Rudy Ray Moore Presents The 2nd Lady Reed Album 'Will The Real Dick Rise'

Released in 1971 on the Kent label, this album serves as a key artifact of the burgeoning blaxploitation comedy era. It was produced by Rudy Ray Moore, the legendary comedian and filmmaker known for his Dolemite character, who acted as a mentor and promoter for Lady Reed. The record captured the raw, explicit, and performative style of stand-up comedy popular in urban clubs during the early 1970s, which often blended spoken-word storytelling with musical backing and adult-oriented humor.

The album is noted for its provocative title and cover art, which were designed to lean into the subversive, counter-cultural sensibilities of the time. Lady Reed, a recurring figure in Moore’s cinematic and comedy universe, was characterized by her candid and uncompromising delivery. While the record was primarily distributed within the niche market of soul and comedy collectors, it remains a significant example of how independent black artists of the era bypassed traditional record label constraints to produce work that resonated directly with their local audiences.