Bone Thugs-n-Harmony
Encyclopedia
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony is an American
Hip-Hop
/R'n'B band from Cleveland, Ohio
formed in 1991. It originally consisted of rappers Layzie Bone
, Flesh-n-Bone
, Bizzy Bone
, Krayzie Bone
, and Wish Bone
. Rapper Eazy-E
of the group N.W.A signed Bone Thugs-N-Harmony to Ruthless Records in 1994, when Bone Thugs debuted with EP Creepin on ah Come Up
. The EP included the hit single "Thuggish Ruggish Bone
.
In 1995, the group released its second album, E. 1999 Eternal
, which included hits "1st of tha Month
" and "Tha Crossroads
." A tribute to the recently deceased Eazy-E, "Tha Crossroads," won a Grammy award in 1997. The Art of War
, the group's third album, was also released in 1997.
In 2000 BTNHResurrection
reached platinum in one month and Thug World Order
(2002) received more moderate sales and promotion. After the album the group went on hiatus and released their sixth studio album Thug Stories
independently before returning in 2007 with the major label release Strength & Loyalty
, this time released by Swizz Beatz
's label Full Surface Records
. Bone Thugs-n-Harmony officially returned with their new album Uni-5: The World's Enemy, released in 2010 by their own record label, BTNH Worldwide
, with distribution by Warner Bros.
. Due to internal conflicts with the group, longtime members Krayzie Bone
and Wish Bone
officially left the group in April 2011. Despite speculation that the group was splitting up, Flesh-n-Bone
announced that a new album with him, Layzie
and Bizzy
will be released soon. Krayzie and Wish are currently working with upcoming artists on their label The Life Ent.
, Layzie Bone
, Bizzy Bone
, Wish Bone
and later Flesh-n-Bone
and recorded an album entitled Faces of Death in the studio of their then mentor, Kermit Henderson (Krayzie Bone's younger brother) on his indie label Stoney Burke in 1993. The group renamed itself Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. In hopes of securing a record deal the group was given an audition over the phone receiving an unfulfilled promise from Eazy-E to call them back. In November 1993, the group auditioned backstage for rapper Eazy-E
. Krayzie Bone performed his verse of "Flow Motion" from the Faces of Death album and Eazy-E was impressed. Eazy-E signed the group (minus Flesh-n-Bone) to his label Ruthless Records.
, was Bone Thugs-n-Harmony's debut with Ruthless. The album subject matter was focused almost entirely on violent criminal activity. Peaking at #12 on the Billboard 200
album chart and #2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
chart, it included the hit singles "Thuggish Ruggish Bone
" and "Foe tha Love of $
", the second of which featured a verse by Eazy-E. "Thuggish Ruggish Bone" peaked at #22 on the Billboard Hot 100
chart and #2 on the Hot Rap Tracks
chart, and "Foe tha Love of $" peaked at #41 on the Hot 100 and #4 on the Rap Tracks. After a slow start that saw the album's success limited to gangsta rap audiences, it broke through to the mainstream. The EP marked a major change in style for the group, as they now fully embraced the G-Funk
common in West Coast hip-hop of the time. It was the group's first collaboration with producer DJ U-Neek
, who would craft the group's signature sound by producing the majority of their next two albums.
was released. It included the singles "1st of tha Month
", which peaked at #14 on the Hot 100 and #4 on the Hot Rap Tracks, and "Tha Crossroads
", which reached #1 on the Hot 100 and Hot Rap Tracks charts. The album saw Bone diversified its content and musical style. A considerable portion of the album's concept was built upon violent subject matter, yet Bone also incorporated deeper themes, as its songs dealt with more spirituality and occult mysticism. The album was produced by DJ U-Neek (with co-production from Tony C. and Kenny McCloud). E. 1999 Eternal also introduced Bone's trademark tracks devoted entirely to the use of marijuana. The album name originated from one of the street names of a corner (E. 99th street & St. Clair) that was a familiar hangout to Bone members, as well as Eazy-E's album, Eternal E. Naming it after Eazy-E's album was just another way of showing respect and tribute to the rapper that helped them reach heightened success. In the same year, Flesh-n-Bone would become the first member of the group to release a debut album entitled T.H.U.G.S, which was certified gold according to the RIAA. E. 1999 Eternal is the group's most commercially successful album, it has since been certified 4x Platinum by the RIAA and is considered one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time and biggest selling.
. The album saw Bone further explore a wide variety of subjects and styles, with even more focus on God and family and an overall more ambient, mellow sound. The group still incorporated violent lyrics, though, with a large portion of the album dedicated to what they labeled "clones" who claimed Bone had stolen their quick-tongued rapping style and vice-versa. The album was rumored to be called "DNA Level C" which is Cleveland backwards. The single "Look into My Eyes" appeared on the soundtrack of the film Batman & Robin. It peaked at #4 on the Hot 100 and #2 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart. "If I Could Teach the World", the other single from The Art of War, peaked at #27 on the Hot 100 and #3 on the Hot Rap Tracks.
. The album featured the single "Resurrection (Paper, Paper)
", which peaked on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
chart at #52. The album's first half featured a slew of hardcore and dark tracks, with the second half being considerably more introspective and soft. Their first group album to prominently feature Flesh-n-Bone, whose presence was limited on previous releases because he had never signed with the group's label Ruthless Records. Flesh-n-Bone was convicted for assault with a firearm and criminal possession of a weapon in June 2000. Pleading guilty, Flesh was sentenced to 11 years in prison. Bizzy Bone abstained from promoting BTNHResurrection because he felt that Ruthless Records owed him money. He dropped a million-dollar lawsuit he filed against Sony Music and Loud Records
in exchange for a termination of his Sony contract. Three members of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony released solo albums in 2001: Bizzy Bone with The Gift
, Layzie Bone with Thug by Nature
, and Krayzie Bone with Thug on da Line
.
. The album supposedly overly-violent and political saw a drastic change in subject matter and tone for the group. The lyrics were almost completely void of any violence, while a larger number of tracks focused on the group itself. In contrast, several songs originally intended to be included on the album that were leaked after its release portray a much different album. The album debuted at #12 on the Billboard 200, and its single "Home" that featured Phil Collins
performing part of his song "Take Me Home
" peaked at #33 on the Rhythmic Top 40. Bizzy Bone was expelled from the group in January 2003 thus leaving only 3 active members Krayzie Bone, Layzie Bone & Wish Bone.
, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony's sixth album was recorded on Koch Records
and released on September 19, 2006. It marked the first time Bone Thugs-n-Harmony recorded as a trio after they released an internet-only EP album called '"Bone 4 Life" in September of 2005 . The album featured a slightly more mature style and the group leaned heavily towards its harmonic roots than its "thug" origins. Thug Stories sold 38,000 in its first week and peaked at #25 on the Billboard 200
and #1 on the Independent Album Chart.
was released on May 8, 2007 on Interscope Records
imprint Full Surface Records
. Being their first major album after an absence of nearly five years, the album debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on iTunes
and the Billboard Urban Music charts. The album contains guest appearances by Mariah Carey
, The Game
, will.i.am
, Akon
, Twista
, Bow Wow, Yolanda Adams
, and Felecia.
Producers on the album included Swizz Beatz
, Akon
, Pretty Boy & Bradd Young, DJ Toomp
, Jermaine Dupri
, will.i.am
, and others. The executive producer of the album was Swizz Beatz
. The first single was "I Tried
", which was their first top 10 hit in 10 years, having peaked at number 6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The second single was "Lil Love", which failed to reach the success of their first single. The album has been certified Gold by the RIAA.. The group also released a movie called "I Tried" that same year.
and Thug World Order
albums. It was released on November 13, 2007 by their former record label, Ruthless Records. Although the album embodies old tracks, there are some new notable changes: new beats, distorted production, voice manipulation, and new song titles. The sole single off the album was "Young Thugs", which was accompanied by a newly-filmed music video featuring Krayzie, Layzie, Bizzy and Wish.
After nearly a decade of incarceration, Flesh-n-Bone
was released from prison on July 13, 2008. In an interview, Bizzy confirmed his return to the group, after them all getting together by the time of Flesh's release.
They released the singles "See Me Shine" featuring Jay Rush and Lyfe Jennings
and "Rebirth" featuring Thin-C. A third single, "Meet Me in the Sky", was released on March 22. Uni-5: The World's Enemy was released on May 4, 2010.
n patois
delivery with their trademark style, though they rarely do this now. Bone's subject matter has both spiritual and occult undertones (e.g., "Hell Sent", "Intro", "Mr. Ouija", "Mr. Ouija 2" and "Da Introduction"). At first, their subject matter was almost always exclusively about violence and smoking marijuana. Today, however, their subject matter includes other topics such as urban socio-political issues, their old friend and mentor Eazy-E and religion. Besides minor changes to subject matter and sound, their lyrical style, elocution, and overall methodology remain intact and have influenced many new artist's today who have picked up this unique style.
Flesh-n-Bone
stated that him leaving the group was a serious disrespect mark towards Eazy-E
and says "He might as well say fuck Eazy!" and that he (Krayzie) knows where home is if he wants to come back to the group. Due to Flesh being angered, his retaliation led him towards the idea of an album titled "Majority Rules" but Bizzy Bone in a later interview stated that this is not official and it was just his thoughts spoken out of anger towards Krayzie.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Hip-Hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
/R'n'B band from Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
formed in 1991. It originally consisted of rappers Layzie Bone
Layzie Bone
Layzie Bone is rapper and hip-hop artist known primarily for being a member of the group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. He has also has gone by the names L-Burna and The #1 Assassin. He is the younger brother of fellow group member Flesh-N-Bone...
, Flesh-n-Bone
Flesh-n-Bone
Stanley Howse, better known as Flesh-n-Bone, is an American rapper from Cleveland, Ohio and is known as a member of the rap group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony...
, Bizzy Bone
Bizzy Bone
Bryon Anthony McCane II , better known by his stage name Bizzy Bone, is an American rapper and a member of the Cleveland rap group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.- Solo career :Bizzy Bone started his solo career in 1998...
, Krayzie Bone
Krayzie Bone
Anthony Henderson better known as Krayzie Bone, is an American rapper and is a former member of the rap group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.-Solo career:Krayzie Bone recorded his solo debut, Thug Mentality 1999, in 1998...
, and Wish Bone
Wish Bone
Charles C. Scruggs, better known by his stage name Wish Bone, is an American rapper and former member of the Grammy-Award winning Cleveland rap group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.-Early life:...
. Rapper Eazy-E
Eazy-E
Eric Lynn Wright , better known by his stage name Eazy-E, was an American rapper who performed solo and in the hip hop group N.W.A. Wright was born to Richard and Kathie Wright in Compton, California...
of the group N.W.A signed Bone Thugs-N-Harmony to Ruthless Records in 1994, when Bone Thugs debuted with EP Creepin on ah Come Up
Creepin on ah Come Up
Creepin on ah Come Up is an EP by rap group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. The album was released on June 21, 1994 on Ruthless Records. In 1998 the album was selected as one of The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums .-History:...
. The EP included the hit single "Thuggish Ruggish Bone
Thuggish Ruggish Bone
"Thuggish Ruggish Bone" is the debut single of the rap group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, from their debut EP Creepin on ah Come Up. It features local Cleveland singer Shatasha Williams. The song reached #22 on the Billboard Hot 100...
.
In 1995, the group released its second album, E. 1999 Eternal
E. 1999 Eternal
- Personnel :*Eric 'Eazy-E' Wright - Executive Producer, Album Concept*D.J. U-Neek - Producer, Recording*Aaron Connor - Engineer and Recording*Don Cunningham - Design and Art Direction*Tony Cowan - Recording*Madeleine Smith - Sample Clearance*...
, which included hits "1st of tha Month
1st of tha Month
"1st of tha Month" is the first single by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony from their album E. 1999 Eternal.It was certified Gold by the RIAA for sales of 500,000 copies. It peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming their first top twenty single, and was later was nominated for a Grammy Award in...
" and "Tha Crossroads
Tha Crossroads
"Tha Crossroads" is a Grammy Award–winning song performed by the hip hop group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, dedicated to the late rap icon Eazy-E and released in 1996...
." A tribute to the recently deceased Eazy-E, "Tha Crossroads," won a Grammy award in 1997. The Art of War
The Art of War (Bone Thugs-n-Harmony album)
-Album:-Singles:-See also:*List of number-one albums of 1997 *List of number-one R&B albums of 1997 -External links:[ allmusic.com]...
, the group's third album, was also released in 1997.
In 2000 BTNHResurrection
BTNHResurrection
BTNHResurrection is the fourth studio album by rap group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. The album was released on February 29, 2000 on Ruthless Records. It reached platinum status within a month, but sales declined afterwards...
reached platinum in one month and Thug World Order
Thug World Order
-Cut material:After September 11, 2001, Ruthless Records decided to drop many songs from the album for fear that consumers would be offended by violent imagery and anti-law enforcement lyrics late until 2004....
(2002) received more moderate sales and promotion. After the album the group went on hiatus and released their sixth studio album Thug Stories
Thug Stories
-Musicians:*Bone Thugs-n-Harmony – vocals*Chris Ackerman – keyboards*DJ Mike T – scratching, sound effects, producer, engineer*Gary "Sugar Foot" Greenberg – percussion, drums, producer*Steve Pageot – flute, keyboards, producer, engineer, drum programming...
independently before returning in 2007 with the major label release Strength & Loyalty
Strength & Loyalty
-Samples:- Unreleased songs :*"Bone Thugs Boys" *"Certified Thugs" *"Come With Me"...
, this time released by Swizz Beatz
Swizz Beatz
Kasseem Dean , better known by his stage name, Swizz Beatz, is an American record producer, DJ, rapper and painter. At the age of 17, he gained attention in the hip-hop world through his friendship with rapper DMX. Grady Spivey and rapper Cassidy helped launch his label Full Surface Records...
's label Full Surface Records
Full Surface Records
Full Surface Records is a record label founded by hip hop producer Kasseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean in 2001, with the help of Cassidy though he has left due to legal and money issues. The label used to operate through Sony Music Entertainment's, J Records and through Universal Music Group's, Interscope...
. Bone Thugs-n-Harmony officially returned with their new album Uni-5: The World's Enemy, released in 2010 by their own record label, BTNH Worldwide
BTNH Worldwide
BTNH Worldwide is an independent record label started by hip hop group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. Composed of Krayzie Bone, Flesh-N-Bone, Layzie Bone, Bizzy Bone and Wish Bone, BTNH Worldwide was created because of freedom of album concept not being handled adequately by previous record labels such as...
, with distribution by Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
. Due to internal conflicts with the group, longtime members Krayzie Bone
Krayzie Bone
Anthony Henderson better known as Krayzie Bone, is an American rapper and is a former member of the rap group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.-Solo career:Krayzie Bone recorded his solo debut, Thug Mentality 1999, in 1998...
and Wish Bone
Wish Bone
Charles C. Scruggs, better known by his stage name Wish Bone, is an American rapper and former member of the Grammy-Award winning Cleveland rap group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.-Early life:...
officially left the group in April 2011. Despite speculation that the group was splitting up, Flesh-n-Bone
Flesh-n-Bone
Stanley Howse, better known as Flesh-n-Bone, is an American rapper from Cleveland, Ohio and is known as a member of the rap group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony...
announced that a new album with him, Layzie
Layzie Bone
Layzie Bone is rapper and hip-hop artist known primarily for being a member of the group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. He has also has gone by the names L-Burna and The #1 Assassin. He is the younger brother of fellow group member Flesh-N-Bone...
and Bizzy
Bizzy Bone
Bryon Anthony McCane II , better known by his stage name Bizzy Bone, is an American rapper and a member of the Cleveland rap group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.- Solo career :Bizzy Bone started his solo career in 1998...
will be released soon. Krayzie and Wish are currently working with upcoming artists on their label The Life Ent.
B.O.N.E Enterpri$e Early years
The group formed the band B.O.N.E. Enterpri$e consisted of five members: Krayzie BoneKrayzie Bone
Anthony Henderson better known as Krayzie Bone, is an American rapper and is a former member of the rap group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.-Solo career:Krayzie Bone recorded his solo debut, Thug Mentality 1999, in 1998...
, Layzie Bone
Layzie Bone
Layzie Bone is rapper and hip-hop artist known primarily for being a member of the group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. He has also has gone by the names L-Burna and The #1 Assassin. He is the younger brother of fellow group member Flesh-N-Bone...
, Bizzy Bone
Bizzy Bone
Bryon Anthony McCane II , better known by his stage name Bizzy Bone, is an American rapper and a member of the Cleveland rap group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.- Solo career :Bizzy Bone started his solo career in 1998...
, Wish Bone
Wish Bone
Charles C. Scruggs, better known by his stage name Wish Bone, is an American rapper and former member of the Grammy-Award winning Cleveland rap group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.-Early life:...
and later Flesh-n-Bone
Flesh-n-Bone
Stanley Howse, better known as Flesh-n-Bone, is an American rapper from Cleveland, Ohio and is known as a member of the rap group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony...
and recorded an album entitled Faces of Death in the studio of their then mentor, Kermit Henderson (Krayzie Bone's younger brother) on his indie label Stoney Burke in 1993. The group renamed itself Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. In hopes of securing a record deal the group was given an audition over the phone receiving an unfulfilled promise from Eazy-E to call them back. In November 1993, the group auditioned backstage for rapper Eazy-E
Eazy-E
Eric Lynn Wright , better known by his stage name Eazy-E, was an American rapper who performed solo and in the hip hop group N.W.A. Wright was born to Richard and Kathie Wright in Compton, California...
. Krayzie Bone performed his verse of "Flow Motion" from the Faces of Death album and Eazy-E was impressed. Eazy-E signed the group (minus Flesh-n-Bone) to his label Ruthless Records.
Creepin on ah Come Up
Released in June 1994, the EP Creepin on ah Come UpCreepin on ah Come Up
Creepin on ah Come Up is an EP by rap group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. The album was released on June 21, 1994 on Ruthless Records. In 1998 the album was selected as one of The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums .-History:...
, was Bone Thugs-n-Harmony's debut with Ruthless. The album subject matter was focused almost entirely on violent criminal activity. Peaking at #12 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
album chart and #2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999...
chart, it included the hit singles "Thuggish Ruggish Bone
Thuggish Ruggish Bone
"Thuggish Ruggish Bone" is the debut single of the rap group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, from their debut EP Creepin on ah Come Up. It features local Cleveland singer Shatasha Williams. The song reached #22 on the Billboard Hot 100...
" and "Foe tha Love of $
Foe tha Love of $
"Foe tha Love of $" is the second single by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, featuring Eazy-E, from their debut album, Creepin on ah Come Up. The song was produced by DJ Yella and executive produced by Eazy-E. "Foe tha Love of $" was a huge success for the group, making it to #41 on the Billboard Hot 100, #37...
", the second of which featured a verse by Eazy-E. "Thuggish Ruggish Bone" peaked at #22 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart and #2 on the Hot Rap Tracks
Hot Rap Tracks
Rap Songs is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States. It lists the 25 most popular hip-hop/rap songs, calculated weekly by airplay on rhythmic and urban radio stations and sales in hip hop-focused or exclusive markets. From 1989 through 2001, it was based on how much the single...
chart, and "Foe tha Love of $" peaked at #41 on the Hot 100 and #4 on the Rap Tracks. After a slow start that saw the album's success limited to gangsta rap audiences, it broke through to the mainstream. The EP marked a major change in style for the group, as they now fully embraced the G-Funk
G-funk
G-funk, or Gangsta-funk, is a sub-genre of hip hop music that emerged from Westcoast gangsta rap in the early 1990s. G-funk incorporates multi-layered and melodic synthesizers, slow hypnotic grooves, a deep bass, background female vocals, the extensive sampling of P-funk tunes, and a high-pitched...
common in West Coast hip-hop of the time. It was the group's first collaboration with producer DJ U-Neek
DJ U-Neek
Tim Middleton is an American record producer. DJ U-Neek is the record producer behind the success of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, earning a Grammy Award for his work on the group's hit song, "Tha Crossroads"...
, who would craft the group's signature sound by producing the majority of their next two albums.
E. 1999 Eternal
In 1995, the group's second album E. 1999 EternalE. 1999 Eternal
- Personnel :*Eric 'Eazy-E' Wright - Executive Producer, Album Concept*D.J. U-Neek - Producer, Recording*Aaron Connor - Engineer and Recording*Don Cunningham - Design and Art Direction*Tony Cowan - Recording*Madeleine Smith - Sample Clearance*...
was released. It included the singles "1st of tha Month
1st of tha Month
"1st of tha Month" is the first single by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony from their album E. 1999 Eternal.It was certified Gold by the RIAA for sales of 500,000 copies. It peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming their first top twenty single, and was later was nominated for a Grammy Award in...
", which peaked at #14 on the Hot 100 and #4 on the Hot Rap Tracks, and "Tha Crossroads
Tha Crossroads
"Tha Crossroads" is a Grammy Award–winning song performed by the hip hop group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, dedicated to the late rap icon Eazy-E and released in 1996...
", which reached #1 on the Hot 100 and Hot Rap Tracks charts. The album saw Bone diversified its content and musical style. A considerable portion of the album's concept was built upon violent subject matter, yet Bone also incorporated deeper themes, as its songs dealt with more spirituality and occult mysticism. The album was produced by DJ U-Neek (with co-production from Tony C. and Kenny McCloud). E. 1999 Eternal also introduced Bone's trademark tracks devoted entirely to the use of marijuana. The album name originated from one of the street names of a corner (E. 99th street & St. Clair) that was a familiar hangout to Bone members, as well as Eazy-E's album, Eternal E. Naming it after Eazy-E's album was just another way of showing respect and tribute to the rapper that helped them reach heightened success. In the same year, Flesh-n-Bone would become the first member of the group to release a debut album entitled T.H.U.G.S, which was certified gold according to the RIAA. E. 1999 Eternal is the group's most commercially successful album, it has since been certified 4x Platinum by the RIAA and is considered one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time and biggest selling.
The Art of War
In 1997, the group released the double-disc set The Art of WarThe Art of War (Bone Thugs-n-Harmony album)
-Album:-Singles:-See also:*List of number-one albums of 1997 *List of number-one R&B albums of 1997 -External links:[ allmusic.com]...
. The album saw Bone further explore a wide variety of subjects and styles, with even more focus on God and family and an overall more ambient, mellow sound. The group still incorporated violent lyrics, though, with a large portion of the album dedicated to what they labeled "clones" who claimed Bone had stolen their quick-tongued rapping style and vice-versa. The album was rumored to be called "DNA Level C" which is Cleveland backwards. The single "Look into My Eyes" appeared on the soundtrack of the film Batman & Robin. It peaked at #4 on the Hot 100 and #2 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart. "If I Could Teach the World", the other single from The Art of War, peaked at #27 on the Hot 100 and #3 on the Hot Rap Tracks.
BTNHResurrection
In 2000, the group released BTNHResurrectionBTNHResurrection
BTNHResurrection is the fourth studio album by rap group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. The album was released on February 29, 2000 on Ruthless Records. It reached platinum status within a month, but sales declined afterwards...
. The album featured the single "Resurrection (Paper, Paper)
Resurrection (Paper, Paper)
"Resurrection " is a 2000 rap single by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony released off their album BTNHResurrection. It was the first single released off the album....
", which peaked on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
chart at #52. The album's first half featured a slew of hardcore and dark tracks, with the second half being considerably more introspective and soft. Their first group album to prominently feature Flesh-n-Bone, whose presence was limited on previous releases because he had never signed with the group's label Ruthless Records. Flesh-n-Bone was convicted for assault with a firearm and criminal possession of a weapon in June 2000. Pleading guilty, Flesh was sentenced to 11 years in prison. Bizzy Bone abstained from promoting BTNHResurrection because he felt that Ruthless Records owed him money. He dropped a million-dollar lawsuit he filed against Sony Music and Loud Records
Loud Records
Loud Records is a subsidiary of SRC Records founded by Steve Rifkind in 1992.Loud was a hip hop label which has released material by acts such as Wu-Tang Clan, Big Punisher, Mobb Deep, Krayzie Bone, The Beatnuts, M.O.P., Tha Alkaholiks, Pete Rock, Lil' Flip, Three 6 Mafia, Project Pat, Xzibit,...
in exchange for a termination of his Sony contract. Three members of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony released solo albums in 2001: Bizzy Bone with The Gift
The Gift (Bizzy Bone album)
The Gift is the second solo album by Bizzy Bone, released March 20, 2001. The only single was "Father." "Fried Day" was featured on the Next Friday soundtrack. The Gift Charted Billboard 200 at number 44 and on rap independent albums at number two...
, Layzie Bone with Thug by Nature
Thug by Nature
Thug by Nature is the debut album by American rapper Layzie Bone under the name, L-Burna, a nickname given to him by his sister. The album was released March 20, 2001....
, and Krayzie Bone with Thug on da Line
Thug on da Line
Thug on da Line is the second studio album by rapper Krayzie Bone. The album was released on 2001 on Thugline Records, Ruthless Records and Loud Records. He released the single "Hard Time Hustlin'" . The rap group Kneight Rieduz, also make an appearance on the album in "Kneight Riduz Wuz Here"...
.
Thug World Order
In 2002, the group released Thug World OrderThug World Order
-Cut material:After September 11, 2001, Ruthless Records decided to drop many songs from the album for fear that consumers would be offended by violent imagery and anti-law enforcement lyrics late until 2004....
. The album supposedly overly-violent and political saw a drastic change in subject matter and tone for the group. The lyrics were almost completely void of any violence, while a larger number of tracks focused on the group itself. In contrast, several songs originally intended to be included on the album that were leaked after its release portray a much different album. The album debuted at #12 on the Billboard 200, and its single "Home" that featured Phil Collins
Phil Collins
Philip David Charles "Phil" Collins, LVO is an English singer-songwriter, drummer, pianist and actor best known as a drummer and vocalist for British progressive rock group Genesis and as a solo artist....
performing part of his song "Take Me Home
Take Me Home (Phil Collins song)
*US: Atlantic / 7-89472*Germany: WEA / 258 830-7*Japan: WEA / P2058-12" vinyl single:*UK: Virgin / VS777-12*UK: Virgin / VSM777-12...
" peaked at #33 on the Rhythmic Top 40. Bizzy Bone was expelled from the group in January 2003 thus leaving only 3 active members Krayzie Bone, Layzie Bone & Wish Bone.
Thug Stories
Thug StoriesThug Stories
-Musicians:*Bone Thugs-n-Harmony – vocals*Chris Ackerman – keyboards*DJ Mike T – scratching, sound effects, producer, engineer*Gary "Sugar Foot" Greenberg – percussion, drums, producer*Steve Pageot – flute, keyboards, producer, engineer, drum programming...
, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony's sixth album was recorded on Koch Records
Koch Records
E1 Music , the primary subsidiary of E1 Entertainment LP, is the largest independent record label in the United States. It is also distributed by the Universal Music Group in Europe under the name E1 Universal...
and released on September 19, 2006. It marked the first time Bone Thugs-n-Harmony recorded as a trio after they released an internet-only EP album called '"Bone 4 Life" in September of 2005 . The album featured a slightly more mature style and the group leaned heavily towards its harmonic roots than its "thug" origins. Thug Stories sold 38,000 in its first week and peaked at #25 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
and #1 on the Independent Album Chart.
Strength & Loyalty
Originally to be called The Bone Thugs Story, Strength & LoyaltyStrength & Loyalty
-Samples:- Unreleased songs :*"Bone Thugs Boys" *"Certified Thugs" *"Come With Me"...
was released on May 8, 2007 on Interscope Records
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
imprint Full Surface Records
Full Surface Records
Full Surface Records is a record label founded by hip hop producer Kasseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean in 2001, with the help of Cassidy though he has left due to legal and money issues. The label used to operate through Sony Music Entertainment's, J Records and through Universal Music Group's, Interscope...
. Being their first major album after an absence of nearly five years, the album debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
and the Billboard Urban Music charts. The album contains guest appearances by Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
, The Game
The Game (rapper)
Jayceon Terrell Taylor , better known by his stage name Game, formerly The Game, is an American rapper and actor. As a member of G-Unit, he rose to fame in 2005 with the success of his debut album, The Documentary, which earned him two Grammy Award nominations...
, will.i.am
Will.i.am
William James Adams, Jr. , better known by his stage name will.i.am and occasionally by his other stage name Zuper Blahq, is an American rapper, musician, songwriter, singer, actor and producer...
, Akon
Akon
Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first...
, Twista
Twista
Carl Terrell Mitchell , better known by his stage name Twista, is an American rapper. He is known for once holding the title of fastest rapper in the world according to Guinness World Records in 1992, being able to pronounce 598 syllables in 55 seconds...
, Bow Wow, Yolanda Adams
Yolanda Adams
Yolanda Adams is an American Grammy- and Dove-award-winning Yolanda Adams is an American [[Grammy Awards|Grammy]]- and [[Dove Awards|Dove]]-award-winning...
, and Felecia.
Producers on the album included Swizz Beatz
Swizz Beatz
Kasseem Dean , better known by his stage name, Swizz Beatz, is an American record producer, DJ, rapper and painter. At the age of 17, he gained attention in the hip-hop world through his friendship with rapper DMX. Grady Spivey and rapper Cassidy helped launch his label Full Surface Records...
, Akon
Akon
Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first...
, Pretty Boy & Bradd Young, DJ Toomp
DJ Toomp
Aldrin Davis, better known as DJ Toomp, is an award-winning American record producer and DJ who works in Atlanta, Georgia. In the late 1980s he was MC Shy-D's DJ and went on tour with him and the 2 Live Crew as they performed at various venues across the country with other artists such as N.W.A...
, Jermaine Dupri
Jermaine Dupri
Jermaine Dupri Mauldin , known as Jermaine Dupri or JD, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper.- Early life and career :...
, will.i.am
Will.i.am
William James Adams, Jr. , better known by his stage name will.i.am and occasionally by his other stage name Zuper Blahq, is an American rapper, musician, songwriter, singer, actor and producer...
, and others. The executive producer of the album was Swizz Beatz
Swizz Beatz
Kasseem Dean , better known by his stage name, Swizz Beatz, is an American record producer, DJ, rapper and painter. At the age of 17, he gained attention in the hip-hop world through his friendship with rapper DMX. Grady Spivey and rapper Cassidy helped launch his label Full Surface Records...
. The first single was "I Tried
I Tried (Bone Thugs-n-Harmony song)
"I Tried" is a song by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony featuring Akon, released as the first single from their album Strength & Loyalty. This particular song features Layzie Bone, Krayzie Bone and Wish Bone. Akon produced and is featured on the song...
", which was their first top 10 hit in 10 years, having peaked at number 6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The second single was "Lil Love", which failed to reach the success of their first single. The album has been certified Gold by the RIAA.. The group also released a movie called "I Tried" that same year.
T.H.U.G.S.
T.H.U.G.S. is an album featuring previously unreleased, largely remixed Bone Thugs-n-Harmony songs that didn't make the final cut of BTNHResurrectionBTNHResurrection
BTNHResurrection is the fourth studio album by rap group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. The album was released on February 29, 2000 on Ruthless Records. It reached platinum status within a month, but sales declined afterwards...
and Thug World Order
Thug World Order
-Cut material:After September 11, 2001, Ruthless Records decided to drop many songs from the album for fear that consumers would be offended by violent imagery and anti-law enforcement lyrics late until 2004....
albums. It was released on November 13, 2007 by their former record label, Ruthless Records. Although the album embodies old tracks, there are some new notable changes: new beats, distorted production, voice manipulation, and new song titles. The sole single off the album was "Young Thugs", which was accompanied by a newly-filmed music video featuring Krayzie, Layzie, Bizzy and Wish.
Reunion
In November 2007, Layzie Bone confirmed that he had completed the Bone Brothers III album with Bizzy Bone, spurring speculation of a full Bone reunion. In a video interview, Krayzie Bone stated that they all wanted to reunite but that record label issues may prevent an official reunion. Bizzy Bone had attended a Bone Thugs performance during the time and he and the three then-standing members had a "good conversation".After nearly a decade of incarceration, Flesh-n-Bone
Flesh-n-Bone
Stanley Howse, better known as Flesh-n-Bone, is an American rapper from Cleveland, Ohio and is known as a member of the rap group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony...
was released from prison on July 13, 2008. In an interview, Bizzy confirmed his return to the group, after them all getting together by the time of Flesh's release.
Uni5: The World's Enemy
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony five members officially returned with their new album Uni-5: The World's Enemy, released in 2010 by their own record label, BTNH Worldwide, with distribution by Warner Bros. This eighth studio effort leans toward radio-friendly numbers and proper grown-man tracks, with the core four members offering life lessons as Bizzy gives his Biblical perspective. Uni5 also marks the return of long-time collaborator, DJ U-Neek, who was absent from 2007's Strength & Loyalty and has produced for the group throughout their career, including hits such as "Thuggish Ruggish Bone" and "Tha Crossroads."They released the singles "See Me Shine" featuring Jay Rush and Lyfe Jennings
Lyfe Jennings
Lyfe Jennings is a platinum-selling American R&B and soul singer-songwriter, record producer, and instrumentalist. He plays the guitar, bass, and piano which he integrates into his music...
and "Rebirth" featuring Thin-C. A third single, "Meet Me in the Sky", was released on March 22. Uni-5: The World's Enemy was released on May 4, 2010.
Style and technique
Bone's style and technique can be described as melodic, yet rapid-fire and aggressive. Their flow is often interwoven at a high-speed, melodic pace or slow, harmonic pace. They also tend to ride the beat that they're rapping over. Sometimes there are very few choruses separating their verses from one another. In the beginning, circa Faces of Death, Bone used a pseudo-JamaicaJamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
n patois
Patois
Patois is any language that is considered nonstandard, although the term is not formally defined in linguistics. It can refer to pidgins, creoles, dialects, and other forms of native or local speech, but not commonly to jargon or slang, which are vocabulary-based forms of cant...
delivery with their trademark style, though they rarely do this now. Bone's subject matter has both spiritual and occult undertones (e.g., "Hell Sent", "Intro", "Mr. Ouija", "Mr. Ouija 2" and "Da Introduction"). At first, their subject matter was almost always exclusively about violence and smoking marijuana. Today, however, their subject matter includes other topics such as urban socio-political issues, their old friend and mentor Eazy-E and religion. Besides minor changes to subject matter and sound, their lyrical style, elocution, and overall methodology remain intact and have influenced many new artist's today who have picked up this unique style.
Krayzie Bone & Wish Bone Departure
On the 14th of April 2011, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony member Krayzie Bone announced he left the group after 20 years citing uncontrollable circumstances along with Wish Bone to pursue their solo careers further and release records on their label, The Life Entertainment.Flesh-n-Bone
Flesh-n-Bone
Stanley Howse, better known as Flesh-n-Bone, is an American rapper from Cleveland, Ohio and is known as a member of the rap group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony...
stated that him leaving the group was a serious disrespect mark towards Eazy-E
Eazy-E
Eric Lynn Wright , better known by his stage name Eazy-E, was an American rapper who performed solo and in the hip hop group N.W.A. Wright was born to Richard and Kathie Wright in Compton, California...
and says "He might as well say fuck Eazy!" and that he (Krayzie) knows where home is if he wants to come back to the group. Due to Flesh being angered, his retaliation led him towards the idea of an album titled "Majority Rules" but Bizzy Bone in a later interview stated that this is not official and it was just his thoughts spoken out of anger towards Krayzie.
Discography
- 1993: Faces of Death
- 1994: Creepin on ah Come UpCreepin on ah Come UpCreepin on ah Come Up is an EP by rap group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. The album was released on June 21, 1994 on Ruthless Records. In 1998 the album was selected as one of The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums .-History:...
(EP) - 1995: E. 1999 EternalE. 1999 Eternal- Personnel :*Eric 'Eazy-E' Wright - Executive Producer, Album Concept*D.J. U-Neek - Producer, Recording*Aaron Connor - Engineer and Recording*Don Cunningham - Design and Art Direction*Tony Cowan - Recording*Madeleine Smith - Sample Clearance*...
- 1997: The Art of WarThe Art of War (Bone Thugs-n-Harmony album)-Album:-Singles:-See also:*List of number-one albums of 1997 *List of number-one R&B albums of 1997 -External links:[ allmusic.com]...
- 2000: BTNHResurrectionBTNHResurrectionBTNHResurrection is the fourth studio album by rap group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. The album was released on February 29, 2000 on Ruthless Records. It reached platinum status within a month, but sales declined afterwards...
- 2002: Thug World OrderThug World Order-Cut material:After September 11, 2001, Ruthless Records decided to drop many songs from the album for fear that consumers would be offended by violent imagery and anti-law enforcement lyrics late until 2004....
- 2006: Thug StoriesThug Stories-Musicians:*Bone Thugs-n-Harmony – vocals*Chris Ackerman – keyboards*DJ Mike T – scratching, sound effects, producer, engineer*Gary "Sugar Foot" Greenberg – percussion, drums, producer*Steve Pageot – flute, keyboards, producer, engineer, drum programming...
- 2007: Strength & LoyaltyStrength & Loyalty-Samples:- Unreleased songs :*"Bone Thugs Boys" *"Certified Thugs" *"Come With Me"...
- 2010: Uni5: The World's EnemyUni5: The World's EnemyUni5: The World's Enemy is the 8th studio album by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony released on May 4, 2010 on BTNH Worldwide with distribution via Warner Bros. Records. The mixtape, The Fixtape Vol...
Awards
| Award | Category | Song/Album | Year | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grammy Awards | "Best Rap Album" | E. 1999 Eternal E. 1999 Eternal - Personnel :*Eric 'Eazy-E' Wright - Executive Producer, Album Concept*D.J. U-Neek - Producer, Recording*Aaron Connor - Engineer and Recording*Don Cunningham - Design and Art Direction*Tony Cowan - Recording*Madeleine Smith - Sample Clearance*... |
1996 | Nominated |
| "Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group The Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group was awarded between 1991 and 2011, alongside the Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance. Previously a single award was presented for Best Rap Performance.... " |
1st of tha Month 1st of tha Month "1st of tha Month" is the first single by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony from their album E. 1999 Eternal.It was certified Gold by the RIAA for sales of 500,000 copies. It peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming their first top twenty single, and was later was nominated for a Grammy Award in... |
Nominated | ||
| Tha Crossroads Tha Crossroads "Tha Crossroads" is a Grammy Award–winning song performed by the hip hop group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, dedicated to the late rap icon Eazy-E and released in 1996... |
1997 | Won | ||
| American Music Awards American Music Awards -Conception:The AMAs were created by Dick Clark in 1973 to compete with the Grammys after the move of that year's show to Nashville, Tennessee led to CBS picking up the Grammy telecasts after its first two in 1971 and 1972 were broadcast on ABC... |
"Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist" | Bone Thugs-n-Harmony | 1996 | Nominated |
| 1997 | Nominated | |||
| 1998 | Won | |||
| "Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Band, Duo or Group" | 2007 | Won | ||
| MTV Video Music Awards MTV Video Music Awards An MTV Video Music Award , is an award presented by the cable channel MTV to honor the best in music videos... |
"Best Special Effects MTV Video Music Award for Best Special Effects The following is a list of MTV Video Music Awards winners for Best Special Effects in a Video.... " |
Tha Crossroads | 1996 | Nominated |
| "Viewer's Choice MTV Video Music Award - Viewer's Choice The MTV Video Music Award for Viewer's Choice was first awarded at the first annual MTV Video Music Awards in 1984. The Viewer's Choice award nominees were the originally the same as the Video of the Year nominees, something which continued until 1994... " |
Nominated | |||
| "Video of the Year MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year The MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year is the main award handed out at the yearly MTV Video Music Awards. It was first awarded in , when The Cars won it, and has been given out since. Eminem has been the most nominated solo artist, male solo artist, and act in this category, having been... " |
Nominated | |||
| "Best Group Video MTV Video Music Award for Best Group Video The MTV Video Music Award for Best Group Video was first given out at the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards; and in 2007, going along with how the VMAs were revamped that year, the award was renamed Best Group, as it awarded the artist's body of work for the full year rather than a specific video... " |
Nominated | |||