Founded by James Smith in 1986 and soon became a prominent independent hip-hop label in the region. In 1991 the label teamed up with Priority Records to manufacture & distribute releases. This deal lasted until 1994, when Rap-A-Lot switched over to Noo Trybe Records (which was under Virgin Records America, Inc.) for distribution. Many of the label's classic albums released under Priority were re-issued through Noo Trybe in 1995. Around 1997/98 Virgin Records became the main parent label for Rap-A-Lot until around 2003/04.