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Magic (rapper)
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Key Information
Awood Johnson Jr. (August 16, 1975 – March 1, 2013), better known by his stage name Magic (or Mr. Magic), was an American rapper from Downtown New Orleans, best known for his stint with No Limit Records in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Early life
[edit]Born and raised in the Lower Ninth Ward of Downtown New Orleans, Louisiana, Awood Johnson first made his name in New Orleans' underground circuit performing in talent shows and in a local group. Magic first appeared on C-Murder's songs "Picture Me" and "Watch Yo Enemies" on his 1998 album Life or Death. He was signed to C-Murder's label Tru Records, a sublabel to No Limit Records.
Career
[edit]Magic's released his debut solo studio album, Sky's the Limit, in 1998, which reached #15 on the Billboard 200. In 1999, Magic released his second solo studio album Thuggin' which featured hit singles "That's Me" and "Ice on my Wrist" with Master P, which had minor success, peaking at #30. Following poor sales of his third studio album, White Eyes (#147), in 2003, along with the departure of many of No Limit's marquee artists and the label's overall decline, Magic severed his relationship with No Limit. He released his fourth and final solo album, the non-charting On My Own, on Koch Records, just five months after his split from No Limit.
Magic joined fellow New Orleans native Choppa and former boxing champion Roy Jones Jr. to form the group Body Head Bangerz, which released its only album in 2004, Body Head Bangerz: Volume One, and had a minor hit with "I Smoke, I Drank".
Magic then secured a deal with TVT Records in 2006, but left without ever releasing any material. He formed his own label, Banx Entertainment, in 2011.
Death
[edit]On March 1, 2013, Johnson and his wife Chastity were killed in a traffic collision in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Their 12-year-old daughter was the lone survivor.[1][2]
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]- Sky's the Limit (1998)
- Thuggin' (1999)
- White Eyes (2003)
- On My Own (2003)
Collaboration albums
[edit]- Body Head Bangerz: Volume One with Body Head Bangerz (2004)
References
[edit]- ^ Fensterstock, Alison (March 2, 2013). "New Orleans rapper Awood 'Mr. Magic' Johnson has died". The New Orleans Times-Picayune. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
- ^ Minsker, Evan (March 2, 2013). "R.I.P. No Limit Rapper Magic". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
External links
[edit]- Magic on Myspace
- June 2011 interview – YouTube
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Magic (rapper)
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life
Upbringing in New Orleans
Awood Johnson Jr., known professionally as Magic, was born on August 16, 1975, in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans, Louisiana. He was the son of jazz trombonist Awood Johnson Sr. and gospel and jazz singer Juanita Brooks, who raised him primarily after his father's death; she passed away in 2009. His musical family included his uncle, R&B guitarist Detroit Brooks Sr., and cousin Detroit Brooks Jr., with whom he later collaborated.[4][5] Johnson had several siblings, including brothers Timothy Cola and Jabari Johnson, and sisters Timantha and Timisha Johnson.[5] Growing up in the Lower Ninth Ward, a predominantly working-class African American neighborhood, Johnson experienced the economic hardships prevalent in the area during the 1980s and 1990s, where approximately 36.4% of residents lived below the poverty line due to historical racism, limited wealth accumulation, and declining local businesses.[7] The community faced high crime rates and social challenges, yet it fostered a strong sense of cultural identity and resilience among its residents.[8] These neighborhood influences shaped Johnson's early environment, embedding him in a milieu of struggle and communal solidarity. Johnson's formative years were immersed in New Orleans' vibrant musical landscape, with exposure to the emerging local hip-hop and bounce music scenes that originated in the city's housing projects during the late 1980s and early 1990s.[9] Bounce, characterized by its fast-paced, call-and-response style at 95 to 105 beats per minute, became a staple of the Ninth Ward's youth culture, providing an outlet for expression amid socioeconomic pressures.[10] His family's musical background further nurtured his early interest in performance, bridging gospel and jazz traditions with the street-level energy of hip-hop.[4]Entry into the music industry
During the mid-1990s, Awood Johnson, who would later adopt the stage name Mr. Magic, began performing in New Orleans' underground rap circuits, honing his skills in the city's vibrant local hip-hop scene.[1] This period marked his initial forays into rapping, where his distinctive gravelly voice and Southern drawl, influenced by his Ninth Ward upbringing, started to gain attention among local audiences.[1] In 1997, Mr. Magic was scouted by rapper C-Murder during local performances, leading to his breakthrough opportunity in the professional music industry.[3] C-Murder, impressed by his raw talent, recommended him to his brother Master P, the founder of No Limit Records.[1] This encounter transitioned Mr. Magic from amateur circuits to a signed artist, with his first major recording being guest appearances on C-Murder's debut album Life or Death, including tracks like "Picture Me" and "Watch Yo Enemies."[1][11] Following these features, Mr. Magic signed with Tru Records, a No Limit sublabel founded by C-Murder, in 1997.[11] Under Master P's guidance, he began initial recording sessions, though Master P ultimately placed him on the main No Limit roster rather than integrating him into the TRU group.[1] This signing solidified his entry into the industry, positioning him within one of the era's most prominent Southern rap collectives.[11]Career
No Limit Records era
Magic was signed to No Limit Records in 1997 after being recommended by rapper C-Murder. His debut album, Sky's the Limit, was released on September 15, 1998, through No Limit and Priority Records. The album peaked at number 15 on the US Billboard 200 chart and number 3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, debuting with 105,551 copies sold in its first week.[12] Featuring production primarily from Beats by the Pound and guest appearances from No Limit staples like Master P, Mystikal, and C-Murder, it exemplified the label's signature Southern gangsta rap sound during its commercial zenith in the late 1990s. In 1999, Magic released his follow-up album Thuggin' on August 31, also via No Limit and Priority. The project reached number 53 on the Billboard 200 and number 9 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, with first-week sales of approximately 101,000 units. Key singles included "That's Me" and "Ice on My Wrist" featuring Master P, which highlighted Magic's charismatic delivery and the label's emphasis on street anthems. During his No Limit tenure, Magic also contributed to the supergroup 504 Boyz, appearing on their albums Goodfellas (2000) and 504 Boyz (2002). Throughout his No Limit era, Magic contributed to several label compilations, such as No Limit Top Dogg and MP da Last Don, and collaborated extensively with artists including Master P, Silkk the Shocker, and TRU on tracks that reinforced No Limit's dominance in the Southern rap landscape. At the time, No Limit was a powerhouse, moving millions of units annually and pioneering independent distribution models that amplified regional voices in hip-hop.[13]Post-No Limit independent career
Following the decline of No Limit Records, marked by financial struggles and the exodus of key artists, Magic departed the label in 2003.[1] His third solo album, White Eyes, released on March 18, 2003, through the restructured New No Limit imprint under Universal Records, peaked at number 147 on the Billboard 200 but suffered from poor sales.[1] Magic's final solo album, On My Own, arrived just five months later on August 26, 2003, via Koch Records, signaling his pivot to independent ventures; it peaked at No. 54 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart but achieved limited commercial success.[1] In 2004, Magic co-founded Body Head Bangerz with rapper Choppa and boxer Roy Jones Jr., releasing their debut album Body Head Bangerz: Volume One on Koch Records, which included the hit "I Smoke, I Drank (Remix)". In 2006, Magic signed a deal with TVT Records, with announcements of an upcoming album titled Before & After, but he ultimately left the label after releasing the promotional single "Shorty" (featuring Detroit) without issuing a full-length project.[1][4][14] Seeking greater autonomy, Magic founded his own imprint, Banx Entertainment, in 2011 to oversee self-managed projects, including the release of singles such as "Rollin'."[1][15] Before his death in 2013, Magic expressed intentions in interviews to develop new music through Banx, but these efforts, including potential unreleased tracks, were left incomplete.[16]Personal life and death
Family and relationships
Magic married Chastity Johnson in the early 2000s, and the couple remained together for 13 years, sharing a life in New Orleans where they focused on building their family amid the city's vibrant cultural scene.[4][17] The couple welcomed their daughter, Twila Wise Johnson, around 2001, and Magic occasionally referenced fatherhood in his work, touching on themes of protection and navigating street life as a means to provide for his child.[18][19] Magic was the son of jazz trombonist Awood Magic Johnson Sr. and Juanita Brooks. His siblings included Timothy Cola, Timantha, Timisha, Jabari Brooks, Byron Johnson, and the late Wanda, Judy, and Adrian Johnson.[6] Throughout his professional fluctuations—from his peak with No Limit Records to independent ventures—Magic's marriage and role as a father offered a grounding influence, as noted in reflections from contemporaries on his commitment to family stability.[20]Fatal car accident and aftermath
On March 1, 2013, Awood Johnson, known professionally as Magic, and his wife Chastity were killed in a fatal car crash in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.[4] The 37-year-old rapper and his wife of 13 years died instantly in the collision.[21] Their 12-year-old daughter, Twila Wise Johnson, was the lone survivor but sustained injuries in the accident.[6] The incident was ruled a traffic collision with no suspicion of foul play involved.[18] The family was traveling at the time, though specific details about their route or purpose were not publicly detailed beyond the location of the crash.[21] Funeral services for Magic and Chastity were held on March 9, 2013, at the Household of Faith church in New Orleans, Louisiana, with relatives, friends, and No Limit Records affiliates in attendance.[6][20] In the immediate aftermath, a memorial fund was established in their names at Capitol One Bank to support their daughter Twila, and no major legal disputes or estate issues were reported publicly.[6]Musical style and legacy
Influences and artistic approach
Magic's musical style exemplified Southern rap, seamlessly blending the infectious, high-energy rhythms of New Orleans bounce with the gritty storytelling of gangsta rap. This approach produced energetic flows that powered party anthems alongside raw street narratives, distinguishing his work within No Limit Records' roster.[22][11] His artistic influences drew heavily from local pioneers like DJ Jubilee, whose foundational role in developing New Orleans bounce provided the upbeat, call-and-response foundation evident in Magic's hooks and rhythmic delivery.[23] Recurring themes in Magic's lyrics centered on thug life and street resilience, often intertwined with materialism. His charismatic, snarling delivery added intensity to these narratives, conveying unyielding neighborhood loyalty and the harsh realities of urban survival.[22]Impact and tributes
Magic's contributions during his tenure with No Limit Records in the late 1990s played a significant role in popularizing the label's distinctive tank logo era, marked by militaristic imagery and rapid output that symbolized Southern rap's aggressive push into the mainstream. As part of the "No Limit soldiers," he helped amplify New Orleans' presence in hip-hop, contributing to the genre's breakthrough alongside acts like TRU and Mystikal, with No Limit's Ghetto D (1997) achieving triple-platinum status and paving the way for regional labels like Cash Money.[24] Often viewed as an underrated figure among No Limit's roster—described as a "snarling second-stringer" despite his energetic delivery—Magic's work emphasized memorable hooks and neighborhood anthems, such as "9th Ward" from his debut Sky's the Limit (1998), which celebrated local pride in New Orleans' 9th Ward and earned him the moniker "Mr. 9th Ward." His verses on collaborative tracks like "Down for My N's" (1999) with C-Murder and Snoop Dogg further showcased his amped-up style, adding to No Limit's catalog of high-energy Southern anthems that influenced the label's commercial dominance.[22][24] Posthumously, Magic's legacy has endured through tributes recognizing his place in Southern hip-hop history, including a 2023 video marking the 10th anniversary of his death that highlighted his No Limit discography and impact on the genre.[25] His influence echoes in the work of later New Orleans rappers, particularly those reviving bounce elements, though no major unreleased material from Magic has surfaced as of November 2025. Magic's story has also been contextualized within broader No Limit narratives, such as the 2020 BET docuseries No Limit Chronicles, which explores the label's artists and their role in reshaping hip-hop entrepreneurship.[26]Discography
Solo studio albums
Magic's solo studio albums were released primarily during his affiliation with No Limit Records and its subsequent iterations, showcasing his Southern rap style rooted in New Orleans street life. His debut effort marked a strong entry into the commercial hip-hop scene, while later releases reflected shifts in label dynamics and personal artistic direction.| Album Title | Release Date | Label(s) | Peak Chart Positions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sky's the Limit | September 15, 1998 | No Limit/Priority | #15 Billboard 200[27] |
| Thuggin' | August 31, 1999 | No Limit/Priority | #53 Billboard 200[27] |
| White Eyes | March 18, 2003 | New No Limit/Universal | #147 Billboard 200[28] |
| On My Own | August 26, 2003 | Koch | — |