This rapper from the No Limit Records stable had been a regular on the Northern Californian hip-hop scene before signing to Master P’s ubiquitous label. Based in Richmond for several years, he became friendly with Master P and appeared on tracks by local celebrity E-40. A recording contract with No Limit, the most successful rap label of the late 90s, brought commercial exposure but also the artistic limitations inherent in all the label’s acts. Released in August 1999, On Top Of Da World featured the usual roll call of No Limit label mates, including Snoop [ Doggy ] Dogg and Mystikal (on the stand-out track, ‘We Ain’t Hard 2 Find’), C-Murder, Mia X and Silkk The Shocker. Lil Italy’s intense rapping style demonstrated the clear influence of New York’s DMX, but the impact of his delivery was somewhat lessened by the lame G-Funk beats provided by in-house producer K-Lou.