Ruthless 5539
Executive producer: Eric (Eazy-E) Wright
Track listing: Da Introduction / East 1999 / Eternal / Crept and We Came / Down ’71 (The Getaway) / Mr. Bill Collector / Budsmokers Only / Crossroad / Me Killa / Land of Tha Heartless / No Shorts, No Losses / 1st of tha Month / Buddah Lovaz / Die Die Die / Mr. Ouija 2 / Mo’ Murda / Shotz to Tha Double Glock
August 12, 1995
2 weeks
On March 26, 1995, Eric “Eazy-E” Wright, the founder of N.W.A and one of the forefathers of hardcore rap, died of AIDS at the age of 31. His death shocked the rap world, particularly a young group from Cleveland known as Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. One of Wright’s final artistic endeavors was to serve as executive producer of the group’s album, which was recorded in early 1995.
Wright had signed the group to his Ruthless Records label after the group traveled from Cleveland to Los Angeles and back in hopes of landing a recording contract. “We knew that all it would take was for one person with some power to hear us,” says Krayzie Bone, who, like the group’s other members, adopted the surname Bone in 1992. The group consists of brothers Layzie Bone and Flesh-N-Bone, stepbrother Bizzy Bone, cousin Wish Bone, and longtime friend Krayzie. While in L.A., the group found out where rapper Tone Loc lived and walked to his house. “We rapped for him, but he acted like he wasn’t interested.”
The group left a phone message for Eazy-E and were surprised when he returned the call. He was interested in the group but was about to hit the road and didn’t have time for an audition. When the Bones found out that the N.W.A tour included a Cleveland date, they hustled some bus tickets to return home, where they secured the opening spot at the N.W.A concert. After the show, the group rapped for Eazy in his dressing room. “He signed us right there and the rest is history,” says Krayzie.
In 1994, the group’s debut EP, Creepin’ On Ah Come Up, reached number 12, spending seven weeks in the top 20 and a total of 55 weeks on The Billboard 200, giving the group ample confidence for its full-length debut.
Although Bone Thugs-N-Harmony songs like “Me Killa” and “Die Die Die” deal with harsh urban realities, Krayzie says the group isn’t a gangsta rap crew. “A gangsta is out to get a reputation,” he says. “A thug is someone incognito who is trying to keep it on the low.” The group’s sound, which includes some singing mixed in with rapping, also sets it apart from the rap crowd. “That’s how we got the name ‘Thugs-N-Harmony,’ because we’re throwing harmony in with it on the way,” he says.
Lyrically, the group explores real-life circumstances in its old Cleveland neighborhood. “1st of Tha Month,” for example, is about the day when everyone receives their welfare checks. “That’s when everyone pays the bills, buys clothes, and has parties, because that’s the only time when they got any money.”
Another track, “Crossroad,” was written in the memory of a friend from the neighborhood. “He got shot in his chest trying to break up a fight,” Krayzie says. While the track was recorded months before Eazy-E’s death, the song can also serve as a tribute to their mentor.
“He had a copy of the album before he died,” says Krayzie. “He knew it was going to end up on top.” While Wright may have predicted big things for his proteges, the Bones were somewhat surprised when the album debuted at Number One. “The EP went triple-platinum, and I knew that this product was better than the last one,” Krayzie says. “I was surprised how quick it went to Number One, but I knew it would get there sooner or later.”
THE TOP FIVE
Week of August 12, 1995
1. E. 1999 Eternal, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
2. Cracked Rear View, Hootie & the Blowfish
3. Dreaming of You, Selena
4. CrazySexyCool, TLC
5. The Show, the After Party, the Hotel, Jodeci