Rap-a-Lot Records (AKA Rap-a-Lot 4 Life) is a Houston hip hop record label. Rap-a-Lot was created in 1986. Sublabels include Smoke-a-Lot Records. The label was founded by James Smith (A.K.A. J Prince) in the mid-1980s and, with its most famous act the Geto Boys, put the South on the hip hop map. Since then, it has maintained its success and focus on gangsta and southern rap. It was referenced by The Notorious B.I.G. on the song "Flava in Ya Ear (remix)" when he said, "I'm not from Houston, but I Rap-a-Lot." At the end of the Devin the Dude song, "What a Job" featuring Snoop Dogg, Snoop congratulates the record company, "J. Prince, Jazz Prince, Rap-a-Lot, still on top, 2007". Geto Boys were the labels first nationally popular act, while Devin the Dude remains the labels long-running act, who the New York Times calls "A brilliant oddball with a spaced-out flow."
J. Prince Jr., the son of J. Prince, has a label under Rap-a-Lot called Southern Empire Entertainment.
James Smith's name has also been rumored in the death of Southern Hip Hop Pioneer DJ Screw of a codeine overdose,many have question the drug & music affiliation the Houston Rap scene is known for. It was just recently announced that Devin The Dude, Yukmouth & Trae had all left the label.
