U.N.L.V. (group)
Encyclopedia
U.N.L.V. are a hip-hop group from New Orleans, Louisiana
, originally consisting of rappers Tec-9, Lil Ya, and Yella Boy. Their name is an acronym for "Uptown Niggas Living Violently". They were one of the first artists signed to Cash Money Records
, where they recorded four albums from 1993 to 1996. Their first three albums on Cash Money were only distributed locally, but when Cash Money signed a larger distribution deal with Universal Records
in 1998, much of their past music was re-released. Their releases were among the first well distributed examples of New Orleans Bounce music
, produced by the Cash Money Records in-house producer Mannie Fresh
. While their music did not gain much national attention, it was regionally successful in the New Orleans area. Speaking about his time in the music industry in 2008, Mannie Fresh
described U.N.L.V.'s work as the "essence of hip-hop".
beats provided by Mannie Fresh
. The group released one more album on Cash Money in 1996, titled Uptown 4 Life. This was the group's first album to have more than a local distribution, and it was their first and to date only album to chart nationally, peaking at #86 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The album featured the song "Drag 'Em in the River", which was a diss
song directed at fellow New Orleans rapper Mystikal
. The song is now one of the group's most well known songs. According to Mannie Fresh in a 2008 interview, the song's beat was the major reason Cash Money was able to sign rapper Juvenile
, and in 2001 the same beat was reused for Juvenile's single "Set It Off". The group's success was tempered however by the death of group member Yella Boy, who was murdered in New Orleans.
Following this album the group left Cash Money Records
. Although the group was no longer on the label, Cash Money began re-releasing the group's albums and giving them national distribution. This would later lead to a lawsuit from the group against the label, claiming they could not re-release their material without their permission when they were not on the label. The suit was settled in July 2007, with the settlement being confidential.
After leaving Cash Money the group went on a hiatus for some time, but in the 2000s they have released two more studio albums, The Return of U.N.L.V.: Trendsetters in 2001 and Keep It Gutta in 2003. Following the settlement of their 2007 lawsuit with Cash Money, they are reportedly working on the release of new material.
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, originally consisting of rappers Tec-9, Lil Ya, and Yella Boy. Their name is an acronym for "Uptown Niggas Living Violently". They were one of the first artists signed to Cash Money Records
Cash Money Records
Cash Money Records is a record label founded by brothers Bryan "Birdman" Williams and Ronald "Slim" Williams. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed by Universal Republic Records as of 2011...
, where they recorded four albums from 1993 to 1996. Their first three albums on Cash Money were only distributed locally, but when Cash Money signed a larger distribution deal with Universal Records
Universal Records
Universal Records was a record label owned by Universal Music Group, and it is now owned by Manny Patino and Michael Jackson, and operated as part of the Universal Motown Republic Group.-History:...
in 1998, much of their past music was re-released. Their releases were among the first well distributed examples of New Orleans Bounce music
Bounce music
Bounce music is an energetic style of New Orleans hip hop music which is said to have originated as early as the late 1980s, but is typically believed to have begun with the 1991 single "Where Dey At" by MC T.Tucker and DJ Irv...
, produced by the Cash Money Records in-house producer Mannie Fresh
Mannie Fresh
Byron O. Thomas, better known by his stage name Mannie Fresh, is currently an artist and hip-hop producer who records for Def Jam South and his own division Chubby Boy Records...
. While their music did not gain much national attention, it was regionally successful in the New Orleans area. Speaking about his time in the music industry in 2008, Mannie Fresh
Mannie Fresh
Byron O. Thomas, better known by his stage name Mannie Fresh, is currently an artist and hip-hop producer who records for Def Jam South and his own division Chubby Boy Records...
described U.N.L.V.'s work as the "essence of hip-hop".
Music career
Their debut album, 6th and Baronne, was released in 1993 on Cash Money. The album was not released outside of the local region, but it was very successful in the area and established Cash Money as a prominent label in the city. Today it is often considered a classic of New Orleans rap. Their next two albums, Straight Out Tha Gutta in 1994 and Mac Melph Calio in 1995, were similar to their debut. The rappers rapped mostly about guns, violence, and sex over New Orleans bounceBounce music
Bounce music is an energetic style of New Orleans hip hop music which is said to have originated as early as the late 1980s, but is typically believed to have begun with the 1991 single "Where Dey At" by MC T.Tucker and DJ Irv...
beats provided by Mannie Fresh
Mannie Fresh
Byron O. Thomas, better known by his stage name Mannie Fresh, is currently an artist and hip-hop producer who records for Def Jam South and his own division Chubby Boy Records...
. The group released one more album on Cash Money in 1996, titled Uptown 4 Life. This was the group's first album to have more than a local distribution, and it was their first and to date only album to chart nationally, peaking at #86 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The album featured the song "Drag 'Em in the River", which was a diss
Diss
Diss is a town in Norfolk, England close to the border with the neighbouring East Anglian county of Suffolk.The town lies in the valley of the River Waveney, around a mere that covers . The mere is up to deep, although there is another of mud, making it one of the deepest natural inland lakes...
song directed at fellow New Orleans rapper Mystikal
Mystikal
Michael Lawrence Tyler , better known by his stage name Mystikal, is an American rapper, and actor from New Orleans.-1993-1994: Early career:...
. The song is now one of the group's most well known songs. According to Mannie Fresh in a 2008 interview, the song's beat was the major reason Cash Money was able to sign rapper Juvenile
Juvenile (rapper)
Terius Gray, better known by his stage name Juvenile, is an American rapper, He is also a former member of hip-hop group the Hot Boys . At the age of 19, he began recording raps, releasing his debut album Being Myself in 1995...
, and in 2001 the same beat was reused for Juvenile's single "Set It Off". The group's success was tempered however by the death of group member Yella Boy, who was murdered in New Orleans.
Following this album the group left Cash Money Records
Cash Money Records
Cash Money Records is a record label founded by brothers Bryan "Birdman" Williams and Ronald "Slim" Williams. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed by Universal Republic Records as of 2011...
. Although the group was no longer on the label, Cash Money began re-releasing the group's albums and giving them national distribution. This would later lead to a lawsuit from the group against the label, claiming they could not re-release their material without their permission when they were not on the label. The suit was settled in July 2007, with the settlement being confidential.
After leaving Cash Money the group went on a hiatus for some time, but in the 2000s they have released two more studio albums, The Return of U.N.L.V.: Trendsetters in 2001 and Keep It Gutta in 2003. Following the settlement of their 2007 lawsuit with Cash Money, they are reportedly working on the release of new material.
Discography
Studio Albums:- 6th and Baronne (1993)
- Straight Out tha Gutta (1994)
- Mac Melph Calio (1995)
- Uptown 4 Life (1996)
- Greatest Hits with New Songs (1997)
- The Return of U.N.L.V.: Trendsetters (2001)
- Keep It Gutta (2003)
- Gutta for Life (2004)