Last month we revisited Bone Thugs-n-Harmony's classic album E. 1999 Eternal as a part of our Classic Rotation series. Today we're giving the Cleveland rap group some more love for a throwback Thursday. The five piece group has seen somewhat of a resurgence in recent years, partially due to the influence they had on the A$AP Mob's style, and also a twenty year anniversary of the aforementioned classic LP.
Bone Thugs were one of the first groups to blend rap and R&B together in an effortless manner, and hundreds of artists have tried to duplicate their success only to come off corny and dull. Their style is very unique, and even though the likes of A$AP Rocky and A$AP Ferg use some of the elements that made Bone Thugs infamous, there's still something special about their own music.
"Thuggish Ruggish Bone" (featuring Shatasha Williams)
Bone Thugs was so captivating because their style was unlike anything else poppin'. It was part G-funk and part R&B, but with Cleveland influences it sounded so different from everything else that was coming out in the 90s. Here's one of their early singles, the classic "Thuggish Ruggish Bone."
"Foe tha Love of $" (featuring Eazy-E)
Here's the second single off 1994's Creepin on ah Come Up, the album that preceded E. 1999 Eternal. With their mentor Eazy-E in tow, the track charted on rap, R&B, and overall US charts.
"1st of tha Month"
Getting paid feels good, right? Bone Thugs wrote a classic track about the good ol' pay-day.
"Hey my nigga we having a wonderful day, and I won't fuck with me. Why?
Cause it's the 1st of the month
And now we smoking, choking, rolling blunts
And sipping on 40 ounces, thugging
Come, come, we've got the blunts and rum"
"East 1999"
Bone Thugs had a darker edge to them, and that's showcased on cuts like "East 1999." The funky bass line and eerie accents are accompanied by a creepy video and lyrical content.
"Tha Crossroads"
Bone Thugs are best known for this track. It was a dedication to Eazy-E and a number one single in more than one country.
"Look into My Eyes"
After the success of E. 1999 Eternal, Bone Thugs were able to polish up the recordings a little bit. The follow-up record The Art of War didn't quite match it's predecessor, but it remains a great album to go back and get into nevertheless.
"If I Could Teach the World"
"Why do I stay high?" is the question posed at the beginning of this track, which serves as Bone Thugs song for peace.
"Resurrection (Paper, Paper)"
BTNHResurrection was released in February of 2000 and is certified platinum. The double-time flows of our subjects are accompanied by a soulful chorus and enchanting beat.
"Can't Give It Up"
Bone Thugs got pretty deep with their lyrics, leaving behind the rhymes about fame and fortune for tops that were a little headier. "Can't Give It Up" is about the struggles we all might face in the valleys of our life.
"My life is a jungle, I struggle hustle Monday through Sunday
They tell me the world is mine but shit I don't want it, who want it?
How could it be mine and I'm still hungry, still hungry
Lost and lonely - so I holler at the voices of the wind as a friend"
"Change the World" (featuring Big B)
This is sort of like Bone Thugs' "Changes." We all know the world needs some changing, and occasionally songs that plea for this change can spark a revolution.
"See we loosing this world we love
And it looks like the sinning won't end
So I'm reaching high up above
Lord, let your blessings begin"