Michael Willis of Too Loaded Records Inc. & T L R Entertainment

Michael Willis, President and CEO of
Too Loaded Records Inc. & T L R Entertainment

When we think about the long list of talented musicians that have been nurtured in the city of New Orleans we would be remiss not to acknowledge the incredible business sense that is behind it. For that we can look to Michael “Money Mike” Willis. A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Michael was raised in the Algiers section of the “Big Easy” in the Christopher Holmes Housing Development, known as “Da Chris”, by his mother and his grandparents.

As a drum major at both L. B. Landry High School and O. Perry Walker High School, his talent and love for music were evident. Living and breathing music certainly paid off in a big way for young Mike Willis. He was on the front lines of the industry by time New Orleans started leaving its imprint on the world of Hip Hop. In 1994, Michael met with Percy Miller, Master-P owner of No Limit Records and together they completed the production and distribution of Michael’s first artist Tre-8, the album titled, Ghetto Stories.

His first label, Smoke-1 Records dissolved after a difference in direction with his then business partners. Branching out on his own and with a small investment from Percy Miller, Michael started his own label; Too Loaded Records Inc.

True to the expectation of all that New Orleans has offered to the world of music, Too Loaded Records was birthed in 1998. It has become the launching pad for some of the South’s most talented artists. In 2003, Michael with his business sense and industry know-how landed two P & D deals. The first deal was with Malaco Music Group and another with Fontana, a subsidiary of Universal Music Group.

Too Loaded Records & TLR Entertainment welcomes a diverse roster of Hip-Hop, R&B and Gospel artists. They boasts of such artists as Jai Reed, a Stellar Music Awards Nominee, Missippi, a Big Easy Award Winner, Toez-Pacino, Lil Jinks, Ms. Kim, and just recently J-Gunna & Camden.

In addition to his business sense, Mr. Willis is just as known for the love that he displays for his community at large. Super Sunday is a mega, yearly event that he produces that serves as a celebration of great music, fantastic food and community among the people of New Orleans. He is endeared for the continuous contribution that he makes to his community and appreciated for the mark he is making in the music world with his label.

Michael Willis believes that hard work is more than a notion and with his business skill and top tier talent, Too Loaded Records Inc. and T L R Entertainment will continue to evolve as one of strongest independent owned music companies in the World. And so far, they are right on course!