Get Away Clean
Get Away Clean is the debut solo studio album by American rapper and entrepreneur Percy Miller, professionally known as Master P. Released on February 12, 1991, it marks the inaugural project under his newly founded No Limit Records imprint in collaboration with In-A-Minute Records.[1][2] The album, consisting of 14 tracks, was primarily produced by Master P with assistance from DJ Chill and the Real Untouchables, and features guest appearances from his group TRU, as well as Big O, Sonya C, and Silk.[3][2] Recorded at K-Lou Studios in Richmond, California, it showcases early gangsta rap influences with themes of street life, hustling, and survival in the hip-hop scene of the early 1990s.[4][5] The project laid foundational groundwork for Master P's future success, introducing his raw, unpolished style and entrepreneurial vision that would later propel No Limit Records to prominence in Southern hip-hop. Notable tracks include the title track "Get Away Clean," a gritty opener emphasizing evasion and resilience; "Crooked Ass Law" featuring TRU, which critiques systemic injustice; and the brief interlude "Saxophone" with Big O and Sonya C, adding a melodic contrast to the album's hard-edged beats.[2][1] Despite limited initial commercial reach due to independent distribution, Get Away Clean received retrospective recognition for its role in Master P's evolution from a New Orleans-based DJ to a hip-hop mogul, influencing the DIY ethos of the genre.[5] The album's production, handled in-house, highlighted Master P's hands-on approach, blending funk samples and minimalistic beats typical of West Coast-inspired rap at the time.[3]Background
Conception
After forming No Limit Records in 1990 in Richmond, California, with an initial investment of $10,000 from a malpractice settlement following his grandfather's death, Master P decided to pursue a solo career as a means to establish his artistic voice separate from his group endeavors.[6][7] This move came shortly after his involvement with the hip-hop group TRU, which he co-founded in 1989 alongside his brothers, providing early exposure to the rap scene but lacking the platform for his individual vision.[8] Master P drew inspiration from the burgeoning New Orleans rap scene, where he grew up in the Calliope Projects, seeking to capture its raw energy and street narratives in his music.[8] His desire to represent Southern hip-hop independently stemmed from a frustration with the dominance of East and West Coast styles, aiming to elevate regional sounds through self-reliance rather than major label dependency.[9] This ethos reflected his entrepreneurial roots, as he envisioned No Limit as a vehicle for authentic Southern expression amid limited industry support for artists from the region. Get Away Clean served as the inaugural release on No Limit Records in 1991, marking the label's transition from a small record store to a full-fledged independent hip-hop imprint.[10] Self-financed with the label's modest resources, the album embodied Master P's bootstrap approach, produced on a shoestring budget to prioritize creative control over commercial polish.[6]Early career context
Percy Robert Miller, known professionally as Master P, was born on April 29, 1970, in New Orleans, Louisiana. After suffering a knee injury that ended his basketball aspirations during his time at the University of Houston, Miller transferred to Merritt College in Oakland, California, around 1988 to study business administration and be closer to his mother in nearby Richmond.[11][8] Shortly thereafter, he received a $10,000 malpractice settlement following his grandfather's death, which provided the seed capital for his entrepreneurial pursuits; this inheritance stemmed from complications related to his grandfather's operation of a gas station in New Orleans.[12][11] In 1990, Miller used the inheritance to open No Limit Records and Tapes, a small record store on San Pablo Avenue in Richmond, where he lived in the back with his family while immersing himself in the music industry.[12][11] The store quickly became a hub for local hip-hop culture, allowing Miller to gain firsthand experience in retail, artist promotion, and distribution logistics. By 1991, the venture evolved into No Limit Records, an independent label focused on gangsta rap, marking Miller's shift from retailer to record executive.[8][13] Parallel to the label's formation, Miller co-founded the rap group TRU (The Real Untouchables) in 1989 with his brothers Corey (C-Murder) and Vyshonn (Silkk the Shocker), initially expanding to include other local artists before streamlining to the siblings.[12][8] TRU's early activities centered on performing and recording in the Bay Area, providing Miller with practical insights into group dynamics and independent production. Through the store and nascent label, Miller began distributing cassette tapes of local and his own demos, building a grassroots network that emphasized direct-to-consumer sales and regional promotion in the pre-digital era.[11][13] This groundwork facilitated his transition to solo artistry, culminating in the independent release of his debut album in 1991.[11]Recording and production
Studio sessions
The recording of Get Away Clean took place primarily at K-Lou Studio in Richmond, California, over several months spanning late 1990 and early 1991, coinciding with the recent founding of No Limit Records by Master P in the same city.[14][11] The sessions reflected the label's nascent independent status, with production constrained by a low budget that limited access to professional facilities and equipment.[11] This approach presented challenges, including rudimentary setups that prioritized volume over polish, as the team worked to build tracks iteratively without extensive post-production support. These sessions underscored the grassroots hustle of No Limit's early days, setting the stage for the label's future expansion.[2]Key contributors
Master P served as the primary rapper, producer, executive producer, and writer for all tracks on Get Away Clean, handling the beats and overall creative direction under his M.P. Productions banner.[4][15] The album prominently features members of TRU—Master P's group also known as The Real Untouchables—on several tracks, including "Crooked Ass Law," where they provide vocals, alongside their role as assistant producers on the project.[16][3] Early No Limit affiliates contributed guest appearances, such as Big O and Sonya C on "Saxophone," and Silkk the Shocker (credited as Silk) on "What's Up With That."[16] Production was assisted by DJ Chill and The Real Untouchables, with engineering handled by Ken Franklin (K-Lou) and assistant engineering by Curtis Franklin.[4][3] These key contributors formed the core of the nascent No Limit Records roster, laying the foundation for the label's expansion.[17]Music and lyrics
Musical style
Get Away Clean features a raw, street-oriented production style characteristic of early gangsta rap, emphasizing gritty beats derived from funk and soul samples.[3] The album incorporates heavy basslines and minimalistic sampling techniques, drawing from West Coast influences while laying the groundwork for Southern hip-hop elements.[18] For instance, the title track samples "Stop! In the Name of Love" by The Supremes for its iconic Motown groove and "Here We Go, Let's Rock & Roll" by C+C Music Factory, creating a fusion of soulful hooks with upbeat rhythms.[5] Similarly, "Dope Shots" utilizes a sample from Heatwave's "Ain't No Half Steppin'," highlighting the reliance on classic funk loops to drive the tracks' energy. This approach exemplifies No Limit Records' emerging signature sound in its inaugural release, with unpolished mixing that enhances the authentic, underground feel of the beats.[19] Tracks like "Saxophone" feature prominent saxophone intros, nodding to funk traditions and adding a layer of instrumental flair to the otherwise sparse arrangements.[2] The album comprises 14 tracks averaging approximately 3 minutes and 40 seconds each, many including radio edits tailored for singles to broaden accessibility.[2] Overall, the production prioritizes rhythmic drive over complexity, establishing a blueprint for the label's future output.[20]Lyrical content
The lyrics of Get Away Clean, Master P's debut album, center on the harsh realities of street life, where hustling and survival in the drug trade dominate the narratives. Master P vividly depicts the dangers of urban existence, including robbery and dealing, as essential means of navigating poverty and violence. For example, in "Rollin' the Dice," he assumes the role of a ruthless robber who executes "gank moves" on unsuspecting victims, underscoring the high stakes of crime where death or retaliation looms as an ever-present risk.[21] Personal storytelling infuses the album with autobiographical elements drawn from Master P's experiences, blending tales of women, crime, and unyielding ambition. Tracks often portray a mix of bravado and indulgence amid criminal pursuits, reflecting the complexities of ambition in a restrictive environment. "Dana You Can Bang Her" exemplifies this as an explicit party anthem, narrating a spontaneous sexual liaison with a bold local woman introduced by a friend, complete with playful details of physical intimacy that highlight hedonism as an escape from daily struggles.[22] The album introduces early motifs associated with No Limit Records, emphasizing loyalty within a tight-knit crew and fierce independence as survival strategies. Master P stresses distrust of outsiders while promoting self-reliance, laying the groundwork for the label's ethos of unbreakable solidarity and entrepreneurial defiance. In "Bitches And Money," he cautions against betrayal in the streets, advocating loyalty only to proven allies, which reinforces themes of autonomy and resilience against systemic oppression.[15]Release and promotion
Distribution methods
Get Away Clean was independently released on February 12, 1991, through No Limit Records, with some initial pressings credited to the associated In-A-Minute Records imprint.[2][1] This debut album marked the beginning of Master P's entrepreneurial approach to music distribution in the early hip-hop scene. Distribution occurred primarily through grassroots and direct-to-consumer methods, as Master P sold cassettes from the trunk of his car in parking lots in Richmond and Oakland, California, leveraging the Bay Area's vibrant independent music culture. These hands-on sales efforts were supplemented by availability at No Limit's own record shop in Richmond, where the label originated as a retail outlet in 1990.[23] The album's rollout featured limited cassette pressing runs, which were also stocked in select local record stores to reach broader audiences in the region without major label support.[2] This DIY strategy exemplified the independent ethos of early No Limit releases, focusing on community-based access over widespread commercial channels.Singles and marketing
The lead single "Jack of the Jackers" was released in 1991 to promote Get Away Clean, featuring both radio and street mixes tailored for broadcast play and urban street appeal, respectively.[24] This track, produced under No Limit Records, helped establish Master P's early presence in the Bay Area rap scene by blending gritty lyrics with accessible production variations.[25] Other promotional efforts included tracks like "Crooked Ass Law," featuring TRU, which appeared on the album and contributed to building interest within the No Limit collective and local hip-hop circles.[2] Marketing for Get Away Clean adopted a grassroots approach, with Master P personally handling promotion through his Richmond record store and local performances, drawing on the independent hustle culture of the region to connect with fans directly. This low-budget strategy aligned with the DIY ethos of early 1990s independent rap, prioritizing organic growth over traditional advertising. Promotional efforts were primarily local and underground, with no major label involvement.Commercial performance
Sales figures
"Get Away Clean," Master P's debut album released in 1991 on the independent In-A-Minute Records label, achieved initial sales of thousands of units through grassroots distribution channels, primarily via local record stores and direct sales in the Bay Area.[26] This modest performance reflected the challenges of breaking into the rap industry without major label backing, yet it laid the groundwork for Master P's entrepreneurial approach.[17] Following the explosive success of No Limit Records in the late 1990s, the album experienced long-tail sales through reissues on the No Limit imprint and availability on digital platforms, with total sales estimated at around 10,000 copies.[27] The absence of major label support throughout its lifecycle resulted in limited revenue streams, but it contributed to the early sustainability of No Limit Records.[28]Chart history
Due to its status as an independent release on In a Minute Records with constrained distribution channels, Get Away Clean did not appear on major national music charts, including the Billboard 200 or Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.[17] The album garnered regional acclaim within the Bay Area's underground rap ecosystem, particularly in Oakland and the East Bay, where its themes of urban surveillance and street life aligned with local socio-political narratives in the early 1990s rap scene.[29] It fostered grassroots visibility among emerging hip-hop communities.[30] In the digital era, Get Away Clean became available on streaming services like Spotify around the late 2010s, resulting in modest upticks in listener engagement—totaling 192,653 streams as of September 2025—but without attaining any official chart placements.[31][32]Critical reception
Contemporary reviews
Upon its release in 1991, Get Away Clean garnered sparse critical attention, largely due to its independent status on the nascent No Limit Records label, which limited its distribution and visibility beyond local scenes. Bay Area zines and underground hip-hop circles offered the primary coverage, praising the album's raw energy and unpolished street authenticity as a fresh take on gangsta rap, while critiquing the rough production quality and amateurish mixing that gave it a DIY feel.[3] No major national outlets provided in-depth reviews, underscoring the album's marginal position in the mainstream hip-hop landscape at the time. Such coverage was infrequent.Retrospective assessments
In retrospective analyses, Get Away Clean has been recognized as a foundational work in Southern rap, serving as a blueprint for independent hustling and self-made success in hip-hop. Books on the genre's history, such as Jim Whiting's The Story of No Limit Records, portray the album as emblematic of Master P's early entrepreneurial drive, launching No Limit Records on a shoestring budget amid the gritty realities of New Orleans street life and marking the inception of a label that would dominate the 1990s Southern rap scene.[33] AllMusic user ratings average 4.8 out of 10 based on community feedback as of 2025.[14] Fan discussions on collector platforms like Discogs emphasize the album's growing collectible value, with vinyl and CD copies fetching prices starting at $25 due to its rarity, while users often note its influence on Master P's evolution toward the more commercial, polished sound of later No Limit releases.[2] On Rate Your Music, the album holds an average user rating of 2.6 out of 5 from 122 ratings as of 2025, with reviews highlighting its raw gangsta rap style but critiquing the production and lack of vision.[3]Track listing
| No. | Title | Length | Featuring |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Get Away Clean (Radio Edit)" | 5:36 | |
| 2 | "Saxophone (Street Mix)" | 0:57 | Big O, Sonya C |
| 3 | "Rollin The Dice (Street Mix)" | 4:44 | |
| 4 | "Crooked Ass Law (Radio Edit)" | 3:47 | TRU |
| 5 | "Low Down And Dirty (Street Mix)" | 2:58 | TRU |
| 6 | "Safe Sex (Street Mix)" | 4:58 | |
| 7 | "Dana You Can Bang Her (Street Mix)" | 0:47 | |
| 8 | "I'm In The House (Radio Edit)" | 4:51 | |
| 9 | "Richtown (Radio Edit)" | 3:34 | TRU |
| 10 | "What's Up With That (Street Mix)" | 3:30 | Silk |
| 11 | "Bitches And Money (Street Mix)" | 2:15 | TRU |
| 12 | "You Only Live Once (Radio Edit)" | 3:44 | |
| 13 | "Dope Shots" | 3:41 | |
| 14 | "Untitled (Hidden Bonus Track)" | 6:14 |
Personnel
Vocals
- Master P – lead vocals, background vocals
- Big O – featured vocals (track 2)
- Sonya C – featured vocals (track 2)
- TRU – featured vocals (tracks 4, 5, 9, 11)
- Silk (Silkk the Shocker) – featured vocals (track 10)
- Eddie K – background vocals
Production
- Master P – producer, executive producer, writer
- DJ Chill – assistant producer
- TRU – associate producer, assistant
Technical
- Ken Franklin – engineer
- Curtis Franklin – assistant engineer