Although many independent labels appeared in the wake of New Orleans's 1991 bounce explosion, Parkway Pumpin' was one of the first. It was also one of the most influential stables of talent, although the limited finances of KLC (the man behind the boards) resulted in precious few recordings. When Master P relocated No Limit from Richmond, California to New Orleans, most of the original roster (aside from his siblings) was taken directly from the legendary Parkway label.Most of Parkway Pumpin's associates never got around to recording with the label. Artists like Fiend, Mac (as Lil Mac The Lyrical Midget), Mystikal Mike (as Mystikal), Mr. Serv-On and Da Hound (Da Gert Town Hounds/Full Blooded) all went on to record popular records at No Limit without having anything released in their time at Parkway Pumpin'. Only one future No Limit Soldier did, Soulja Slim.
39 Posse
DJ KLC was born Craig S. Lawson. He grew up in the Melpomene projects. His father played saxophone and Lawson, nicknamed "The Drum Major," followed in his musical footsteps, playing in the Green Middle School marching band.
The three met around 1985 when they competed in breakdancing contests.Lawson later moved to a house in Uptown on Parkway. Lawson's production genius can scarcely be exaggerated and he deserves to be as widely recognized as the justly lauded Mannie Fresh, who was a childhood friend. They both began producing around the same time. A year after Fresh's production debut with Gregory D, DJ KLC and DJ Treble appeared on MC J Ro J's "Ain't Nuthin Nice" in 1988.
39 Posse released their debut EP in 1989 but caught legal flack over some lyrics and it was quickly withdrawn. They returned to the studio with the intention of remixing the offending songs and ended up recording all new material. They released a single
39 Automatic
In 1993, 39 Posse dropped their debut full-length, 39 Automatic. Songs like "Ask Them Hoes," show KLC's nascent sound to already be immediately distinguishable from other triggerman-employing producers with his use of deep, sustained bass and martial snares. "Stuntin' Stars," "Bitch I'm Dart" and "Pass the Snake" are like a low budget, gutter versions of later Beats By the Pound produced tracks, with their hard beats and bluesy piano. For fans of No Limit's production, it's well worth seeking out.
On Parkway Pumpin' there were obviously no contracts, and artists including KLC himself often simultaneously worked at other labels. In 1994, KLC played keyboards and 39 Posse produced EXD's No Elevation for In the House Records. Mystikal (now minus the "Mike") recorded his debut at Big Boy, where KLC also produced a track for veteran New Orleans rapper Sporty T.
Magnolia Slim recorded Parkway Pumpin's sole release in '94, his debut, Soulja fa Lyfe. To fans of Soulja Slim's later stuff, it's immediately clear that this too is the work of someone most commonly described as being "the realest." Here is the New Orleans susperstar who, though having a slightly higher voice, is already mixing crudeness, scariness and humor on highlights like "Kickin it for them Hoes" and "Powda Bag" in a captivating combination that made him so enjoyed by so many.
In 1995, Magnolia Slim recorded The Dark Side EP (produced by KLC and featuring 6 Shot) at Hype Enough. Fiend followed Mystikal to Big Boy and recorded his debut. That same year, Master P moved to his grandmother’s in New Orleans from his mother’s in Richmond, California. Back in California he'd established No Limit records with an inheritance from his grandfather in 1990. Though in California his solo records and West Coast Bad Boyz compilations were viewed by some as underground classics, he had little traction in the south. Once he arrived in New Orleans, he quickly signed Mia-X and Tre-8 to his label. In addition to them, P blew up into the household name he is today by signing most of the Parkway Pumpin' talent, including, most notably, KLC, who as the leading figure in Beats By The Pound transformed No Limit from a little-heard west coast label into a southern powerhouse that sold over 50 million units. In 1998, alleging across the board unfair business practices, nearly everyone left No Limit and most of Beats By the Pound, including KLC, who continued as leader of The Medicine Men.
Tragically, the previous year 39 Posse's 28-year-old Derrick Mushatt was shot nineteen times at the intersection of Philip and Clara. In 2003, 27-year-old Soulja Slim was shot four times on the way to a performance in front of his mother's home. MC Dart is still making music in New Orleans, as Poison Dart. KLC also lives on; a few years back he released this amazing song with former Parkway Pumpin' figure Fiend.
Relevant Tags
Bounce (16), 1990s (42), Klc (1), Gangsta Bounce (3), Uptown New Orleans (1), Soulja Slim (1), 39 Posse (1), Mannie Fresh (6), New Orleans Rap (17), Black History Month (103)Recent Posts From Eric Brightwell
Comments
I JUST WAS BORED AND DECIDED 2 GOOGLE MY DADS OLD RAP GROUP 2 C WHAT COMES UP AND WAS SHOCKED 2 EVEN FIND SOMETHING. FIRST OF ALL IM HIS OLDEST CHILD AND IT'S NICE 2 C THAT OLD GROUP'S LIKE 39 POSSE ARE STILL REMEMBERED AND RECONIZED. BUT I JUST HAVE 2 CLARIFY THIS MY FATHER NEVER WORKED ON AN OIL RIG OR AT ANY PIZZA PLACE. FURTHERMORE THE ACCIDENT U R REFERING 2 IS WHEN HE FELL DOWN THE ELAVATOR SHAFT, AND HE WAS NEVER ADDICTED 2 ANYTHING! YES HE TOOK THE PAIN PILLS FOR THE PAIN THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE FOR. I JUST DONT UNDERSTAND HOW THAT IS RELEVANT TO ANYTHING. PLEASE WHO EVER U ARE STATE FACTS OR NOTHING AT ALL. SMDH
Thank you Brittney for your corrections. I simply included any information I could find because there's so little out there. I still listen to 39 Posse on a regular basis. I got the bit about the oil rig and pizza from a Times Picayune article, if I remember correctly. I didn't mean any disrespect and I'll update the info. BTW, do you know MC Dart's real name? I can't find anything about him besides what he says on the album, in particular the song "Bitch I'm Dart." Also, any other info you want to add I'll happily include. Peace
Hello
Just wanted to comment on one of my favorite local rap group 39 posse' I was and still is a ultimate fan of 39 posse. I will forever be. But I have a question to ask.....When katrina hit us up my apartment was in garbage like everyone else was. I lost all my tapes, cd's, and posters of 39 posse. I love the song ASK DEM HOES. I learned that song from front to back, back to front and I miss my song alot. So my question is. How can I get my hands on this song again if I have to BUY it again I will. I love the instumental version it allows me to rap it along with the beat.
Please someone tell me how today. If so where can I get it again?
Thank You
From a number one fan of 39 posse
Randy Randolph from (Gretna)
I hope this isn't a double post.
Dart's real name is Dartanian Stovall.
39 actually had a album released in 1989 (they were breakdancers before then) but it was pulled off the shelves because of legal issues. They decided to scrap all the songs and record new stuff for their first tape.
Parkway Pumpin also had a group called 'Slugged Up Niggas' who released a 12 inch called 'Slugged Up Killas'. Reg was a part of that group.
Thanks for the info, T! I will incorporate it into the entry... and now I have to find that pulled 39 Posse record!
Also, Dart released a solo cd a few years back....you can find some of the snippets on his myspace.
http://www.myspace.com/thepoisondart
You should also make mention on your Mobo post, Ace Nitty (who was the other member of Lower Level with Mobo Joe) was killed. That is who the last verse of 'Same Thing Make You Laugh' is about.
@T done and done. Thanks for the info
I was hanging out with them during the days when these records were made. The records you say sound reminiscent of KLC were actually produced by Dart. You should be describing that sound of the South from years later as his sound if you want to be factual
If you can get in contact with Brittany Perkins or Brottney if you see this, I am your cousin Tonitia , your dad's niece. I would love to talk with you. E mail me please. demalisehardy@yahoo.com. Love
Happened to run across this on the web; just wanted to comment the article. You captured a lot of undisputed truth. This music is classic. Inspirations from Eric B and beyond. To grow in that New Orleans is a surreal memory for me even if I didn't get into everything that New Orleans has to offer. Of course everybody (or a lot...blessings to those who hate their pasts) feel like that about their growing years. Just like life is today for a lot of youth, good or bad, you're living it. Soulja Slim was a tremendous loss for those who believed in a change in market practices. Another great BLACK politician artist friend {etc} cut short of a life to provide and instill greatness to the minds of a many youth worldwide. KLC was and is instrumental -- pun intended of course -- to the world of music. I can't help but to pick up the influence of New Orleans in HITS out there today by many. And not to even mention the simple beauty of the beat...The Clipse's "I'm Good" seems like an allude to beats I've heard around school bands, (of which I wasn't in but I digress), the transformers in the apartment courtyards, cafeteria tables, on Rita...my fault, I'm writing more here than in my own blog, lol. Something about inspiration.