Green’s Dictionary of Slang

much adj.

(US black) many, a lot of.

1953		L. Durst Jives of Dr. Hepcat (1989) 2: On the late bright [...] you drape yourself in shape and tamp on the cuts where the cats are putting down much trash and everything is much solid.
1994		Coolio ‘Sticky Fingers’ 🎵 It Takes a Thief [album] Yeah, buddy, she’s lookin good / Gets much props and respect from the hood.
2000		P. Beatty Tuff 34: ‘Please, I know much niggers on the rock.’ ‘“Many niggers,” or “a lot of niggers,”’ Yolanda corrected.

In phrases

so much (adj.)

important, fashionable.

1946

W.R. Burnett Romelle 37: Warmed by the champagne she became more at ease and looked around her with growing confidence. They weren’t so much—these people!