Suave House Records | |
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Founded | 1990 |
Founder | Tony Draper |
Distributor(s) | Suave House (U.S.) Entertainment One Distribution (outside U.S.) |
Genre | |
Country of origin | United States |
Location | Houston, Texas |
Suave House Records, also known as The Legendary Suave House, is a record label in Houston, Texas, United States, founded by Tony Draper.
The label was founded in 1990 when Draper was sixteen years old. [1] Landmark independent releases from flagship act 8Ball & MJG made the company a heavyweight in the South and the Midwest. When Suave House signed national deals with Relativity Records [2] and later Universal Records, 8Ball & MJG's efforts hit gold and platinum, as did their solo efforts. Suave House's other artists – Tela, South Circle, Mr. Mike, and Crime Boss – all carved out their own musical niches with music that alternated between gritty and street smooth, each selling hundreds of thousands of copies in the process. [3]
In 1997, Suave House switched distributors from Relativity to Universal Records. [4] The label's first release under new distribution was MJG's solo debut No More Glory .
In 1999, after Suave House's distribution deal was up with Universal Records, the label signed a distribution deal with Artemis Records and release a compilation album titled Suave House Presents.. Off Da Chain Vol. 1 which featured artists Lil Noah, Gillie Da Kid, 8Ball & MJG, Chico DeBarge, Joe, Psychodrama, Toni Hickman, and Ab Liva.
In 2007, Suave House Records also released an album from Def Jam's recording artist Rick Ross titled Rise to Power . The album was composed of older songs from Ross during his time at Suave House. Some tracks were remixed and produced by current Suave House's producer Jiggolo.
In April 2008, Suave House signed a joint venture deal with Koch. [5] The label's first release under the partnership was an 8Ball & MJG greatest hits album titled We Are the South .
In a March 2006 interview with XXL , Suave House CEO Tony Draper was asked about the vision of Suave House, "Why do you think Suave House II can compete in this day and age?" Draper said,
"Because I believe that half of the niggas that you see out right now got their game from me. When Suave was doing their thing there was no Cash Money or No Limit. I respect what they've done. But a lot of niggas ain't real because they ain't paying respect. I knew the movement was big, my shit was solid. Because the only one thing that consumers know is that they love the product. They don't know that there is a nigga that's making them make songs like that. I was a family type nigga, we used to sit in the house making the shit from scratch. When the code was violated, that's when the music started changing." [6]
Bad Boy Records is an American record label founded in 1993 by Sean "Puffy" Combs. During the late 1990s, the label signed numerous artists including Craig Mack, The Notorious B.I.G., Faith Evans, Mase, 112, Total, The Lox, Shyne and Carl Thomas. At its 1997 peak, Bad Boy was worth an estimated US$100 million.
8Ball & MJG is an American hip hop duo from Memphis, Tennessee. They met at Ridgeway Middle School in 1984. In 1993, the duo released their debut album Comin' Out Hard. They went on to release On the Outside Looking In (1994), On Top of the World (1995), In Our Lifetime (1999), Space Age 4 Eva (2000), Living Legends (2004), Ridin High (2007) and Ten Toes Down (2010).
Pimpalation is the second studio album by American rapper Pimp C from UGK. It was released on July 11, 2006, by Rap-A-Lot, Asylum, and Atlantic Records, making it the rapper's last solo album to be released during his lifetime. Recording sessions took place at Dean's List House of Hits, at M.A.D. Studios and Studio 7303 in Houston and at PatchWerk Recording Studios in Atlanta. Production was handled by several record producers, including Mr. Lee, Mike Dean, Jazze Pha and Mannie Fresh. The chopped and screwed version of the album was mixed by DJ Michael "5000" Watts. The album features a large number of guest performers, such as 8Ball & MJG, ABN, Ali & Gipp, Big Mike, Bun B, Chamillionaire, J. Prince, Lil' Boosie, Lil' Keke, Mike Jones, Scarface, Slim Thug, Tela, Webbie, and Willie D among others.
Comin' Out Hard is the debut studio album by American hip hop duo Eightball & MJG. The album was released on August 17, 1993, by Suave House Records.
I Got the Hook-Up is the soundtrack to Michael Martin's 1998 crime comedy film I Got the Hook-Up. It was released on April 7, 1998, through No Limit/Priority Records.
On Top of the World is the third studio album by American hip hop duo Eightball & MJG. The album was released on October 31, 1995, by Suave House Records and Relativity Records. West-coast artists E-40 and Mac Mall both make appearances on this album, along with Big Mike – a one-time member of Geto Boys. Nuckle Heads, a newly formed group of 2 female rappers on Suave House, debut on this album. South Circle also make an appearance here. Former 1 of the Girls member Nina Creque also appears on the album.
No More Glory is the debut solo studio album by American rapper MJG. The album was released on November 18, 1997, by Draper Inc. Records. The album's title is a reference to the confederate flag and its nickname "Glory". MJG had already released three albums as a part of the group 8Ball & MJG, but following 1995's On Top of the World, the two rappers decided to each release a solo album before continuing as a group. This was the first solo released from the group, 8Ball would release his solo debut, Lost, in 1998. It would be MJG's only solo album until 2008 when he released Pimp Tight.
On the Outside Looking In is the second studio album by American hip hop duo Eightball & MJG. The album released on September 27, 1994, by Suave House Records and Relativity Records.
In Our Lifetime is the fourth studio album by American hip hop duo 8Ball & MJG. It was released on May 18, 1999, through Suave House Records under a new distribution deal with Universal Records. Recording sessions took place at Urban House Studios, Inc. and Digital Services in Houston and at the Dungeon Recording Studios in SWATS. Production was handled by T-Mix and Mr. DJ, with Tony Draper serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Big Duke, Thorough, CeeLo Green, Nina Creque, Outkast and Toni Hickman. The album debuted at number 10 on the Billboard 200 and topped the Top R&B Albums charts, selling 95,000 copies in its first week in the United States. Music video was directed for "We Started This". This would be the duo's last recording for Suave House Records label.
I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind is the second studio album by American rapper Killer Mike. It was released on November 21, 2006, by Grind Time Rap Gang's record label Grind Time Official. The album features guest verses from each member of the Grind Time Rap Gang such as SL Jones, Narrio, Bigg Slimm, Da Bill Collector and Rock D The Legend, and it includes two guest appearances from southern hip hop group 8Ball & MJG, and fellow American rapper Big Boi. The song "That's Life" features Killer Mike criticizing cultural and political leaders who do not care about poor people, including Oprah Winfrey, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Bill Cosby, a criticism that he reiterated and deepened in "That's Life II" on his album PL3DGE.
I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind II is the third studio album by American rapper Killer Mike. It was released on July 8, 2008, by Grind Time Official and SMC Recordings. The album features guest appearances from 8Ball & MJG, Chamillionaire and Ice Cube, among others. His collaborations with UGK, Trae and Yo Gotti were also announced, but did not appear on the final track list of the album. Starting January 13, 2010, Killer Mike has authorized this album to be downloaded for free by fans as an effort to promote his forthcoming album.
Ten Toes Down is the eighth studio album by the American southern hip hop duo 8Ball & MJG. The album was released on May 4, 2010, by Grand Hustle Records and E1 Music. This is the first album by the duo after leaving the Bad Boy South, before signing a record deal with the Grand Hustle label. The album has guest appearances by T.I., Young Dro, Slim Thug and Bun B with production by T.I., as well as Nitti, Drumma Boy, Nard & B and Lil' C, among others.
Piece of Mind is the debut studio album by American rapper Tela. It was released on November 5, 1996 through Suave House/Relativity Records. Production was handled by Tela himself with DJ Slice T, Jazze Pha, T-Mix and Insane Wayne. It features guest appearances from 8Ball & MJG, Crime Boss, South Circle and NOLA. The album peaked at number 70 on the Billboard 200 and number 17 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Its lead single, "Sho Nuff", peaked at No. 58 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Double Dose is the fourth studio album by American rapper Tela. It was released on October 8, 2002 through Rap-A-Lot Resurrection. Recording sessions took place at House Of Blues Studios and Out Da Woods Studios in Memphis and at Dean's List House Of Hits in Houston. Production was handled by Tela himself, along with DJ Slice T, Drumma Boy, Insane Wayne, Paragon, DJ Jus Borne and Jazze Pha. It features guest appearances from Bun B, Jazze Pha, Low Key, Criminal Manne, Devin the Dude, 8Ball & MJG, Gangsta Boo, Haystak, Maru, Papa Reu, Streetboy, The Game, Yo Gotti and Geno. The album peaked at number 116 on the Billboard 200 and number 18 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.
Anotha Day Anotha Balla is the only studio album by American hip hop duo South Circle. It was released on July 4, 1995 through Suave House/Relativity Records. Recording sessions took place at Jus Fresh Recording Studio in Houston. Production was handled by Smoke One Productions, with James Endsley and Tony Draper serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from 8Ball, Tela and MJG. The album was met with some success on the Billboard charts, peaking at number 63 on the Billboard 200 and number 8 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Two singles were released, "Attitudes" and "New Day", but neither made it to the Billboard charts.
The Album of the Year is a compilation album presented by American hip hop record label Suave House Records. It was released on July 29, 1997 through Suave House/Relativity Records. Composed of eleven songs, the album featured ten exclusive tracks performed by Suave House artists The Fedz, 8Ball & MJG, NOLA, Tela, Nina Creque, Thorough and Randy, with the exception of South Circle's "Geto Madness", which appeared on their 1995 album Anotha Day Anotha Balla. Production was handled by Smoke One Productions and DJ Slice T, with Tony Draper serving as executive producer. The album peaked at number 26 on the Billboard 200 and number 4 on the Top R&B Albums.
Wicked Wayz is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Mr. Mike. It was released on July 30, 1996 through Suave House/Relativity Records. Production was handled by Smoke One Productions, E-A-Ski & CMT, with Tony Draper serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from 8Ball & MJG, Christión, E-A-Ski, Ice Cube, N.O.L.A. and O.C. The album peaked at number 29 on the Billboard 200 and number 5 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Its lead single, "Where Ya Love At?", reached #87 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and #40 on the Hot Rap Songs.
"Sho Nuff" is a song by American recording artist Tela featuring fellow Southern hip hop duo 8Ball & MJG. It was released on March 11, 1997, through Suave House Records as the lead single from Tela's debut studio album Piece of Mind. Recording sessions took place at Crosstown Studios in Memphis, Tennessee. Production is credited to Tela, DJ Slice T, and Jazze Pha, who also performed the song's hook.
CTE New World is an American record label founded by rapper Jeezy and his former business partner Kinky B in 2001. In December 2012, the label signed a joint venture deal with Atlantic. The label has signed artists including YG, Freddie Gibbs, Blood Raw, Scrilla, and Jeezy's group, USDA. The group's member, Boo Rossini was appointed as the label's president in 2016.
Off da Chain Volume 1 2000 is a compilation album presented by American hip hop record label Suave House Records. It was released on March 21, 2000, and features contributions from 8Ball & MJG, Gillie Da Kid, Lil' Noah, Toni Hickman, AB Luva, Chico DeBarge, Clinic, Joe, Mr. Charlie and Psychodrama. The album debuted at number 158 on the Billboard 200, number 36 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and number 12 on the Independent Albums.