Awood Johnson (August 16, 1975 – March 1, 2013), better known by his stage name, Magic (or Mr. Magic), was an American rapper from New Orleans, Louisiana, perhaps best known for his stint with No Limit Records in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
| Birth name | Corey Smith |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Serv-On, Serv 4000 |
| Born | September 18, 1969 (age 50) |
| Origin | New Orleans, Louisiana, USA |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Labels | Hot City Music, Timez Up (Current)No Limit, Priority, K.O.K., Street Level, Dirty Thug, Hustle Blooc (Former) |
| Associated acts | Master P, Big Pun, Three 6 Mafia, Silkk the Shocker, TRU, Mystikal, Fiend, Mia X, Magic, Ghetto Commission, Steady Mobb'n, Big Ed, Mercedes, Mac, Soulja Slim, Prime Suspects, C-Murder |
Corey Smith (born September 18, 1969), better known by his stage nameMr. Serv-On, is an American hip hop recording artist from New Orleans, Louisiana. Mr. Serv-On is best known for his time spent with No Limit Records, out of New Orleans, in the mid-to-late 1990s.
- 1Music career
- 2Other ventures
- 5Discography
- 6Singles
Music career[edit]
Music beginnings[edit]
A high school friend of Master P, Mr. Serv-On was one of the first rappers signed to No Limit. First appearing on albums by Master P, TRU and Mia X. His first appearance was on Soulja Slim's (Then known as Magnolia Slim) album 'Soulja fa Lyfe', in 1994.
1997-99: TRU, No Limit, Life Insurance & Da Next Level[edit]
On August 12, 1997 Mr Serv-On's debut album, Life Insurance. Life Insurance was met with commercial and critical success, peaking at number 23 on the US charts and number 5 on the R&B charts, in 2013, it was ranked 20th on a list of the top 25 No Limit releases.[1][2]
On February 16, 1999 Mr. Serv-On would release his second album Da Next Level it would be released to a bigger commercial success, making it to number 1 on the R&B charts selling 297,000 copies in its first week. Part of the reason he gained more mainstream attention is because of his featuring of the rapper Big Pun on his album. The guest verse from Pun on the first single from the album titled 'From N.Y. To N.O.' was ranked on a list of his best guest verses. On Dec 29, 1999 the album had sold 973,000 copies in the U.S. being certified platinum by the RIAA.[2][3] After the album's release Mr. Serv-On would disband from No Limit Records & start his own label, Lifetime Entertainment.
2000-03: War Is Me, Pt. 1: Battle Decisions, Take a Sip & No More Questions[edit]
On June 20, 2000 Mr. Serv-On would release his third album & first independent album titled War Is Me, Pt. 1: Battle Decisions, it only made it to number 75 on the R&B charts.[2] On October 30, 2001 Mr. Serv-On would release his fourth album titled Take a Sip via Lifetime, K.O.K., Street Level, the album would fail to make any of the Billboard charts. On March 18, 2003 Mr. Serv-On released his fifth album & second independent album titled No More Questions via Lifetime, the album would fail to make any of the Billboard charts.
2008-09: Life Insurance 2 (Heart Muzik) & Gangsta 1 More Time[edit]
On March 18, 2003 Mr. Serv-On would release his sixth album & third independent album titled Life Insurance 2 (Heart Muzik) via Lifetyme, the album would fail to make any of the Billboard charts. Mr. Serv-On signed to Killa C's Dirty Thug Recordz in 2009 & would release his seventh album titled Gangsta 1 More Timeon November 17, 2009, the album would fail to make any of the Billboard charts. On March 18, 2003 Mr. Serv-On would release his eighth album titled Internet Platinum via Lifetyme, Hustle Blooc the album would fail to make any of the Billboard charts.
2013-present: Street Dreams & The Fallen Soldier[edit]
On December 20, 2013, he announced the release of his new mixtape 'Guaparation Canal', which was slated to be released in February 2014.[4]
On March 4, 2014 Revolution Entertainment would release the collaborative album 'Known Associates' by SC and Mr. Serv-On.[5]
On September 18, Serv-On announced his next release would be Boss Certified with a release date of October 28, 2014. This album will be distributed through Serv-On`s own label, Hot City Music. On December 2, 2014, Mr. Serv-On released his ninth album Street Dreams, this album was released through Timez Up. Ent. & was executive produced by DJ Suckafree. On June 19, 2015 Mr. Serv-On would release his tenth album titled The Fallen Soldier via Hot City Music & Timez Up.
Other ventures[edit]
Acting career[edit]
Mr. Serv-On appeared in the movie 'I'm Bout It' in 1997, and in a documentary 10 years later called 'Grittin 2 Get It In Tha Rock.' In 2008, Mr. Serv-On was interviewed for the Underground Kingz Magazine DVD. In 2014, Mr. Serv-On appeared in the documentary 'We Are One: Street Music of New Orleans.'
Author[edit]
In 2008, Mr. Serv-On wrote a dating book for black women.[6]
Pop Culture References[edit]
In 2014, Mr. Serv-On was mentioned on a track by Gucci Mane, featured on his mixtape 'Brick Factory Vol. 1.' Gucci`s track was named 'Mr. Serv-On' and featured Peewee Longway and Quavo. This track was later remixed by Migos and named 'Mr. Serv-On' as well.[7]
Philanthropy[edit]
In October 2014, Mr. Serv-On participated in a gun buy-back program in New Orleans.[8] Mr. Serv-On along with fellow New Orleans rappers teamed up with avant-garde artist Kirscha Kaechelle in the city's largest gun buy back program ever.
Mr Magic No Limit Dead
Discography[edit]
Studio albums[edit]
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US [2] | US R&B [2] | ||
| Life Insurance |
| 23 | 5 |
| Da Next Level |
| 14 | 1 |
| Take a Sip |
| — | — |
| Gangsta 1 More Time |
| — | — |
| Internet Platinum |
| — | — |
| Street Dreams |
| — | — |
| The Fallen Soldier |
| — | — |
Independent albums[edit]
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US R&B [2] | |||
| War Is Me, Pt. 1: Battle Decisions |
| 75 | |
| No More Questions |
| — | |
| Life Insurance 2 (Heart Muzik) |
| — | |
Extended Play's[edit]
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US [2] | US R&B [2] | ||
| Show & Prove[9] (with J.P.) |
| — | — |
Collaboration albums[edit]
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US [2] | US R&B [2] | ||
| Known Associates (with SC) |
| — | — |
Soundtrack albums[edit]
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B | |||
| I'm Bout It (with Various artists) |
| 4 | 1 |
|
| I Got the Hook Up (with Various artists) |
| 3 | 1 |
|
| Foolish (with Various artists) |
| 32 | 10 |
|
Mixtapes[edit]
| Title | Mixtape details |
|---|---|
| Guaparation Canal |
|
| Boss Certified |
|
Compilation albums[edit]
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B | |||
| Down South Hustlers: Bouncin' and Swingin' (with Various artist) |
| 139 | 13 | |
| West Coast Bad Boyz II (with Various artist as West Coast Bad Boyz) |
| 17 | 6 | |
| Mean Green: Major Players Compilation (with Various artist) |
| 9 | 6 |
|
| Who U Wit? (with Various artist) |
| 62 | 22 | |
Singles[edit]
As lead artist[edit]
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B | US Rap | |||
| 'My Best Friend ' (featuring Master P) | 1997 | — | — | — | Life Insurance |
| 'From N.Y. To N.O.' (featuring Big Pun) | 1999 | — | — | — | Da Next Level |
| 'Gotta Get That' | 2001 | — | — | — | Take a Sip |
| 'Calmdown Na' | — | — | — | ||
| 'Hot' | 2007 | — | — | — | N/A |
| 'Stacks Up' | 2008 | — | — | — | Life Insurance 2 (Heart Muzik) |
| 'Crazy' (featuring Izzy White) | — | — | — | ||
| 'Like Aww' (featuring Trouble) | 2014 | — | — | — | N/A |
As featured artist[edit]
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B | US Rap | |||
| 'I Wanna Be With You' (Mia X featuring Master P and Mr. Serv-On) | 1996 | — | — | — | N/A |
Guest appearances[edit]
| Year | Artists | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Magnolia Slim | Soulja fa Lyfe |
| 1995 | TRU | True |
| 1995 | Tre-8 | Ghetto Stories |
| 1995 | Various Artists | Down South Hustlers: Bouncin' and Swingin' |
| 1996 | Various Artists | The Substitute |
| 1996 | Master P | Ice Cream Man |
| 1997 | Various Artists | West Coast Bad Boyz II |
| 1997 | TRU | Tru 2 da Game |
| 1997 | Various Artists | I'm Bout It |
| 1997 | Various Artists | Million Dollar Dream: The High Powered Double Album |
| 1997 | DJ Screw | Chapter 188: Pay Like You Weigh |
| 1997 | Mia X | Unlady Like |
| 1997 | Master P | Ghetto D |
| 1998 | C-Murder | Life or Death |
| 1998 | Various Artists | I Got the Hook Up |
| 1998 | Soulja Slim | Give It 2 'Em Raw |
| 1998 | Master P | MP da Last Don |
| 1998 | Mac | Shell Shocked |
| 1998 | Kane & Abel | Am I My Brother's Keeper |
| 1998 | Big Ed | The Assassin |
| 1998 | Various Artists | Mean Green Major Players Compilation |
| 1998 | Skull Duggery | These Wicked Streets |
| 1998 | Prime Suspects | Guilty 'til Proven Innocent |
| 1998 | Gambino Family | Ghetto Organized |
| 1998 | Mia X | Mama Drama |
| 1998 | Steady Mobb'n | Black Mafia |
| 1998 | Ghetto Commission | Wise Guys |
| 1998 | Various Artists | We Can't Be Stopped |
| 1999 | C-Murder | Bossalinie |
| 1999 | Various Artists | Foolish |
| 1999 | Mo B. Dick | Gangsta Harmony |
| 1999 | Various Artists | Who U Wit? |
| 1999 | TRU | Da Crime Family |
| 1999 | Mercedes | Rear End |
| 1999 | DJ Screw | Chapter 173: 99 Live |
| 2000 | Big Ed | Special Forces |
| 2000 | Various Artists | Young Southern Playaz, Vol. 3 |
| 2000 | Three 6 Mafia | When the Smoke Clears: Sixty 6, Sixty 1 |
| 2000 | 5th Ward Weebie | Ghetto Platinum |
| 2000 | Spice 1 | The Playa Rich Project |
| 2000 | Wicket | Shop with Me |
| 2000 | Clout Nine | G to the Game |
| 2001 | E-Dubb | The Prezident |
| 2001 | Oak Cliff Assassin | Target Practice |
| 2001 | Lou Calhoun | Stukk N Da System |
| 2001 | Iced Out | Raw And Unkut |
| 2001 | Various Artists | Off the Tank Compilation |
| 2001 | Poetic-1 Presents | Unforgiven 2: Addicted |
| 2001 | Various Artists | Somethin' For The Whodi's |
| 2001 | Big Ed | Edward Lee Knight 1971–2001 |
| 2001 | Various Artists | Legends, Gangsters & Bosses |
| 2002 | Spice 1 | The Playa Rich Project 2 |
| 2002 | Thug Dirt Presents | Texxxas Underground Vol. 2 |
| 2002 | Spice 1 | Thug Disease |
| 2002 | Brotha Lynch Hung | The Appearances: Book 1 |
| 2002 | Thug Dirt | Texxxas Undaground, Vol. 2 |
| 2002 | Various Artists | Crossing State Lines: Chopped and Screwed, Vol. 1 |
| 2003 | Various Artists | Thuggin', Ballin' and Pimpin' |
| 2003 | Hard Knox | This Is Real |
| 2003 | Rob Run | South Rituals |
| 2003 | Various Artists | How to Hustle |
| 2003 | Various Artists | Kings of the South, Vol. 1 |
| 2004 | DJ Screw | Chapter 113 - Barre |
| 2004 | Ghetto Idols | Ghetto Idols, Vol. 1 |
| 2005 | Ace Deuce | What Do You See? The Block Star! |
| 2005 | TRU | The Best of TRU |
| 2006 | Praise Money | The Bigger the Risk, The Bigger the Profit |
| 2006 | Big Wheel | Texas Most Wanted: Tha Compilation |
| 2006 | Ace Deuce | The Block All Star |
| 2006 | KLC | The Drum Major |
| 2007 | Various Artists | No Limit Greatest Hits Vol. 1 |
| 2007 | Fiend | The Best Of Fiend: Mr. Whomp Whomp |
| 2007 | Various Artists | I'm Bout It [Mixed Repertoire] |
| 2008 | Project Boss | Meeting of Da Bosses |
Filmography[edit]
Sheet Music For Mister Magic
| 1997 | I'm Bout It |
| 1998 | I Got The Hook Up |
| 2007 | Grittin 2 Get It In Tha Rock |
| 2008 | Underground Kingz Magazine DVD |
Mister Magic Song
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^Barber, Andrew. 'Mr. Serv-On, Life Insurance (1997) - The 25 Best No Limit Albums - Complex'. Complex. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ^ abcdefghij'Artist Chart History - Mr. Serv-On'. Billboard. Retrieved 16 March 2009.
- ^Weinstein, Max. 'The Definition: Big Pun's Best Guest Verses Ever. @ Us or Dap Us. - WatchLOUD'. WatchLOUD. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ^http://www.102thebeatfm.com/exclusive-interview-with-legend-mr-serv-on-talks-about-no-limit-his-new-projects-and-artists-mr-magic-having-a-child-with-autism-and-has-a-message-for-master-p/
- ^Known Associates by sc & Mr. Serv-On on Apple Music, 2014-03-04, retrieved 2018-02-25
- ^'AllHipHop » Rapper Mr. Serv-On Writes Dating Book For Black Women'. AllHipHop. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ^Smith, Trevor. 'Gucci Mane - Brick Factory Vol. 1'. HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ^'Artist turns gun buyback program into exhibit'. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ^https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/show-prove-ep/id948011540
- ^Bush, John. 'Mr. Serv-On - Credits - AllMusic'. AllMusic. Retrieved 9 March 2015.