Effective period / Period of releases: 1982 - 2020

Members: Hurt 'Em Bad, Soul Connection (2)

In the early 1980's, 30-year old George W. Luster of Las Vegas put together one of the earliest west coast rap crews. San Bernardino's Groove Time Records pressed a single in 1982 when Hurt 'Em Bad released what would be the very first hip-hop record out of the "Inland Empire": "N.B.A. Rap", was a tribute to the basketball league's best players. Hurt 'Em Bad's record also caught the attention of Profile Records, which led the label to sign him as its second hip-hop artist. The group became known as Hurt 'Em Bad and the Soul Connection Band and released several sports-related singles for Profile from 1982-83. After their third single, the group left Profile but they remained in the hip-hop scene as Luster started his independent label Las Vegas Records. The group worked recorded and produced additional music during the mid-80's including a rap record with NBA star Hakeem Olajuwon.