Darkroom Familia

Darkroom Familia is a Chicano rap group with artists from various parts of Northern California. They were originally formed in 1988. Like other burgeoning gangster rappers of the era, major labels weren't quick to sign such bands, so the band members had to sell their tapes by taking them personally to record stores in the area as word of mouth spread. Darkroom Familia became one of rap's most prolific bands, issuing albums (by the band or solo releases by its members) at an extremely brisk rate. They also released one of the first all-Spanish rap albums in the United States under the name Los Traficantes - Matan Mi Gente. Darkroom started with black & white cassette singles, selling them out of the trunk, all over the Bay Area and Northern California. They eventually made enough noise to secure distribution through Oakland's now-defunct Music People (home to many successful Bay Area rap artists including Cougnut, IMP, Richie Rich, 415, Posse, Chunk, Totally Insane, Master P, TRU, and Dre Dog). Throughout the '90s, Darkroom Familia toured regionally and across the country, performing alongside E-40, Too $hort, Ice Cube, Rodney O & Joe Cooley, 2nd II None, R. Kelly, Black Sheep, The Coup, The Conscious Daughters, and Zapp & Roger. They continued releasing albums but their first real hit was "From The Barrio With Love," which led them to sign with Sunset Blvd Records./Warner Bros. Records for the major label release of the album. One of the executives at the label, asked Darkroom to join him on his new label, Explicit Entertainment. After recording six albums for Explicit, Darkroom was being pursued by Dogday Records, who had just sold an impressive 75,000 albums of 11/5 "Fiendin' 4 tha Funk." Darkoom's only intention were to become the biggest and first Latino supergroup. Their plan was to release a movie and soundtrack at the same time. A salivating Dogday Records eagerly signed them. Darkroom Familia was now label-mates with Andre Nickatina, 11/5 and The Coup. They signed for a very brief period, only releasing six albums. After their contractual obligations were over, Darkroom decided to stay independent and signed a distribution deal with City Hall Records. Darkroom Familia's "Penitentiary Chances" was the first film released and distributed by Bay Area rappers and has now reached cult-status, along with their other film "Veteranos." Darkroom Familia made the cover of Murder Dog magazine. They were the first Northern Cali Latin rappers to have that honor. They have also appeared in numerous publications including Lowrider, The Source, Rap Pages, Billboard, 4080, XXL, Rap Sheet, BAM and many more. Since the late '90s, they continued making films and have now released over 17 films to date. They have worked with such actors as: Jesse Borrego ("Blood In Blood Out," "Con Air," "Mi Vida Loca," Fox TV's "24"), Angel Aviles ("Desperado," "Mi Vida Loca), Todd Bridges ("Everybody Hates Chris," "Diff'rent Strokes"), Wee-Man ("Jackass") and more. Though most of their films are gritty, action-packed stories, they've also done their fair share of horror films and comedy; most notably the "I Got Five On It" franchise (which has become the "Friday" of the 2000s). During the last 20 plus years, they have released over 100 albums to date. They are currently signed with City Hall Records, home to Mac Dre and Thizz Entertainment.

Source: Wikipedia

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