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Master P in the heart of up town New Orleans, Louisiana, grew up in the third ward Calliope projects. After his mother and father separated, his mother moved to Richmond, California. Master P decided to stay in New Orleans and travel frequently to California to spend time with his mom. His mother agreed it was important for him to stay in school in New Orleans adn grow up with his farther and his family. Remaining in New Orleans, Master P and his brothers were raised by their paternal grandmother. When Master P grandfarther came into an inheritance, Master P was given ten thousand dollars. Striving to be an entrepreneur, Master P took this money and opened an independent record store in Richmond, California called No Limit Records. After gaining first hand knowledge of the music industry as a retailer, Master P felt he the business Sawy to embark on his dream to become an entertainer as well as owning his own record company. No Limit Records, the retail store became No Limit, the Record Company. The first release, Master P's The Ghetto's Tryin To Kill Me sold over 100,000 units indeppndently. The second release also from Master P was the EP 99 Ways To Die, which went on to sell over 200,000 units, also selling over a quarter of a million records, several of the major labels came to Master P options, he decided to sign his company, No Limit, to a straight pressing and distribution deal with Priority Records. In order for me to stay true to myself and my company, creative control, says Master P. When the deal was solidified with Priority in 1995, No Limit Records released TRU (made up of Master P and his brothers, Silkk The Shocker and C-Murder). Their album entitled True went on to sell over 400,000 units, while patenting the phrase and hit song Bout It Bout It. True continues to maintain a spot on the Billboard R&B album chart. With a national distribution deal and over a million records under on to make musical history by executive producing the first rap compilations, Down South Hustlers and West Coast Bad Boyz. Both records held fast on the Billboard Charts for several months. As No Limit Records continued to gain notoriety, Master P's 1996 solo release of Ice Cream Man made a smash debut at number three on the Billboard R&B Chart, selling over 800,000 units and counting. Also released from No Limit in 1996 were Kane & Abel's the 7 Sins and Sikk The Shocker's self-titled album, which entered the Billboard R&B Chart at number six. In early 1997 Master P released the Unprecedented success, Master P presents, West Coast Bad Boyz 2, the follow-up compilation dedicated to Tupac Shakur. With the debut of The Project at number two on the Billboard R&B Chart and number eight on the Billboard Top 200 album charts, it was time to recognize No Limit Records. In the following weeks, Master P released TRU's latest project, TRU 2 Da Game, which debuted at number two on the R&B Chart, number one on the Rap Chart and number eight on the Top 200. Within one week of it's release, TRU 2 Da Game was RLAA certified gold and is now double platinum. As the success story thickens, Master P proves there's No Limit to his dreams. His first feature film, I'm Bout It, a straight to video project that he financed, wrote, directed and produced, debuted number one on Billboard's Top Music Video Chart and has attained a multi-platinum selling status. The film is based loosely on his life growing up in New Orleans and expresses the harsh reality of survival in one of the toughest neighborhoods in America. I'm Bout It stars Master P and Co-stars Helen Martin, Mack 10, Moon Jones and a host of others. The soundtrack to I'm Bout It, also a platinum seller, made history. According to Billboard magazine, never before had a soundtrack charted unless it was accompanied by a theatrical film release. The soundtrack debuted number one on Billboard's R&B album chart and number four on Billboard's top 200. Approaching the latter part of 1997, The Muck anticipated solo album from the Master himself is upon us, entitled Ghetto D. The album features appearances from gold and platinum recording artists Foxy Brown, TRU, Mystikal, Too Short, E-40 and Mia X, to name a few. The album is sure to be another huge accomplishment for Master P and No Limit Records. The first single and video I Miss My Homies is an amazing song with an unforgettable book. Lyrically, it will touch any person who have lost somebody close to them. Another title track on Ghetto D is Gangstas Need Love featuring Mercedes, Mystikal, Fiend and The Shocker, all of No Limit Records. Twisting that mid-tempo grove and hook from the Diana Ross hit Since You Been Away and topping it with Master P's one of a kind style and flow, another kit is in order. All the tracks on Ghetto D are produced by No Limit's production team, Beats by the pound, and written by Master P, who will certainly be delivering another platinum story to the music game. With all the success of No Limit Records and all there is to come, one can understand why Master P is Bout It and Tru 2 Da Game. No Limit has indeed become the most successful independent record company in the country. Thanks to Master P's never ending vision for his empire, No Limit Records will continue not only to impress, but to have a major impact on the industry and fans for many years to come. Cause there's No Limit for No Limit Records.
Lil Romeo
After stepping into the big leagues with a big hit single and rapidly becoming a big star, Lil Romeo has seen his childhood dream comt true in a big way. And that's is no way a small feat. Romeo entered a crowded music industry in May of 2001, a time when Hip-Hop was replete with songs about sex and bling bling. An 11-year-old with clean lyrics was not exactly the order of the day. Not only did he break through rap's icy exterior, but he did so by doing the unthinkable: on his debut single, My Baby, from his self-titled debut album, he dared to dabble with an old school classic, namely the Jackson 5's, I Want You Back. Romeo added his own spice to it, sprinkled his own flavor on top and made the song relevant for a whole new generation. After just two weeks in stores, My Baby hit the #1 position on three Billboard charts: Hot rap singles, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop singles sales and Hot 100 singles sales. A hit was made and a star was born. Of course, it didn't hurt that Romeo is the son of rap impresario Master p, but that alone was no guarantee of success. As it turns out, young Romeo didn't have to ride his father's coattail. He had the talent, charisma and deternation to do just fine on his own. With the release of My Baby, the rapper became the youngest solo artist to top the Billboard hot 100 singles chart with his first single, a title previously held by Michael Jackson. My Baby, held on to the #1 position on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop sales chart for 10 straight weeks! Born Percy Romeo Miller in New Orleans, LA, Lil Romeo was a mere five years old when his father's No Limit empire began to take flight. It wasn't long before Romeo knew that he wanted to follow in dad's footsteps. I used to see my dad and all his brothers rhyming, so I knew I wanted to do it one day, Romeo recalls. Me and my cousin used to sneak in his studio and make songs. The producer was mixing a song one day that I recorded a rap on while my dad was our on tour. My dad heard it and came and talked to me about it. He told me he liked the song and he asked me if I was serious about it. I said yeah and it went from there. From there Romeo recorded his debut album, the success of which has spawned television appearances, a Nickelodeon concert special, an ABC Family Channel concert special, a Nickelodeon pilot-in-development (pieces to the puzzle, which Romeo describes as a modern day version of the partridge family), an upcoming staring role in the universal film Shorty, and, of course, his new CD, Game Time. An excellent and well-practiced basketball player and an avid basketball fan, Romeo views the title Game Time as a symbol of where he is in his career: center court, ready to show and prove, ready to win all over again. And, most importantly, to have fun doing it. This album is gonna be a lotta fun, he enthuses. Up tempo music for the teens, the kids, grownups and everybody. I've been ready to do another album and get it to my fans for a long time. Romeo says Game Time, though fun-filled, will reflect a degree of maturity. I think what's different about this album is that I've matured and I knew the things I needed to do batter and what I didn't need to do. It's just gonna be another great album. One track on Game Time finds a socially conscious Romeo sending out words of inspiration to those devastated by the September 11 attacks. Romeo, who was at a photo shoot just two blocks away from the world trade center when the attacks occurred, says he wrote the song, We Can Make It Right, a couple of days later. He explains, that song is about everything that happened, the tragedy on September 11 and just telling everybody that lost somebody that We Can Make It Right. In the song, which samples the same Broadway tune that Jay-Z used in his 1998 Hard Knock Life, Romeo raps, to the people when the world trade hit the floor/and all the soldiers in the pentagon, God bless y'all. Having along with his dad, Romeo says he set his own agenda for Game Time. That important to me, he says, having input on my album. It's just been a lot of beats. I chose music that I like and I think my fans will like too. Romeo says the album, produced by Soulja Entertainment's Myke Diesel, C-Los Beats adn the Beat Boys, is diverse, covering a wide range of subjects and techniques. While I was in the studio, I tried not to listen to much music because I wanted to make sure I had my own given style, he says. I have up tempo, slow songs, songs about situations. One of my favorite songs in 2 Way, that's my first single. And truly for his peers, he says. The album is about having fun and also about, you know, kid's things. O throw Em Up, that's one of my favorite songs on the album too; and there's also wanna Grow Up, Richie Rich, and still the same. O the latter, Romeo says, lets fans know that even in the midst of his whirlwind stardom, he has not lost his identity. Still the same is telling all the fans that I'm still the same and I'll never change just because I'm supposed to be this big star. It's letting everyone know that I want to just stay a regular person. But Romeo does acknowledge the most extraordinary aspects of his life in the song Richie Rich. That's the song that's just telling you about me and all the things I accomplished, he explains. Despite being the Richie Rich of Hip-Hop, Romeo says he still enjoys just being a regular kid. I still do regular things, he offers. I go to a regular private school and I have a tutor with me when I'm on the road, so I still try to do normal kid things. I don't have time to go to the mall and walking through the mall is not as easy as it used to be, but I'm guess not being able to walk through a mall without being stopped y fans for autographs is small price to pay for doing what you love. If it's true that the apple doesn't fall from the tree, then it should be no surprise that Romeo wants to continue to follow in his dad's footsteps even thaugh they may lead him off the concert stages and away from the video screens. I see myself someday being like him, just sitting on the side being a business person. Or, like dad, making moves on the basketball court. I would like to be one of the best players in the NBA, says Romeo, his words sounding more like a declaration than wistful youthful musing. And why not? At the age 12, Lil Romeo has already fulfilled one of his childhood dreams. He might as well start working on the others. But no matter how much he achieves, Romeo never forgets the imprtance of working hard and staying grounded and being grateful for what he has. My dad always thought big, but I used to think is everybody gonna like me? And I wondered if I was gonna do well. Right now all the fans are being loyal to me and like me and I really appreciate that. I'm real happy. It's just a blessing to accomplish your dreams.
Kane & Abel
Originally from New York, the Hip-Hop duo Kane & Abel moved to New Orleans as teenagers. When they arrived in New Orleans, they met Mia X, who eventually hooked the duo up with Master P, who helped Kane & Abel land a deal with No Limit Records. Their first album, 1996's 7 Sins, was produced by KLC and Mo B. Dick, who formerly worked with Down South Hustlers and TRU. Am I My Brother's Keeper followed in 1998. The next year, the duo broke from No Limit, starting their own label, Most Wanted, which was distributed through East West. Their first effort for the label was Rise to Power, which was released in the fall of 1999. Preceding the release, the twin brothers were arrested in May 1999 for conspiring to distribute cocaine with a convicted drug dealer named Richard Pena. This functioned as good publicity for their album, particularly as they argued that the bust was a conspirly that was ultimatelyaimed at getting the two to testify against Master P. In the end, they ended up plea bargaining and released Most Wanted in late 2000. The album featured Shake It Like A Dog, a popular club hit that eventual became such a success for the underground southrn duo that they released the album in summer 2001. The release of Most Wanted featured four new bonus tracks, including Show Dat Work (Shake It Like A Dog, Pt. 2) featuring Mystikal.
Real Names
Master P: Percy Miller
Silkk: Zyshonne Miller
C-Murder: Corey Miller
Mystikal: Micheal Tyler
Mia X: Mia Young
Fiend: Ricky Jones
Snoop Dogg: Calvin Broadus
Kane: David Garcia
Abel: Danny Garcia
Half Pint (Primesuspects): Sean Diggs
Magic: Aywood Johnson
Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg (Calvin Broadus) got his nickname because of his striking resemblance of his striking resemblance on the Peanuts character Snoopy the dog. Grown up Snoop hung out with Warren G and Nate Dogg, rapping and playin basketball. Snoop was a good high school student and was hella good at basketball. Several basketball programs recruited him, but he got caught up with the Long Beach Insane Crips, and ended up in jail just after he graduated. For tha next 3 years Snoop Dogg was bouncin in and out of jail, but then soon he dedicated himself to rap. Snoop's homeboy Warren G, hooked him up with his first break by playin his tape to his brother, Dr. Dre. Dre loved Snoop's rappin so they hooked it up. In 1992 Dr. Dre introduced Calvin Broadus as Snoop Doggy Dogg, on the song Deep Cover. The same year Dr. Dre released his first solo album the Chronic, and Snoop was on just about every song. In 1994 Snoop's solo first album, Doggystyle, was released. After the Chronic Snoop was known as a great rapper, so everybody was buying Doggystyle, and went 5 times platinum. Later that same year Snoop and his bodygaurd McKinlay Lee were arrested for the murder of Philip Woldermariam, who was shot in a drive by on August 25, 1993. The trial continued till early 96, when Snoop Dogg and Lee were aquitted of all charges. In November of 1996 Snoop released his second album, Tha Doggfather. Expectations were low, since this album was done without Dre producing or helping in any way, because of his departure from Deathrow. The album debuted at #1, and went double platinum. Next up for Snoop was headlining Lollapalooza tour. Snoop was suppose to release an EP title Dogg Umentary, but with problems with Suge Knight and Deathrow, the album kept being delayed and eventually never was released. In early 98 Snoop Dogg announced he was leaving his current label, Deathrow Records, because he said if he stayed his life would be in danger. In a later interview with the Source magazine more and more problems with Deathrow were revealed. Earlier this year Deathrow sold Snoop's contract to Master P's label No Limit Records. He is now releasing a new album on August 4th, titled Snoop World- Tha Game Is To Be Sold, Not To Be Told. He is also releasing a straight to video move called Da Game Of Life, release date is August 18th. Since Snoop has left Deathrow, he has been doing so much. He released an internet only album at his official site SnoopDog.com, it has 2 all new track's, he also is selling his Smokefest 1997 world tour video. Snoop Doggy Dogg has also had time to do an MTV Softball Challenge, and make many guest appearances on a countless list of other artists. Snoop Doggy Dogg has proved to be one of the most successful and great rappers of the times, and will continue to prove this as time passes by.
Mac
Mac is from GTP 3rd Ward in New Orleans. Mac started rapping at age 7. He got his 1st record deal at age 12. He was one of the 1st local rappers from New Orleans to get a record deal and to have a video. Back then he was called Lil Mac. He was in a group called Mac and Storm. His 1st apperance as a No Limit Soldier was on Kane and Abel's cd called The 7 Sins. After that he has been in almost all the No Limit cd's and he just released his 1st solo album on No Limit called Shell Shocked. It debuted at #11 on the Billboard 200. His nickname is the Camouflage Assasin. He got that name because his dad was in the war and the only clothes that he wore was camouflage so that's how he got his name. He is part of a group called Tank Dawgs with C-Murder, Fiend and Snoop. The album will be in stores in 99.
C-Murder
C-Murder's real name is Corey Miller. He grew up in 3rd Ward Calliope Projects in New Orleans. He has 3 brothers, Master P, Silkk and Kevin Miller who died. He has one sister named Germany. He is part of the group TRU. His 1st solo album was released in 98 and was called Life or Death. He has is own record company now called TRU Records. The 1st album on TRU Records will be in stores on September 15th by Magic and its called Sky's The Limit. He is part of another group called Tank Dawgs with Fiend, Mac, and Snoop Dogg. His 2nd solo album will be release in 1999 called Bosalinna. He is currently going out with the R&B singer Monica.
Silkk The Shocker
Next to Master P, Silkk The Shocker was the pre-eminent rapper on No Limit Records, the underground hip-hop label that became a sensation in the late 90s. Since he is the brother of Master P, the founder of the label, you'd expect no thing less, actually. As a member of TRU, asa guest reapper and as a solo artist, Silkk The Shocker appeared on most of No Limit's most successful records. His ownipresence says more about the way No Limit was run than it does about his skills. No Limit aggressively marked each of their artists, so they appeared to be superstars before they ever released an album; Silkk was no different. A modestly gifted rapper, Silkk never wanted to break boundaries, only to work within the confines of gangsta rap, and that's exactly what he did, turning out a series of records that celebrated all the cliches gangsta critics dismissed. Obviously, that's what his audience wanted, since his first two records went platinum without support from radio, MTV or the music industry at large. Like his brothers Master P and C-Murder, Silkk The Shocker was born and raised in New Orleans. He began rapping as a teenager, joining a number of gangsta crews including The Down South Hustlers. He also joined Master P's group TRU, which also featured C-Murder. Before he launched his solo career, he had appeared on albums by The Down South Hustlers, The West Coast Bad Boys and TRU. In 1996, Silkk released his debut The Shocker on No Limit Records. Shortly after its release, he appended The Shocker slowly became an underground success, largely based on strong word all over No Limit releases, appearing on the I'm Bout It soundtrack, TRU's TRU 2 Da Game, Mia-X's Unlady Like, Mystikal's Unpredictable and Master P's Ghetto D. His long-awaited second album, Charge It 2 Da Game, finally appeared in February 1998, after being promoted by No Limit for nearly eight months. My World, My Way was released three years later.
TRU
TRU is a three-piece gangsta rap group that No Limit mastermind Master P formed with his younger brothers, Silkk and C-Murder. TRU became the most popular act on No Limit with their 1995 debut album, True; it sold over 200,000 copies with little promotion or airplay, and helped establish No Limit as an underground its second album, TRU 2 Da Game, early in 1997. Shortly afterward, No Limit exploded, making Master P into a superstar. Given his many duties at the label, along with his forays into filmmaking, basketball, and sports management, plus the burgeoning solo careers of Silkk and C-Murder, it wasn't a surprise that it took TRU two years an eternity in No Limit time to produce its third album, Da Crime Family.
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