Throwback Thursday: Bone Thugs-N-Harmony – Creepin On Ah Come Up

When Biggie’s Ready To Die was the best debut-album in rap-history, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s Creepin‘ On Ah Come Up easily is the best debut EP to ever have been released by a rap crew, period! Yeah, there was Faces Of Death, but it wasn’t until this extended play, dropping on Eazy-E‘s Ruthless Records in 1994, that the world was introduced to the unique and contagious style of the four (originally five, but Flesh-N-Bone’s run-ins with the law made this a quartet most of the time) Clevelandians, which was somewhat of a mixture of gospel-singing, ragga-toasting and hardcore Midwest-Tongue-Twistin‘ Rap.

The dispute over who invented the style and a legendary beef between those Thugs and Psychodrama/Twista/Speedknot Mobstaz/Do Or Die from Chicago and Three 6 Mafia/etc from Memphis will never be forgotten. But more than that, the seminal, genre-changing sound of those 8 tracks will always be remembered!

Two interludes perceed the first song, creating a diabolic, voodoo-istic and extremely mystic vibe, that leads into the legendary quote of Baptist pastor Calvin O. Butts. And when he claims „We’re not against rap. We’re not against rappers…but we ARE against those THUGS„, all Hell breaks loose. Thuggish Ruggish Bone is that classic Mid-90’s G-Funk, with whiny synthesizers, deep bass grooves and a hook sung by Shatasha Williams, that will forever stick to one’s memory.

The song introduces Bone the best way possible: kickin‘ rhymes about inner city life, drugs, violence, ghetto youth without perspective and the typical „I have no opportunities, so I’ma use them„-attitude (a.k.a. I don’t give a fuck).

And that’s only the beginning of all this mayhem. No Surrender might be the most ruthless (ha – get the hint?!) „Fuck The Police“-songs, past N.W.A. Electro pianos, creepy synths, strings and the unforgettable „…’cause I’m killin‘ all you bitches, turn them blue suits red„-line by Wish Bone. Put it in your car-stereo and find yourself parolin‘ for the 5-0…for no reason, just feelin‘ what the Bone Thugs are choppin‘ up!

The title track is especially interesting. Somebody remember The New Power Generation’s „Hallucination Rain„? Those two make a PERFECT two piece. Bump ‚em back-to-back – it will take you into a psychotic daze. Distorted synths, creepy sounds and eery lyrics all over the place…

But there’s even more to it. Forget about the excellent „Foe Tha Love of $“ sportin‘ one of Eazy-E‘s most remarkable feature-parts, forget about all the skulls and Ouija-aesthetics, forget all the single elements and focus on the picture as a whole. Focus on what Bone Thugs-N-Harmony did to the rap-game with only 5 proper tracks. They changed the face of rap forever. Just like Dr. Dre did when he introduced the whole world to G-Funk in 1992. Rapping never was the same. Kickin‘ flows, incorporating singing into rap-technique and experimenting with all kind of different styles became normal.

If it wouldn’t have been for Wish Bone, Lazy Bone, Krayzie Bone, Flesh-N-Bone and Bizzy Bone, it might’ve never come that far. Even today’s Top MCs like A$AP Rocky, SpaceGhostPurrp and Kendrick Lamar drop raps, heavily influenced by the style, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony made famous.

Legendary. Period.

Throwback Thursday: SMK – Aint nuttin shakin (1996)

I kind of caught the blues prior to writing this installment of „Throwback Thursday„, which made me chose this certain record. Now, Scratch Master K’s (how old school is that?!) second album really ain’t nothing too sad, but it’s got this mellow vibe, that goes with any kind of emotion. Therefor I found myself playing it countless times over the years.

SMK originally is from Rochester, New York, but you could never tell, judging on the sound of this album. Few producers have helped shaping the sound of Memphis Rap, the way SMK has. He’s made his mark with his soulful approach, relying heavily on funky basslines and mellow vibes, to kick back and zone out to. This here is straight Gangster Walk-music. Bump for the trunk. Gettin‘ Blowed-tracks. Of course it is – the cover depicts SMK not only smoking one, but TWO blunts at a time.
It’s straight underground. In a way. But you could still play Slow Down or Yo! It ain’t EZ for your girlfriend or even your mums and they will most likely feel it. While SMK might not be the most lyrical rapper of all time, he catches atmosphere and bumps it through the speakers.

M-Town is one of those songs. While the intro plays for about 50 seconds and is totally different from the song itself, you’ll find yourself bopping your head and moving your behind like a muuuuuuuh, as soon as the beat kicks in. SMK makes gangstas not only boogie. He makes them dance! And that’s what makes this album so special: it’s straight forward, you can tell by the cover, this is some explicit ish. But at the same time it’s diverse as can be, in it’s own right.
K takes on social criticism (All I know), reps his town (M-Town), his crew (B.P.P. in Yo Trunk), raps about smoking and getting drunk (Who’s got the Fi), dancing (Gangsta Walk) and – of course – women. Still it won’t leave you puzzled. This is one you can leave playing without skipping. Throw away your remote and activate replay-mode. Because that’s what you will find yourself doing: replaying the ish out of this record.

I told you I caught the blues. That’s why I’ll wrap it up with Hoes got me boned. To me this is the jam! SMK’s masterpiece. The bass takes you in zone. The drums make your neck hurt. The chorus gets you amped and the flow just makes you FEEL it.

Yupp – Aint nuttin shakin is a Gangsta/Thug/Drug Rap album. But there way more to it. So many personal aspects, facets and tweeks that it won’t leave your playlist for a long time!

Throwback Thursday: PSK-13 – Born Bad?

People throw around the word „classic“ way too often. An album with 5 strong cuts ain’t no classic. „Born Bad?“ is one though. The Proud Son of Kings, aka South Park Coalition-member PSK-13 came hard and sharp on his sophomore release. When his debut-EP dropped in 1993, talent was obvious – but it was raw like an uncut diamond. „Born Bad?“ embodies his magnum opus – it’s straight Princess Cut.
1997 saw PSK coming up with a stellar roster of producers and features, including O.G. Ice-T, former Bigtyme Recordz labelmates UGK, 20-2-Life, Ghetto Twiinz, Klondike Kat, Point Blank & Ice Lord aka Wreckless Klan.

One of the standout tracks definitely is „Like Yesterday„, featuring Bun B & Pimp C bka UGK

This one is that classic Texas Country Tunes-sound you expect to hear from the Kaaaaangs! Wah Wah-Guitars, Organs, 808-Drums and runnin‘ Hi Hats. Lyrics somewhere between childhood memories and adulthood bitterness, shows you what makes this release so special: it’s real. No effects, no image – just realness. Pain and experience transcribed into music.

But that’s not everything „Born Bad?“ has to offer: tracks like „Big Playaz“ see PSK in full baller mode, bein‘ assisted by Klondike Kat and legendary Ice-T, who pays respect to the Houston rap scene, as well as the ballin‘ lifestyle. One of the coldest MCs to ever grab a mic. And that you can quote.

It doesn’t matter if you find Mr. 13 Wayz talkin‘ about God (as in „Guilty„), spittin‘ that Gangsta Funk (see „Headed fo‘ my Trunk (Remix)„, which is an revamped version from the one found on his debut-EP), or simply dreamin‘, as he does in „Wake Up (All A Dream)“ – it works. It fits. It creates a perfect picture. The epitome of South Coast Funk. Gumbo Music. Soul Food transported through Rap.
I really can’t tell how many times I found myself simply zonin‘ out to the album at night time. Losin‘ my mind over all the thought put into this great LP. Gettin‘ high or amp, fallin‘ asleep or in a deep thought process. This one right here is the Dirty South. Get it whenever you have the chance to!

I wanna finish this one with THE jam on this one: „Da Youngsta“ featurin‘ Ice Lord doin‘ the hook. I really don’t wanna lose any words on it. Play it. Bump it. Feel it. Understand it.

Born Bad? Maybe – but came up good!