David Drozen, Uproar’s founder and CEO,
discovered Richard Pryor in early 1970 when he
caught his act at the Comedy Store and signed him
to his first recording contract for the legendary
comedy label Laff Records. At the time David was
a partner at the label.
His father, Louis Drozen
owned a jewelry store on Broadway & 5th in
downtown Los Angeles (Muhammad Ali posed in
front of it famously back when he was Cassius
Clay). One day somebody came up with the idea
that Louis should put a record rack in his jewelry
store and sell albums. Drozen Sr. took it a step
further when he went out and caught the act of
Leroy, Skillet and LaWanda. That trio were a raw
comedy act with no reps. Louis decided to record
them and form his own label to do it. Why should
he sell the records of others when he could sell his
own? Laff Records was born.
Laff Records specialized in comedy records with
naked women on the front cover where they'd put
stickers over their nipples.
It also featured old
Sophie Tucker knock-offs, like Belle Barth and Pearl
Williams, belting out raw and/or suggestive material
and songs. It was the label of black acts such as
the aforementioned LaWanda Page, Leroy & Skillet.
Redd Foxx came over after a tumultuous
relationship with Dooto Records as did Richard &
Willie and Rudy Ray Moore.
Marsha Warfield
recorded for Laff and so did Slappy White, Dap
Sugar Willie, Jimmy Lynch, Wildman Steve,
Reynaldo Rey and Jimmy Thompson. They were
raw, unapologetic party record artists not only
pushing the envelope but putting a foot up its ass.
Oh, and let’s not forget Richard Pryor.
David Drozen and Richard Pryor worked together
for 15 years and 12 record albums, including the
classics “Craps After Hours”, “Are you Serious”,
“Super Nigger”, and “Black Ben the Blacksmith.”
Chris Rock called “Black Ben the Blacksmith” the
best comedy album ever produced! Of the 12 Pryor
albums David produced for Laff, 6 were nominated
for Grammy’s including the Grammy winner “R