The Pioneers of Madison Hip-Hop; Fresh Force & Regime Records

Today Hip-hop is celebrating it's 50th Year Anniversary and the genre of music continues to influence the world. Even almost 40 years ago it had it's influence, who would of thought that in a small town like Madison, WI that the culture would flourish and have their own hip-hop pioneers.

In1984 Fresh Force was just one of a couple of rap acts to hit the Madison scene, a set of five southside kids from different races, religions and backgrounds. The members consisted of Erin "DJ Sweet E" Hynum, Johnny "Savior Faire/J-Law" Winston Jr., Emanuel "MC Yokes" Whitfield, Oren "Finesse" Ben-Ami, and Richard "Daddy Rich" Henderson (who now goes by "Filthy Rich"). As Fresh Force became more popular, they were asked to appear in several shows. Fresh Force performed at various talent shows and block parties throughout Wisconsin and Illinois. They opened shows and performed with such artists as Speech (from the Grammy-winning group, Arrested Development), Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam, Ready for the World, EPMD, Glenn Medeiros, The Cheaters, and Fast Eddie.

Fresh Force were at the peak of their careers when they signed a record contract with an independent record label from Chicago, D.J. International. They recorded many songs, but ended up releasing only two songs: "Who Runs This Mutha" released as a 12" single in 1990 and "Body House" in 1991, which appeared on a compilation disc "JACK MASTER VI" with several other artists. Although these achievements were major and the first for a rap group coming from Madison, little materialized from the singles. Members blame a lack of marketing on the half of the label.

The group stopped recording and performing in 93, but members Erin Hynum and Richard Henderson still had a musical itch that needed to be scratched and they decided to start a record label and recording studio. Established in 1997 with added partner of platinum producer Greg "G!Nx" Doby, they decided to call the label Regime Records (an acronym for Richard. Erin. Greg. In. Music. Entertainment.). Regime would become Madison's first hip-hop label and recording studio. In 1998 they signed eight artist to the label; Club Mecca, Big Three, Rob Dz, Noname, Missiah, Jesse Lester, Pheonix, and Yolanda

who would all debut on Regime's compilation and album release "The Land In Between Soundtrack". Throughout the years the label had serval pitfalls; from there distributor going bankrupt, to being completely robbed of studio equipment, as well as going through struggles financially to keep up with the industry cost of marketing, then leading to business partner Erin resigning from the label in 1999, withdrawing all financial backing, assets and recording equipment. It took a few years for Richard and Greg to rebuild. In 2001 Regime released two albums "Enhance" (debut album by Rob Dz) and Area 51 (a compilation of Midwest artist that were produced by Richard and Greg). Out of that album Regime would recruit a new roster of artist who included; The Crest, Northern Ice, Keon Andre (L.U.V.), Benny Blanco Sosa, Stryfe Da Hood Figga, Bodaiga (Daiyon), Snapilla, Ken Ken, Carmen "Key" Carter, and Stoney. With new enthusiasm and a polished roster of hopeful artists that would make a impact for Midwest Hip-hop and R&B, in 2003 Regime would release their forth album compilation The Land In Between Vol. 2 but, again due to a small marketing budget the album would not do well as planned. Regime Records ended its reign as a record label in 2006 and became a publishing company (Regime Publishing) and management company (Unidec Management) til 2018 representing Artists Amy Alida, Pretty Boy Hef, Trilogy Tril, Miko Jobst, and Carlton "CTjr" Thompson.