No Limit Records was one of the most successful hip hop record labels of the late 1990s and early 2000s, founded by rapper and entrepreneur Master P. Based in New Orleans, the label was home to a roster of popular Southern hip hop artists including Silkk The Shocker, C-Murder, Mia X, and Mystikal. After years of meteoric success, No Limit began to decline in the early 2000s, with Master P eventually shuttering the label in 2003. However, in 2022 it was announced that No Limit would be reuniting for a highly anticipated reunion tour, featuring many of the label’s biggest stars performing together for the first time in nearly two decades.
Background on No Limit Records
No Limit Records was founded in 1990 in Richmond, CA by rapper Percy “Master P” Miller. After relocating to New Orleans in the mid-1990s, No Limit began to take off, pioneering the popular ” Southern bounce” sound. The label focused on churning out music at a prolific rate, putting out multiple albums and projects per year. Between 1995 and 1999, No Limit sold over 75 million records worldwide, making it one of the most commercially successful labels in hip hop history. Master P leveraged the brand into other business ventures as well, including fashion, film, real estate, and more. At its peak, it was estimated that No Limit had a net worth of over $560 million. However, tensions began brewing within the label, and by 2003 Master P had shuttered No Limit to focus on other pursuits.
Major Artists on No Limit Records
Here are some of the major artists that found success on No Limit Records:
| Artist | Notable Songs/Albums |
|---|---|
| Master P | “Make Em Say Uhh!,” “Bout It Bout It,” “I Miss My Homies” |
| Silkk The Shocker | “It Ain’t My Fault,” “Charge It 2 Da Game” |
| C-Murder | “Down for My N’s,” “Life or Death” |
| Mia X | “Mama’s Bad Boy,” “Rumble In the Jungle” |
| Mystikal | “Shake Ya Ass,” “Danger (Been So Long)” |
| Snoop Dogg | “Down 4 My N’s,” “Loosen’ Control” |
Other notable acts include Fiend, Kane & Abel, Magic, Mercedes, Mr. Serv-On, Skull Duggery, Sonya C, Steady Mobb’n, Tre-8, and Young Bleed.
The 2022 No Limit Reunion Tour
In February 2022, Master P announced that he would be reuniting No Limit for a massive tour celebrating the label’s legacy. The tour is scheduled to kick off on March 1st in Manchester, UK, and will continue through cities across Europe and the United States before culminating with a final show in Hawaii in early June.
Some of the major artists confirmed to be participating in the reunion tour include:
- Master P
- Silkk The Shocker
- C-Murder
- Mia X
- Fiend
Other artists slated to make appearances include Snoop Dogg, who collaborated with No Limit in the 90s, as well as Curren$y, who was briefly signed to the label.
In an Instagram post announcing the tour, Master P said, “It’s about that time we give the people what they been waiting for …The tour y’all been asking for is going down this Spring!” Fans immediately expressed enthusiasm and nostalgia for the opportunity to see some of No Limit’s biggest stars reunite on stage.
Anticipation and Excitement
There is massive anticipation among hip hop fans for the opportunity to re-live the No Limit era. For many who grew up during the late 90s and early 2000s, the label’s distinctive Southern sound was a core part of hip hop culture and memory. The reunion has been trending on social media, with fans reminiscing about the label’s massive cultural impact.
On Twitter, rapper and producer Juicy J summed up the feelings of many: “That No Limit tour gon be so nostalgic. Ready to see Percy and them back on stage!”
Others tweeted their plans to buy tickets and travel to multiple shows on the reunion tour. It seems likely that many dates will sell out quickly as fans jump on the chance to see No Limit together again.
Setlist Speculation
Though an official setlist has not yet been announced, fans have been speculating wildly about what songs the reunited No Limit artists might perform. Certain hits seem guaranteed to make the setlist, like Master P’s “Make Em Say Uhh!” and Silkk The Shocker’s “It Ain’t My Fault.” Fans are also hoping to hear classics like “Down 4 My N’s,” “I’m Bout It Bout It,” and “Shake Ya Ass.”
There’s also anticipation around potential surprise guest appearances, with many hoping that OG No Limit members like TRU and Mr. Serv-On might show up to perform a few songs. A joint set featuring No Limit together with their frequent collaborators the 504 Boyz could also be a possibility.
Regardless of the final setlist, it’s sure to be a high-energy collection of No Limit’s greatest hits that will have audiences reminiscing about the label’s prime years.
The Legacy of No Limit Records
At its commercial peak in the late 90s, No Limit helped put the Southern rap sound on the map, proving that independent hip hop labels could find massive mainstream success. Songs like “Make ‘Em Say Uhh!” helped usher in an era where Southern bounce and gangsta rap styles became dominant forces, paving the way for the rise of Cash Money, Three 6 Mafia, Lil Wayne, and others.
Beyond just music, No Limit was a pioneering, black-owned business that showed the potential for rap labels to expand into wider media and products. Master P’s savvy business sense made the brand ubiquitous in everything from movies to fashion, while also providing opportunities for community engagement and empowerment in New Orleans.
The label was not without its controversies and criticisms either. Some felt No Limit propagated unoriginal, formulaic music and negative stereotypes about the South. But its influence during its peak years is undeniable, and many of its albums are considered classics of the era.
For a generation of hip hop fans, No Limit encapsulates memories of an entire cultural moment. By reuniting the label’s stars, the 2022 tour offers a welcome blast of nostalgia and a chance to celebrate Southern rap’s legacy. It’s sure to be a massive success if it can capture just a fraction of the excitement and impact that No Limit had in its prime.
Conclusion
The announcement of the 2022 No Limit Records reunion tour has sparked excitement among hip hop fans worldwide. Getting to see Master P, Silkk The Shocker, C-Murder, Mia X and other stars back on stage together will be a special moment for anyone who grew up immersed in the label’s distinctive bounce and swagger. The chance to revisit No Limit’s classic hits promises to be a feel-good dose of musical nostalgia. For one summer, fans will get to go back in time and experience the fiery energy that made No Limit a dominant cultural force in rap. Though just a temporary revival, the reunion tour will remind the world just how influential this independent hip-hop empire from New Orleans really was at its peak.
