In the penetrating world of hip-hop and pop music, there is no denying the impact that Southern,

specifically the “Deep South”, music has had on the culture. Houston, Texas is the home of

various underground rap masters, many of whom paired their non-traditional business-savvy

and street smarts to grab the attention of the mainstream audience, which eventually created a

movement in hip-hop that is still thriving today. Powerful independent labels such as Rap- ALot

and Swisha House cultivated the market and birthed pioneering recording acts such as the Geto

Boys, UGK and Slim Thug. In the heart of the Screw Movement, stood a label that created the

true foundation of today’s Houston music scene, taking its rightful place among the list of

esteemed labels, the legendary Wreckshop Records.

Known as one of Houston’s leading independent record companies, Wreckshop collectively sold

over two and a half million albums in five years, a number that was not seen amongst

independent labels at the time. In the world of independent rap labels, selling over 20,000

copies was considered an underground hit, and Wreckshop Records managed to consistently

produce underground classics that often competed with mainstream rap records.

Its ambitious founder and visionary, Derrick “D-Reck” Dixon, started Wreckshop Records in

1997. With an MBA from Clark/Atlanta University and owning six different businesses, D-Reck

had enough knowledge and practical experience to run a successful label. Derrick knew that his

vision would be a success; all he needed was the right artist to launch his label. He found a

Houston area MC by the name of Fat Pat, who was also a member of the infamous Screwed Up

Click (SUC)-----a Houston based collective, lead by the legendary DJ Screw. Fat Pat had

earned a large and loyal following by free-styling on DJ Screw's popular mix-tapes. In the

summer of 1998, Wreckshop dropped Fat Pat's debut LP "Ghetto Dreams", and it exploded on

the Southern underground scene, selling 300,000 copies. Unfortunately, Fat Pat was killed

before he could enjoy the record’s success, and soon after a tribute album called Fat Pat & the

Wreckshop Family, "Throwed in the Game” was released. Throwed in the Game also managed

to sell over 300,000 units.

After the untimely demise of Fat Pat, Wreckshop signed another member of the infamous

Screwed Up Click, E.S.G., whose debut album "Shinin' & Grindin'" sold 100,000 units. His

follow-up record "City Under Siege" sold a whopping 150,000.

Wreckshop Records was a force in the music industry, and industry insiders were taking notice.

With the support of Houston DJ’s, radio stations and fans, Wreckshop ventured into film and

released their first independent movie, “The Dirty Third”. Reaching success yet again, “The Dirty

Third” movie sold over a million units with its soundtrack making top sales. The movie also

debut on BET’s Action Pay-Per-View and exposed his artists to millions of new viewers

throughout the nation. This helped to set up their next artist, Big Moe. Like his previous label