Swishahouse is a Houston,
TexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
-based independent southern rap record label.
History
Swishahouse was founded in North Houston in the late 1990s by Michael '5000' Watts and
OG Ron CRonald Coleman , better known for his stage name OG RON C, is an American record producer, radio personality, DJ, and entertainment and management company executive. He is a radio host for the Houston-based urban music online radio station chopnotslop.com, former DJ for Chamillionaire and current...
as a response to the popularity of
chopped and screwedChopped and screwed refers to a technique of remixing hip hop music which developed in the Houston hip hop scene in the 1990s...
music from Houston's south side. The label began by distributing mixtape series such as
Before da Kappa,
After da Kappa,
Choppin Em Up and
Fuck ActionRonald Coleman , better known for his stage name OG RON C, is an American record producer, radio personality, DJ, and entertainment and management company executive. He is a radio host for the Houston-based urban music online radio station chopnotslop.com, former DJ for Chamillionaire and current...
(which featured chopped and screwed versions of
R&BContemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
songs). Acres Homes/Northside/Homestead are where many of the current/former artists hail.
A song that originally appeared on the compilation album
The Day Hell Broke Loose 2,
Mike JonesMichael "Mike" Jones is an American southern rap artist, who initially was affiliated with the record label Swishahouse, then left to be the owner of Ice Age Entertainment....
' "
Still Tippin'"Still Tippin" is the first official single taken from the Mike Jones' album Who Is Mike Jones?. The last verse was given to rapper Paul Wall after a feud between Jones and fellow artist Chamillionaire, resulting in Chamillionaire's departure from Swishahouse.The beat, produced by Salih Williams,...
", achieved mainstream success in 2004, leading to Swishahouse signing a national distribution deal with
Asylum RecordsAsylum Records is an American record label founded in 1971 by David Geffen, and partner Elliot Roberts, who had previously worked as agents at the William Morris Agency. Founded specifically to provide a record contract for Jackson Browne, the label signed Tom Waits, Linda Ronstadt, Joni Mitchell...
. Jones released his major label debut,
Who Is Mike Jones?, on Swishahouse/
Warner Bros.Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
in April 2005; the album was certified platinum that June.
Aftermath A&R Angelo Sanders said that the great advantage to independents like Swishahouse is that, "They're able to get their product out on the streets to specific regions at a greater speed than a major ... They're able to flood that whole Texas market with a product before the majors are able to notice what is going on out there."
Paul WallPaul Michael Slayton , better known by his stage name Paul Wall, is an American rapper. He is currently affiliated with Swishahouse Records, having released several albums under the label as well as...
's major label debut,
The Peoples ChampThe Peoples Champ is the major label debut album by rapper Paul Wall. The album debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, selling 176,000 copies its first week. This is his second studio album overall and first to reach #1 on the Billboard 200. This album is also available in a Chopped...
, on Swishahouse/
AtlanticAtlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
, was released in September 2005, eventually topping the
Billboard 200The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
. Before embarking on his rap career and while still at school, Wall had worked in the Swishahouse office.
In 2006
Dope House RecordsDope House Records is an independent record company based in Houston, Texas. It primarily releases all hardcore and Underground Southern hip hop.-History:...
and Swishahouse teamed up to release
South Park MexicanCarlos Coy , better known by his stage name South Park Mexican, is an American rapper, founder of Dope House Records, and convicted felon...
's ninth album,
When Devils StrikeWhen Devil's Strike is the 9th album released by South Park Mexican. It was released on Dope House Records in 2006. The CD sold approximately 50,000 copies the 1st week & landed as 46 on the billboard charts. The CD consists of 15 tracks...
. A chopped and screwed version was also released.
Mike Jones has started his own record label
Ice Age EntertainmentIce Age Entertainment is a record label created and owned by southern rapper Mike Jones and business partner Ray "Mello" Moore. The record label was created around late 2001. Mike Jones has re-signed with Swishahouse, and has come to terms with them. Swishahouse will now distribute albums released...
, which is now distributed by Swishahouse.
Artists
- Michael '5000' Watts
- Paul Wall
Paul Michael Slayton , better known by his stage name Paul Wall, is an American rapper. He is currently affiliated with Swishahouse Records, having released several albums under the label as well as...
- Lil Keke
- Yung Redd
- F.A.M. 420 (Magno aka Magnificent, Coota Bang, Archie Lee, and Konan)
- Dallas
- Surreal
- Lil' Young
- Badbwoy BMC
- DJ Mankind
- Felony
- E-Class
- Hazel-E
Former Artists
- Aqualeo (Priceless & Acie High)
- Big Tiger
- Chamillionaire
Hakeem Seriki , better known by his stage name Chamillionaire, is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. He is the CEO of Chamillitary Entertainment. Chamillionaire is also the founder and an original member of The Color Changin' Click...
- Slim Thug
Stayve Jerome Thomas , better known as Slim Thug, Boss Hogg or Thug Boss, is an American rapper. He gained mainstream attention for his contribution to the popular single from rapper Mike Jones, "Still Tippin'"....
- Mike Jones
Michael "Mike" Jones is an American southern rap artist, who initially was affiliated with the record label Swishahouse, then left to be the owner of Ice Age Entertainment....
- 50/50 Twin
- Big Pic
- A.D. Green
- Lil' Mario
- Lil' Trey
- Sabwarfare
- Big Redd
- OG Ron C
Ronald Coleman , better known for his stage name OG RON C, is an American record producer, radio personality, DJ, and entertainment and management company executive. He is a radio host for the Houston-based urban music online radio station chopnotslop.com, former DJ for Chamillionaire and current...
- J Dawg
- Lil Pat
- Blyndcyde
- Lester Roy
- Alley Cat
- Lil' Ron
- Al Bolden
- PJ
- Krazy Man
- Lew Hawk