Black Market Records

Black Market Records is an American record label based in Sacramento, California, founded in 1989.^[1] Its acts included Brotha Lynch Hung and X-Raided.^[2] Although Black Market Records is an independent label, it operates in multiple countries on a scale that is unprecedented for independent labels. Black Market has branches in Kenya, Uganda, Ghana & Cuba and has artists on its roster from across US, Latin America & Africa.

Black Market Records
Distributor(s)	EMPIRE
Genre	Hip hop
Country of origin	United States
Location	Sacramento, California
Official website	blackmarketrecords.com
Slogan	"Hounds Of Tha Underground"

History

Black Market Records was founded in 1989 by Cedric Singleton.^[3] In 1992 the label released Sacramento rapper X-Raided's album "Psycho Active" featuring Brotha Lynch Hung.^[2] In 1993 the label released Brotha Lynch Hung's EP 24 Deep, which rose to no. 91 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart,^[4] the label's first album to chart. Brotha Lynch Hung later released "Season of da Siccness", the label's second album to chart.^[4] After Lynch released his second LP, Loaded, he began a long-standing feud with label head Singleton over the rights to his back catalog.

During the sessions of EBK4, a home invasion took place during which the thieves had taken songs still in progress. Due to the disputes, Black Market released EBK4 without Lynch's permission, using other artists off the label to complete unfinished songs where extra verses were needed. This practice continued with Brotha Lynch's catalog including the solo album The Virus in 2001, and three compilations, Appearances: Book 1, Remains: Book II, and Book III, in 2002. Brotha Lynch Hung left Black Market in 2003. X-Raided left Black Market after his contract was fufilled in 2000.^[5]

Acts

Current

• Friction
• Gatorman
• Hanabal
• Insanity
• Jacavelli 190
• Luchiano Brigante
• Nicca Sicc
• Pharaoh Davinci
• Young Dooby
• Yung Roe
• Sha Hef
• Daddy Andre
• Nina Roz
• Tarel Tala
• Neliah
• Emilian Starz
• Nandeboyz
• Johnny Benzx
• Kwesi Mafia
• Khemi Tunez
• AGS Remedy
• Marck Don
• Junior Gentle
• Zari Dancers
• Felista Da Superstar
• Riff
• Rako Gynius
• Legion East
• King Baganda
• Beni Boyz
• Dynaso Wegoso

Former

• 187
• The 916 Alliance
• Bandana tha Ragg
• B.P.M.
• Big Lurch
• Black Dynasty
• Black Rhino
• Brotha Lynch Hung
• C-Bo
• Cold World Hustlers
• D-Flex
• Daz Dillinger
• DC Ray
• Doomsday Productions
• Endangered Species
• Fed-X
• Foe
• G-Macc
• Gangsta Dre
• Ganksta NIP
• Habeas Corpus
• Keak da Sneak
• Kock D ZEL
• Mr. Doctor
• Mozzy
• P.C.O.
• Pizo
• Sicx
• Triple Beam
• W.B.K. Mobb
• X-Raided^[2]

References

1. "Black Market Records - Better Business Bureau Profile". Better Business Bureau.
2. Boucher, Geoff (17 November 2002). "Tied by music and murder". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
3. Anderson, Mark (October 3, 1999). "Record exec spins off into hotel biz". Sacramento Business Journal.
4. "Brotha Lynch Hung". Archived from the original on 2015-09-19.
5. "Incarcerated Sacramento Rapper X-Raided Speaks on Brotha Lynch Hung & Black Markets Ced FB Feud".

External links

• Black Market Records discography at Discogs