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Thizz Entertainment is a
San Francisco Bay Area The San Francisco Bay Area, often referred to as simply the Bay Area, is a populous region surrounding the San Francisco, San Pablo, and Suisun Bay estuaries in Northern California. The Bay Area is defined by the Association of Bay Area Go ...
-based,
independent record label An independent record label (or indie label) is a record label that operates without the funding or distribution of major record labels; they are a type of small- to medium-sized enterprise, or SME. The labels and artists are often represented ...
, started in 1999 by rapper and music producer Andre Hicks, who was professionally known as rapper
Mac Dre Andre Louis Hicks (July 5, 1970 – November 1, 2004), known by his stage name Mac Dre, was an American rapper from Vallejo, California. He was an instrumental figure in the emergence of hyphy The term hyphy ( ) is Oakland slang meaning "h ...
. Best known as a
poster child A poster child (sometimes poster boy or poster girl) is, according to the original meaning of the term, a child afflicted by some disease or deformity whose picture is used on posters or other media as part of a campaign to raise money or enlist ...
of the hyphy movement that swept through the Bay Area in the 1990s and early 2000s. In 2004, Hicks was murdered by an unknown assailant while traveling after a performance in
Kansas City, Missouri Kansas City (abbreviated KC or KCMO) is the largest city in Missouri by population and area. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 508,090 in 2020, making it the 36th most-populous city in the United States. It is the central ...
. Upon Hicks's death and at his written direction, his mother, Wanda Salvatto, (affectionally known as "Mac Wanda") became owner and CEO. There are no artists signed to the label and the company's primary focus is to manage Mac Dre's expansive music catalog of over 25 albums, preserve his legacy, and to hold artistic events to honor his memory.


Background

Mac Dre was a rapper of many monikers, a natural comedian with an incredible work ethic, and an artist who forever changed the course of Bay Area hip-hop. From recording verses through a phone while serving time for a robbery charge to bringing phrases like "thizz," "go dumb," and "ghost ride the whip" into the lexicon, Dre left an indelible mark on his community during his short but prolific lifetime. "It was always just great energy," friend and fellow rapper
Mistah F.A.B Stanley Petey Cox (born January 23, 1982), better known by his stage name Mistah F.A.B. (backronym for Money Is Something To Always Have–Forever After Bread), is an American rapper, songwriter, entrepreneur, community organizer and activist. ...
. says of his performances. "You felt like when you left the show, you left Mardi Gras. That's just how dope he was." In 1999, Hicks had relocated to Sacramento and founded Thizz Entertainment.


Music


1999-2004

From its creation, the label, has been fundamental in the growth and popularity of the
Bay Area The San Francisco Bay Area, often referred to as simply the Bay Area, is a populous region surrounding the San Francisco, San Pablo, and Suisun Bay estuaries in Northern California. The Bay Area is defined by the Association of Bay Area Gov ...
Hyphy The term hyphy ( ) is Oakland slang meaning "hyperactive". More specifically, it is an adjective describing the hip hop music and the culture associated with the area. The term was first coined by Oakland rapper Keak da Sneak. History The hyp ...
movement. Mac Dre's most popular albums including, '' Ronald Dregan: Dreganomics'', ''
The Genie of the Lamp ''The Genie of the Lamp'' is the tenth studio album by Bay Area rapper Mac Dre released on July 20, 2004. Track listing #"Genie of the Lamp" #"She Neva Seen" #"Early Retirement" #"Out There" #"My Alphabets" (feat. Suga Free and Rappin' 4-Tay) #"E ...
'', ''
Thizzelle Washington ''Thizzelle Washington'' is the seventh full-length album by the late Bay Area rapper Mac Dre. Released in 2002, this album introduced the "Thizzle Dance", based on the track of the same name. Track listing #"Intro" - 1:37 (featuring Yukmouth) ...
'', ''
Mac Dre's the Name ''Mac Dre's the Name'' is the fifth studio album by Bay Area rapper Mac Dre released on June 13, 2001. The title track is not to be confused with an earlier track of the same name, which appeared on Mac Dre's debut EP '' Young Black Brotha'' in 1 ...
'', were released under the label and distributed locally in partnership with City Hall Records in San Rafael.


2004 - Present

Dedicated to protecting the works and legacy of Mac Dre, the label does not sign recording artists. Rappers and musicians that were previously associated with Mac Dre and his labels, and are still active in music, continue to support the label's efforts by promoting the brand within their own endeavors, paying homage by adding a "Thizz" prefix to their own label or production company. However, outside of this small and exclusive group, "Many in the rap game attach themselves to the term ''“thizz”'' to make a name for themselves and ride Mac Dre's coattails" said Black Dog Bone, editor of Vallejo-based ''Murder Dog'' magazine, which chronicles the rap scene. The label, unaware of how frequently rappers and others were self associating themselves the label was shocked to learn in April 2012, eight years after Hicks's death, Thizz Entertainment was named by US Drug Enforcement agents in connection with the mass arrest of 25 individuals in Vallejo, Stockton, Fairfield,
Oakland Oakland is the largest city and the county seat of Alameda County, California, United States. A major West Coast port, Oakland is the largest city in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, the third largest city overall in the Bay A ...
,
Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...
,
New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...
, and
Oklahoma City Oklahoma City (), officially the City of Oklahoma City, and often shortened to OKC, is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, it ranks 20th among United States cities in population, a ...
. Several that were arrested had falsely purported publicly to be signed and/or otherwise a part of the label. As of 2018, Former Thizz Entertainment artists continue to support and assist Salvatto in curtailing flagrant misuse or misrepresentation of affiliation to the current label or Mac Dre's brand by unauthorized third parties which is an on-going effort.


Annual Events

Ten years after his death, his mother was still receiving an excess of requests, comments, letters from young people, with stories of how Mac Dre affected them or got them through tough times in their young lives. “I didn't realize how big his presence was in the Bay Area and actually across the United States ” stated Salvatto. She wanted to give young artists a chance who may not otherwise have an opportunity to showcase their talent.


Dre Area: The Mac Dre Art Show

In 2015, the label began to host an annual ''Dre Area:The Mac Dre Art Show'' in Oakland. The event showcases art pieces by various artists nationwide that are inspired by Mac Dre legacy.


Mac Dre Day

In 2018, the label held its 3rd annual Mac Dre Day in San Francisco at
The Regency Ballroom The Scottish Rites Bodies Regency Center (commonly known as the Regency Center) is a multi-use events venue located in San Francisco. at the intersection of Van Ness Avenue and Sutter Street. It opened in 1909 as a masonic lodge. In later years, ...
on July 5, what would have been Mac Dre's 48th birthday. “One of the reasons it's important” for the event to happen “is that he had an impact on young people in the Bay Area,” said Mac Wanda, going by the name because “that's what the kids call me.” The event was hosted by rapper Mally Mall and San Francisco radio station
KMEL KMEL (106.1 FM) is an urban contemporary radio station that is licensed to San Francisco, California, and serving the San Francisco Bay Area. It is owned and operated by iHeartMedia. KMEL has studios located in the SoMa district, and broadcasts ...
's DJ Amen and featured performances by
Tyga Michael Ray Nguyen-StevensonMicheal Ray Stevenson ...
,
Nef The Pharaoh Tonee Hayes (born January 11, 1995), better known by his stage name Nef the Pharaoh, is an American rapper from Vallejo, California. In 2014 he was selected by fans as the "Bay Area Freshman of the Year" in a yearly contest held by Thizzler.com. ...
,
Mistah F.A.B Stanley Petey Cox (born January 23, 1982), better known by his stage name Mistah F.A.B. (backronym for Money Is Something To Always Have–Forever After Bread), is an American rapper, songwriter, entrepreneur, community organizer and activist. ...
.,
Philthy Rich Phillip Anthony Beasley (born January 30, 1983), known professionally as Philthy Rich is an American rapper. He first began his career in 2007 when he recruited fellow rappers Mistah F.A.B., J. Stalin, Shady Nate, Beeda Weeda, Ray Ryda, Eddi P ...
, Coolio Da Unda Dogg,
Baby Bash Ronald Ray Bryant (born October 18, 1969), better known by his stage name Baby Bash (formerly Baby Beesh), is an American rapper. From 1995 until 1998, as part of Dope House Records, after which he changed the last part of his stage name to "Bas ...
more, including several known rappers from the bay area that Mac Dre would frequently collaborate on songs over the years. There has been no incidents of negative occurrence at the events with Salvatto stating that she thinks fans understand that the show's organizer is his mother.


Other Media

Thizz Entertainment created the DVD series ''Treal TV'' In 2014, veteran actor,
Tray Chaney Tray Chaney is an American actor. He appeared on the HBO program ''The Wire'' as Poot Carr, which became his most successful acting role. He also appears in the Bounce TV soap opera Saints & Sinners as Kendrick. Career Chaney began his entert ...
, best known on the popular HBO drama series,
The Wire ''The Wire'' is an American Crime film, crime drama Television show, television series created and primarily written by author and former police reporter David Simon. The series was broadcast by the cable network HBO in the United States. ''The ...
, announced that he has been selected to produce as star in two upcoming Mac Dre films in partnership with Thizz Entertainment. Inspired by the rapper
Drake Drake may refer to: Animals * A male duck People and fictional characters * Drake (surname), a list of people and fictional characters with the family name * Drake (given name), a list of people and fictional characters with the given name * ...
after he spoke to Salvatto on how much Mac Dre impacted his life and career, in 2015, Thizz Entertainment released the documentary, ''Legend of the Bay,'' narrated by rapper and journalist
Sway Calloway Sway Calloway is an American journalist, radio personality, executive producer and former rapper. Known as Sway, he is known for hosting music, news, and culture programming. He was the co-host of the nationally syndicated radio show ''The Wake U ...
. The documentary details the Bay Area legend's life and includes never-before-seen concert footage, home movies, exclusive interviews with Mac Dre's friends, family, and music artists such as
Wiz Khalifa Cameron Jibril Thomaz (born September 8, 1987), better known by his stage name Wiz Khalifa, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor. He released his debut album, ''Show and Prove'', in 2006 and signed to Warner Bros. Records in 200 ...
,
Tech N9ne Aaron Dontez Yates (born November 8, 1971), better known by his stage name Tech N9ne (pronounced "tech nine"), is an American rapper. In 1999, he and business partner Travis O'Guin founded the record label Strange Music. He has sold over two m ...
, and
Warren G Warren Griffin III (born November 10, 1970) is an American rapper and producer known for his role in West Coast rap's 1990s ascent.Steve Huey"Warren G: Biography" ''AllMusic.com'', Netaktion LLC, visited May 8, 2020. Along with Snoop Dogg and N ...
.


References

{{Authority control American record labels Hip hop record labels Companies based in Solano County, California 1999 establishments in California Gangsta rap record labels