Dem Franchize Boyz

Dem Franchize Boys are a four man hip-hop crew from Atlanta, Georgia. They are widely recognized as being one of the first snap rap groups to draw mainstream attention, along with similar acts like D4L and K-Rab. The snap rap subgenre originated in the Atlanta nightclub circuit; it features drawling, snare drum-laced beats and synthesizer-driven dance grooves punctuated by finger snapping on the part of both the dancers and performers. One of many subgenres in the Southern Rap scene, its sound can be favorably compared to the crunk style of Lil' Jon and Three 6 Mafia.

The crew consists of four members - Bernard "Jizzal Man" Leverette, Jamall "Pimpin'" Willingham, Maurice "Parlae" Gleaton, and Gerald "Buddie" Tiller - who began rapping together in high school. As the group went off to college, Jamall began producing beats for the group on his laptop. One thing led to another, and the group began making a name for themselves in Atlanta's underground rap scene. The group was discovered by acclaimed producer Jermaine Dupri, who helped them to release their first record on Universal in 2004.

Their first album Dem Franchise Boys went on to generate two smash hits, "Oh I Think They Like Me" and "White Tee", the song that has been credited with turning the simple white tall tee into a staple of the Southern rap wardrobe. Though these two bouncy and infectious tracks became instant hits, the associated album didn't sell very well, and as a result the group was dropped from the Universal roster.

Sensing their potential, Dupri signed them to his personal label So So Def Recordings, at the time distributed by Virgin Records) and helped to produce their second full-length album On Top of Our Game. More of a commercial success than its predecessor, On Top of Our Game moved over a half a million copies and still managed to produce a two mainstream hits, in the form of "Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It" and "Ridin' Rims". The group plans to follow up the success of their sophomore album with their next release, Da Point of No Return, sometime in 2008: the album's lead single "Talkin' Out da Side of Ya Neck" recently dropped, and word on the street is that the album is soon to follow.

From Discogs:

Southern US hiphop group from Atlanta's westside, consisting of:Jizzal Man, Parlae, Pimpin, and Buddie.

From Lastfm:

Dem Franchize Boyz is an American snap rap group from Atlanta, Georgia signed to So So Def Records. The group comprises four members, Buddie (Gerald Tiller), Parlae (Maurice Gleaton), Pimpin (Jamal Willingham) and Jizzal Man (Bernard Leverette). They have released three studio albums, 2004's Dem Franchize Boyz, 2006's On Top of Our Game and 2008's Our World, Our Way. As of 2010 the group has reunited and has plans to release a fourth studio album sometime later this year. They are most well known for their hit singles Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It and I Think They Like Me.

Read more about Dem Franchize Boyz on Last.fm.

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From Wikipedia:

Dem Franchize Boyz was a hip hop group from Atlanta signed to Koch Records. The group comprises four members: Parlae (born Maurice Gleaton), Pimpin' (Jamal Willingham), Jizzal Man (Bernard Leverette), and Buddie (Gerald Tiller).