Compton's Most Wanted
Encyclopedia
Compton's Most Wanted is an American gangsta rap
group and one of the pioneers of the West Coast Hip Hop
scene still performing today on independent labels. The leader of the group was MC Eiht
.
, Boom Bam
, MC Chill
, DJ Slip
and Ant Capone who was later replaced by designated scratcher DJ Mike T, and producer DJ Slip
. The Unknown DJ
was also a producer for the group though not officially a member.
Their first three albums It's a Compton Thang
, Straight Checkn 'Em
and Music to Driveby
, were produced by DJ Slip
and The Unknown DJ
, who produced both Electro funk tracks as well as Ice T
's classic gangsta song "6 In the Morning", and King Tee
's classic gangsta songs "Payback's A Mutha & If Ya Ever In Compton Ya Better Bring A Gun". MC Chill
was an original member of C.M.W. at the time of their first album It's a Compton Thang
, but was sentenced to imprisonment in 1991 before Straight Checkn 'Em
was issued. He was released from prison in 1994. During his time in prison he missed C.M.W.'s two biggest albums "Straight Checkn 'Em
" and "Music to Driveby
". After three years behind bars, MC Chill
did not have the chance to return to the group as they chose to highlight MC Eiht
as a solo artist, due to the fact he (MC Eiht
) wrote all of the lyrics on the first three Comptons Most Wanted albums up following Music to Driveby. Instead, Tha Chill MC decided to tour with C.M.W. and work with MC Ren
and MC Eiht
for their solo albums. In 2000, the group reformed and released "Represent
". They are known especially for their slow, often melancholic raps, using samples from 1970s soul and funk records such as "Joy" by Isaac Hayes
and "Love T.K.O." by Teddy Pendergrass
. MC Eiht is pursuing his solo career, while DJ Slip
is mainly working for the new West Coast
label IV Life Records.
Additionally, C.M.W. are set for a reunion which will feature on DJ Slip's next album "The Minority Report".
Ant Capone was supposed to be a member of the group while they released It's a Compton Thang
, but was later released from the group due to studio issues and the designated scratcher DJ Mike T had to step up to the djay plate and did not appear on their first album. In 2006, the group released a fifth studio album, called Music to Gang Bang
, which was released independently.
In 1990
, C.M.W. released their first album, It's a Compton Thang
which featured the single with the same title. It's a Compton Thang was entirely produced by DJ Slip
and The Unknown DJ
. The album peaked at #132 in the U.S.
charts. A year later, the group released the follow-up album, Straight Checkn 'Em
, which featured popular hits like "Growin' Up In tha Hood" which was the title sound track off the John Singleton block buster hit movie ""Boyz In The Hood"" and the first version of the "Def Wish" series. MC Chill
was sentenced to prison some months before the album was released and he did not have the chance to participate, but he was on the sound track of "Boyz In The Hood". However, the album "Straight Check'n Em" was a bigger success than their previous album, peaking at #92.
Again in 1992
, the group released their third and most successful studio album, Music to Driveby
. It featured the single "Hood Took Me Under
" which was produced by Mike T and charted at #5 in Hot Rap Singles and was featured on the popular videogame Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
(which features MC Eiht as a vital supporting character) at the West Coast
radio station, Radio Los Santos. The album charted at #66 in the U.S. charts and is considered a classic by many people. It was the last album C.M.W. released until their long break.
Finally, after a break of eight years, the group released Represent
in 2000
. The album featured the single "This Is Compton 2000 & Some May Know" and had none of the success of their previous albums. After another long break, the group released Music to Gang Bang
in 2006
which also did not sell well and contained four singles, most notably the single with same title as the album Music to Gang Bang.
Compton rapper The Game
recently revealed in an interview that he was in talks with MC Eiht to revive the group.
Gangsta rap
Gangsta Rap is a subgenre of hip hop music that evolved from hardcore hip hop and purports to reflect urban crime and the violent lifestyles of inner-city youths. Lyrics in gangsta rap have varied from accurate reflections to fictionalized accounts. Gangsta is a non-rhotic pronunciation of the word...
group and one of the pioneers of the West Coast Hip Hop
West Coast hip hop
West Coast hip hop is a hip hop music subgenre that encompasses any artists or music that originates in the westernmost region of the United States, as opposed to East Coast hip hop, based originally in New York alone...
scene still performing today on independent labels. The leader of the group was MC Eiht
MC Eiht
Aaron Tyler , better known by his stage name MC Eiht, is an American rapper. His stage name was partly inspired by the numeral in KRS-One's name. He chose Eiht for its links to "hood culture", including 8Ball and .38 caliber firearms...
.
Biography
C.M.W. included rappers MC EihtMC Eiht
Aaron Tyler , better known by his stage name MC Eiht, is an American rapper. His stage name was partly inspired by the numeral in KRS-One's name. He chose Eiht for its links to "hood culture", including 8Ball and .38 caliber firearms...
, Boom Bam
Boom Bam
Boom Bam was one of the founding members of Comptons Most Wanted and underground rap group N.O.T.R. Bam was born Gene Heisser in 1971 in Compton California. Boom Bam met MC Eiht and Tha Chill while attending Junior High school, and a lifelong friendship developed. In 1987 they created the rap...
, MC Chill
MC Chill
MC Chill is a co-founder of the Compton based hip hop group, Compton's Most Wanted, along with the frontman MC Eiht. During his childhood, Chill dropped out of highschool and hooked up with the neighbourhood MC Eiht forming the group...
, DJ Slip
DJ Slip
DJ Slip , is a producer and member of the Compton group, Compton's Most Wanted. Terry started work with his father, Richard Allan, before becoming a professional DJ. He has produced all the three first Compton's Most Wanted albums along with The Unknown DJ...
and Ant Capone who was later replaced by designated scratcher DJ Mike T, and producer DJ Slip
DJ Slip
DJ Slip , is a producer and member of the Compton group, Compton's Most Wanted. Terry started work with his father, Richard Allan, before becoming a professional DJ. He has produced all the three first Compton's Most Wanted albums along with The Unknown DJ...
. The Unknown DJ
The Unknown DJ
The Unknown DJ, born Andre Manuel, is one of the pioneers of West Coast hip hop. He first started produced electro hop tracks that came out under his own name, the most popular probably being "Basstronic", "808 Beats" and "Let's Jam". He also produced several tracks for Ice-T, among them his first...
was also a producer for the group though not officially a member.
Their first three albums It's a Compton Thang
It's a Compton Thang
It's a Compton Thang is the debut album by American rap group Compton's Most Wanted, released May 24, 1990 on Orpheus Records. Ant Capone was supposed to be part of the group however he was fired and replaced by DJ Mike T for this album.-Track listing:...
, Straight Checkn 'Em
Straight Checkn 'Em
Straight Checkn 'Em is the second studio album by American rap group Compton's Most Wanted, released July 16, 1991 on Orpheus Records. It peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and at number 92 on the Billboard 200....
and Music to Driveby
Music to Driveby
Music to Driveby is the third studio album by American rap group Compton's Most Wanted. It was released September 29, 1992 on Orpheus Records. The album was produced by DJ Mike T, Master Ric Roc, The Unknown DJ, MC Eiht and DJ Slip...
, were produced by DJ Slip
DJ Slip
DJ Slip , is a producer and member of the Compton group, Compton's Most Wanted. Terry started work with his father, Richard Allan, before becoming a professional DJ. He has produced all the three first Compton's Most Wanted albums along with The Unknown DJ...
and The Unknown DJ
The Unknown DJ
The Unknown DJ, born Andre Manuel, is one of the pioneers of West Coast hip hop. He first started produced electro hop tracks that came out under his own name, the most popular probably being "Basstronic", "808 Beats" and "Let's Jam". He also produced several tracks for Ice-T, among them his first...
, who produced both Electro funk tracks as well as Ice T
Ice T
Tracy Marrow , better known by his stage name Ice-T, is an American musician and actor.He was born in Newark, New Jersey and moved to the Crenshaw district of Los Angeles when he was in the 7th grade. After graduating from high school he served in the United States Army for four years...
's classic gangsta song "6 In the Morning", and King Tee
King Tee
Roger McBride, mostly known as King Tee , is an American West coast rapper from Compton, California.-Career:...
's classic gangsta songs "Payback's A Mutha & If Ya Ever In Compton Ya Better Bring A Gun". MC Chill
MC Chill
MC Chill is a co-founder of the Compton based hip hop group, Compton's Most Wanted, along with the frontman MC Eiht. During his childhood, Chill dropped out of highschool and hooked up with the neighbourhood MC Eiht forming the group...
was an original member of C.M.W. at the time of their first album It's a Compton Thang
It's a Compton Thang
It's a Compton Thang is the debut album by American rap group Compton's Most Wanted, released May 24, 1990 on Orpheus Records. Ant Capone was supposed to be part of the group however he was fired and replaced by DJ Mike T for this album.-Track listing:...
, but was sentenced to imprisonment in 1991 before Straight Checkn 'Em
Straight Checkn 'Em
Straight Checkn 'Em is the second studio album by American rap group Compton's Most Wanted, released July 16, 1991 on Orpheus Records. It peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and at number 92 on the Billboard 200....
was issued. He was released from prison in 1994. During his time in prison he missed C.M.W.'s two biggest albums "Straight Checkn 'Em
Straight Checkn 'Em
Straight Checkn 'Em is the second studio album by American rap group Compton's Most Wanted, released July 16, 1991 on Orpheus Records. It peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and at number 92 on the Billboard 200....
" and "Music to Driveby
Music to Driveby
Music to Driveby is the third studio album by American rap group Compton's Most Wanted. It was released September 29, 1992 on Orpheus Records. The album was produced by DJ Mike T, Master Ric Roc, The Unknown DJ, MC Eiht and DJ Slip...
". After three years behind bars, MC Chill
MC Chill
MC Chill is a co-founder of the Compton based hip hop group, Compton's Most Wanted, along with the frontman MC Eiht. During his childhood, Chill dropped out of highschool and hooked up with the neighbourhood MC Eiht forming the group...
did not have the chance to return to the group as they chose to highlight MC Eiht
MC Eiht
Aaron Tyler , better known by his stage name MC Eiht, is an American rapper. His stage name was partly inspired by the numeral in KRS-One's name. He chose Eiht for its links to "hood culture", including 8Ball and .38 caliber firearms...
as a solo artist, due to the fact he (MC Eiht
MC Eiht
Aaron Tyler , better known by his stage name MC Eiht, is an American rapper. His stage name was partly inspired by the numeral in KRS-One's name. He chose Eiht for its links to "hood culture", including 8Ball and .38 caliber firearms...
) wrote all of the lyrics on the first three Comptons Most Wanted albums up following Music to Driveby. Instead, Tha Chill MC decided to tour with C.M.W. and work with MC Ren
MC Ren
Lorenzo Jerald Patterson , better known by his stage name MC Ren, is a rapper who formed part of the group N.W.A. His moniker is derived from his first name .-Early life:...
and MC Eiht
MC Eiht
Aaron Tyler , better known by his stage name MC Eiht, is an American rapper. His stage name was partly inspired by the numeral in KRS-One's name. He chose Eiht for its links to "hood culture", including 8Ball and .38 caliber firearms...
for their solo albums. In 2000, the group reformed and released "Represent
Represent (Compton's Most Wanted album)
Represent is the fourth album by Comptons Most Wanted, their first since Music to Driveby in 1992. It included the singles, "This is Compton 2000" and "Then U Gone". In 2007, MC Eiht re-released the album in the name, Representin...
". They are known especially for their slow, often melancholic raps, using samples from 1970s soul and funk records such as "Joy" by Isaac Hayes
Isaac Hayes
Isaac Lee Hayes, Jr. was an American songwriter, musician, singer and actor. Hayes was one of the creative influences behind the southern soul music label Stax Records, where he served both as an in-house songwriter and as a record producer, teaming with his partner David Porter during the...
and "Love T.K.O." by Teddy Pendergrass
Teddy Pendergrass
Theodore DeReese "Teddy" Pendergrass was an American R&B/soul singer and songwriter. Pendergrass first rose to fame as lead singer of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes in the 1970s before a successful solo career at the end of the decade...
. MC Eiht is pursuing his solo career, while DJ Slip
DJ Slip
DJ Slip , is a producer and member of the Compton group, Compton's Most Wanted. Terry started work with his father, Richard Allan, before becoming a professional DJ. He has produced all the three first Compton's Most Wanted albums along with The Unknown DJ...
is mainly working for the new West Coast
West Coast hip hop
West Coast hip hop is a hip hop music subgenre that encompasses any artists or music that originates in the westernmost region of the United States, as opposed to East Coast hip hop, based originally in New York alone...
label IV Life Records.
Additionally, C.M.W. are set for a reunion which will feature on DJ Slip's next album "The Minority Report".
Ant Capone was supposed to be a member of the group while they released It's a Compton Thang
It's a Compton Thang
It's a Compton Thang is the debut album by American rap group Compton's Most Wanted, released May 24, 1990 on Orpheus Records. Ant Capone was supposed to be part of the group however he was fired and replaced by DJ Mike T for this album.-Track listing:...
, but was later released from the group due to studio issues and the designated scratcher DJ Mike T had to step up to the djay plate and did not appear on their first album. In 2006, the group released a fifth studio album, called Music to Gang Bang
Music to Gang Bang
Music to Gang Bang is the fifth album by Compton rap group, Compton's Most Wanted. The album contained four singles, "Music to Gang Bang", "Still a Menace", "Come Ride with Me" and "We Get Down Like That".-Track listing:#"Intro - Compton" - 1:16...
, which was released independently.
In 1990
1990 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1990.-Events:*January 21 – MTV's Unplugged premieres on cable television with British band Squeeze...
, C.M.W. released their first album, It's a Compton Thang
It's a Compton Thang
It's a Compton Thang is the debut album by American rap group Compton's Most Wanted, released May 24, 1990 on Orpheus Records. Ant Capone was supposed to be part of the group however he was fired and replaced by DJ Mike T for this album.-Track listing:...
which featured the single with the same title. It's a Compton Thang was entirely produced by DJ Slip
DJ Slip
DJ Slip , is a producer and member of the Compton group, Compton's Most Wanted. Terry started work with his father, Richard Allan, before becoming a professional DJ. He has produced all the three first Compton's Most Wanted albums along with The Unknown DJ...
and The Unknown DJ
The Unknown DJ
The Unknown DJ, born Andre Manuel, is one of the pioneers of West Coast hip hop. He first started produced electro hop tracks that came out under his own name, the most popular probably being "Basstronic", "808 Beats" and "Let's Jam". He also produced several tracks for Ice-T, among them his first...
. The album peaked at #132 in the U.S.
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...
charts. A year later, the group released the follow-up album, Straight Checkn 'Em
Straight Checkn 'Em
Straight Checkn 'Em is the second studio album by American rap group Compton's Most Wanted, released July 16, 1991 on Orpheus Records. It peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and at number 92 on the Billboard 200....
, which featured popular hits like "Growin' Up In tha Hood" which was the title sound track off the John Singleton block buster hit movie ""Boyz In The Hood"" and the first version of the "Def Wish" series. MC Chill
MC Chill
MC Chill is a co-founder of the Compton based hip hop group, Compton's Most Wanted, along with the frontman MC Eiht. During his childhood, Chill dropped out of highschool and hooked up with the neighbourhood MC Eiht forming the group...
was sentenced to prison some months before the album was released and he did not have the chance to participate, but he was on the sound track of "Boyz In The Hood". However, the album "Straight Check'n Em" was a bigger success than their previous album, peaking at #92.
Again in 1992
1992 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1992.-January–February:*January 11**Nirvana's Nevermind album goes to #1 in the US Billboard 200 chart, establishing the widespread popularity of the Grunge movement of the 1990s....
, the group released their third and most successful studio album, Music to Driveby
Music to Driveby
Music to Driveby is the third studio album by American rap group Compton's Most Wanted. It was released September 29, 1992 on Orpheus Records. The album was produced by DJ Mike T, Master Ric Roc, The Unknown DJ, MC Eiht and DJ Slip...
. It featured the single "Hood Took Me Under
Hood Took Me Under
"Hood Took Me Under" is one of the most popular singles by the group Compton's Most Wanted and was released in their album, Music to Driveby. The song was featured in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas in the fictional radio station, Radio Los Santos...
" which was produced by Mike T and charted at #5 in Hot Rap Singles and was featured on the popular videogame Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is a 2004 open world action video game developed by British games developer Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. It is the third 3D game in the Grand Theft Auto video game franchise, the fifth original console release and eighth game overall...
(which features MC Eiht as a vital supporting character) at the West Coast
West Coast hip hop
West Coast hip hop is a hip hop music subgenre that encompasses any artists or music that originates in the westernmost region of the United States, as opposed to East Coast hip hop, based originally in New York alone...
radio station, Radio Los Santos. The album charted at #66 in the U.S. charts and is considered a classic by many people. It was the last album C.M.W. released until their long break.
Finally, after a break of eight years, the group released Represent
Represent (Compton's Most Wanted album)
Represent is the fourth album by Comptons Most Wanted, their first since Music to Driveby in 1992. It included the singles, "This is Compton 2000" and "Then U Gone". In 2007, MC Eiht re-released the album in the name, Representin...
in 2000
2000 in music
See also:* 2000 in music Record labels established in 2000-Events:*January – Gary Glitter is released from jail, two months before his sentence for sexual offences ends.*January 1**John Tavener is knighted in the New Year's Honours List....
. The album featured the single "This Is Compton 2000 & Some May Know" and had none of the success of their previous albums. After another long break, the group released Music to Gang Bang
Music to Gang Bang
Music to Gang Bang is the fifth album by Compton rap group, Compton's Most Wanted. The album contained four singles, "Music to Gang Bang", "Still a Menace", "Come Ride with Me" and "We Get Down Like That".-Track listing:#"Intro - Compton" - 1:16...
in 2006
2006 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2006.-January:*January 10 – Eric Burdon releases his album Soul of a Man and begins touring with a new band....
which also did not sell well and contained four singles, most notably the single with same title as the album Music to Gang Bang.
Compton rapper 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...
recently revealed in an interview that he was in talks with MC Eiht to revive the group.
Discography
- 1988: Sound Control Mob Compilation (Under Investigation)
- 1990: It's a Compton ThangIt's a Compton ThangIt's a Compton Thang is the debut album by American rap group Compton's Most Wanted, released May 24, 1990 on Orpheus Records. Ant Capone was supposed to be part of the group however he was fired and replaced by DJ Mike T for this album.-Track listing:...
- 1990: I'm Wit Dat b/w Whos Is It feat. The Posse Of Sedosse (single)
- 1991: Straight Checkn 'EmStraight Checkn 'EmStraight Checkn 'Em is the second studio album by American rap group Compton's Most Wanted, released July 16, 1991 on Orpheus Records. It peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and at number 92 on the Billboard 200....
- 1992: Music to DrivebyMusic to DrivebyMusic to Driveby is the third studio album by American rap group Compton's Most Wanted. It was released September 29, 1992 on Orpheus Records. The album was produced by DJ Mike T, Master Ric Roc, The Unknown DJ, MC Eiht and DJ Slip...
- 1992: The Hood Took Me Under (remix single)
- 2000: RepresentRepresent (Compton's Most Wanted album)Represent is the fourth album by Comptons Most Wanted, their first since Music to Driveby in 1992. It included the singles, "This is Compton 2000" and "Then U Gone". In 2007, MC Eiht re-released the album in the name, Representin...
- 2006: Music to Gang BangMusic to Gang BangMusic to Gang Bang is the fifth album by Compton rap group, Compton's Most Wanted. The album contained four singles, "Music to Gang Bang", "Still a Menace", "Come Ride with Me" and "We Get Down Like That".-Track listing:#"Intro - Compton" - 1:16...