NOLA rap group U.N.L.V. settles lawsuit with Cash Money Records
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Money Records
The New Orleans based rap group U.N.L.V. recently reached a settlement
with its former label, Cash Money Records (United States District
Court Eastern District of Louisiana Civil Action 05-1224). Their
lawsuit sought payment for six recordings recorded while part of the
Cash Money Records Label. With ties finally severed, post-settlement,
U.N.L.V. is negotiating with others to re-master and re-release all of
their previous recordings. Reginald Manuel ("Tec-9") of U.N.L.V. is
also working on a new cache of material for release.
The New Orleans based rap group U.N.L.V. has finalized its settlement
with former label, Cash Money Records (United States District Court
Eastern District of Louisiana Civil Action 05-1224).
U.N.L.V. sued Cash Money Records for failure to compensate for six
recordings put out through Cash Money Records label. After U.N.L.V.
left the label, Cash Money Records continued to distribute and sell
U.N.L.V.'s recording for years. Terms of the settlement are
confidential.
With the settlement completed, members of U.N.L.V., Reginald Manuel
("Tec-9") and Yaphet Jones ("Lil Ya"), are negotiating to re-master
and re-release their original recordings. Tec-9 is also working on new
material due next year.
U.N.L.V. was one of the first groups to sign with the then upstart,
Cash Money Records, in 1992. U.N.L.V. is credited with forming the
ubiquitous gangsta/bounce trend in New Orleans that was soon copied
nationally. Best known for their single entitled Drag 'Em from the
River, UNLV's music has been broadcast on radio stations and club
playslists throughout the nation since the early 1990's. Recordings by
U.N.L.V. include: "6th and Barone;" "Straight out the Gutta;" "Mac-
Melph-Calio;" "Straight from tha Ramp" (Solo recorded by Tec-9);
"Uptown for Life;" "Greatest Hits" and "Trend Setters: The Return of
U.N.L.V."
U.N.L.V.'s Manuel and Jones lost their homes and livelihood in New
Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and the ensuing flood, in 2005. The
third member of the group, Albert Thomas ("Yella Boyee"), was murdered
in 1996. Manuel and Jones are currently exiled in Texas, but plan to
return to New Orleans in the near future to continue their careers in
the music industry.
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