Wild Pitch Records

Last updated
Wild Pitch Records
Founded1985;38 years ago (1985)
FounderStu Fine
Defunct1999 (1999)
Distributor(s) EMI Records
Genre Golden age hip hop
Country of origin United States
Location New York City, New York, US

Wild Pitch Records was an American Golden age hip hop record label, started in 1987 by Stuart Fine, that was eventually distributed by EMI. [1] [2] 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. [1] [3] [4]

Contents

Together, Fine and Howard re-established and released the label's catalogue, while also releasing records by Bigmouth, The Wallmen, Mary Lee's Corvette and Mighty Purple. The hip hop music catalogue was eventually acquired by Jay Faires, who tried to reactivate it as part of his short-lived JCOR Entertainment label.

As the majority of its albums were released in the early 1990s and went out of print, Faires re-released the label's catalog on April 22, 2008, through Fontana Distribution. [5]

In 2013, Complex placed Stu Fine at No. 25 of their 'The 25 Best A&Rs in Hip-Hop History' list. [6]

Discography

Studio albums

YearAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
US US R&B UK UK R&B
1980s Gang Starr No More Mr. Nice Guy
  • Released: April 22, 1989
83
Chill Rob G Ride the Rhythm
  • Released: May 23, 1989
60
1990s Lord Finesse & DJ Mike Smooth Funky Technician
  • Released: February 6, 1990
93
Main Source Breaking Atoms
  • Released: July 23, 1991
40
The U.M.C.'s Fruits of Nature
  • Released: October 15, 1991
32
Hard KnocksSchool of Hard Knocks
  • Released: 1992
  • Label: EMI
Brokin English KlikBrokin English Klik
  • Released: April 20, 1993
  • Label: EMI
The Coup Kill My Landlord
  • Released: May 4, 1993
  • Label: EMI
83
Ultramagnetic MCs The Four Horsemen
  • Released: August 10, 1993
  • Label: EMI
55
The U.M.C.'s Unleashed
  • Released: January 25, 1994
  • Label: EMI
63
Main Source Fuck What You Think
  • Released: March 22, 1994
The Coup Genocide & Juice
  • Released: October 13, 1994
  • Label: EMI
62
Wild Pitch Classics
  • Released: April 12, 1994
  • Label: EMI
O.C. Word...Life
  • Released: October 18, 1994
  • Label: EMI
34
BigmouthBigmouth
  • Released: August 5, 1997
Bryan Steele GroupBryan Steele Group
  • Released: 1997
WallmenElectronic Home Entertainment System
  • Released: March 10, 1998
Mary Lee's Corvette True Lovers of Adventure
  • Released: March 23, 1999
Mighty PurplePara Mejor ó Peor...Mighty Purple Live
  • Released: March 9, 1999
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Extended plays

YearAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
US US R&B UK UK R&B
1993Street MilitaryDon't Give a Damn
  • Released: June 29, 1993
Super Lover Cee & Casanova RudBlow Up the Spot
  • Released: June 29, 1993
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles

Related Research Articles

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

The Ultramagnetic MCs is an American hip hop group based in the Bronx, New York City. Founded by Kool Keith, the group also includes Ced Gee, TR Love, and Moe Love. Tim Dog became an unofficial member in 1989. In 1990, DJ Jaycee was added as a road manager and backup DJ. Big.D was put down with the crew by Kool Keith in 1989. A former member, Rooney Roon, was fired following an assault arrest. Beat-boxer Rahzel was also involved with the group early in its career. The group's work was associated with unorthodox sampling, polysyllabic rhymes, and bizarre lyrical imagery.

The new school of hip hop was a movement in hip hop music, beginning in 1983–84 with the early records of Run–D.M.C., Whodini, and LL Cool J. Predominantly from Queens and Brooklyn, it was characterized by drum machine-led minimalism, often tinged with elements of rock; rapped taunts, boasts, and socio-political commentary; and aggressive, self-assertive delivery. In song and image, its artists projected a tough, cool, street b-boy attitude. These elements contrasted sharply with funk and disco, novelty hits, live bands, synthesizers, and party rhymes of artists prevalent in the early 1980s. Compared to their older hip hop counterparts, new school artists crafted more cohesive LPs and shorter songs more amenable to airplay. By 1986, their releases began to establish hip hop in the mainstream.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guru (rapper)</span> American rapper (1961–2010)

Keith Edward Elam, better known by his stage name Guru, was an American rapper, record producer and actor. He was a member of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, along with DJ Premier. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gang Starr</span> American East Coast hip hop duo

Gang Starr was an American hip hop duo, consisting of Houston-born record producer DJ Premier and Boston, Massachusetts rapper Guru. For the entirety of their association, they were based in Brooklyn, New York. Gang Starr was at its height from 1989 to 2003, and are considered one of the best MC-and-producer duos in hip hop history. They are recognized for being one of the pioneers of jazz rap. Some of their top hits include "Mass Appeal", "Take It Personal", "Moment of Truth", "Full Clip" and "Above The Clouds".

Mark Howard James, professionally known as The 45 King and also known as DJ Mark the 45 King, was an American hip hop producer and DJ from The Bronx, New York. He began DJing in the mid-1980s. His pseudonym, the 45 King, came from his ability to make beats using obscure 45 RPM records.

Robert Frazier, known professionally as Chill Rob G, is an American hip hop artist from Jersey City, New Jersey, United States.

<i>Critical Beatdown</i> 1988 studio album by Ultramagnetic MCs

Critical Beatdown is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Ultramagnetic MCs, released on October 4, 1988, by Next Plateau Records. Production for the album was handled primarily by the group's rapper and producer Ced-Gee, who employed an E-mu SP-1200 sampler as the album's main instrument. Music journalists have noted the album for its innovative production, funk-based samples, self-assertive themes, ingenious lyricism, and complex rhyme patterns by Ced-Gee and fellow rapper Kool Keith.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lord Finesse</span> Musical artist

Lord Finesse is an American rapper and hip-hop record producer from The Bronx, New York best known as the leader of the D.I.T.C. crew. About.com ranked him number 29 on its list of the Top-50 Hip-Hop Producers.

Golden age hip hop is mainstream hip hop music created from the mid-1980s to the early-mid 1990s, particularly by artists and musicians originating from the New York metropolitan area. A precursor to the new school hip hop movement, it is characterized by its diversity, quality, innovation and influence on hip hop after the genre's emergence and establishment in the old-school era, and is associated with the development and eventual mainstream success of hip hop. There were various types of subject matter, while the music was experimental and the sampling from old records was eclectic.

Omar Gerryl Credle, better known by his stage name, O.C., is an American rapper and member of the group D.I.T.C. He has been involved with several underground hip hop groups, namely Crooklyn Dodgers '95, Luv NY, and Perestroika.

Showbiz and A.G. is an American hip hop duo from The Bronx borough of New York City, composed of record producer Rodney "Showbiz" Lemay and rapper Andre "A.G." Barnes. The duo formed soon after their debut on the song "Back to Back Rhyming" from Lord Finesse's Funky Technician album and joined the hip hop collective D.I.T.C. along with Lord Finesse, Diamond D, Fat Joe, O.C., Buckwild and Big L.

<i>Hip Hop Connection</i> British magazine

Hip Hop Connection (HHC) was the longest running monthly periodical devoted entirely to hip hop culture. It was described by rapper Chuck D as "the best magazine in the world".

<i>Return of the Funky Man</i> Album by Lord Finesse

Return of the Funky Man is the second studio album by American hip hop recording artist Lord Finesse of Diggin' in the Crates Crew. It was released on February 11, 1992 via Warner Bros. subsidiary label Giant Records. Production was handled by seven record producers, including Diamond D, Showbiz, DJ Aladdin, SLJ, Latif, Petawane, and Lord Finesse himself. It also features guest appearances provided by A.G., Percee P, Harry-O and Shelrumble. The album peaked at number 95 on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and its self-titled single made it to number 13 on the Hot Rap Songs.

<i>Ride the Rhythm</i> 1989 studio album by Chill Rob G

Ride the Rhythm is the debut full-length studio album by American rapper Chill Rob G. It was released on May 23, 1989 via Wild Pitch Records. Recording sessions took place at Air Wave Sound in New York. Production was handled by The 45 King, Nephie Centeno, Pasemaster Mase and Prince Paul. The album did not make it to the Billboard 200, however, it peaked at number 60 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States.

<i>Funk Your Head Up</i> 1992 studio album by Ultramagnetic MCs

Funk Your Head Up is the second studio album by American hip hop group Ultramagnetic MCs. It was released on March 17, 1992, via Mercury Records/PolyGram.

<i>The Four Horsemen</i> (album) 1993 studio album by Ultramagnetic MCs

The Four Horsemen is the third studio album by American hip hop group Ultramagnetic MCs. It was released on August 10, 1993, via Wild Pitch Records. Audio production was handled by Ultramagnetic MCs, except for four tracks produced by Godfather Don, who helped to incorporate a darker, jazzier sound than the group's previous work. "Checkin' My Style" and "See the Man on the Street" were originally recorded in 1992 during Godfather Don-produced sessions for a projected solo album for Kool Keith's alias Rhythm X. Those same sessions also produced songs released on Cenobites LP, the CD edition of which contains the original extended version of "Checkin' My Style," retitled "Return To Zero." The Four Horsemen includes recurring science fiction and baseball themes and was viewed by fans as a welcome return to the group's hardcore roots. Because of a manufacturing error, the current Fontana Distribution pressing is identified as the U.M.C.'s on the covering sticker under the shrink wrap. The album peaked at number 55 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and number 15 on the Heatseekers Albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Funky President (People It's Bad)</span> 1974 single by James Brown

"Funky President (People It's Bad)" is a funk song by James Brown. Released as a single in 1974, it charted No. 4 R&B. It also appeared on the album Reality. According to Brown the "funky president" of the song's title was meant to refer to U.S. President Gerald Ford, who had succeeded Richard Nixon in the White House shortly before it was recorded.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ced-Gee</span> American rapper

Cedric "Ced-Gee" Miller is an American hip hop producer and rapper from the Bronx, New York. He is best known as a member of Ultramagnetic MCs. He received special thanks for his production on Boogie Down Productions' Criminal Minded, and he produced Tim Dog's "Fuck Compton". He has also worked alongside Antoinette, Bill Cosby, Blak Prophetz, Doug E. Fresh, Jeff Redd, Paperboy, Spaceman Patterson, Sybil, and Treacherous Three.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Easy Mo Bee</span> American record producer

Osten S. Harvey Jr., better known by his stage name Easy Mo Bee, is an American hip hop and R&B record producer and DJ, known for his production work for artists such as Big Daddy Kane and Miles Davis, as well as his affiliation with Bad Boy Records in its early years, and his production involvement in The Notorious B.I.G.'s debut album, Ready to Die. He also produced two songs on 2Pac's album, Me Against the World.

References

  1. 1 2 Colin Larkin, ed. (1998). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Dance Music (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 368. ISBN   0-7535-0252-6.
  2. McGee, Alan (January 3, 2008). "The missing link of hip-hop's golden age". The Guardian . ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  3. "Wild Pitch Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic . Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  4. "Wild Pitch Records". Bandcamp .
  5. Paine, Jake (April 16, 2008). "Wild Pitch Records Re-releases Historic Catalogue". HipHopDX . Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  6. Charnas, Dan (February 1, 2013). "The 25 Best A&Rs in Hip-Hop History". Complex . Retrieved October 26, 2023.