation, RLP had released much of Esham's discography, and had been home to a number of other artists, including Natas, Dice, Mastamind, T-N-T and The Dayton Family.

Contents

While the label was once cited as a vibrant example of independent success in Detroit hip hop, [1] Reel Life Productions' peak in success occurred under distribution through TVT Records and an association with Overcore Records.

History

Establishment (1989–1997)

James H. Smith founded the label in 1989 with his younger brother, Esham, a rapper. [2] According to Esham, by the time he had started to rap, Detroit did not have a prominent hip hop scene. Smith states that "Everybody was just imitating what everybody else was doing". [3] His older brother, James, encouraged him to seriously pursue a career as a rapper because of the city's limited hip hop scene. [3] In 1989, Esham released his debut album, Boomin' Words from Hell . [4] [5] In 1990, Reel Life Productions reissued his debut album with an alternate track listing and artwork. [5] Esham found it difficult to develop a fanbase, because many wrote off the dark content of his lyrics and imagery as shock value, while hip hop fans did not connect to Esham's albums because of his heavy metal influences. [3]

Esham met Mastamind as a student at Osborne High School, who gave him a three-song demo tape of his music, leading the two to form the group with Esham's longtime friend, T-N-T, deciding on the name Natas, an acronym for "Nation Ahead of Time And Space". [6] In 1991, Esham met Joseph Bruce, a member of the group Inner City Posse, who praised Esham and Reel Life Productions, and gave Esham a copy of the group's EP Dog Beats , beginning the two rappers' friendship and professional relationship. [1]

In 1992, Natas released its first album, Life After Death on Reel Life. [7] Following the release of this album, Esham, Natas and Reel Life Productions were the subject of much controversy when a 17-year-old fan killed himself while smoking cannabis and playing Russian roulette while listening to Life After Death. [8]

In 1994, James was incarcerated for rape, leaving the future of Reel Life in doubt. [9] In 1995, Reel Life began its association with the Detroit rapper Dice, [10] who did not sign a contract with the label, but made appearances on albums by Esham, Natas and Mastamind. Reel Life released Dice's debut studio album, The Neighborhoodshittalka the following year. [11] Dice left the label following the album's release, claiming that he received no royalties from his album, which he estimated to have sold 200,000 copies. [11] Esham's album Dead Flowerz was the first RLP album to appear on a Billboard chart, peaking at #38 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. [12] However, the label went bankrupt that year. [11]

Rebranding as Gothom (1997–2001)

In June 1997, Esham rebranded Reel Life Productions as Gothom Records, and released the album Bruce Wayne: Gothom City 1987 , which charted at #57 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. [13] Esham later signed a distribution deal with Overcore, a subsidiary of Overture Music, which later became distributed by TVT Records. [7] [9] Gothom signed the band 20 Dead Flower Children and released their album Candy, Toy Guns & Television on June 24, 1997. [14] The following year, Gothom signed the rap metal band The Workhorse Movement, and released the band's EP Rhythm & Soul Cartel. [15] [16] [17] The following year, Gothom announced that it would release The Workhorse Movement's debut album, Sons of the Pioneers, but the band left the label and signed with Roadrunner Records, which released the album in association with Overcore, with no involvement from Gothom. [18]

In 2001, Gothom signed The Dayton Family, [7] and had its highest charting success with Dayton Family member Bootleg's solo release Hated By Many Loved By Few, which peaked at #174 on the Billboard 200, #6 on Independent Albums, and #38 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. [19] Gothom achieved the most number of chart positions with Esham's Tongues , which peaked at #195 on the Billboard 200, #7 on Independent Albums, #46 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and #14 on Top Heatseekers. [20] Tongues featured appearances by Kool Keith, The Dayton Family and Insane Clown Posse's Violent J. [21] However, following this success, TVT and Overture went bankrupt, forcing Esham to fold RLP.

Psychopathic Records

After RLP folded, Esham signed with Psychopathic Records, releasing two solo albums before leaving that label and reforming Reel Life Productions. [7] [9]

1st revival [2005–2011]

Since leaving Psychopathic, however, Esham's only charting releases have been the mixtape The Butcher Shop , which peaked at #86 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, [22] and Sacrificial Lambz , which peaked at #42 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and #50 on Top Heatseekers. [23] In 2009, Esham and Natas performed at the Gathering of the Juggalos. Following the event, a friend of Esham's handed Joseph Bruce a copy of Esham's album I Ain't Cha Homey , which depicted a clown committing suicide with a gun on the front cover. Bruce listened to the album and saw it as a diss towards Insane Clown Posse. [24] While Esham claimed that the album was not a diss in his podcast, [25] the album strained the relationship between Bruce and Esham, and the two have not spoken since its release. [24] In 2011, Gothom released the documentary Death of an Indie Label , which was originally announced as a bonus feature on a deluxe edition of DMT Sessions, but was instead uploaded onto Gothom Inc.'s YouTube channel. [8] [26] />

2nd revival [2013–present]

December 8, 2013 on his official Facebook. Esham posted a video announcing the relaunch of Reel Life Productions. Shortly after the video became popular the official website "Acidrap.com" closed with a banner saying "relaunching soon". That same day it was confirmed that the first official release on the newly relaunched Reel Life Productions would be a new Natas album. On May 17, 2014. Esham, Mastamind, and the official Natas Facebook's confirmed that the Natas reunion album "FUQERRBDY" would be released on July 15, 2014 revealing the track listing and the release of 2 promotional videos on Esham's official YouTube account.

Artists

Current
ArtistYear signedDescription
Esham —The cofounder of Reel Life Productions, Esham (East Side Hoes And Money) is known for his hallucinogenic style of hip hop, which fuses rock-based beats and lyrics involving subjects such as death, drug use, evil, paranoia and sex. Esham refers to this style as "acid rap". [27] Esham also serves as the current Executive Producer and after a stint in Rehab, President of Reel Life Productions.
Daniel Jordan2008An American rapper from the San Francisco Bay Area. [28] He also owns the independent hip hop label "Kill All Idols Records" based out of San Francisco, CA.
Chupacabra2011An American rapper. Reel Life promotional materials claim that she had recently been released from a psychiatric ward before being signed to the label. [29]
Natas 1992–1999; 2006–2009, 2014–presentA hip hop group from Detroit consisting of Esham, Mastamind and TNT. [30] The group's name is an acronym which has meant both "Nation Ahead of Time And Space" and "Niggaz Ahead of Time And Space". [6] The group officially reunited in 2013.
Former
ArtistYear(s) signedAlbums released on Reel Life ProductionsNotes
Dice 1995–1996
1
An American rapper from Detroit, Michigan, Dice released the album The Neighborhoodshittalka on Reel Life, then left due to a dispute with the label. [11]
20 Dead Flower Children1996–2000
2
A rock band from Detroit, Michigan consisting of drummer Jason "J-Hauz" Garrison, bassist David "Dirt-E" Biganeiss, singer Dennis "D-Hauz" Hogan and guitarist Keith "The Suit" Lowers. The band released two albums on Gothom, Candy, Toy Guns & Television and their self-titled. [14]
The Workhorse Movement1998–2000
1
A rap metal band from Detroit, Michigan consisting of vocalist Myron, guitarist Freedom, bassist Jay and drummer Joe Mackie. The band released one EP with Gothom before signing with Roadrunner Records. [15]
T-N-T1992–1999; 2006–2009, 2014—An American rapper from Detroit, T-N-T is a founding member of NATAS, with Esham and Mastamind. [7] [6] A solo album, Suicide Bomber, was planned for a Spring 2009 release, but never saw a release. [28] It was also rumored that T-N-T had retired. After the release of the new NATAS album, FUQERRBDY on July 15, 2014, during an interview on "The Australian Underground Podcast: NATAS - FUQERRBDY Edition", T-N-T stated he plans to work on some new solo material to drop in the future.
The Dayton Family 2001
3
Composed of Bootleg, Shoestring and Ghetto E at the time, the name Dayton Family derives from Dayton Avenue, one of the most crime-ridden streets in their hometown. Released solo albums on Gothom, and later signed with Hatchet House. [7]
Doc Hollywood Hustle2008—An American rapper, Doc Hollywood Hustle produced tracks for Natas. A debut album, Speaking From Experience, was planned for release. [28] He is currently in prison. [31] As of 2011 Doc Has Since Got Out of Prison, Released the Albums, "RLP WILL NEVER DIE" featuring 23 Tracks he made for "Speaking From Experience" And New Tracks he Made After Getting Released, And He Also Released Roth$Child Money Lp Mid 2012.
Filthy Rockwell2008—An American rapper from Detroit, Filthy Rockwell produced tracks for Esham and made his solo debut on the mixtape The Butcher Shop in 2008. A debut album, Enemy of the State, was planned for a Summer 2009 release. [28]
Poe Whosaine2008—An American rapper from Detroit, Michigan. In 2009, the Gothom Inc. YouTube channel released a video to a new Poe Whosaine single, "Krayayola". An official single was never released.Later founded his own label, Whosainiyak Muzik.
Mastamind 1992–2003; 2009
3
A student at Osborne High School, where Esham attended, Mastamind gave him a three-song demo tape of his music, which led to him being signed to Reel Life Productions and joining the group Natas. [28] Mastamind released two solo albums and an EP on the label and has since formed his own label, Toxsic Records. [7]
DeadBoy2010-The cofounder of Reel Life Productions, James Smith. He released one EP "Anubis Wisdom", featuring Esham.
King Solomon2010-The cousin of Esham, appearing on some of his projects as well. He released one EP "1 Shot Deal" in 2010, which has since been mostly lost.
Swayzi2010-The son of DeadBoy. He released an EP "Just Checking In". Like the others released in the 12/18/10 Acid Rap Hell Pack, this is obscure as well. The only evidence is the album cover, the music is lost.

Related Research Articles

<i>Closed Casket</i> 1994 studio album by Esham

Closed Casket is the fourth studio album by Esham, released on November 22, 1994, and distributed by Reel Life Productions/Warlock Records.

Esham Attica Smith, known mononymously as Esham, is an American rapper from Detroit, Michigan. Emerging as one of the first ever hip hop artists from Detroit, Esham released his debut studio album, Boomin' Words from Hell, in 1989 at the age of 16. Since then, he has gone on to release 21 studio albums in total and is best known as a representative of the hip hop subgenre horrorcore. In 1992, he co-founded the horrorcore group Natas. He and his brother James Smith founded and ran the Detroit hip hop label Reel Life Productions.

<i>A-1 Yola</i> (Esham album) 2005 studio album by Esham

A-1 Yola is the tenth solo studio album by American rapper and record producer Esham. It was released on April 19, 2005 through Psychopathic Records, marking the artist's second and final studio album for the label. Recording sessions took place at the Lotus Pod in Detroit. Production was handled by Esham himself, except for two songs produced by Polar Bear and Marc Live. Physical copies of the album were released together with a DVD containing Esham-directed music videos for the majority of its songs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soopa Villainz</span> American hip hop group

Soopa Villainz is an American hip hop supergroup based in Detroit, Michigan. Formed in 2002, the group consists of Joseph Bruce, Joseph Utsler and Esham. Lavel was later added to the lineup, but left during the group's hiatus. Since 2018, the group has reverted to its original lineup. The songs of Soopa Villainz center thematically on nefarious actions conducted by comic book supervillains. The group went on hiatus in 2005. ICP announced at its 2016 GOTJ seminar that the group would be reuniting for 2017. During ICP's performance on July 21, 2018 a banner showing the groups logo was unfurled, teasing the return of the group.

Natas is an American hip hop group from Detroit, Michigan best known as representatives of horrorcore featuring the members Mastamind, T-N-T, and Esham. The group effectively disbanded after the death of T-N-T in 2014. However, Esham and Mastamind have since periodically continued to tour together under the Natas name.

<i>Godlike</i> (Natas album) 2002 studio album by Natas

Godlike is the sixth studio album by American hip hop group Natas from Detroit, Michigan. It was released on May 21, 2002 via Number 6 Records, making it the group's first album to be released on a label other than Reel Life Productions, and their only release on Number 6 Records. Production was handled solely by Esham. The album peaked at #56 on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, #35 on the Independent Albums chart, and #45 on the Heatseekers Albums chart.

The Dayton Family is an American hip hop group from Flint, Michigan, composed of Ira "Bootleg" Dorsey, Raheen "Shoestring" Peterson and Matt "Backstabba" Hinkle. Its name derives from Dayton Street, one of Flint's most crime-ridden streets.

<i>Tongues</i> (Esham album) 2001 studio album by Esham

Tongues is the eighth solo studio album by American rapper Esham. It was released on June 19, 2001 through Overcore Records with distribution via TVT Records. Recording sessions took place at Overture Recording in Michigan. Production was handled solely by Esham. It features guest appearances from Brittany Hurd, Kool Keith, Santos, The Dayton Family, Heather Hunter, Jill O'Neil, Mujahid and Violent J, as well as his Natas groupmates Mastamind and TNT. The album peaked at number 195 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in the United States. The project marks Esham's return to his old horror/devil sound.

<i>The Calm</i> (EP) 2005 EP by Insane Clown Posse

The Calm is the eleventh extended play by American hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse. It was released on May 17, 2005 via Psychopathic Records. Recording sessions took place at the Lotus Pod in Detroit. Production was handled entirely by ICP themselves. It features the lone guest appearance from Esham. The EP peaked at number 32 on the Billboard 200, number five on the Top Rap Albums and topped the Independent Albums in the United States.

<i>WicketWorldWide.COM</i> 1999 studio album by Natas

WicketWorldWide.COM is the fifth album by Natas. Released in 1999, it is the group's last release on Reel Life Productions until 2006's N of tha World. WicketWorldWide.com is credited as one of the greatest hip hop albums of 1999 by XXL magazine.

<i>Sacrificial Lambz</i> 2008 studio album by Esham

Sacrificial Lambz is the eleventh studio album by Esham. Released in 2008, it is his first album since reviving Reel Life Productions and leaving Psychopathic Records.

Esham is an American rapper from Detroit currently signed to Reel Life Productions, a label he co-founded in 1989. His discography consists of twenty six solo-studio albums, eight studio albums as a member of NATAS, three as a member of Soopa Villainz where he is known as "Black Spade", two as a member of 3 Headed Monster, ten EPs, as well as twenty three singles, five mixtapes, nine compilation albums, over 50 music videos, and many appearances on other artists' tracks and on compilations.

<i>N of tha World</i> 2006 studio album by Natas

N of tha World is the seventh studio album by Natas. Released in 2006, it was the group's first album released by Reel Life Productions since 1999's WicketWorldWide.COM, although there were claims that there was no newly recorded material by Natas, which broke up in 2002. Five songs on the album were newly recorded after Esham departed from Psychopathic Records in October 2005; the rest of the album consists of material recorded by Esham and T-N-T for a prospective Esham album, to be titled Club Evil, that never came out. Despite the album being attributed to Natas, the only track by the group is N of tha World. The other four new songs were "World's Apart", "On My Own", "Trouble & Pain" and "Niggaz Always Talkin' Alot of Shit".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chicken Huntin'</span> 1995 single by Insane Clown Posse

"Chicken Huntin'" is a single by hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse, from their second studio album, Ringmaster. The "Slaughter House Mix", from the group's third studio album, Riddle Box, has become one the duo's most popular songs.

Reel Life Productions, also known as Gothom, is an independent record label formed in 1990. Based in Detroit, Michigan in the United States, it was formed by rapper Esham and his older brother James H. Smith.

Gary Reed, also known as Mastamind, is an American rapper from Detroit best known as a representative of the hip hop subgenre horrorcore. A founding member of Natas, he was formerly signed with Reel Life Productions before forming his own label, Toxsic Records.

Robert Boyd, known professionally as Dice, is an American rapper from Detroit, Michigan.

Death of An Indie Label is a documentary & soundtrack about the independent record label Reel Life Productions, founded by James H. Smith and his younger brother, rapper Esham, in Detroit in 1990. The film, which was uploaded onto the label's YouTube channel, features appearances by James Smith, Esham and Mastamind. The soundtrack for the film features Seven the General and Poe Whosaine.

<i>The Neighborhoodshittalka</i> 1996 studio album by Dice

The Neighborhoodshittalka is the second album by Detroit rapper Dice. Released in 1996, the album is Dice's only release on Reel Life Productions, following appearances on other albums by the label, including Natas' Doubelievengod and Mastamind's EP Lickkuidrano, Dice estimated that the album sold 200,000 copies, and claims to have received no royalties from the album.

<i>FUQERRBDY</i> Album by Natas

FUQERRBDY is the eighth and final studio album by Detroit rap group Natas. This is the group's first studio album as a trio since 2002's Godlike and first Natas album since 2006's N of tha World. It was released on July 15, 2014 on the newly relaunched Reel Life Productions and Lyrikal Snuff Productions. This is the final Natas album with TnT, who was killed in a car accident on December 20, 2014.

References

  1. 1 2 Bruce, Joseph; Hobey Echlin (2003). "Paying Dues". In Nathan Fostey (ed.). ICP: Behind the Paint (second ed.). Royal Oak, Michigan: Psychopathic Records. pp.  164–167. ISBN   0-9741846-0-8.
  2. ↑ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine : "Death of an Indie Label - Part 5 of 5 - Esham Shockumentary". YouTube .
  3. 1 2 3 Ketchum III, William E. (October 15, 2008). "Mayor Esham? What?". Metro Times . Detroit, Michigan . Retrieved 2008-10-16.
  4. ↑ "Esham". All Music Guide to Hip-Hop: The Definitive Guide to Rap & Hip-hop . Backbeat Books. 2003. pp.  60–163. ISBN   0-87930-759-5.
  5. 1 2 Smith, Esham A. "Discography". Reel Life Productions. Archived from the original on February 3, 2009. Retrieved 2008-08-18.
  6. 1 2 3 Hess, Mickey (2009). "Esham". Hip Hop in America: A Regional Guide: Volume 1: East Coast and West Coast. ABC-CLIO. pp. 411–413. ISBN   978-0-313-34323-0.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 All Music Guide to Hip-Hop: The Definitive Guide to Rap & Hip-hop . Backbeat Books. 2003. p.  309. ISBN   0-87930-759-5.
  8. 1 2 deathofanindielabel 1. Gothom Inc. Event occurs at 11:39. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21.
  9. 1 2 3 Bruce, Joseph (June 25, 2004). "Weekly Freekly: 2". Psychopathic Records. Archived from the original on 2004-08-20. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  10. ↑ Turner, Khary (Jun 2000). "The Motown Lowdown: Detroit Hip-Hop City". CMJ New Music Monthly (82): 79. ISSN   1074-6978.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Davison, Kahn (2006-07-19). "Dice roll". Metro Times. Retrieved 15 July 2011.
  12. ↑ "Charts & Awards for Dead Flowerz". Allmusic . Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  13. ↑ "Charts & Awards for Bruce Wayne: Gothom City 1987". Allmusic . Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  14. 1 2 "Candy, Toy Guns & Television - 20 Dead Flower Children". Allmusic. Retrieved 8 July 2011.
  15. 1 2 Ankeny, Jason. "The Workhorse Movement". Allmusic. Retrieved 8 July 2011.
  16. ↑ DaRonco, Mike. "Rhythm & Soul Cartel - The Workhorse Movement". Allmusic. Retrieved 8 July 2011.
  17. ↑ "The Workhorse Movement". Roadrunner Records. Retrieved 8 July 2011.
  18. ↑ Wesolowski, David Peter. "Sons of the Pioneers - The Workhorse Movement". Allmusic. Retrieved 8 July 2011.
  19. ↑ "Hated By Many Loved By Few Charts". Allmusic. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
  20. ↑ "Charts & Awards for Tongues". Allmusic . Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  21. ↑ "Charts & Awards for Tongues". Allmusic . Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  22. ↑ "Charts and awards for The Butcher Shop > Overview". Allmusic . Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  23. ↑ "Charts and awards for Sacrificial Lambz". Allmusic . Retrieved 2008-10-11.
  24. 1 2 Weingarten, Christopher (October 28, 2011). "Insane Clown Posse's Violent J Picks 11 Horrorcore Classics". Spin . Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  25. ↑ Smith, Esham (August 31, 2009). Bomb Ass Podcast: Panties in a Bunch Edition (MP3) (podcast). Detroit, Michigan: Reel Life Productions. Retrieved 2009-09-28.
  26. ↑ "Controversial Detroit Artist Releases Shocking New Album". PR Web. June 21, 2011. Archived from the original on September 29, 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
  27. ↑ "Esham AKA Bill Yen: Esham AKA Bill Yen". Reel Life Productions. Archived from the original on February 2, 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-07.
  28. 1 2 3 4 5 "Upcoming Releases: Future projects from RLP/Gothom and Acidrap.com". Reel Life Productions. Archived from the original on February 3, 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-07.
  29. ↑ "Chupacabra – Addict « Hellava Store". Archived from the original on 2012-07-03. Retrieved 2011-10-05.
  30. ↑ "NATAS: Nation Ahead of Time And Space - The Wicket Shit Will Never Die". Reel Life Productions. Archived from the original on March 24, 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-07.
  31. ↑ "Bomb Ass Podcast featuring Esham". gothomrecords.libsyn.com. Archived from the original on 2012-04-02.
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