Bone Thugs-n-Harmony

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Bone Thugs-n-Harmony
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony in 2010
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony in 2010
Background information
Also known asB.O.N.E. Enterpri$e
OriginGlenville, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Genres
DiscographyBone Thugs-n-Harmony discography
Years active1991–present[1][2]
Labels
SpinoffsMo Thugs
Members

Bone Thugs-n-Harmony (formerly known as B.O.N.E. Enterpri$e and also known as Bone Thugs) is an American hip hop group composed of rappers

Grammy Award
in 1997.

Warner Bros.

Bone Thugs-n-Harmony are the only group that has worked with renowned American rappers Tupac Shakur, the Notorious B.I.G., Eazy-E, and Big Pun while they were all still alive. About.com ranked them No. 12 on its list of the 25 Best Rap Groups of All Time,[3] and MTV called them "the most melodic hip-hop group of all time".[4]

Krayzie Bone and Wish Bone briefly stepped away from the group in April 2011 to work with their independent label The Life Entertainment.

Koch Records), with whom they had previously partnered to release 2006's Thug Stories.[10]

History

1993: B.O.N.E. Enterprise early years

Formed in Cleveland, Ohio in 1991,[1][2] the group was originally called "Band Aid Boys". Charles Scruggs Jr., born 17 February 1975,[11] joined the trio of Krayzie Bone, Layzie Bone, and Bizzy Bone under the name Wish Bone[12] (later stylized as Wi$h Bone), and the group recorded an album titled Faces of Death under the name B.O.N.E. Enterpri$e after an obsolete Inglewood, California based group Wish Bone was associated with.[13] The album was recorded in the studio of their then-mentor, Kermit Henderson, and released on his indie label Stoney Burke in 1993. Like so many aspiring rappers around the country, they put in calls to executives at record companies, hoping to find someone who would listen. In hopes of securing a record deal, the group was given an audition over the phone, receiving an unfulfilled promise from rapper Eazy-E to call them back. Determined to reach him, they scrounged together the money for one-way bus tickets to Los Angeles. They left for a three-day Greyhound trek and spent four months on the city streets, putting in frequent calls to find him. Nothing came of their search except the news that Eazy-E was, in fact, on his way to Cleveland for a show.[14]

The quartet returned to Ohio, where Diego Blak (born Diego Hodge), a marketer and promoter who had been co-executive producer of Faces of Death, introduced them to Eazy-E at a concert he promoted in Compton. There, on November 2, 1993, they auditioned for Eazy in his dressing room; Krayzie performed his verse of "Flow Motion" from the Faces of Death album, and Eazy was impressed.[15] B.O.N.E Enterpri$e then traveled back to Los Angeles after the Cleveland show to seal the deal. At this point, Eazy renamed them Thugs-n-Harmony, but as they wanted to keep the Bone name, they made their name Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. Eazy signed the group (minus Flesh-n-Bone) to his label Ruthless Records.[1]

1994: Creepin on ah Come Up

Released in June 1994,

AIDS
-related pneumonia. Briefly, the young rappers thought they had lost everything with the loss of their friend and mentor. However, the group's potential was apparent, and Ruthless Records continued to support them.

1995–1996: E. 1999 Eternal

In 1995, the group's second album,

platinum
by the RIAA.

There were plans for Bone Thugs-n-Harmony to collaborate with

OutKast, Scarface, E-40, and more.[21]
However, 2Pac was shot and killed in September 1996 so the album never came into fruition. Bootlegs of songs produced while 2Pac was still alive have been distributed.

1997–2001: The Art of War and BTNHResurrection

In 1997, the group released the double-disc set

American Music Award. The album also included "Thug Luv" with Tupac Shakur. The group's promotional efforts were dampened by the absence of Bizzy Bone
from the album's videos and from large portions of the ensuing tour and other public appearances. This absence eventually fueled rumors of a break-up.

Around this time, the lyrical content of some of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony's songs came under scrutiny, with their music being involved in the criminal trials of Michael Tisius and Mitchell Johnson.[23][24]

In 2000, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony released BTNHResurrection, featuring the single "Resurrection (Paper, Paper)", which peaked on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart at No. 52.[17] The album's first half featured a slew of hardcore and dark tracks, with the second half being considerably more introspective and soft. Other singles from the album, including "Can't Give it Up", failed to crack the Billboard Hot 100, and the big-budget video for "Change the World" failed to receive any rotation. This was their first group album to prominently feature Flesh-n-Bone, whose presence had been limited on previous releases because he had never signed with the group's label, Ruthless Records. Flesh was convicted for assault with a firearm and criminal possession of a weapon in June 2000.[25] Pleading guilty, Flesh was sentenced to 11 years in prison.[26]

The group again began having public disputes with Bizzy Bone. Bizzy Bone abstained from promoting BTNHResurrection because he felt that Ruthless Records owed him money.[27] He dropped a million-dollar lawsuit he had filed against Sony Music and Loud Records in exchange for a termination of his Sony contract.[28] Three members of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony released solo albums in 2001: Bizzy Bone with The Gift, Layzie Bone (under the name L-Burna) with Thug by Nature, and Krayzie Bone with Thug on da Line.[29]

2002–2006: Thug World Order and Thug Stories

In 2002, the group released

Rhythmic Top 40, impacting the charts in a number of countries, most notably the United Kingdom.[17] Bizzy Bone was expelled from the group in January 2003, leaving only 3 active members: Krayzie Bone, Layzie Bone, and Wish Bone.[32]
Thug World Order was also Bone Thugs-n-Harmony's final album with Ruthless Records.

Koch Records and released on September 19, 2006. It marked the first time Bone Thugs-n-Harmony had recorded as a trio since they released an internet-only EP album called Bone 4 Life[33] in September 2005. Thug Stories featured a slightly more mature style, and the group leaned more heavily towards its harmonic roots than its "thug" origins. The album sold 38,000 in its first week and peaked at No. 25 on the Billboard 200[16] and No. 1 on the Independent Albums
chart.

2007: Strength & Loyalty and T.H.U.G.S.

Originally to be titled The Bone Thugs Story,

gold by the RIAA.[34]

2007 also saw the release of the semi-autobiographical film I Tried, directed by

American Music Award
for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Band, Duo or Group.

T.H.U.G.S., an album featuring previously unreleased, largely remixed Bone Thugs-n-Harmony songs that hadn't made the final cut of BTNHResurrection and Thug World Order, was released on November 13, 2007 by their former record label Ruthless Records. Although the album embodies old tracks, there are some 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.

In November 2007, Layzie Bone confirmed that he had completed

Bone Brothers III with Bizzy Bone, spurring speculation about a full Bone reunion. In a video interview, Krayzie Bone stated that they all wanted to reunite, but that record label issues might prevent an official reunion.[36]

After nearly a decade of incarceration, Flesh-n-Bone was released from prison on July 13, 2008. In an interview, Bizzy confirmed his return, the group having reunited in time for Flesh's release.[37]

2010–2013: Uni5: The World's Enemy and The Art of War: World War III

Bone Thugs-n-Harmony's five members officially returned with their new album

Meet Me in the Sky
", was released on March 22.

Throughout 2011, Krayzie Bone, Bizzy Bone, and Layzie Bone spoke about many projects coming in 2012. Those projects were to include an anniversary album featuring all five members; a Bizzy/Krayzie duet album; and compilation albums of unreleased Bone Thugs-n-Harmony material from the mid to late 1990s and 2000s, prospectively titled Lost Archives Vol. 1. The group put their differences aside to reunite and belatedly mark their 20th anniversary at the Rock the Bells festival series of summer 2012.[39]

During Summer 2012, West Coast rapper

Celebration", with the group's blessing. Game also posted a picture on Twitter showing the word "bone" constructed out of cannabis.[40] He later confirmed that he was working in the studio with Bone Thugs-n-Harmony on a remix of "Celebration" for his album Jesus Piece.[41]

In early November 2013, Krayzie Bone told HipHopDX that the Art of War III album would feature only Layzie, Bizzy, and Flesh-n-Bone and that neither he nor Wish Bone had recorded any material for that album. However, Krayzie and Wish both appeared on the album in the form of previously unreleased tracks that had been cut from Uni5: The World's Enemy.[42] The Art of War: World War III was released on December 10, 2013.

2014–present: New album, New Waves

On July 15, 2014, it was announced that Bone Thugs-n-Harmony would release their final album in 2015. There would be only a single copy released, to be auctioned off, with bidding starting at $1 million. The group also announced they would be conducting a 20-country world tour beginning in December 2014.

A$AP Mob, and Linkin Park, along with beats from Dr. Dre and DJ U-Neek, who had each been tapped for the album. Damizza would be producing/overseeing the entire E. 1999 Legends album, which was projected to be distributed through Damizza's Baby Ree Records label.[44]

On February 14, 2015, producer and long-time Bone collaborator Damizza officially presented the single "More Than Thugs". In August 2015, Krayzie announced that the first bid of at least $1 million had been received for E. 1999 Legends.[45]

In 2017, Krayzie Bone and Bizzy Bone announced that they would release their long-awaited duet album together titled New Waves under the name Bone Thugs. The album's lead single "Coming Home" featuring

Stephen Marley was released on March 24. Krayzie confirmed that the full Bone Thugs-n-Harmony group was working on a new album, but said that they would no longer be auctioning off the album's rights.[46] All five members of the group would appear on rapper Wiz Khalifa's 2018 album Rolling Papers 2, each providing a verse for the song "Reach for the Stars".[citation needed] In early 2020, the group announced that they were changing their name to Boneless Thugs-n-Harmony in a promotion for Buffalo Wild Wings. Bizzy Bone later dismissed that the change was anything serious.[47]

On December 2, 2021, Bone competed in a Verzuz battle with longtime rival group Three 6 Mafia, where all five Bone Thugs and all four still-living Mafia members took part, accompanied by many guests the two groups worked with over their careers. Bizzy was escorted off stage at one point for throwing a bottle at Juicy J, but soon returned and apologized as the show resumed without incident. The event was highly acclaimed as one of the series' best events to date, seen as more of a celebration of old-school hip hop than a fight for supremacy.

Discography

Main article: Bone Thugs-n-Harmony discography
See also: Mo Thugs discography

Studio albums

Extended plays

Awards and honors

American Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1996 Bone Thugs-n-Harmony
Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist
 Nominated
1997 Bone Thugs-n-Harmony Nominated
1998 Bone Thugs-n-Harmony Won
2007 Bone Thugs-n-Harmony Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Band, Duo or Group Won
Strength & Loyalty Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album Nominated

Grammy Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1996 E. 1999 Eternal Best Rap Album Nominated
"1st of tha Month" Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group Nominated
1997 "Tha Crossroads" Won

Soul Train Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1995 Creepin on ah Come Up Best Rap Album Nominated
1996 E. 1999 Eternal Nominated
1997 "Tha Crossroads" Best Video of the Year Won

Source Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1995 Bone Thugs-n-Harmony Best New Rap artist (group) Nominated
Thuggish Ruggish Bone Single Of The Year Nominated

References

  1. ^ a b c "Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Biography". Bone Thugs-N-Harmony official website. Archived from the original on August 22, 2008.
  2. ^
    Mlive.com
    . Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  3. ^ "25 Best Rap Groups of All Time". Archived from the original on April 5, 2015. Retrieved July 11, 2012.
  4. ^ "The Greatest Hip Hop Groups of All Time". MTV.com. Archived from the original on September 29, 2012. Retrieved July 11, 2012.
  5. ^ "KRAYZIE BONE LEAVES BONE THUGS N HARMONY". YouTube. Archived from the original on October 31, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  6. ^ "Bone Thugs Interview In London (November 2011)". YouTube. Archived from the original on October 31, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  7. ^ "Where Are They Now? Breaking Down Bone Thugs-N-Harmony". GlobalGrind.com. May 16, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  8. ^ "Layzie Bone Announces Departure From Bone thugs-n-harmony". HipHopDX.com. August 28, 2013. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  9. XXL Magazine
    . August 29, 2013. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  10. ^ "Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Signs With eOne Entertainment". HipHopDX.com. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  11. ^ "Bone Thugs N Harmony Digital Biography". Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  12. ^ "Layzie Bone Announces The Re-Release Of The Faces Of Death Bone Thugs N Harmony Digitally Remastered Debut Album". Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  13. ^ Howse, Steven (July 1, 2023). "Layzie Bone Talks BTNH, Eazy E, Group Struggles And Triumphs, Depression, And Growing Up Hip Hop" (video). youtube.com. Holdin Court Podcast.
  14. ^ Harvilla, Rob (October 27, 2021). "'60 Songs That Explain the '90s': How Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Made the Mournful Sound Joyous With "Tha Crossroads"". The Ringer. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  15. ^ "Krayzie Bone – Audition To Eazy E". YouTube. Archived from the original on October 31, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  16. ^ a b c d "Bone Thugs-N-Harmony: Charts & Awards: Billboard Albums". AllMusic.com. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
  17. ^ a b c d e "Bone Thugs-N-Harmony: Charts & Awards: Billboard Singles". AllMusic.com. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
  18. ^ Larkin, Colin. "Bone Thugs-N-Harmony – E. 1999 Eternal". The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. London: Muze, 1998. Print.
  19. ^ Wallace, Emanuel. "Bone Thugs-N-Harmony :: E. 1999 Eternal – RapReviews". Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  20. ^ Meara, Paul (April 1, 2013). "Black Moon Recall Meeting Tupac And Creating The "One Nation" Album". HipHopDX. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  21. ^ "Handwritten Tupac Letter Reveals "One Nation" Album With Outkast & More". The Source. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  22. ^ "Today in Hip Hop History: Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Release 'The Art of War' 20 years ago". thesource.com. July 29, 2016. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  23. ^ "Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Track Admitted As Evidence In Killer's Sentencing". MTV. December 20, 2002.
  24. ^ "Debate Over Rap Lyrics Continues". CBS News. June 16, 1998. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
  25. ^ Basham, David (June 16, 2000). "Flesh-N-Bone Convicted On Assault, Weapons Charges". MTV News. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
  26. ^ Johnson, Tina (September 22, 2000). "UPDATE: Flesh-N-Bone Gets 11 Years In Assault Case". MTV News. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
  27. ^ Baker, Soren (March 21, 2001). "Bizzy Bone Has A Gift For Negotiation". MTV News. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  28. ^ Baker, Soren (March 22, 2001). "Bizzy Bone Has a Gift for Negotiation". MTV News. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
  29. ^ Baker, Soren (March 13, 2001). "Three Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Members Dropping Solo LPs". MTV News. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
  30. ^ Alston, J. K. ""Thug World Order" not a comeback for Bone". The Seahawk. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  31. ^ Juon, Steve 'Flash'. "Bone Thugs-N-Harmony :: T.H.U.G.S. – RapReviews". Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  32. ^ Reid, Shaheem (January 31, 2003). "Bone Thugs Say Bizzy Is Out For Good This Time". MTV News. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
  33. ^ "bone thugs -n- harmony – Bone 4 Life – Amazon.com Music". Amazon.com. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  34. ^ "Bone Thugs-N-Harmony: News: Strength & Loyalty Certified Gold". Archived from the original on April 10, 2008.
  35. ^ "Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Shoot New Movie; Launch New Watch Collection". AllHipHop.com. June 21, 2007. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  36. ^ "ThugLine TV – Krayzie Bone speaks on reunion". YouTube. June 12, 2008. Archived from the original on October 31, 2021. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  37. ^ Jasarevic, Mina (August 1, 2008). "Bizzy Bone: Thicker Than Water | Rappers Talk Hip Hop Beef & Old School Hip Hop". HipHop DX. Archived from the original on February 22, 2009. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  38. ^ "See Me Shine [feat. Lyfe Jennings, Phaedra & J Rush] [Explicit]: Bone Thugs-N-Harmony: MP3 Downloads". Amazon. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  39. ^ "Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Call Reunion a 'Kick-Start to a Beautiful Situation'". Rolling Stone. May 16, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  40. ^ Photo by thegame • Instagram. Instagram.com. Retrieved on February 18, 2013.
  41. ^ "In The Studio: Game & Bone Thugs Work On 'Celebration' Remix". HipHop-N-More. August 30, 2012. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
  42. ^ "Krayzie Bone Says Art Of War III Is Not 'What Everyone Thinks' It Is". HipHopDX.com. November 5, 2013. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  43. XXL Magazine
    . July 15, 2014.
  44. ^ "Bone Thugs-N-Harmony's Last Album Will Be Called E. 1999 Legends". XXL Magazine. July 16, 2014. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  45. ^ "Krayzie Bone Says Bone Thugs-N-Harmony E. 1999/Legends Album Has $1 Million Bid". HipHopDX.com. August 4, 2014. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  46. ^ "Krayzie and Bizzy Bone spark next chapter of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony". Cleveland.com. April 4, 2017. Retrieved April 6, 2017.
  47. ^ "Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Change Name to Boneless Thugs-N-Harmony (for Buffalo Wild Wings)". Rolling Stone. February 19, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2020.

External links

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