Above the Law (band)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Above The Law | |
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| Origin | Pomona, California |
| Years active | 1989 – Present |
| Genres | Hip Hop |
| Labels | Ruthless Records Warner Bros. Records Tommy Boy Records Street Solid Records |
| Members | Cold 187um KMG the Illustrator Go Mack DJ Total K-Oss |
Above The Law is a gangsta rap group from Pomona, California, founded in 1989 by members Cold 187um, KMG the Illustrator, Go Mack and DJ Total K-Oss.
Their first record deal was on Eric "Eazy E" Wrights Ruthless Records, the independent label owned by Wright that had major acts like NWA, The DOC, and Eazy himself.
In 1990 they released their debut album Livin' Like Hustlers. Critically acclaimed on release, the album was produced by the group alongside casual member Laylaw and Dr Dre, and featured a guest appearance by NWA. Despite the strong and fresh material, the album was a commercial flop. In their 100th issue in 1999 (LL Cool J on the cover), The Source magazine listed Above The Laws debut as one of the 100 Greatest Hip Hop Albums of All Time.
A 1991 EP was released to promote the groups sophomore album, however Vocally Pimpin received mixed reviews. With only a scant few new songs and mostly remixes, the EP did not perform well.
It was during this time Dr Dre was involved in a messy break up with Eazy E and Ruthless Records, and was (according to Ronin Ro's Have Gun Will Travel) contractually obliged to produce two more songs for the group. Although these songs were recorded, they were never released. It is possible the changing times at the reocrd label were responsible for the average quality of the EP.
In 1992 the group released the critically acclaimed Black Mafia Life. Go Mack was now gone, as was Laylaw, and Cold 187um took on the bulk of production. The group reinvented themselves with a fresh new sound later known as G-funk. Although Dr Dre's The Chronic would be released at the end of 1992 and receive much of the credit for inventing G-funk, serious West Coast fans are aware that Black Mafia Life pre-dates any of Dr Dre's solo material.
The album featured cameos by Tupac, MC Ren, and Eazy E, as well as a quirky fresh new talent named Kokane. The single VSOP proved to be popular, but once again the album failed to be a big hit despite countless contemporaries reaching platinum status with commercialised and weak material.
In 1994 the group were back with the hit single Black Superman, later cited as one of the 100 Greatest Hip Hop Singles of All Time in The Source magazine, 1999. The single preceded their third album Uncle Sams Curse, introducing a harder, more heavy and ominous twist on the G-funk they previously presented. Again Cold 187 took on the production and Kokane featured heavily throughout.
In 1995 label boss Eazy E died quickly of AIDs related illness, and the majority of the remaining roster at Ruthless Records began to jump ship from the waning label.
Above The Law would find themselves signed to Tommy Boy in 1996, where they released their fourth album Time Will Reveal.
[edit] Discography
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Livin' Like Hustlers
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Vocally Pimpin'
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Black Mafia Life
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Uncle Sam's Curse
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Time Will Reveal
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Legends
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Forever: Rich Thugs, Book One
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