From under the cloud of Louisiana Gangster Rap, Media Darling was conceived by a collective of artists whose main goal was to keep one another motivated and focused on their music. Media Darling Records, a New Orleans-based independently owned and operated label, was formed in January 2004 with the objective to produce, market, and distribute quality hip-hop music. In August of that year emerged the label's first release, the compilation "The Humid Sounds of Media Darling Records", with a style similar to Rhymesayers or Def Jux rather than No Limit or Cash Money.

"The Humid Sounds is a thrilling first snapshot of a viable new player in New Orleans musicology and a must-hear for the city's artistically starved hip hop heads." -Ira Brooker, Where Y'at Magazine

"The Humid Sounds" was the only hip-hop album to make Offbeat's Top 50 Albums of 2004, and was honored with Best Hip Hop Album at the "2004 Best of the Beat Awards". Media Darling artists have shared stages with some of the greatest hip-hop groups