MACHETES DIPPED IN RUM

The Oral History of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony

Twenty years after E. 1999 Eternal, the tribulations and triumphs of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony remain unappreciated and overlooked

One of the most compelling, prolific and successful groups in hip-hop and music history, the five members of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony have experienced near-unrivaled success as a unit and solo artists since their 1992 inception in Cleveland, Ohio.

They own and appear on some of the highest-selling rap records in history, have worked with some of the finest legends the game has ever heard and averaged a release or appearance nearly every month for over twenty years.

On July 25th, 1995, their second studio album E. 1999 Eternal saw the group peak creatively, critically and commercially as their unique and ultimately signature sound impacted America and eventually the world. A twenty-year-plus retrospective illuminates their brutal and tragic individual stories combined with unparalleled perseverance and unity.

“I’m gonna hold this motherfucking banner down until the day I die, because it’s worth holding down” — Flesh-N

DA INTRODUCTION

The five members of Bone Thugs have always been family-orientated. The recognized leader Layzie Bone (Steven Howse) is the younger brother of oft-absent and eldest member Flesh-N Bone (Stanley Howse), while both are cousins of Wish Bone (Charles Scruggs, Jr.). Layzie first met Krayzie Bone (Anthony Henderson) in seventh grade, when he and Flesh-N would beatbox and Krayzie would rap. Youngest member Bizzy Bone (Bryon McCane II) joined the group at age thirteen when he relocated back to Cleveland, Ohio after a notoriously harrowing childhood.

“While we stood on the block and kicked it all night, and was out doing our thing as children, we would stand around and sing old songs. Then singing old songs turned into, ‘Well, let’s harmonize right here.’ ” — Layzie

In May 1993, Cleveland, Ohio entrepreneur Kermit Henderson provided mentorship instrumental in assisting the group achieve preliminary success, as he recorded their first album Faces of Death in his studio and released it on his label, Stoney Burke Records.

“I basically will do public service: advising guys what to do, giving them options of recording studios to go to, the people to contact with demos, suggesting to them how to increase their skills. But I like the opportunity to be able to showcase people. I really feel good about giving people opportunity.” — Kermit Henderson

Layzie, Krayzie, Bizzy and Wish (stylized as Wi$h) re-branded their initial Band-Aid Boys moniker to B.O.N.E. Enterpri$e and released Faces of Death without Flesh-N, thanking him in the credits. Younger brother Stewart Howse was also thanked in the credits as was Noreen and “Looney” Lynn Scruggs, the mother and sister of Wi$h.

The last credit provided one definition to the B.O.N.E. acronym:

To tha Cops : STOP! Beating On Niggaz Everyday!!! — B.O.N.E. Enterpri$e

The majority of production on Faces of Death came from Associate Producer Archie Blaine, who later resurfaced on the first two Mo Thugs compilations: Family Scriptures and Mo Thugs Family Scriptures Chapter II: Family Reunion.

Kris “K. Chill” Ford — fellow Stoney Burke artist and member of the Band-Aid Boys — handled the layout and was one of three Executive Producers.

“The Band-Aid Boys was me, Krayzie, Flesh and a nigga named K. Chill. It was in junior high, like in ‘87. And after junior high everybody went to different high schools.” — Layzie

The second Executive Producer was Ralph Rock, who also Executive Produced No Fear No Pain, an EP by Mr. Money Loc and the second release from Stoney Burke Records. The third Executive Producer (and group Manager)

Diego Hodge

would directly impact the next phase of B.O.N.E. Enterpri$e to the point of no return.

The first track off Faces of Death is a true ‘90’s posse cut entitled “Flow Motion” and has a reference by Layzie to “my bigger brother Stan Howse”. With Krayzie rapping fourth, his verse would be the very first B.O.N.E. rap heard by Compton, California legend Eric “Eazy-E” Wright, who ultimately signed and mentored the group.

“We ain’t gonna make it up outta Cleveland if we don’t leave Cleveland.” — Krayzie

The five friends were deeply inspired by the bravado and iconic approach taken by Eazy-E, and found their position in Cleveland unsuitable to harbor and nourish dreams larger than just Faces of Death. The resourceful familial bond provided necessary, as Flesh-N saved up enough funds from his work at Kentucky Fried Chicken to purchase five individual three-day Greyhound Bus tickets from Cleveland, Ohio to Los Angeles, California in hopes of securing a record deal — be it from Eazy-E and Ruthless Records or otherwise.

“Flesh was working at KFC. He got all the money. He saved up two, three checks at like $6-$7–$800 a motherfucking check. Plus, he know a couple people out there, he was a connection. That whole Flesh-N link to Bone Thugs, that’s a whole ‘nother issue, that’s a whole other side. He fronted the money for the tickets. We went down with a few pairs of drawers, a few shirts, pants, sisters crying and shit. I had to leave my baby’s momma at the shelter. Niggas just basically left everything and told the whole hood we was gonna make it. We gonna bring Eazy-E here and make a video. Niggas was videotaping and shit. It was prophetic as fuck.” — Bizzy

Now simply known as B.O.N.E., the initial three-day trip turned into weeks in California. Without proper income nor a fallback plan, the group transferred from street to street, flop house to trap house in hopes of gaining the attention of Wright. Dozens of phone calls to Ruthless Records eventually reciprocated a call from Ruthless co-owner and eventual E. 1999 Eternal Executive Producer Eazy-E.

“We rolled out there with twenty blunts apiece … couple of bucks. But it was just getting up and going, it’s go-mode. It’s time to take a chance.” — Bizzy

Eazy co-founded Ruthless Records with Shaker Heights, Ohio native and business partner Jerry Heller in March 1986, partially as an exit from the street life which provided Wright with his investment portion. Heller was initially the manager for both C.I.A. — Los Angeles, California native O’Shea “Ice Cube” Jackson, Sr.’s first group — and The World Class Wreckin’ Cru, the first group of Compton, California natives Andre “Dr. Dre” Young and Antoine “DJ Yella” Carraby.

The first four releases from Ruthless are standard-bearer classics: certified gold N.W.A. and the Posse from N.W.A., certified gold Supersonic from J.J. Fad, certified double-platinum Straight Outta Compton from N.W.A. and certified double-platinum Eazy-Duz-It from Wright himself.

Wright was not only the co-founder and co-owner of Ruthless Records, he was also responsible for two of the biggest acts on the label: both Niggaz Wit Attitudes (N.W.A.) and his own solo career as Eazy-E. N.W.A. went on to beget the careers of Cube, Dre and Yella, who later joined Wright on Creepin on ah Come Up, the debut EP from Bone Thugs-n-Harmony on Ruthless Records in June 1994.

A tenth-grade high school dropout with a discerning eye for talent, Wright initially sponsored Dr. Dre, who eventually sponsored Detroit, Michigan native and fifteen-time Grammy winner Marshall “Eminem” Mathers, who eventually sponsored Queens, New York native and Grammy winner Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. Wright also initially sponsored Ice Cube, who eventually released ten solo albums and starred, produced, wrote and/or directed over thirty feature films.

In December 1992, Wright released the certified gold 5150: Home 4 tha Sick. The five-track EP featured Atban Klann — also known as A Tribe Beyond A Nation — making their major-label debut. Their own debut record Grass Roots was shelved — partly due to the emergence of Bone — and the group was eventually dropped from Ruthless after the death of Wright. The two founding members of Atban Klann — Los Angeles, California native William Adams, Jr. and Pampanga, Philippines-born Allan Lindo — would eventually reform and rebrand themselves as the six-time Grammy-award winning quartet The Black Eyed Peas — going on to become one of world’s all-time best-selling groups.

“From what I heard, when he met Bone, he said that’s like the fastest he’s ever signed anybody. He signed them like pretty much immediately. He had a really good ear for knowing talent. He had will.i.am before anybody even knew what the hell a will.i.am is.” — Shawn “DJ Speed” Lewis

As a cultural visionary and creative icon, Wright literally and completely forever changed the scope of hip-hop and music in general; developing and pioneering ‘gangsta rap’ and affecting pop culture with his style, delivery, lyrical content, thematic explorations and seemingly indifference to authority of any kind.

In November 1993, Wright yet again sponsored one of the most commercially successful rap groups in history despite passing away prior to their fully-realized success.

“By the time we got to L.A., we was hustling; we was treating rap like dope. Slanging it. Going door-to-door, slanging our raps. Eazy-E was the man smart enough to pick us up. So, all respect due to Eric Wright. Rest in peace.” — Flesh-N

When Wright fatefully and faithfully decided to return one of the many calls from B.O.N.E., he received the last verse from the first song off the first B.O.N.E. record: Krayzie from “Flow Motion”.

Bizzy then rapped a verse and Eazy was sold. After hearing both verses, Wright made plans to meet with B.O.N.E. in the near future and host a formal audition in Cleveland, Ohio after one of his upcoming shows.

LAND OF THA HEARTLESS

After the group hustled more money and returned to Cleveland, manager Diego Hodge — who was responsible for promoting the Eazy show in Cleveland — helped secure the audition. After hearing a verse from Layzie, Wright decided to sign and mentor the group under his tutelage and the foundation of Ruthless Records.

“They’re different. They got all kind of flows. That’s just the beginning.” — Eazy-E

Flesh-N did not sign with Ruthless Records, as he molded a solo career while initially staying on the peripheral of Bone Thugs group ventures.

“The reason why I wasn’t signed to the original Ruthless contracts is because I was going through some stuff with smoking sherm, smoking dope. We got into a scuffle one night, I broke a window, broke a glass, ended up in the hospital. They went and signed the contracts and clearly didn’t want me a part of those contracts. But we had already recorded music and Eazy-E came to me and told me that they don’t wanna pay me. The dilemma started right there. So I kept smoking sherm. He told me that my brothers didn’t wanna pay me. So I really went nuts after that. And all I did, homie: ‘If I’m on two songs, pay me for them two motherfucking songs and get it over with.’ I never got paid shit until I sued ‘em.” — Flesh-N

Wright re-branded B.O.N.E. as “Thugs-n-Harmony” due in part to the penchant of the group to harmonize; not wanting to completely abandon the B.O.N.E. moniker, the group and Wright then established the name Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. Bone and Wright began a close-knit professional and personal relationship, which allowed the members of Bone to learn the business aspects of the music industry from one of the best to ever to do it.

“Basically, Eazy-E was just the coolest motherfucker to kick it with. Nigga’s seventeen, kicking it with a star; it don’t get no better than that.” — Layzie

In June 1994 —one month before Eazy-E graced the cover of The Source Magazine and one month after they signed a six-album publishing and recording contract with Ruthless Records — Bone released their major-label debut EP, the certified quadruple-platinum Creepin on ah Come Up.

“We was fresh off the streets, really living the life we were talking about, trying our best to get out. That album is where we designed our style, everything about ourselves and what we came into. That was the album when we were coming into ourselves as artists.” — Layzie

Wright also established a professional relationship between Bone and Los Angeles, California-based producer Tim “DJ U-Neek” Middleton, who signed to Ruthless Records in 1993. U-Neek produced five of the eight total songs on the EP, while Wright was listed as Executive Producer and credited with Photography.

“U-Neek was there in the beginning. He helped us pull our sound out early on. U-Neek’s crucial to Bone’s mode.” — Flesh-N

The first single “Thuggish Ruggish Bone” introduced the world to Bone Thugs-n-Harmony through audio and visual mediums. While the lyrics and staccato flows caught the listener off-guard, the accompanying video — which featured Eazy-E with Bone in Cleveland and was directed by Jerry Heller’s brother, Terry — portrayed the members as fresh and unique.

The video intro showed Bone singing over a barrel fire in Cleveland, then quickly jumped to a portion of the infamous speech from Bridgeport, Connecticut-born Dr. Calvin O. Butts III regarding ‘thugs’ — a speech now more associated with Bone than Butts.

“Picture back in the olden days, when everybody be out there standing around a burning barrel, it’s cold outside and everybody sharing a note or two. Just like that. We did it the exact same way.” — Flesh-N

When each member rapped their verse, the distinction between their unique voices was apparent; their fashion and unbraided hair of Bizzy would go on to signify their persona at large. Also featured in the video was local Cleveland, Ohio singer Shatasha Williams, who sang the chorus and became one of the initial member of Mo Thugs.

“We stepped outside the studio after we did our verses, we were outside smoking, and she was walking down the street and asked us if it was a recording studio. We said yeah, it was Eazy-E’s studio, and she was like, ‘Oh my gosh, well I can sing!’ We were like, ‘Oh yeah?’ and we told her to sing something for us. And it was crazy, so we asked her to sing the chorus. So we brought her in and Eazy was asking who she was and we told her she could sing and we wanted to see how she sounded singing the hook. So we had her sing the chorus and we were all looking at her with our mouths open, and Eazy knew that was it, and told them to record her right then. She just walked in off the street.” — Krayzie

The video memorably faded out with an image of the cross-streets of E. 99 and St. Clair and the song itself was certified platinum less than a year after it was released.

Creepin on ah Come Up featured a co-production credit from DJ Yella for their second single “Foe Tha Love of $”, a credit he shared with Wright, who was featured on the song.

Despite appearing in the “Thuggish Ruggish Bone” video but not on the track, Flesh-N opened up the “Foe Tha Love of $” video and track, followed by his younger brother Layzie.

“Flesh was going to the loony bin and psych wards, fighting police and fighting cases. It was a real crazy time.” — Bizzy

Filmed again in inner-city Cleveland, Ohio by Terry Heller, the video continued the premier video’s motifs: oversized clothes, both braided and unbraided hair, dice games, weed smoke and evading police. The single was certified gold and the accompanying video marked the final appearance of Eazy-E in a music video. The third verse was from Eazy himself — perhaps no bigger co-sign at the time — and his slow and deliberate flow gently off-set the rapid-fire Bone verses perfectly.

“I remember when he wrote his verse, he was so excited. He was like, ‘I got one, y’all! I got one!’ And he went in there and laid it, and I just remember us loving it and cracking up. You had to be there to feel the love and energy from such a talented and smart, inspiring dude.” — Wish

Los Angeles, California-based “Jewell” Caples — a studio singer for Ruthless Records and Death Row Records — later proclaimed the sonic foundation for “Foe Tha Love of $” was originally for Are U Xperienced, the September 1991 studio debut from fellow Los Angeles, California natives and Ruthless duo “Yomo” Smith & Mark “Maulkie” Green; the album contained both a vocal and instrumental version of their song “For The Love of Money”.

“For whatever reason, Eazy never put that particular song out until years later when he signed Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. What they did was take the rappers Yomo & Maulkie, but they kept my voice and used the song as it was.” — Jewell

The Creepin on ah Come Up EP also featured “Down Foe My Thang”, produced by Moreno Valley, California-born David “Rhythm D” Weldon, a past Eazy-E collaborator. Weldon also produced a majority of Real Brothas, the August 1995 debut album from Compton, California brothers and fellow Eazy-E protégées Al “B.G. Knocc Out” Naqiyy and Andre “Dresta” Wicker; their first single “50/50 Luv” was dedicated to Eazy after his passing.

“It wouldn’t had been a Death Row if it wasn’t for Eazy-E. A lot of artists there that started their careers came in via Ruthless. I’m one of the people that saw everything pop. I put one of the discs in and I played one beat. And Eazy went nuts. He went crazy off this beat. He pulled a few stacks out of his sock and was like, ‘Rhythm, you rolling with Ruthless.’ ” — Rhythm D

Interestingly, Weldon also produced the certified platinum single “Ditty” for the certified gold The Nine Yards, released in October 1992 by Los Angeles, California native Mitchell “Paperboy” Johnson. The song garnered a 1994 Grammy nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance and ultimately lost to “Let Me Ride” by Dr. Dre.

Johnson then released a radio mix of “Ditty” and featured Clarksdale, Mississippi native Nathaniel “Nate Dogg” Hale, who previously made his debut on the certified triple-platinum Dr. Dre debut album The Chronic in December 1992.

The Creepin on ah Come Up EP would pave the way for the second Bone Thugs album and international stardom, but not before tragedy.

THA CROSSROADS

On March 26th, 1995 — nearly four months to the day before the release of E. 1999 Eternal — Eric “Eazy-E” Wright passed away as a result of complications from HIV. Despite conspiracy theories from many within the hip-hop community — including Bone and B.G. Knocc Out — Wright faced the topic head-on in his final statement to fans, endearing a softer and introspective side missing from his largest successes.

“Just remember: It’s YOUR real time and YOUR real life.” — Eazy-E

Diagnosed only nearly one month to the day prior in February 1995, the young life of Eric Wright was felled by what he deemed, “… (maybe) success was too good to me.”

“Eazy-E used to roll his weed up in licorice papers and stuff them around the brim of his hat. And he kept his money right here in his left sock. When he left, it was the hat and the sock.” — Layzie

Claiming seven children from six different women, Wright nonetheless missed out on his most successful protégées in his varied and successful catalog of mined talent despite remaining as Executive Producer of the project.

In May 1995, the film Panther and certified gold soundtrack were released, featuring Bone on the second single “The Points” amongst eleven other rap acts including Brooklyn, New York legend, four-time Grammy nominee Christopher “The Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace and Compton, California native, six-time Grammy nominee Artis “Coolio” Ivey, Jr.

“Panther was about the only (soundtrack) that we actually sat down and wrote it for the movie. Everything else was just like, we was just in the creative process.” — Bizzy

In July 1995, E. 1999 Eternal — the twenty-third highest selling hip-hop album of all-time — arrived on the hip-hop and music scene as a near-entirely fresh perspective and projection: five young rappers who harmonized and sang despite often gruesome and violent lyrical content.

The Artwork, Design and Layout Design for E. 1999 Eternal was handled by Los Angeles, California-based Giulio Costanzo — former Motown Records employee and Head of Design for Ruthless Records. Costanzo was responsible for the art and design of several future Bone Thugs-n-Harmony-related projects on Ruthless, as well as E. 1999 Eternal:

“My claim to fame was designing Eazy-E’s last album, as well as all the Bone Thugs-n-Harmony albums.” — Giulio Costanzo

An affinity for death and marijuana, Bone conceptualized one of the tightest and most creative hip-hop albums in the last twenty years; a unified and singular vision. The cohesiveness came in part from the entire project being co-produced by Los Angeles, California native Anthony “Tony C” Cowan, Hollywood, California-based Kenny McCloud and DJ U-Neek, but it was the actual content which shined: a truly unique and fully-realized approach, from the cover art and inlet layout to the lyrics and harmonizing.

“When Krayzie got out of jail, we was wild. He came home and he told us this new style that he had. He was basically putting syllables together and making them go rapidly. Cab Calloway was one of the first artists to flip his tongue, but it wasn’t any words to it. So, when he came home, he put it down and gradually everybody picked it up. I already had the singing thing down. It just blew up from there and we meshed it all together and Lay came with the street appeal and the thugness. Wish came in with it and Stack was the school head so he was constantly like, ‘You guys gotta write.’ ” — Bizzy

The very first single was the certified gold “1st Of Tha Month”, which discussed the benefits of welfare checks used to amass “grub on the grill” and “a bag of dope and a quarter o”. The single immediately became a hip-hop classic and part of pop-culture lexicon and reference point:

• The Grammy-winning album Roll With The New from Andrews, South Carolina-born comedian Chris Rock referenced the track on his infamous and career-defining routine “Niggas vs. Black People” in April 1997. Rock also sampled “Tha Crossroads” for his skit “Press Conference”, a routine he created with inspiration partly from “Us”, an Ice Cube track off his October 1991 album Death Certificate.
• Harlem, New York-based group The Diplomats created “The First” from their March 2003 certified gold double-disc debut Cam’Ron Presents… Diplomatic Immunity in homage to the original.
• Detroit, Michigan native Brandon “Maejor” Green recreated the track for his March 2011 mixtape Throwback and later named his record label imprint First Of The Month.

“I ain’t even gonna lie, this is my first tape I ever bought: Bone Thugs.” — Maejor

• Compton, California native and two-time Grammy nominee Jayceon “Game” Taylor sampled the track and featured Bone on the remix version of “Celebration” from his fifth studio album Jesus Piece, released in December 2012. Taylor previously sampled “Foe Tha Love of $” on his track “Slangin’ Rocks” from his The Red Room mixtape in April 2010.
• Brooklyn, New York-born Rory “Harry Fraud” Quigley released his first solo mixtape Adrift in March 2013, which contained the Houston, Texas native Frazier “Trae Tha Truth” Thompson and Rabat, Morocco-born Karim “French Montana” Kharbouch collaborative track “Wake Up”.
• The re-released version of the video game Grand Theft Auto V featured the track in November 2014 as part of the “West Coast Classics” radio station, cultivated by Los Angeles, California legend Mark “DJ Pooh” Jordan, while the game was one of the most decorated of the year and part of the highest-selling and most-awarded series in video game history.

August 1995 saw Bone Thugs land their first of several major cover feature stories when they graced The Source Magazine — co-founded by Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native Jonathan “Shecky Green” Shecter — under the by-line: “The Apocalypse Generation?”.

Also in 1995, the second annual The Source Hip-Hop Music Awards were held at Madison Square Garden’s Paramount Theater in New York City, New York. The night was historic for several reasons — including the Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony for Eazy-E and the Bone medley performance of “Thuggish Ruggish Bone”, “Foe Tha Love of $” and “1st Of Tha Month” which followed — but ultimately would be remembered as the catalyst for the East Coast/West Coast hip-hop beef which lasted several years.

Reports of Death Row Records’ artists shouting “no love for hoes in harmony” during the Bone performance were overshadowed by the deliberate verbal attacks lobbed by both Compton, California native Marion “Suge” Knight, Jr. and Harlem New York-born Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs; the awards ceremony would not happen again until August 2000.

As a result of the tension between Ruthless and Death Row, the members of Bone felt it necessary to defend Ruthless with their full-length debut. From the track “Mo Murda”:

“Follow me, roll / stroll down East 99 / gotta find these Row hoes” — Krayzie

On “Shotz to tha Double Glock” — the only album track which featured outside artists (Cleveland, Ohio natives Poetic Hustla’z and Graveyard Shift members Arran “Gates” Baldwin and Paul “Tombstone” O’Neal) — more shots were fired at Death Row, specifically Tha Dogg Pound: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-born Ricardo “Kurupt” Brown and Long Beach, California native Delmar “Daz Dillinger” Arnaud.

“So off we go / to the bloody Row / time to bless some souls / with that nine shot / giving props to the double Glock” — Tombstone

“In a cut where the thugs and hustlas roam / Cleveland Browns / Dogg Pound hoes / it’s on” — Layzie

To finish August 1995, Bone contributed to the certified platinum soundtrack for The Show documentary; “Everyday Thang” — which shared the name of their Faces of Death track but original for the soundtrack — was co-produced by U-Neek and Tony C.

In October 1995, Tha Dogg Pound released their certified double-platinum debut Dogg Food on Death Row Records. From “Dogg Pound Gangstaz”, the first song on the album which also featured Long Beach, California legend Calvin “Snoop Dogg” Broadus, Jr. on the outro:

“Ain’t no harming me / ain’t got no love for no Hoes-n-Harmony” — Kurupt

Despite the traded barbs, Kurupt and Bone became friends and collaborators over the years with some assistance from Bronx, New York native and Nation of Islam leader The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan:

“The Minister, The Honorable Louis Farrakhan called a meeting, and Kurupt came at me like, ‘Man, that was some bullshit’ and I was like, ‘Yeah, man. Whatever, man. You good, I’m good.’ These niggas is my best friends now. I call Kurupt any time I need him.” — Bizzy

With over five millions copies sold domestically and over ten million copies sold worldwide, E. 1999 Eternal received critical acclaim as well — three Grammy nominations and one Grammy win.

Although “1st Of Tha Month” lost Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group to Bronx, New York native Mary J. Blige and Hempstead, New York native Clifford “Method Man” Smith (“I’ll Be There for You / You’re All I Need to Get By”) and E. 1999 Eternal lost the inaugural Best Rap Album nomination to East Orange, New Jersey trio Naughty By Nature (Poverty’s Paradise) at the 38th Annual Grammy Awards, the group would shatter all expectations with the album’s third single, “Tha Crossroads”.

Originally entitled “Crossroad” and dedicated to Wallace “Wally” Laird III, the subsequent death of Eazy-E motivated Bone to remake the song into “Tha Crossroads”, which earned double-platinum certification and a Grammy award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 39th Annual Grammy Awards.

“Wally was like the first security guard that I ever had, but he was really my best friend. We always was Mo Thugs, we always was Bone and we always was brothers. Like even when we was selling dope back in the day, we was brothers. We had our little operation and all that at fourteen, fifteen-years old trying to be somebody.” — Layzie

In the original “Crossroad”, a Bizzy verse shed light on Kermit Henderson, Wally Laird III and “Looney” Lynn Scruggs:

“When I heard the word at Kerm’s / shorty said, ‘Oh, my Lord’ / laying on the curb on a Hundred and Twenty-Third / bled / dead to the world / how bad? / and what about Looney, now? / damn, she gon’ act a fool / outta the blue / seemed to / she knew what happened to Wally / she lost her cool”

Their best-selling single in group history, “Tha Crossroads” was dedicated to the memory of Eric Wright. The video featured his likeness amongst other fallen loved ones: the aforementioned Laird III, The Graveyard Shift original member John “Boo” Moore, Layzie Bone’s deceased infant son Angel Babi Boi — who passed at a mere six weeks old in 1997 from lung complications — and Wish Bone’s Uncle Charles:

“Uncle Charles was my mother’s brother. He had retired, but he’d worked for Ford so he had a little bit of change. He was real fly. He’d get up every day and put on a suit. He drove Lincolns and Cadillacs. He was the uncle who’d come around and take us to the movies; everybody got five dollars. But he was also the one that was really behind us in our music career, because that’s what he wanted to do, too. He used to listen to our little mixtapes we’d bring home, just encourage us. All our talent shows, he’d be in the front row. Every one.” — Wish

Boo was a member of The Graveyard Shift with Tombstone — both would ultimately be murdered: Boo in a drive-by shooting in October 1994 as he shielded his nephew; Tombstone was shot in August 1997. Meanwhile, the liner notes for Creepin on ah Come Up dedicated the EP to the memory of Laird III.

“My first real group? I had a rap group with one of my younger sisters, April and a next-door neighbor named Boo, who happens to be one of the people we mentioned in Crossroads.” — Krayzie

Despite the absence of Flesh-N, “Tha Crossroads” was the group’s sole Number One hit for the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks and Hot Rap Singles; Number One on the U.K. Singles Chart as well as Number One on the New Zealand Singles Chart, a country in which the song was certified platinum.

“(‘Tha) Crossroads’ is one of the best singles that I’ve ever heard in rap music.” — Jerry Heller

The music video for “Tha Crossroads” — directed by Michael Martin — garnered five MTV Video Awards nominations in September 1996: Best Special Effects, Viewer’s Choice, Best Rap Video, Best Group Video and Video of the Year. While they did not win a single award, they did perform their smash single as part of the main show.

The video opened up with the Mo Thugs Family R&B trio Tré (Kimberly Cromartie, Rebecca Forsha and Maniko Williams — sister to Shatasha) singing the hymn “Mary Don’t You Weep” in a church funeral setting and featured representations of fallen loved ones.

“Michael Martin is a legendary video director. That was dope.” — Steve Lobel

The award ceremony also marked East Harlem, New York-born legend Tupac “2Pac” Shakur’s final public appearance before being murdered in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada three days later on September 7th, 1996.

“We saw him coming out the hotel one day and this was just when he just got out. We saw him coming out the hotel and he was like, ‘What’s up with y’all? Man, I just want to let y’all know that the Crossroads. I played that everyday I woke up in my cell. That’s what got me through, listening to the Crossroads, the original version.’ After that we asked him for some weed. After that we was friends.” — Krayzie

Similar to “1st Of Tha Month”, Bone saw numerous peers either sample or interpolate “Tha Crossroads” — most typically the Bizzy line “and I’m gonna miss everybody”:

• The supergroup LSG — which included Cleveland, Ohio native Gerald Levert — released their certified double-platinum debut Levert.Sweat.Gill in November 1997, fueled by the Number One Billboard Hot R&B Single “My Body”. The March 1998 remix featured Portsmouth, Virginia native Melissa ‘Missy’ Elliott and flipped the line into an R&B hook.
• So Amazin’, the third album from Jersey City, New Jersey-born Christina Milan— released in May 2006 and nominated for Best Contemporary R&B Album at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards — featured the track “Gonna Tell Everybody” and flipped the same line.
• The film Pineapple Express and soundtrack featured the song in August 2008.
• Atlanta, Georgia-born Grammy winner Garrett “Sean Garrett” Hamler released his mixtape The Inkwell in August 2010 and used the same line on “Feel Love” featuring Toronto, Canada native and fellow Grammy winner Aubrey “Drake” Graham.
• Berkeley, California legend Brandon “Lil B” McCartney used the instrumental for “Base On Me”, one of the many tracks from his 848 Song Based Freestyle Mixtape (Historical) in July 2012. McCartney also sampled “Thuggish Ruggish Bone” on two different tracks: “Twamp Sac God” and “Dun Roy”, and sampled “Foe Tha Love of $” on his “Money Based FREESTYLE”.
• Comedy duo Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele spoofed the song and Bone Thugs in general with their skit “Bone Thugs and Homeless” in October 2012 during the second season of their Peabody Award-winning Key & Peele on Comedy Central.

“It don’t ever get old. It’s a classic, and classics never get old. It’s the simple fact that in time everyone is gonna always experience death or loss in their life, and it’s gonna be played at a funeral. Plus it sounds good, and it’s a heal-the-heart song. It can never get old.” — Layzie

In January 1996, the group was nominated for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist at the 23rd Annual American Music Awards and ultimately lost to Coolio off the strength of his certified double-platinum Gangsta’s Paradise and the Grammy-winning title track.

In February 1996, Bone lost the aforementioned inaugural Best Rap Album nomination to Naughty By Nature at the 38th Annual Grammy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California.

March 1996 saw Bone Thugs release the certified platinum Family Scriptures, the first under their Mo Thugs Records. The compilation featured production from Queens, New York native and Grammy winner Romeo Antonio and vocals from Tré on several cuts, including “Here With Me” and “Take Your Time” with Krayzie.

“I had built Mo Thugs for Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. That company was for the whole group.” — Layzie

In April 1996, Bone contributed “Shoot ‘Em Up” to the soundtrack for The Great White Hype; U-Neek additionally contributed “Movin’ On” with Compton, California rapper Nytowl.

In May 1996, Layzie, Krayzie, Bizzy and Wish obtained another magazine cover first: VIBE — founded in 1993 by Chicago, Illinois legend Quincy Jones — featured the quartet in an exclusive article entitled “Ohio Playas At The Crossroads”.

In August 1996, Queens, New York native, longtime group manager and hip-hop business legend Steve Lobel arranged for Flesh-N to be featured on the Los Angeles, California native Montell Jordan song “Falling” from his second album, the certified gold More… The second of three singles released off the album, “Falling” was the most successful of the trio and was also certified gold.

“That helped Flesh too, because that record was big.” — Steve Lobel

In September 1996, Bone made another soundtrack contribution: their certified gold single “Days Of Our Livez” for the Set It Off soundtrack. The film was New Line Cinema studio’s highest grossing film of the year, while the soundtrack was certified platinum two months later. New York City, New York native F. Gary Gray received the inaugural Best Director award for Set It Off at the American Black Film Festival in June 1997.

“All those songs were supposed to be on E. 1999, but the soundtrack opportunities came along and we just threw ‘em on there.” — Krayzie

In October 1996, Krayzie appeared on the track “Let’s All Get High” off the second album by Joliet, Illinois-born two-time Grammy nominee Shawntae “Da Brat” Harris, the certified gold Anuthatantrum.

Her June 1994 debut Funkdafied made her the first female rapper to have a certified platinum album.

In November 1996, Flesh-N released the certified platinum T.H.U.G.S. (Trues Humbly United Gatherin’ Souls) — his solo debut as well as the first Bone solo album — through Def Jam Records and Mo Thugs Records.

“I was the first member of this brand to have a successful solo career: a record that’s past platinum — it registered gold the first week and then it went platinum. If it wasn’t for Flesh-N-Bone there would be no Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, first of all. People don’t understand that.” — Flesh-N

The internal distrust combined with the obvious talent and potential of Bone Thugs allowed Flesh-N to secure a deal independent from Ruthless while still collaborating with the group whenever appropriate.

“It was the first solo album because Flesh wasn’t signed to Bone. He was signed to Def Jam. Chris Lighty, Lyor Cohen, Russell Simmons wanted a piece of Bone but they couldn’t get him. So they signed Flesh. Flesh at that time, he was going through a lot of things; Flesh was never in Bone, so to speak. He never signed, but he’s part of Bone. He’s the Fifth Dog. That album was a classic.” — Steve Lobel

The debut contained production from Beverly Hills, California native Damon Elliott, Tony C, Krayzie and Rhythm D as well as verses from B.G. Knocc Out and Queens, New York native and co-founding member of Run-DMC Joseph “Rev Run” Simmons — younger brother to Russell.

Also featured on the album: Bronx, New York natives Joseph “Fat Joe” Cartagena and Christopher “Big Pun” Rios:

“He actually wrote the hook, but I didn’t even know who Pun was until he spit his lyrics. A lot of people don’t know that he actually got his industry debut on my solo album.” — Flesh-N

The cultural and commercial prestige of Bone Thugs would soon be in demand, and 1997 found the group involved in several more historical records. Forced to balance the success of E. 1999 Eternal with the tragedy of losing Eazy-E, their remedy was simple: keep working.

Fresh off T.H.U.G.S., the group continued their impact with their most influential year in their twenty-plus year career.

In January 1997, the group was again nominated for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist at the 24th Annual American Music Awards. Along with Coolio, they lost to 2Pac, who was released from prison in October 1995 and went on to record the first double-album in hip-hop history: the certified diamond All Eyez On Me which reached Number One on both Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts.

In February 1997, the aforementioned 39th Annual Grammy Awards took place at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. While Bone and “Tha Crossroads” took home the Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group award, the Greater London, England native Phil Collins notably took home the MusiCares Person of the Year award.

On March 7th 1997, the 11th Annual Soul Train Awards were held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. Bone Thugs and “Tha Crossroads” won the Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video award — renamed the Michael Jackson Award — as Layzie and Krayzie accepted on behalf of the group.

“All the accolades, I love that. There’s love, and the acknowledgement feels good. But the acknowledgement don’t mean nothing if your family can’t look at you and feel that you’ve made a difference in their life.” — Layzie

The award ceremony also marked the final performance from one of music’s most gifted young artists.

NOTORIOUS THUGS

Brooklyn, New York legend The Notorious B.I.G. was shot dead in Los Angeles, California after his appearance and performance at the aforementioned Soul Train Awards. His second album — Life After Death — was released on Bad Boy Entertainment two weeks later. The double-disc work of art would be nominated for three Grammy awards, eventually standing as the third-highest selling hip-hop record of all-time. Once again, the Bone influence was evident.

“Notorious Thugs” — the very first guest appearance by the Bone collective — sampled “More Than Love” by Ohio Players and displayed B.I.G. adopting the signature Bone Thugs flow — and more than holding his own.

“Because he’s from New York, Brooklyn, we weren’t even expecting Big to even try to attempt to step in the arena with us. And the way he did was so cold and authentic, we were like, ‘This nigga killed it!’ So it worked out perfect.” — Krayzie

Co-produced by Puff Daddy and Rochester, New York native Steven “Stevie J” Jordan, the track immediately became a fan favorite and hip-hop classic.

“If I had to say one (favorite B.I.G. song of mine), I would say ‘Notorious Thugs’ featuring Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.” — Stevie J

Unfortunately, the track did not contain a verse from Wish nor Flesh-N; what it did contain was an instantly-recognizable chorus and dozens of quotable lines.

“Bone and Big / nigga, die slowly / I’ma tell you like a nigga told me / ‘Cash Rules Everything Around Me’ / shit, lyrically / niggas can’t see me

Big come through with mobs and crews / Goodfellas down to the Mo Thugs dudes” — The Notorious B.I.G.

“I remember the first time when we went to New York. First time being in a five-star hotel, kicking it. We all walking around having the big cotton housecoats on and shit just smoking, blazing. Just chilling, man. We had our shower caps on; you know everybody went and got their robe out the room and walking around in khakis and khaki house shoes and house robes on and doing it big.” — Layzie

Bone Thugs will forever be the only artists to work with The Notorious B.I.G., 2Pac, Big Pun and Eazy-E while the aforementioned legends all were alive. Despite the well-publicized dispute between B.I.G. and 2Pac, the members of Bone avoided nearly any external turmoil — typically too occupied with in-fighting to garner rivals and enemies. However, their popularity ensured rivals would take shots; Bone returned aim at who they deemed “clones” as well as began showing signs of internal conflict.

In May 1997, Bone contributed their original track “Look Into My Eyes” to the certified platinum soundtrack for Batman & Robin — the only hip-hop song to make the cut.

In June 1997, the quintet performed at Summer Jam 1997, an annual concert held in East Rutherford, New Jersey and sponsored by Hot 97FM.

NEVER KNEW NO COMPETITION

In July 1997, Bone released their third album and own double-disc effort, The Art of War — the thirty-sixth highest-selling hip-hop record of all-time.

“Mr. Krayzie Bone is one of those type of magnificent, amazing people. He came with the titles, he came with the topics, he came with the substance; he was just the bread.” — Bizzy

With all twenty-eight tracks produced by U-Neek, the album was certified quadruple-platinum less than one year later, particularly due to the certified platinum single “Look Into My Eyes” in May 1997 and the certified gold single “If I Could Teach The World” in October 1997. “Look Into My Eyes” was previously licensed to the Batman & Robin soundtrack albeit with an alternate Krayzie verse.

“The Art of War is basically our way of telling the world … our book on how to deal with life. It’s like everything is a war. Life is a war.” — Wish

The Art of War featured three guest artists total:

• Roderick “Mr. Maje$ty” Wiggins — former half of the New York City, New York duo Da King & I — on two tracks: “7 Sign” and “Ready 4 War” where Mr. Maje$ty confronted Chicago, Illinois quartet Crucial Conflict:

“Mark-ass copycat incoherence is ‘crucial’ / Smoking ‘hay’ with ‘conflict’s / that bite shit like microchips / I watch you ‘ride the rodeo’ straight to the bottom”

While the crucial/conflict wordplay is apparent, the reference to “hay” draws attention to Crucial Conflict’s sole commercial hit “Hay”, released in April 1996 and certified gold in July 1996. The flow and accompanying video clearly showed an inclination towards heavily-borrowed Bone aspects — from the subject matter to clothing choices to hairstyles to actual flows. Less obvious but just as generic, the song and video for “Ride The Rodeo” failed to make any notable impact; both were two of the fifteen tracks from Conflict’s certified gold album The Final Tic in July 1996.

• Fellow Cleveland, Ohio native and Mo Thugs member William “Souljah Boy” Lyons appeared on one track: “Wasteland Warriors”.

Lyons sued Chicago, Illinois-born DeAndre “Soulja Boy” Way in December 2007 for namesake violations. The lawsuit was settled out-of-court, and Lyons himself was issued a warrant in April 2010 for failing to pay $22K in back child support, issued prior to the Way out-of-court settlement.

“Bone Thugs were friends of mine; we went to school together, hustled together, gang-banged together. So it was already a musical connection. Mo Thugs as well; we were all friends.” — Souljah Boy

• 2Pac on one track: “Thug Luv”.

Despite the murder of Shakur in September 1996, “Thug Luv” appeared on The Art of War, as it was initially a collaboration between Bizzy, 2Pac and Los Angeles, California native Lamar “Sylk-E. Fyne” Johnson.

“It basically was on the album. And then I made the connection because I was friends with 2Pac and Bizzy and myself are like brother and sister. One day we were in the studio and he’s like, ‘Man, I really wanna work with 2Pac. I gotta do a song with 2Pac.’ I called a close friend of mine. She called 2Pac. And they said, ‘We’ll come up there, and we’ll lace you guys with a verse.’

And it was cool, ‘cause I was there, did my little verse. Bizzy did his verse, and then Pac comes in and in less than twenty minutes, he does his whole verse, and then he goes, ‘Okay, y’all, I’m on my way, gotta go to this Versace thing.’ And he left to go to Paris. It was the last time we worked with him or saw him. And then he died like a month after we recorded the record.” — Sylk-E. Fyne

“My nigga Bone held the chrome / ‘til I came home / Thug Luv players / tell these bitch niggas bring it on / I caught a plane out to Cleveland / late last evening / to help my niggas clean up some niggas / no longer breathing” — 2Pac

Bizzy described the recording order with Biggie and 2Pac:

“Well, 2Pac was on the record first. Then he passed. Then we did the record with Notorious B.I.G. Bone was always close to the middle. You come around us, you’re doing something great. And people want to do something great before they want beef.” — Bizzy

Essentially a solo song, “Mind of a Soulja” featured Layzie shouting-out his deceased infant son Babi Boi:

“It’s all about Mo Trues Humbly United Gatherin’ Souls / Babi Boi, my Angel / Daddy’ll meet you at Tha Crossroads”

“Family Tree” featured the same remorse from Layzie:

“This world’s so cruel and shady / and I really do miss my baby / Babi Boi, oh boy / me and yo’ bigger brother / we keeps it realer / you’ll always be our lil’ nigga / and I know yo’ mama miss ya / picture the day when I get my calling / but until then I guess I’m stuck / Little T, know I miss him much / when I get to Heaven, Babi Boi / ‘What’s up?’ / we can ride and roll / I know”

“Get Cha Thug On” — the only Wish solo track made available on a mainstream record — also paid tribute to Babi Boi:

“Now we gotta make these millions / we gotta look out for these Bone Thug children / rest in peace, Baby Boi / Amen”

Despite the creation of their first and only Number One album on both the Billboard 200, Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and New Zealand Albums charts, the promotion which ensued revealed internal and external turmoil within Bone Thugs: Bizzy was absent from the “If I Could Teach The World” video shoot and several publicity stops:

“At that time, Bizzy was going through his thing, so he was starting to be in-and-out. He was actually withdrawing from the group more and more, because he was going through whatever he was going through. I don’t even think he took the pictures with us that time, because he was doing whatever he was doing. He just came in, did what he had to do and he was out.” — Krayzie

Much of The Art of War responded to the sliver of negative feedback several established artists directed towards Bone, which included disses from Memphis, Tennessee group Three 6 Mafia. In May 1995, Three 6 released “Live By Yo Rep (B.O.N.E. Dis)” off their debut album Mystic Stylez which included an outro spoken by member Ricky “Lord Infamous” Dunigan who passed away from heart failure in December 2013:

“See we can’t tolerate no nigga that is Layzie / broke out the blender and I made some Krayzie gravy / it’s Eazy / and when it was time to get Bizzy / don’t break — you can Wish / but you can’t escape / because we crave dead Flesh / Triple 6, bitch / easily you can be next”

Three 6 Mafia released their EP Live By Yo Rep in November 1995 which contained two versions of the Bone Thugs diss track. By November 1996, Mafia released their follow-up album, Chapter 1: The End which contained the track “Last Man Standing” and the following line from Paul “DJ Paul” Beauregard, half-brother of Lord Infamous:

“The Last Man Standing’ll never be part of the B.O.N.E.”

Despite the blistering back-and-forth lyrics, the Bone Thugs and Three 6 beef was essentially squashed before it began:

“It wasn’t a real beef. It was more of a misunderstanding because we was rapping about triple six, devil shit and tongue twisting over slow beats. We had been doing that since 1989 and then all of a sudden when Bone came out — I think it was 1993… We didn’t know the Faces Of Death album because it was their underground stuff. Just like they probably didn’t know our underground stuff. When they came out with Thuggish Ruggish Bone and all of that stuff and we hear somebody kind of on our same style: Faces Of Death, redrum, murder, 6–6–6, tongue twisting. We were like, ‘Damn, these dudes done stole our style!’ That’s why we got mad about it. We ran into each other a couple of times and there was a push or something. But there was never no fight or nothing like that.” — DJ Paul

Chicago, Illinois native Carl “Twista” Mitchell released a collaborative EP with fellow Chicago, Illinois natives The Speedknot Mobstaz in October 1998, the certified gold Mobstability. Despite being released after the first three Ruthless-related Bone Thugs records, the song “Crook County” contained the Twista verse:

“Motherfuck a Ouija board / I receive my blessings from G’s and Lords / nine-millies and swords / for The Art of War niggas / must’ve found breathin’ bored / tellin’ me to ‘look into your eyes’ / all I see is a bitch / saw Krayzie in New Orleans / scary vic / talkin’ ‘bout you was lovin’ my shit / hit the bud and got sick / on that shit-talkin’ odyssey / mumblin’ R&B / you can keep the apology / you done tried to dishonor me / kill the Hoes of the Harmony / just when you thought it was safe / the Bone niggas ‘bout to get slaughtered and raped / I can slow down and audit the tape / y’all bigger than all y’all who thought it was fake / now watch four-fee’s on the stage / bleed from the braids / die on the 1st Of Tha Month cause it’s worse than the blunt / why would you compete to be doomed? / now you gon’ see Eazy-E soon”

Chicago, Illinois trio Do or Die released their second album, Headz Or Tailz on Rap-A-Lot Records in April 1998. The sole single “Still Po Pimpin’ ” featured Twista, who already had a tumultuous relationship with Bone, while the track “Bustin Back” directly confronted Bone regarding the flow in response to The Art of War track “U Ain’t Bone”.

“Ain’t no Art of that War / fuck war / we can take it to the streets / motherfuck Bone / and it’s on when we meet”

“Fuck Bone / ‘cause it’s on in my city”

“My four-five gonna meet you, Bone / Thug-ass harmonies / you can’t fuck wit’ the Chi-town armory”

Both “Bustin Back” and “Crook County” were produced by fellow Chicago, Illinois native Samuel “The Legendary Traxster” Lindley, who ultimately produced the entire Mobstability, the debut Do or Die EP Picture This from September 1996 and the bulk of the third Twista album Adrenaline Rush from June 1997.

“I was a big Dr. Dre fan. When I created the Do or Die, Twista sound it was a variation of what Dre was doing. It was just a Midwest spin on it. As far as other artists, I think anybody who was a fan of Do or Die or Twista is influenced by that sound. If you hear anybody from the Midwest, Twista and Do or Die were the biggest acts at the time.” — The Legendary Traxster

Lindley garnered a Grammy nomination for his contribution to Huntington, New York native Mariah Carey’s tenth album The Emancipation of Mimi from April 2005, and went on to produce numerous cuts for both Do or Die and Twista.

Look to the Heavens ye mortals, take heart / the foursome returns with powerful art / prepare thyself for a swift-tongued end / the angels of war are about to descend.

In August 1997 came a four-set cover story from The Source, which preceded Bizzy becoming the first member to be estranged, as internal and external feuding began to resonate louder.

IT’S ALL MO THUG

For the next three years, the five members focused their attention on solo projects and spreading the Bone franchise. From August 1997 to February 2000, Bone did not release a collective album; instead, a prolific series of solo releases and appearances maintained the Bone aesthetic.

September 1997 began with the release of A New Breed of Female by II Tru, a Cleveland, Ohio duo made up of Belinda “Jhaz” Wallace and Cabrina “Brina” Wilson. The debut release from both II Tru and the Mo Thugs family featured Krayzie and Layzie on “So High” and Flesh-N on “Two Hits and Pass”, which also featured The Graveyard Shift members Tombstone and Actavius “Sin” Mills — also featured on “I Got Yo Back”. The majority of the production was handled by Archie Blaine while Krayzie and Layzie were both listed as Executive Producers.

“After Bone got on, they came back and got all the artists that was doing shows with them or down with them. When they came back for Jhaz and Arch, I was already part of II Tru. Everybody in Mo Thugs was down for the same vibe; it was fun putting them projects together.” — Brina

Two weeks later in September 1997 was a collaboration between Bizzy and Los Angeles, California trio Immature on their fourth album The Journey. The track “Give Up The Ghost” — co-produced by Los Angeles, California native and manager Chris Stokes — was released as the second single, highlighted by the harmonies of Bizzy and Marques Houston:

“I been a Bone fan since Thuggish Ruggish Bone. I got their first album when Bone wasn’t Bone. They were young. I think people tried to player-hate when they first came out, but a lot of people loved them. And I think those people overpowered the player-haters.” — Marques Houston

Later in September 1997, Butterfly — the sixth studio album from five-time Grammy winner Mariah Carey — debuted at Number One on the Billboard 200, was certified quintuple-platinum and received three Grammy nominations for the 40th Annual ceremony.

Due to the massive success of the project, the fourth single wasn’t released until March 1998: “Breakdown”, featuring Krayzie and Wish verses only. The single was certified gold in New Zealand, which continued their trend of tremendous support for Bone Thugs music.

“I worked with Krayzie and Wish; I was inspired by their style. It’s obvious when you hear the song. And we had quite the interesting recording session. It was great. I loved them. But I was having an allergy attack. I was having a little problem, and the studio was kind of smokey.” — Mariah Carey

In November 1997, Poetic Hustla’z released their debut album Trials & Tribulations jointly on Mo Thugs, Ruthless and Relativity Records. Layzie and Krayzie were both Executive Producers and featured artists along with Wish, Flesh-N and production from Romeo Antonio.

In January 1998, Bone Thugs won the Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist at the 25th Annual American Music Awards ceremony. The first of two American Music Awards — and four nominations — the 25th Annual ceremony was hosted by fellow Cleveland, Ohio native Drew Carey.

Bone Thugs had been nominated three consecutive years (1996–1998) until they secured their first win in 1998. Unlike the Grammys — awarded on the basis of votes by members of the Recording Academy — the American Music Awards are determined by a poll of the public and music buyers.

“Winning awards are cool but when our fans come up to me and tell me that our music inspired them or saved their lives, then that’s when I feel I accomplished something. I literally had fans come up to me and said that our music saved them from committing suicide or saved them from wasting their lives and to me that’s more of a great feeling than winning an award.” — Krayzie

In April 1998, Bone made another soundtrack appearance on “Hook It Up” from the I Got The Hook-Up soundtrack — certified platinum after two months. The song paired Bone with New Orleans, Louisiana native and No Limit Records founder Percy “Master P” Miller and his younger brother Vyshonne “Silkk The Shocker” Miller, was co-produced by fellow New Orleans, Louisiana native and famed producer Craig “KLC” Lawson and released as a single. The film — the first for No Limit Films — was directed by Michael Martin and starred both Master P and another younger brother, Corey “C-Murder” Miller.

In May 1998, Flesh-N released a limited-edition compilation entitled G.N.T. Entertainment Presents Master Copy Volume 1: From Cleveland 2 Cali, displaying the roster under his new company Flesh Bone Incorporated. Corsicana, Texas-born Robert “Spice 1” Green was featured on “AK Spray” and B.G. Knocc Out on “Death Before Dishonor” while Layzie was the only Bone member on the compilation.

Also in May 1998 was the second in the trilogy of Mo Thugs Family albums: the aforementioned certified platinum Mo Thugs Family Scriptures Chapter II: Family Reunion, spurred by the certified double-platinum lead single “All Good” by Felecia Lindsey and the certified gold second single “Ghetto Cowboy” by Layzie, Krayzie and Felecia. Produced almost entirely by Romeo Antonio, Chapter II featured several solo Krayzie songs as well as the rare Flesh-N solo “Riot”.

The compilation also featured the track “Ain’t Said No Names” by Krayzie, Tombstone and Torrance “Cat” Cody — understood to be another diss record aimed at Crucial Conflict:

“They talkin’ shit / say we ain’t rappin’ / niggas has got the nerve / and look who platinum” — Krayzie

June 1998 saw a reunion between Bone and Master P on his certified quadruple-platinum double-disc MP Da Last Don and the track “Till We Dead And Gone”. The album reached Number One on the Billboard 200, was based on the No Limit Films movie — written and co-produced by Miller and co-directed by Miller and Michael Martin — and remains Miller’s highest-selling album to date.

“Nigga from Cleveland to New Orleans / across the sea and ocean / Master P and Bone Thugs / coast to coast / we steadily rolling” — Layzie

Also in June 1998, the Flesh-N track “Nothing But Da Bone in Me” — originally from T.H.U.G.S. — appeared in the film Gummo; written by Nashville, Tennessee auteur Harmony Korine, who also made his directorial debut with the film.

In July 1998 came another soundtrack appearance with “War” from the film Small Soldiers. The single combined Bone Thugs with three legendary musicians: Washington, D.C.-born Henry Rollins (Black Flag); Melbourne, Australia-born Michael “Flea” Balzary (Red Hot Chili Peppers) and Harlem, New York-born Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine).

Also in July 1998 was “Don’t Hate On Me”, a collaboration track between Krayzie and Da Brat for Life In 1472, the debut album from Asheville, North Carolina-born and Grammy winner Jermaine Dupri. The album became Number One on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and was nominated twice — Best Rap Album and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group — at the 41st Annual Grammy Awards in February 1999.

To end July 1998, Layzie and fellow Cleveland, Ohio native Kendon “Ken Dawg” Anthony joined Grammy winner Gerald Levert on the track “No Sense” for his third solo album Love & Consequences.

“I think I helped a lot of young people who were in the ghetto or who would have had to work regular jobs. I’ve made it possible for them to see the world. It makes it all worthwhile when you hear on the radio, ‘Cleveland’s own.’ That means they’re proud of you.” — Gerald Levert

In September 1998, two-time Grammy nominee Fat Joe released his third album, the certified gold Don Cartagena which featured Layzie and Krayzie on the track “Good Times.”

“The first person who really, really embraced Bone Thugs-n-Harmony in New York: it wasn’t no deejay, it wasn’t no record company, so to speak, or anybody like that even though they were signed to Ruthless. It was Fat Joe. Fat Joe embraced them, and then Biggie embraces them. But Fat Joe opened the city, took them to the clubs, took them around.” — Steve Lobel

Also in September 1998, Flesh-N reunited with Montell Jordan on “If I Die Tonight” for the certified platinum Rush Hour film soundtrack. The single also featured Manhattan, New York-born singer “Monifah” Carter.

Again in September 1998, Flesh-N became the first member to obtain a prominent role in a film: Winner Takes All, a straight-to-video release which co-starred Cleveland, Ohio native Jason “AMG” Lewis, San Francisco, California legend Anthony “Rappin’ 4-Tay” Fortè and South Gate, California legend Louis “B-Real” Freese, co-founder of the Grammy-nominated group Cypress Hill.

“Flesh is always the 5th Dog. Flesh can play any of those roles; he get in where he fit in with that.” — Layzie

In October 1998, Bizzy released his solo debut, the certified platinum Heaven’z Movie. Bizzy used his debut to speak on a variety of topics:

• The alleged attempted sexual infiltration of Bone by Eazy-E widow and mother of two of his children, Tomica Woods-Wright (“Thugz Cry”).
• The ongoing beef with Three 6 Mafia (“On Fire”).
• Being named as an influence to Jonesboro, Arkansas middle-school shooter and murderer Mitchell Johnson (“Social Studies”).

Adrian “H.I.T.L.A.H. Capo Confucius” Parlette, a foster brother of Bizzy, was featured on the track “Waitin’ For Warfare”.

Chihuahua, Mexico-born hip-hop and R&B legend Johnny “J” Jackson — a close friend and certified multi-platinum producer for Tupac — produced three tracks: “Thugz Cry”, “Yes Yes Ya’ll” and “Nobody Can Stop Me”. Bizzy became the first artist Jackson worked with after the murder of Shakur. Later, Jackson spoke of interest in co-founding a record label with Jerry Heller as well as producing an entire Bizzy album.

After his arrest for a DWI in July 2008, Jackson was sentenced to three years in Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles, California. In October 2008, Jackson allegedly committed suicide as he leapt to his death and subsequently left behind a wife and two children. Jackson was thirty-nine years old.

“All you have is a bunch of fucking copy cats reminiscing and going through a lot of shit that is out today. That’s called following, man. You’re just a follower — you’re not a leader, you’re not an innovator. I’m an innovator, you can’t fuck with me. And I know that. You can try to duplicate it, but you never will.” — Johnny “J”

In November 1998, Bone and Ruthless released the certified platinum The Collection, Volume One which featured “B.N.K.”, a reworked version of the Eazy-E original “Black Nigga Killa”. The track was produced by Chicago, Illinois native Lenton “L.T.” Hutton.

As the current owner of Program Pictures, co-owner of The Program Records and the former A&R for Ruthless, Hutton was initially a Death Row employee and ended up becoming an instrumental figure in bridging the gap between Death Row Records and Ruthless Records:

“We was actually beefing with Bone at the time, and I was the first person to make that contact, and clean that whole little thing up with the Pound and Bone, ‘cause we wasn’t really fucking with them. I went over to Ruthless Records, and I was running Ruthless with Tomika, so I was bridging the gap. We was always cool, but just had that one misunderstanding with Eazy and how all that went down. But we had love, so I put that together, and me, Bizzy, Wish, Lay and Kray, we all super tight, and I just ended up doing a lot of the Bone records. It’s not a Bone record that I haven’t been on since we made that merger, so I’ve been on their albums ever since. Them my dudes right there.” — L.T. Hutton

Still in November 1998, The Source magazine ran a cover story on Bizzy, entitled “The Haunting of Bizzy Bone”.

In December 1998, Bizzy pleaded no contest to resolve his previous 1995 arrest for drunk driving in his home-city of Columbus, Ohio. He received a suspended sentence of six months and spent six days in prison.

January 1999 began with trouble for Bizzy: an assault case from Columbus, Ohio. Charged with assault and disorderly conduct, the victim was a student barber at Hair Experts Beauty School in Columbus, Ohio and claimed Bizzy pushed him down the beauty school stairs in retaliation to the victim — or someone else — making disparaging comments about Bizzy.

Facing up to six months in prison and a $1,000 fine, the jury acquitted Bizzy in less than one full day of deliberation.

Bizzy was previously arrested after the Bone performance at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards. The charges were eventually dropped: the complainant alleged theft, while Bizzy claimed nothing more than an overzealous fan.

In February 1999, Krayzie and Wish founded ThugLine Records, a subsidiary which allowed the two business partners to venture outside of the Bone collective.

Also in February 1999, Flesh-N was featured in another film: The Breaks alongside Vallejo, California legend Earl “E-40” Stevens and Houston, Texas-born William “WC” Calhoun, Jr.

March 1999 featured another soundtrack appearance: individual tracks from both Krayzie (“The Ghetto”) and Bizzy (“Way 2 Strong”) for The PJs — a three-season animated series co-produced by Brooklyn, New York native and comedian Eddie Murphy; the series also garnered three Emmy Awards from 1999–2001.

April 1999 brought the solo debut from Krayzie, the double-disc Thug Mentality 1999. Certified platinum in less than a year, the album featured several previous collaborators, including Romeo Antonio.

• Memphis, Tennessee duo Premro “8Ball” Smith & Marlon Jermaine “MJG” Goodwin and Layzie on “Pimpz, Thugz, Hustlaz & Gangstaz” — produced by Romeo Antonio.
• Havana, Cuba-born Felix “Cuban Link” Delgado, Fat Joe and Big Pun on “When I Die” — co-produced by Falonte Moore and Kier “DJ Kay Gee” Gist from Naughty By Nature.
• Mariah Carey on the remix to “I Still Believe” — co-produced by Carey and Santa Barbara, California native Damion “Damizza” Young.

“We definitely want to shout out Mariah Carey. It’s like, anytime we need her, she been there for us, and we be there for her.” — Wish

Originally performed by New York City, New York native Brenda K. Starr in February 1988, the initial Carey cover — certified platinum and co-produced by Stevie J — appeared on her quintuple certified platinum Number 1’s (#1's) compilation in November 1998. With Carey as Starr’s backup singer and Starr subsequently helping her career begin, Carey re-recorded the song in tribute to Starr. The remix featured Krayzie and was co-produced by Damizza, who made his production debut.

Several new collaborators appeared as well: E-40 and Three 6 Mafia member Lola “Gangsta Boo” Mitchell (“We Starvin’ ”), Naughty By Nature co-founder Anthony “Treach” Criss (“Thugz All Ova Da World”) and Kingston, Jamaica-raised The Marley Brothers (“Revolution”).

Kurupt and Snoop Dogg joined Layzie on “The War Iz On”, signifying an official end to the bad blood between Bone Thugs and Tha Dogg Pound.

“They used to always say me and Krayzie looked alike. I’m like, ‘Why ya’ll keep putting pictures up of this nigga and me side-by-side?’ And I swear to God, this nigga would wear the same hairstyle as me — I’m like, wait a minute, who the fuck doing this nigga’s hair, man? We at the same award show with the same pimpin’ on, the same hair style. That’s why I started rocking the perms and all that.” — Snoop Dogg

Also in April 1999, Krayzie returned the collaboration feature to Treach as he appeared on the track “Thugs & Hustlers” off the fifth studio album by Naughty By Nature entitled Nineteen Naughty Nine: Nature’s Fury.

“I was just with Treach, and he had so many salutes for us, it was like — when an O.G. like that salutes you and borrowed from your style, our contribution to music is never going nowhere.” — Layzie

In May 1999, Krayzie collaborated with Irving, Texas duo Play-N-Skillz — brothers Juan “Play” Salinas and Oscar “Skillz” Salin — on the track “Red Rum” for their Play-N-Skillz Presents Texas 2 Da World Vol. 1 compilation.

Later in May 1999, Mo Thugs provided the track “All My Family” to the soundtrack for the independent film Turf Stories.

August 1999 showcased another moment in the Bad Boy/Bone relationship, as Bizzy was featured on “Angels With Dirty Faces” off the debut solo album Forever by Puff Daddy. The album was certified platinum and topped the Billboard R&B Albums at Number One.

“P. Diddy is my guy, we have done songs together, and he has taken me out to the Bahamas. I have had a ball with P. Diddy and the Bad Boy Family; he has shown me nothing but love.” — Bizzy

Also in August 1999, Layzie appeared on the Intersound Records compilation North East West South (N.E.W.S.) with East Oakland, California legend Todd “Too $hort” Shaw on the track “Somethin’ About Your Pimpin’ ”.

To end August 1999, Krayzie united with Compton, California singer and actor Terrance “TQ” Quaites on the Jermaine Dupri-produced “Get Away” for the Blue Streak film soundtrack.

In September 1999, Krayzie continued the trend of collaborating with former nemesis’ by appearing on the track “Up There” from Ghetty Green, the debut album by Patrick “Project Pat” Houston — older brother to Jordan “Juicy J” Houston and co-founder of Three 6 Mafia.

“After a while we became cool. Our first song was with Krayzie on Project Pat’s Ghetty Green album maybe in 1997 or 1998 or something like that. We’ve been cool ever since then. We did some shows together. They was fun as fuck. We had a blast with Bone.” — DJ Paul

In October 1999, U-Neek branched out with his first solo release: Ghetto Street Pharmacist on Ruthless/Thump Records. The original album featured several rappers as well as Layzie, Krayzie and Bizzy.

Also featured was Dallas, Texas native Antron “Big Lurch” Singleton — sentenced to life in prison in November 2003 after being convicted of murder and aggravated mayhem in connection with the murder and cannibalization of his roommate. The March 2011 documentary Rhyme & Punishment discussed his court case and the evidence.

Also in October 1999 was another film role for Flesh-N, as he and Krayzie appeared in Thicker Than Water, which also featured WC, Fat Joe, Ice Cube and Big Pun as well as Inglewood, California native Dedrick “Mack 10” Rolison, Compton, California native Aaron “MC Eiht” Tyler and Long Beach, California native Jamarr “Bad Azz” Stamps.

In November 1999, Krayzie reunited with The Marley Brothers on Chant Down Babylon, which featured artists paying tribute to the catalog of reggae legend Bob Marley. With the entire album produced by six-time Grammy winner Stephen Marley, Krayzie was featured on the track “Rebel Music (3 O’Clock Roadblock)”.

“Whatever sounds good to me, it doesn’t matter where it comes from. There are no boundaries, no fences. If I like it, then it will inspire me to create. If you check my father’s music it’s not your typical reggae, it’s always incorporated other influences — blues, soul, rock. I’ve grown around the influence of incorporating all types of music into what we make, with the foundation being reggae.” — Stephen Marley

December 1999 saw the soundtrack release for the film Next Friday, co-written by Ice Cube and DJ Pooh. The soundtrack featured both Krayzie (“Friday”) and Bizzy (“Fried Day”) as well as a N.W.A. ‘reunion’ with their single “Chin Check”. The film — a sequel to the April 1995 original also co-written by Ice Cube and DJ Pooh and directed by F. Gary Gray — was the first for Cubevision, star and producer Ice Cube’s production company.

“When we learned how to smoke it, we were like, wait a minute, this is a whole new thing — this is enhancing the music and everything.” — Krayzie

In February 2000, the group released their fourth studio album, BTNHResurrection despite no group album in three years.

Released exclusively by Ruthless, nearly a third of BTNHResurrection was produced by U-Neek, another third by Jimmy “JT” Thomas and the final third by Orange County, California multi-platinum producer Darren Vegas. The album also spawned three singles: “Resurrection (Paper, Paper)”, “Change The World” and “Can’t Give It Up”.

“Our whole thing was really to get into this album. We all came together and was like, ‘Alright, we ain’t did no album since ‘97. The whole concept was like everybody doubting us. They don’t think we’re going to come together. The media is trying to break us down on every little fluke and flimsy that they could find. It was like our whole thing was like, ‘We back. It’s the resurrection of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.’ Everybody had matured. Our writing skills had gotten better and more in detail. This one, we just really grew up on this album.” — Layzie

Despite his tumultuous relationship with the group, Bizzy was awarded a solo bonus track entitled “One Night Stand.” Another departure from previous releases was Flesh-N being featured on fourteen of the fifteen tracks, likely due to his impending and ultimate incarceration.

BTNHResurrection was certified platinum in less than a single month and marked the last time the quintet of Bone would make an album for over a decade.

In March 2000, Krayzie appeared on the track “Until We Rich” from the certified gold album War & Peace Vol. 2 (The Peace Disc) — the Number One Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and sixth solo release from Ice Cube.

“The hardest lesson I guess would be friendship and business — I really understand now why they tell you not to mix the two. Business and money, it does destroy some of the closest relationships. When it comes to this business, it is what it is: it’s business.” — Krayzie

CLEVELAND IS THE CITY

“Man, I started smoking sherm. There’s a lot of people who end up on sherm who don’t come back. And it almost took my life.” — Flesh-N

Flesh-N has consistently remained the most confounding member of Bone. A former student-athlete at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania, he was the last member to sign with Ruthless and the first to release a solo album. The oldest and largest member yet the elder brother to the smallest and leader of the five. The most decorated criminal background, yet the same team member who worked, saved and purchased the initial Greyhound bus tickets for the other four members and himself.

“He started flipping out and he had a chemical imbalance and they had him on Thorazine. He was also put on Lithium. Doctors called us and tried to get us to release him to their care. Really, it was on Lay and he was like, ‘What should I do?’ ‘Man, we going to go get him.’ We walked all the way down the freeway to the insane asylum to go pick this nigga up. He had a teddy bear with all the stuffing ripped out and he had pages balled up in there and that’s where he put his raps, ‘cause he thought somebody was trying to sabotage him and not let him say what he had to say.” — Bizzy

In 1994, Flesh-N was convicted of assault and making terrorist threats, placed on two years probation and sentenced to thirty days in jail for violating a previous probation.

In 1995, he was convicted of spousal battery and sentenced to forty-five days in jail and two years probation — later to another sixty days for violating probation.

In February 1997, Flesh-N was sentenced to a five-month term at Los Angeles Men’s Central Jail after surrendering to police. Flesh-N was wanted on seven assault charges dating back to 1993 — including one recording studio fight which also involved Layzie.

In July 1997, a neighbor complained to police about hearing gunshots at Flesh-N’s house; police then found fireworks and shell casings in the backyard. Flesh-N and his brother-in-law were charged with possessing a destructive device, possessing an explosive and discharging a firearm with gross negligence; police allegedly found an AK-47 assault rifle, a quarter-stick of dynamite and three M-80 firecrackers.

He was sentenced to forty-nine days with an additional forty-two days for violating probation after he pleaded no contest to assault, possessing an explosive device and making a terrorist threat. One of the guns retrieved in the arrest was traced to the Rodney King riots in Los Angeles, California.

“If you take away the guns, you allow criminals to be able to do heinous and unspeakable acts. If the criminals understand that the people are armed, they might have a second thought before they commit a crime. You can’t infringe on anybody’s rights to protect themselves.” — Flesh-N

Less than five days later, Flesh-N allegedly threatened to kill the elderly neighbor who lodged the fireworks-related complaint. Flesh-N allegedly climbed onto his roof, exposed himself and threatened to kill the man and sexually assault his wife. He was then charged with making terrorist threats and intimidating a witness.

In February 1998, after pleading no contest to charges of assault and possession of illegal fireworks in exchange for dropping the terrorist threats and weapons offense charges, Flesh-N was sentenced to one hundred-twenty days — minus thirty days time served — and three years probation. Prosecutors had pushed for a lengthier sentence, but San Fernando Municipal Court Judge John Gunn took into account the recent alcohol treatment and anger management completed by Flesh-N.

Although Gunn ruled the sentence to begin in March 1998, Flesh-N was awarded a nine-day reprise which allowed additional time to finish his album 5th Dog Let Loose.

“Sherm’ed out, man / all I had to do was detox / before I got off the bottle it was courtrooms and lots of cops / I made my bed / I had to lay on it / with spikes and all / spiraling off the wall / went on a headlong fall / call it what you want ‘cause I’ll be back / kicking up dust / I must and yo / it ain’t over till that skinny nigga bust”

In December 1999, Flesh-N allegedly pulled a loaded AK-47 out of a baby crib and aimed the gun at an associate before chasing him from his apartment.

In January 2000, Flesh-N was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, illegal possession of a shotgun, making a terrorist threat and resisting an officer. The Los Angeles Police Department responded to a disturbance at the home of a Howse relative; while there, they allegedly came across Flesh-N brandishing a loaded, sawed-off shotgun and initially refusing officers’ orders to leave the scene.

In June 2000, he was convicted on the charges related to the December 1999 AK-47 incident despite the victim’s testimony that Flesh-N was a friend and did not pull a gun.

“I do understand the defendant has mental problems and he’s had a bad childhood. Who he is is a person who loves guns, doesn’t take orders from courts and has a propensity for violence.” — Deputy District Attorney Shellie Samuels

Facing up to nineteen years and eight months in prison, Superior Court Judge Darlene Schempp gave him a lesser term after she reviewed documents which showed he suffered horrific child abuse. He was sentenced to twelve years in prison for assault with an AK-47 rifle and for being an ex-convict with a gun.

“This is one of the worst cases I’ve read in terms of childhood abuse, full of beatings and other physical, emotional and mental traumas.” — Superior Court Judge Darlene Schempp

In June 2000, Mo Thugs Family released Layzie Bone Presents Mo Thugs III: The Mothership, the third in the Mo Thugs trilogy. The compilation was dominated by Layzie, featured on nine of the seventeen songs including a duet with son Jeremy “J-Bone” Howse on “The Backyard” and a duet with Felecia Lindsey on the lone single “This Ain’t Livin’ ”.

Notably missing was Krayzie and Souljah Boy:

“I decided to leave Mo Thugs during the recording of the Mo Thug Family Scriptures II and there were many reasons why I left. But I will tell you those busters were haters and terrible businessmen. There was a lot of tension in the city; my beef with them was a real beef — especially with Krayzie and Layzie. Jealousy and fear of someone getting bigger than you in music was a problem they had to deal with and still do.” — Souljah Boy

In July 2000, Sylk-E. Fyne released her second album The Cum Up with high expectations due to her initial debut Raw Sylk in March 1998. While The Cum Up underperformed critically and commercially, it produced the single “Ya Style”, which featured both Bizzy and Snoop Dogg.

“I snuck (Eazy-E’s) phone number out of my uncle’s phone book, and I just kept calling leaving rap messages, really freestyling. So one weird day I checked my messages and it was like, ‘Yo, this is Eazy-E, I think you’re tight. You know my producer, Rhythm D, I’m gonna send him over there.’ And so he sent him to my house, and then we hooked up, I flowed for him in person, and that was just it.” — Sylk-E. Fyne

In September 2000, Flesh-N was sent to Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga, California for twelve years on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and probation violation; he was also required to undertake another anger-management course.

“My creator gonna open up doors for me. And I’m gonna keep making hits, homie. I’m gonna keep making that stuff that people like to hear. It’s motivational, it’s inspirational; I’m speaking the truth. I’m a motivational speaker. I been through it all. My experiences speak that.” — Flesh-N

Later in September 2000, Los Angeles, California native Guillermo “Big Caz” Eiland released his solo debut Thundadome on Mo Thugs Records. The album featured Damizza as Executive Producer, Krayzie on “Chedda” plus Layzie on both “U A Thug” and “Headknockas”.

“That’s like my twin brother. Layzie came through a lot for me; he’s been around everywhere.” — Big Caz

In October 2000, Layzie appeared with Inglewood, California native Gerald “Slink Capone” Johnson on the track “Ride & Roll” from Nationwide 2: Ghetto Pass, the second in a series of compilations from Too $hort and Short Records.

Later in October 2000, Flesh-N released his second solo album, 5th Dog Let Loose on Mo Thugs Records and Koch Entertainment. The sophomore effort featured Layzie and Wish as well as B.G. Knocc Out, Montell Jordan and Kurupt.

“The album title is kind of ironic, but you can say 5th Dog Let Loose is basically, on this album I’m just getting loose; I’m just getting raw. Straight uncut. With the material that I am presenting on this album, it can go both ways. The 5th Dog lettin’ it loose, the way I do, as wicked as I’m coming on this record. Or it can stand for them, the system, cuttin’ me loose, bottom line. You know, I put my heart and my soul into that album.” — Flesh-N

Despite the track “Deadly” featuring production from Rhythm D, the majority of the production was handled by Damon Elliott — the son of Baltimore, Maryland actor William Elliott and East Orange, New Jersey five-time Grammy winner Dionne Warwick.

“I met up with Bone when I was in the studio working on a project with my mom. They were in the next room just goofing around writing and I walked in on them. It was real uncomfortable because I was like, ‘Who are y’all?’ And they were like, ‘Who are you?’ then I was like, ‘Don’t worry about who I am.’ You know, just playin’ and then Layzie and me clicked instantly on some silly shit, and then he said, ‘Yo, I want you to meet my brother’. Flesh was in the booth and so Flesh walked out and then I met him and then Layzie was like, ‘We’re working on his stuff so if you can come up with a couple of songs, come back later or tomorrow and we’ll see if we like them.’ So I went home and made ten songs that night and all ten of them ended up on Flesh’s album and that was what kind of jump-started my career. First thing that comes to my mind is: Thank you Jesus I met them!” — Damon Elliot

Elliot — who garnered his first production credits with five cuts from Flesh-N’s solo debut T.H.U.G.S — has been nominated for seven Grammys throughout his career, winning once for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for “Lady Marmalade” at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards in February 2002.

The nearly eight-year absence of Flesh-N would be the first real splintering amongst the group — but not the last.

MIND ON OUR MONEY

November 2000 began with Norwalk, California native and former teen icon “Tiffany” Darwish releasing The Color of Silence, her first album in seven years. The curious yet lone feature on the album was Krayzie on the the track “I’m Not Sleeping”.

“I worked with Tiffany just like I do other artists; there was no difference. If it’s music, it’s music.” — Krayzie

One week later into November 2000, The Collection: Volume Two was released on Ruthless. Another certified gold record, the compilation featured the track “Sleepwalkers” with Eazy-E, as well as four remixes of original Bone tracks.

To end November 2000, Layzie joined Snoop Dogg on the title track from Pleezbaleevit!, the debut album from the Snoop-affiliated trio Doggy’s Angels.

In December 2000, Damizza released his mixtape Damizza Presents: Where I Wanna Be. The track “Is It Me?” combined Los Angeles, California Grammy winner Damon Sharpe with Krayzie, while “Lord What Have I Done” featured Layzie, Krayzie and Inglewood, California native Tramayne “Shade Sheist” Thompson. An Executive Producer of the compilation, Thompson also contributed the title track featuring Nate Dogg, Kurupt and co-produced by DJ Kay Gee; the single debuted at Number One on Billboard Hot Singles.

“I’ve been collaborating with Bone Thugs-n-Harmony for years. Krayzie Bone was one of my first big collaborations.” — Damizza

Also in December 2000 was a far-more pressing issue: Bizzy established a lawsuit for non-payment in form of record advances against Loud Records, Epic Music Video, Sony Music Entertainment — parent company of Ruthless — Ruthless Records and Ruthless CEO/President Tomica Woods-Wright.

“I’m not my husband but I’m adding to his vision. I want the company to be known as more than just a rap label; this is a home for ground-breaking new and established artists catering to the urban community. Bone’s success was unexpected. I don’t think even my husband expected that kind of success. But that’s what Ruthless is about, catching a fire.” — Tomica Woods-Wright

Woods-Wright inherited the record label and it’s estimated value of $15 million in 1995 after the death of Eazy. Woods-Wright was immediately responsible for restructuring Ruthless in order to resurrect the previous success: from 1993 until 1998, the label did not produce a certified gold nor platinum record with the exception of Bone Thugs.

Her vision of restructure did not blend with the expectations of Bizzy:

“If E were alive, I wouldn’t be worried about this. Eazy knew how to treat people. Before we even signed a contract, he gave us $10,000 each in cash. Everybody knew what Dre and other people said about him. It wasn’t about that with lil’ E. It was different. But I’m not going to sit up and tolerate no dumb shit.” — Bizzy

In February 2001, with the lawsuit active, two original Bone-related songs appeared on the soundtrack for the film Down To Earth, starring and co-written by starring Chris Rock:

• “Up Against The Wall” by Layzie, produced by Darren Vegas.
• “Thug Music Plays On”, credited to Bone Thugs-n-Harmony but featured only Layzie, Krayzie and Wish.

“We gon’ ride for the niggas that didn’t make it to see / the way we do this here / Tombstone and Eazy-E” — Layzie

Later in February 2001, Bizzy dropped the lawsuit after Sony agreed to release him from his contract. Shortly after, three separate solo Bone projects were released — two released in the same day.

On March 20th 2001, Bizzy released his second solo album The Gift on AMC Records and contained the track “Don’t Doubt Me” where he spoke on his reoccurring issues within Bone:

“Two of the Bone’s dissed me / I don’t give a fuck / we got history / shit, it ain’t no mystery / niggas is pissed off / they say I ain’t showin’ up to shows / but the people don’t know / I ain’t makin’ no money / so what am I working for?” — Bizzy

The featureless album also contained “Fried Day” from the Next Friday soundtrack as well as the single “Father”, produced by Tony C — the remaining thirteen tracks were produced by Darren Vegas.

“I want to bring some intelligence to the game, because I don’t think that people are thinking too much right now. We’ve got a few people thinking, but they don’t know how to posture it to a way where it sounds good on tape. I think I do that pretty well.” — Bizzy

The very same day, Layzie released his solo debut entitled Thug By Nature on Epic Records under the pseudonym L-Burna. Executive Produced by Woods-Wright, the album featured production from L.T. Hutton and Cleveland, Ohio-based multi-platinum producer Michael Seifert while the track “Smoke On” came from Damon Elliott.

The record contained only one Bone Thug feature: Flesh-N on the track “Still The Greatest” — joined by “Big” Chan Gaines, one-third of Doggy’s Angels. The track was one of several produced by Darren Vegas, including “Connectin’ The Dots” with WC.

While in Camarillo, California to shoot the music video for the single “Listen”, Layzie suffered the first of two bizarre and unfortunate career injuries. A makeup artist was spraying him with liquids when Layzie accidentally suffered a quarter-inch abrasion on the pupil of his right eye; he had to cancel or postpone several promotional appearances:

“I was real bummed out. You know thugs don’t wear no glasses.” — Layzie

In April 2001, Layzie and Felecia Lindsey were featured in the straight-to-video film entitled Bar-B-Q.

In June 2001, Bone informed Ruthless they would no longer provide new material, citing provisions of the California Labor Code, which allow termination of personal-service contracts after seven years. Ruthless maintained the group still owed material for three more albums, stipulated by the original contract signed in May 1994.

“We started off with a twelve-point deal. Twelve percent of a hundred in a five-man group ain’t shit.” — Layzie

Also in June 2001 was the release of Bully, the third feature film from Tulsa, Oklahoma writer/director Larry Clark. The movie — based on the July 1993 Weston, Florida murder of Bobby Kent — featured “Jesus” from the Bizzy album The Gift. The soundtrack was co-compiled by former Nine Inch Nails drummer and fellow Columbus, Ohio native Jerome Dillon.

In July 2001, Ruthless filed their own lawsuit against Bone, claiming multiple breaches of contract. While Ruthless maintained copyright control over Thug By Nature, Epic Records manufactured and distributed the record.

In August 2001, Krayzie released his second solo album Thug On Da Line on ThugLine and Ruthless Records, with five of the twenty tracks produced by Krayzie himself. He additionally worked with past producers (Damizza / L.T. Hutton), new producers (Queens, New York native Irving “Irv Gotti” Lorenzo, Jr. / Virginia Beach, Virginia duo The Neptunes) and new collaborators, including Harlem, New York native “Kelis” Mora and Nigerian-born Helen “Sade” Adu:

“I’m a big fan of Sade and for me to be doing that song with her is unbelievable to me, still. I still listen to it and I’m like, ‘Man! I got Sade on here!’ It’s crazy.” — Krayzie

Seattle, Washington native Andre “Young Dre The Truth” Terry was featured on back-to-back tracks: “Ride The Thug Line” and “Can’t Hustle 4 Ever”:

“I knew Bone before, and what they did, they was coming up off of the West; they from Cleveland, but they coming up off of the West. It was cool, we would all be in the same studio, and Krayzie would have the back room rented out and I would have the front room rented out. And we would go back and forth. I would say Krayzie has to be the premier motherfucker (on ThugLine), ‘cause he was not the most talented, but the most talented as far as work ethic and doing his thing. It was his shit.” — Young Dre The Truth

Also in August 2000, The Source Hip-Hop Music Awards — on hiatus since the drama surrounding the 1995 ceremony — were held in Pasadena, California. An hour into the show, several fights and brawls broke out both backstage and within the audience. Krayzie was alleged to have been injured in the violence, yet it was actually Compton, California legend David “DJ Quik” Blake who was injured and briefly detained by police as a result of trying to break up a skirmish between his nephew and an unknown party.

Allegations of rumors being spread by Miami, Florida native and Maurice “Trick Daddy” Young understudy Katrina “Trina” Taylor regarding Krayzie being assaulted and fleeing made their way back to Krayzie; he used the Kelis-assisted track “I Don’t Know What” to reply and speak on the ongoing Bone saga:

“Close to thirty million sold and still thuggin’ / still strugglin’ / ‘Wassup with Bone?’ / gotta keep it real / so I tell them I don’t know / can’t think of no more excuses / when niggas don’t show / we came up from poor / and I’m not going back to broke

Said they saw me at The Source out on the floor / dropped / chickenhead bitch from Miami / said we was running when the war popped / hoe, stop / ‘you don’t know nan nigga’ rolling with me”

Thug On The Line included only one Bone feature — Wish on the title track — and also marked the second collaboration between Krayzie and Tiffany on “Talk To Myself”:

“I was working at the same studio she was recording her new album at and she asked me to do something on her album. She returned the favor and did something for my new album.” — Krayzie

In October 2001, Bizzy landed a feature role alongside WC in the film Jacked Up, the second full-length film written and directed by Youngstown, Ohio native Timothy Wayne Folsome.

“Jacked Up was definitely the one where I was able to do my own thing and hold down a movie playing the antagonist.” — Bizzy

In February 2002, Bone performed at the Theater of Living Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as part of the 2002 NBA All-Star Game Weekend.

In March 2002, Cleveland, Ohio native Myron “Avant” Avant and Krayzie collaborated on the remix for “Makin’ Good Love” from the R&B singer’s certified platinum second album Ecstasy — the highest-selling album in Avant’s career.

June 2002 saw four of the members obtain the cover story of XXL Magazine with the by-line: “Back In The Game”.

“That’s called longevity, once you’re doing something right in the Lord’s eyes it ain’t in our hands, because like I said our music comes from the heart. We aren’t just rapping about bitches and cars and what house you live in. We put a message with our music too, and I think that has a lot to do with longevity.” — Wish

In August 2002, Houston, Texas native Wesley “Lil’ Flip” Weston, Jr. released his first major studio album, the certified platinum Undaground Legend five months after being injured by an unknown assailant in an unsolved drive-by shooting. Weston, Jr. co-produced the two tracks which featured Bizzy: “We Ain’t Scared” and “R.I.P. Screw” — a track dedicated to Robert “DJ Screw” Davis, Jr., a highly influential Houston-based DJ who died of substance overdose in November 2000.

“Bizzy Bone is like a big brother to me. We just vibed and ended up doing two songs that night. Bizzy Bone and Snoop Dogg are the realest cats I know. They’re like mentors to me.” — Lil’ Flip

BONE, BONE, BONE

In September 2002, Bizzy was temporarily kicked out of the group for the first time — allegedly too drunk to perform at their headlining slot on the Grey Goose Tour at the B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in Times Square in Manhattan, New York.

“I told our fans, ‘What you want us to do?’ They really be mad at us. I’m like, ‘How long you gonna be mad at us for what another nigga do?’ You saw him, all drunk and passed out. He didn’t even make it through the show.” — Layzie

The decision to remove Bizzy shed light on the ongoing fundamental disagreements between him and Krayzie:

“Lay said to come on tour, so I come to be on the tour. Lay said, ‘I need to talk to you. Krayzie don’t want you on the tour. He was back there talking with his manager and they just badmouthed you.’ I played it off. I was hurt. I go to the bar and I was like, ‘Fuck it. I’m gonna drink because I don’t wanna snap.’ I felt like I was being dogged out. Nobody was talking to me, everybody put me to the side.” — Bizzy

In October 2002, less than two years since they released BTNHResurrection, the temporary quartet released Thug World Order, their certified gold final record for Ruthless. With Eazy-E, Tomica Woods-Wright and Bone themselves listed as Executive Producers, the album was a distracted and scattered final Ruthless release.

After the September 11, 2001 attacks, many of the original material for Thug World Order was removed by Ruthless for fear of backlash and alienation amongst the fanbase and critics. With the absence of Flesh-N and shaky relationship between Bizzy and the remaining three members evident, the result was equal parts inspired and scattered.

With dependable production from U-Neek, L.T. Hutton and Harlem, New York native Jeffrey “Def Jef” Fortson, Bone and Krayzie produced several tracks including the lead single “Money, Money”. The second single “Get Up & Get It” — produced by Atlanta, Georgia duo The Platinum Brothers — paired Felecia Lindsey with Newark, New Jersey R&B trio 3LW.

“The album was already made, it was already done, but the final version that came out, they tried to put a saturation on it. They had 3LW on it, and I’m like, ‘What the fuck? Who? Nigga, we are Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, I used to sell crack. What the fuck are you doing?’ Niggas is on stage dancing and shit, and I felt like slapping the shit out of one of them motherfuckers. Do not dance while I am rapping.” — Bizzy

Rico Wade — one-third of legendary Atlanta, Georgia production trio Organized Noize— produced “Guess Who’s Back”, one of three tracks to feature St. Louis, Missouri native Kim “LaReece” Ward while “A Thug Soldier Conversation” was a phone conversation between U-Neek and the imprisoned Flesh-N.

With Avant on “Cleveland Is The City” and famed hip-hop photographer and fellow Cleveland, Ohio native Jonathan Mannion responsible for photography, Thug World Order still contained the most equally bizarre yet satisfying Bone collaboration to date.

The third single “Home” featured one of the most successful performers and songwriters of all-time: Phil Collins, LVO. Genesis — inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010 — included Collins as one of the earliest members as both drummer and lead singer from 1970 until he embarked on a solo career in 1981.

A seven-time Grammy, two-time Golden Globe and one-time Academy Award winner, Collins is one of only three recording artists (along with Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson) to have sold over 100 million albums worldwide both as solo artists and separately as band members.

Co-produced by U-Neek and Krayzie, “Home” sampled Collins’ original March 1986 single “Take Me Home”, which featured background vocals from Helen Terry, six-time Grammy winner Genesis founder Peter Gabriel and sixteen-time Grammy winner Gordon “Sting” Sumner. Collins played multiple instruments, wrote and co-produced “Take Me Home” with four-time Grammy winner Hugh Padgham.

As Bizzy eventually left the group in January 2003, his verse was removed from the video, which featured Layzie, Krayzie, Wish and Collins in Geneva, Switzerland and directed by Bermuda Dunes, California native Rich Newey.

“We shot the whole video, all day outside from like six in the morning ’til ten at night. Phil really liked the song. He said a lot of rappers use his song ‘In the Air Tonight,’ but he said he felt special about this song. He wasn’t going to clear it, but he heard the song and he was all with it. He was flattered that we chose to pick that particular song to remake.” — Krayzie

Still in October 2002, Krayzie landed on another monumental hip-hop album: Kings of Crunk by Atlanta, Georgia trio Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz. Produced entirely by Grammy winner Jonathan “Lil Jon” Smith, Krayzie appeared on the initial single “I Don’t Give A Fuck” with New Orleans, Louisiana native Michael “Mystikal” Tyler. The certified double-platinum album also obtained the Number One spot on Billboard Top Independent Albums.

In December 2002, the Missouri Supreme Court upheld prosecutor's’ decision — to admit “Mo’ Murda” as evidence in the sentencing of Michael Tisius — in order to provide jurors with insight into Tisius’ mindset when he shot two Randolph County jailers to death. Prosecutors argued although the track did not cause Tisius to kill, he “psyched himself up” by listening to the song continuously for forty-five minutes before the murders. Tisius had premeditated the murder in an attempt to break his former cellmate Roy Vance out of the jail. Tisius was apprehended and eventually sentenced to death.

“You can take anything pretty much out of context. If he drank a fifth of Jim Beam would it have been Jim Beam’s fault? I wrote that song after I watched the news, so how deep does the rabbit hole go? I’m not the one, the prosecutor isn’t the one, the judge, the defenders aren’t the ones who were in that man’s head when he murdered those people.” — Bizzy

In January 2003, Bizzy was kicked out of the group again, which coincided with a decade of Bone Thugs music and influence. While Bizzy was previously discharged from the group in September 2002 — and welcomed back weeks later — this time was supposedly for good, alleged to be caused by his alcohol and substance-abuse troubles disrupting the financial opportunities for the Bone brand:

“We would all agree to do something and he don’t want to show up for some reason. He’d need a extra tour bus; he needs an extra $20,000 just to come be on TV and be seen with us.” — Krayzie

Although Bizzy had become a certified solo and compelling feature artist, his removal from Bone certainly hurt him — but only in context.

“I’ve been kidnapped, I’ve been touched on as a kid, I’ve been homeless, I’ve been starving — this can’t hurt my feelings. When you been kidnapped and the FBI is looking for you, you tend to take pain better than some motherfuckers.” — Bizzy

BOTTLED UP LIKE SMOKE

Between his September 1976 birth in Columbus, Ohio — two hours from Cleveland, Ohio — and meeting Layzie and Krayzie in high school in 1989, Bryon Anthony “Bizzy Bone” McCane II would experience enough struggle and crime for a lifetime. When the full scope of his childhood was illuminated circa 2002, the wild and unpredictable nature of Bizzy became understandable.

Adam Walsh — six-year old son of John Walsh — was kidnapped in Hollywood, Florida on July 27th, 1981. Fourteen days later, his severed head was the only body part to be discovered. Following the crime, Walsh and his family founded the Adam Walsh Child Resource Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to legislative reform, and eventually merged with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), where Walsh still serves on the Board of Directors.

The Walsh family organized a political campaign to help missing and exploited children, which eventually led to the creation of the Missing Children Act of 1982 and the Missing Children’s Assistance Act of 1984.

The four-time Emmy nominated made-for-TV movie Adam was seen by over thirty-eight million people in October 1983. It was rebroadcast in April 1984, and again in April 1985. At the end of each broadcast, a series of missing children’s photographs were displayed for viewers, and a phone number was provided if a viewer had information about them.

One of these photographs was a young Bizzy Bone.

When McCane II was only four years old, his then-stepfather Bryon McCane — former Pittsburgh Steelers fullback and on the all-time NFL Huskers list for the Ohio Valley Ironmen — kidnapped Bizzy and his two older sisters, Hope and Heather. Both were daughters of McCane. Told his mother Roseanne Jefferson and grandmother were dead, Bizzy was unaware he had been kidnapped and displaced.

“He was more or less working the system. He used to play with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Then he went on to play for the Columbus Bucks. He went to college in Nebraska. He was a very intelligent man. That’s how we went from state to state so long without getting caught.” — Bizzy

For nearly two years, Bizzy and his sisters were forced from shelter to shelter, apartment to apartment, car to car and motel to motel — all while local agencies and eventually the FBI were searching for them.

As the new ‘family’ had taken refuge on a Native American reservation in Oklahoma, the birth-mother tirelessly worked with businessman-turned-child activist Walsh in pursuit of Bizzy.

Prior to being rescued, Bizzy was molested by the son of a friend of Byron. Too young to understand the atrocity of the act, he kept it to himself for years. A reservation neighbor and babysitter for Bizzy alerted the FBI after she viewed Adam and at seven years old, Bizzy was discovered and reunited with his mother.

“When we were in school, they called me and my sisters down and were interrogating us, asking us our last names. I ain’t never been a snitch, even as a baby, so I kept telling them the fake name, ‘Jones, Jones, Jones.’ And eventually my sister broke it like, ‘You can tell.’ ” — Bizzy

Despite the reunion with his mother, his childhood struggles were yet to be over. After the reunion, Bizzy became the new stepson to his mother’s new husband — another abusive stepfather with no regard for the scars he would create on the mind and body of Bizzy. His mother could stand no more and left the new husband and their life behind; Bizzy was placed in the foster home of Beulah Smith.

Despite the love and attention from Smith, at age thirteen he chose the inner-city area of Cleveland, Ohio and reunited with his sisters. He quickly began to sell drugs and involve himself in criminal activities and street life despite his conscience.

“I was born in Columbus. I’m a foster kid. I’m one of them motherfuckers that got shipped around. That’s just how my childhood was. Maybe one day I’ll write a book about it. I became a father at fourteen years old. I became a father even before I became a man. It seemed like everywhere I turned there was another obstacle. So I figured that as long as I can drive straight and not make any turns, then I don’t have to worry about anything. Beautiful kids run up on me by the bunches and just scream my name. It makes me feel so good. But I feel in my heart that I’m not worth it. I feel so humbled. When the kids run up on me, they say, ‘We thought you were dead.’ They are happy to see that I am alive.” — Bizzy

To date, Bizzy has claimed ten children from four mothers, although the official number has varied over time. On “Hip Hop Baby” from the first Bone Brothers album in February 2005, Bizzy rapped:

“And my babies / that Jodeci six / with Sabrina / little Bree / Beau Briamous / Moe and Shanika / little Tray-Tray / Destiny / and plus Aaliyah / and the newest one is Shelby / I can’t wait ‘til I see her / the other music in my physical form / since they was born / I be singin’ with tears in my eyes / as I perform / for the whole world / until I die like Confucius / tell the world / my name is Bryon”

At fifteen years old, Bizzy met Layzie, Krayzie and Wish and noticed their mutual appreciation for making music. Despite a young life filled with strife and struggle, Bizzy would no longer be victim to the machinations of another adult.

He would not speak publicly about the abuse until his May 2002 appearance on America’s Most Wanted. The show, which premiered in February 1988, featured John Walsh as Narrator and Executive Producer and was the longest-running program in the history of Fox Television Network until the series cancellation in June 2011.

His solo debut Heaven’z Movie contained the song “Nobody Can Stop Me”:

“Trippin’ on foster homes / sayin’ I wasn’t manly / with a scarred-up soul / where I keep my skeletons — understand me / what if I said I was molested? / would you look at me pale / but I keep on bailin’ / and I hope I don’t go to Hell / stressed I will / can I sell my bio? / I was born in Ohio / already on trial / ‘cause Pops said I looked too light / but mom’s just white / but I still had your smile / and look at me now / gotta be proud of myself”

His Crossroads: 2010 album track “Gangsta Music” contained lyrics directed at Ocean Township, New Jersey-born media personality Wendy Williams:

“Everyone think I’m crazy / everyone think I’m drunk / I told the world I was molested / and they called me punk”

“Wendy Williams / you need to kill the noise / you made your name up off of gossip / and laughed ‘cause I was touched as a boy?”

Bizzy established Operation Lighthouse through Only One Media Group in 2011; he frequently contributes to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Project: Clean Up Ohio and other non-profit ventures.

In June 2003, Adrian Parlette — the aforementioned foster brother, business partner and best friend to Bizzy — was shot three times and murdered in his Columbus, Ohio home. Bizzy had previously featured Parlette on both Heaven’z Movie and Alpha and Omega.

Parlette was twenty-three years old; his murder remains unsolved.

“I blame myself, because if I wasn’t blackballed in the industry, I could have had him out there working. I could have had him out there singing his heart out, doing what he does best. But we are real people and what we rap about and sing about is not fake. If we are not doing this, there is a good chance that we may wind up dead. That is just the truth. We are real. We are real street poets with terrible stories. No mothers, no fathers, foster homes, beat on, touched on, those types of stories. So we lost him and he is watching over us.” — Bizzy

Despite the individual hardships and accomplishments Bizzy achieved since emerging into the national spotlight, he would not officially rejoin Bone Thugs until 2010.

“This is how I maintain — because everybody has a story, and there is always somebody out there who has had it worse than you: ‘Pick your shit up, kiss your children and go get some fucking money, Bryon!’ ” — Bizzy

In the meantime, with Flesh-N committed to over a decade-plus prison sentence and Bizzy estranged from the group, he and the remaining three Bone members would suffer a slight drawback from their prolific output.

STILL NO SURRENDER

Later in June 2003, The Movement — the last official Mo Thugs compilation — was released. The compilation again featured multiple appearances from Layzie, Krayzie and Felecia Lindsey — and zero appearances from Bizzy nor Wish. It featured production from Grammy nominees The Platinum Brothers (“All Life Long”), vocals from Monroe, North Carolina native and Jodeci co-founder Cedric “K-Ci” Hailey (“It Ain’t Nothin’ ”) and a verse from Snoop Dogg (“Smokin’ On Information”).

“Their music is timeless, ‘cause it means a lot to certain people as far as what they was going through. It was like a breath of fresh air to me; to hear this fly shit from some niggas that was singing and rapping and doing the shit I wanted to do.” — Snoop Dogg

In July 2003, ThugLine Entertainment released It’s Your World, the debut EP from Miracle Mile, California native Bruce Hathcock. Produced entirely by U-Neek, the eight-track EP featured contributions from Krayzie, Layzie and Felecia Lindsey.

In August 2003, Ken Dawg independently released Exclusive Underground. As the only Mo Thugs Family member to appear on all four Mo Thugs Family compilations, Ken Dawg featured Layzie on the album track “My Luck Gon’ Change”.

In September 2003, Bizzy and Flint Michigan native Rick “Double R” Robinson released a collaboration album entitled Bizzy Bone Presents The Re-N-Carnated Street Entrepreneur for online sale-only. The former manager of Bizzy, Robinson went on to co-found IMG Recordings with Bizzy.

In November 2003 — without Flesh-N nor Bizzy physically in the group — the trio of Layzie, Krayzie and Wish made an appearance credited to Bone Thugs-n-Harmony on the album Repentance, written and produced by Detroit, Michigan rapper “Esham” Smith.

The album featured the Bone collaboration track “Pay”, one of twenty songs from Esham’s official debut on Psychopathic Records, co-owned and operated by fellow Detroit, Michigan duo Insane Clown Posse — comprised of Joseph “Violent J” Bruce and Joseph “Shaggy 2 Dope” Utsler.

Bone and ICP themselves would collaborate for their 2003 Hallowicked single “Thug Pit”; the song also featured Esham, Kansas City, Missouri native Aaron “Tech N9ne” Yates and Orange County, California collective Kottonmouth Kings.

“For some reason, Bones Thugs-n-Harmony can murder it every time they do the Gathering. They kill it. Like we’re really good friends with Krayzie, we’re really tight with him. He kinda broke it down for me when he said, ‘Anybody that’s out there making the money, doing it any way they can, we respect that.’ ” — Violent J

November 2003 came the release of True Crime: Streets of LA, the award-winning multi-console Activision video game and accompanying soundtrack. The game itself was inducted into the Greatest Hits for PlayStation 2, became an Xbox Classics and was named the Player’s Choice title for GameCube all in 2004.

The game and soundtrack were nominated for Best Video Game Soundtrack at the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards in August 2004, were awarded Best Use of Sound in a Game at the inaugural Billboard Digital Entertainment Awards (DECA) in November 2004 and featured “Foe Tha Love of $” and “Hollywood”, an original solo track from Bizzy.

Additionally, Damizza contributed “I’ll Do Anything” while “Get Crackin’ ” came from Compton, California native Eric “Lil’ Eazy-E” Wright, Jr., son of Eric Wright and stepson of Tomica Woods-Wright and who later toured and collaborated with Bone.

“Performing my father’s songs and performing with Bone Thugs-n-Harmony was just a dream. Being a kid and seeing my father put them out and now being on the road performing with them was just beautiful.” — Lil’ Eazy-E

In December 2003, ThugLine Records released LaReece’s Pieces, the debut album from LaReece. The release contained fifteen tracks — four with Krayzie — and was distributed exclusively through BoneThugAffiliated.com.

“She’s gonna be the first artist released on ThugLine. She’s ready, she’s beautiful, and man, she’s talented.” — Krayzie

Later in December 2003, Bizzy landed the lead role in Timothy Wayne Folsome’s third project, Cutthroat Alley alongside Mack 10; both Mack 10 and WC worked with Ice Cube from 1994 to 2005 to form the certified platinum supergroup Westside Connection.

March 2004 came with the release of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony: Live & Uncut!, a DVD collection of different concert footage captured by fans over the years.

Also in March 2004 saw the first of several collaborations between members of Bone Thugs and Tallahassee, Florida duo dead prez.

Initially responsible for providing an early opportunity to Chicago, Illinois legend Kanye West (“It’s Bigger Than Hip-Hop”) on their February 2000 debut let’s get free — dead prez released their second album Revolutionary But Gangsta in March 2004 on Sony Records. Krayzie was featured on “Walk Like A Warrior” while a majority of the production was handled by Khnum “stic.man” Ibomu, one half of dead prez.

“They was messing with Loud Records the same time I was with Loud. They wanted to do a song with me. I heard of the group and listened to their music and I liked what they were talking about. They don’t just follow the trend. They speak their own; that’s why I got down with them.” — Krayzie

In April 2004, Bizzy was forced to dispel the rumor he signed to Super Fam Records — a label owned and operated by Los Angeles, California R&B quartet B2K, who were also discovered and managed by Chris Stokes.

Former B2K member and fellow Cleveland, Ohio native Demario “Raz B” Thornton accused Stokes of rampant molestation in 2007 and again in 2010 — a claim which never produced an arrest nor confession from Stokes. As B2K preemptively announced the Bizzy signing, Bizzy took umbrage with the preliminary discussions being announced as official and spoke about his displeasure on his forthcoming third album Alpha and Omega.

“He has so many feelings. You get somewhat of an evil and weird vibe when you listen to his music or watch him perform, but he’s really talking about a lot of spiritual things.” — Chris Stokes

In June 2004, Anchorage, Alaska rapper Sean “Joker The Bailbondsman” Sullivan released Bi-Polar with Bizzy on the track “Money In A Ziplock Bag (Uh Huh)” while Layzie, Krayzie and Wish joined for the video. His fourth and final album before being sentenced to a decade in federal prison after being convicted distributing crack and attempting to distribute crack in 2008, Sullivan also had a prior conviction from 2004 after throwing two ounces of crack out of a car while being chased by Anchorage police, but agreed to become a confidential informant.

In August 2004, Bizzy appeared on “Twin Towers” from the album Take Me To Church, the solo debut from Harlem, New York native Joseph “Jim Jones” Jones II. He and fellow Harlem, New York native Cameron “Cam’Ron” Giles co-founded The Diplomats in 1997; the childhood friends also co-founded Diplomat Records in 2003.

“It was like a street connection. It’s like you meet certain people and it feels like you’ve known them for awhile. Their characteristics reminds you of something that makes you comfortable. That’s what is was: it was a friendship, it was a bond. He gave me his number and invited me to the studio. So he put the track on and I blacked out! I started going crazy! Everybody was looking at me like, ‘Damn, this nigga needs to rap.’ It’s like I’m being held back! He gave me an opportunity to flex my reality amongst his, and now we speak very often.” — Bizzy

October 2004 marked another collaboration between Krayzie and Play-N-Skillz. Their studio debut The Process featured Krayzie and Grand Rapids, Michigan native Adina Howard on the single “Freaks” as well as the Layzie solo track “Represent”.

“E. 1999 was the one album we both listened to growing up. We loved them guys and now to be able to work with them and tour with them really let’s us know that we have came a long way.” — Play

Still in October 2004, Bizzy released his third solo album Alpha and Omega on Bungalo Records / 7 Sign Records.

“We definitely want people to be enlightened. It’s basically a mindstate in the course of what everyone else is dealing with, but it’s different. Everyone thinks differently basically, but with this album, I want everyone to understand how I think and how I manage. How I maintain through being kidnapped, being shot at, being shot in the back of the head, foster homes, no family. Being in a group where everyone drinks but I end up being the drunk all of a sudden.” — Bizzy

Bizzy used the album — which heavily featured Queens, New York-born Brian “Big B” Parker as well as Columbus, Ohio singer Hollis Jae — to speak on the aforementioned B2K signing on “Better Run Better Hide”:

“Imagine me being signed to B2K / what you fucking think you could pay me in Monopoly money? / Man, I will smack one of you bitches in the head with a baseball bat / but I ain’t fucking around

I’d never sell out to B2K

Chris Stokes / better get ‘em ‘fore I get one / and put your money where your mouth is / I’ll be ready for war / get kicked with the hot ones / and it’s one last thing / ‘fore I knock you out / it ain’t nothing like ‘Money In A ZipLock Bag’ / and you could get smacked up / hey everybody: B2K sucks / y’all better watch your mouth”

Alpha and Omega also contained the track “Died 4 U”, an open letter to Layzie. A similar track entitled “Dear Layzie” — recorded for the album but unreleased — expanded on the internal beef between Bone and Bizzy:

“So now I’m all alone / and you let Krayzie diss me / just tell me / how could he be so damn pissed at me? / I never fucked his girl / I never took his money / how could you just ride with him? / You ain’t smellin’ somethin’ funny?”

During promotion for the album, Bizzy proclaimed to have created and recorded the entire project in five hours. Internet phenom Lil B — renowned for his own prolific body of work and incomparable cultural influence — became aware of the Bizzy proclamation and accepted the challenge: “The Based God” subsequently released a 250-song mixtape in 2010 “as a response to Bizzy and the rap game”.

“Stuff like that, that really hits close to home. Bone Thugs. Stuff that you hear and just want to cry. That’s what made me, that’s what molded me, stuff that’s really important.” — Lil B

Later in October 2004, Bizzy appeared appeared on the daytime tabloid talk show Maury on an episode entitled “Why Are You Staring…My Daughter Is Not A Monster!” and performed his song “Jesus” for a young female fan afflicted with the spina bifida birth defect.

“I needed some love and a young lady by the name of Petra came past and gave me all the love that I needed. That was pretty much the thick of it.” — Bizzy

In November 2004, two Bone-related projects were released:

• Greatest Hits, the certified platinum double-disc group compilation on Ruthless Records.
• The Beginning and The End, the Bizzy solo record on 7 Sign Records, one month after his previous effort.

Bizzy used the track “Hellafied Game” to speak on the loss of his foster brother and incorporated his oft-used line from “Tha Crossroads”:

“It’s a hellafied game / to Hell if I fall / pray everyday / I hope my memory is still what you see / the Hell if i know it / I wanna be here every day / I’m gonna miss everybody / what about your friends / my enemies seem to be creeping deep within”

In December 2004, reports of a homeless and wandering Bizzy began to surface. Devoid of his worldly possessions and financial stockpile, Bizzy walked around Ohio at large for months, experiencing life less encumbered.

“People were passing in cars, looking at me, laughing at me. I was in bus stations and in the streets talking to people. Police waking me up like, ‘You can’t sleep here.’ I had a little change in my pocket, not even enough to catch the bus. I’d given away my money ’cause I thought it was the right thing to do at the time. It was a learning process. It was a spiritual education.” — Bizzy

Closing out 2004 was the release of D.J. U-Neek & LeathaFace Presents Bone Thug Affiliates: The Underground Mixtape Showcase, released jointly by U-Neek Entertainment ‎and Bone Thug Records. The compilation featured previously-released group and solo tracks including the Krayzie solo cut “Ain’t Nuthin’ Wrong”, attributed to Leatha Face.

In February 2005, Bone Brothers was released on Koch Records; the first in a series of three official collaboration albums between Layzie and Bizzy. The joint effort featured multiple appearances from Krayzie, a track with Mo Thugs (“No Rules”) and another with Krayzie and Wish (“Everyday”). The album also featured Treach (“Real Life”) and the Tupac-founded Montclair, New Jersey collective Outlawz (“Complicated”).

“There was a young lady by the name of Pam. Now, Pam would come over all the time and call me ‘Steve’ all the fucking time. She was the sweetest woman you want to meet, and it turns out that this was Layzie’s momma. Anyway, I guess we favored each other, she told me he rapped. I told her I sang and rapped. I wrote a rap down and left it for Lay in his room. I went home and I’m in there selling dope and shit, just chillin, and there’s a knock on the door. I knew it couldn’t be no fiend, slim, fair skinned, young nigga like me. I open the door and he was like, ‘You write this, man?’ I was like, ‘Yeah’. He said, ‘What’s up, I’m Steve’. We hooked up and sat down and we talked for like three-four hours and we bought some forties. I left with the nigga and I stayed by his side until we left for L.A. from that day forth.” — Bizzy

Also in February 2005, Krayzie released his third official solo album in nearly four years: Gemini: Good vs. Evil, released jointly on Ball’r and ThugLine Records. The lead and lone single “Get’chu Twisted” was produced by Lil Jon, while the final track was a remix of “Get’chu Twisted” and featured Layzie, Bizzy and Wish. Wish was additionally featured on two back-to-back tracks: “That’s That Bone” and “Put It On Y’all.” Additional production came from past collaborators (The Platinum Brothers / L.T. Hutton) as well as new collaborators: Flint, Michigan native Farid “Fredwreck”” Nassar and Nigerian-born Femi Ojetunde.

“Every day ain’t going to be a good day. Some days you’re going to wake up and feel like you’re gonna make it and some days you’re gonna wake up and feel like it’s useless. But you gotta shake the negativity off because that’s the mess the devil’s telling you you’re not gonna make it. You just gotta stay close to God. You gotta roll with it. If you’re gonna go after your dream, you gotta go after it. You just gotta be relentless about it.” — Krayzie

In March 2005, while on tour with Bone, Tech N9ne and his road crew were involved in a one-vehicle accident. The rollover took place on the very same date his compilation album Vintage Tech was released on his own Strange Music record label. While no one was seriously injured, the experience was enough to rattle the rapper:

“Coming out of a blizzard from Billings, Montana trying to get to Spokane, Washington while on tour with Bone Thugs in our fifteen-passenger van with a humongous trailer on the back. We hit a bump in the blizzard and started going sideways and rolled like five times. None of us got hurt and we still did the show but it was one of the worst nightmares ever.” — Tech N9ne

In May 2005, Layzie released his first mixtape compilation, It’s Not A Game on Los Angeles, California-based Cleopatra Records. The project included Twista (“Midwest Invasion”) and Outlawz (“Way Too Many”) as well as two recycled Thug By Nature features: WC (“Connectin’ The Dots”) and Brooklyn, New York R&B legend Aaron Hall (“There They Go”). Stew Howse was also featured twice, listed as “Stew Deez”.

In the first week of release, the album landed on the Billboard Top 100 chart — a first for the record label.

“It’s a collection of songs I had in my archives, and some songs that I felt didn’t get recognition. So I put three or four songs on there that have been out but I don’t think the world really got a chance to appreciate.” — Layzie

Also in May 2005 was D.J U-Neek Presents Ghetto Street Thugz: Past and Present, another U-Neek compilation. This particular mix contained two back-to-back Leatha Face tracks and was dedicated to the memory of Eazy-E, who was featured on the cover art.

In July 2005, Bizzy continued his streak of releases with For The Fans Vol. 1, a limited-edition six-track mini-album. Production was equally split between Hawthorne, California sibling duo The Beat Brothers (Chase and Dez Hamilton) and the Houston, Texas sibling duo H Faktor Beatz (Terrance “Titan” and Derrick “Platinum Child” Hines).

Later in July 2005, Bone released the Internet-only EP Bone 4 Life by Layzie, Krayzie, Wish and entirely produced by U-Neek. The EP featured five Mo Thugs bonus tracks as well as Compton, California-born Keith “Keef G” Griffin — who simultaneously released his eponymous debut with Krayzie on five tracks — and Cleveland, Ohio native Amefika “Thin-C” Williams.

“Back in 1992, one of my best friends found out I not only was a musician, but I produced dope tracks as well. Flesh-N just so happened to be a very dear friend of his as well, so he decided to introduce us on some, ‘Let’s go hoopin’ at the park.’ After about a year of just being cool, he told Flesh I did beats. Once he heard my beats, things just started rolling a bit from there in context of working with him and developing groups that were under his wings and the whole induction started from there.” — Thin-C

In September 2005, Bizzy released his fifth official solo album Speaking In Tongues on SMC Recordings, which won Best Album at the 2006 Ohio Hip Hop Awards.

“When you do an album like this, you are able to just be yourself. And every time I listen to it in different situations, I get to see different things. It’s an addition to the movement of love, togetherness, happiness and breaking down the barriers of what may be happening bad in your life and just moving forward. It’s like touching down and being like, ‘Wow, look at the world, it’s beautiful and everything is new, every day is brand new.’ It’s beautiful, man; it really, really is. It’s a very nice project.” — Bizzy

The album was titled after a Bizzy interview with Houston, Texas radio station KPFT-FM in May 2005. The interview became infamous due to the apparent disconnect Bizzy was suffering from at the time, as he rambled from tangent to non sequitur.

Erie, Pennsylvania-born host Matt Sonzala did his best to steer Bizzy back to an acceptable form of communication, as Bizzy — admittedly under the influence of at least alcohol — ranted about God, Christ, poverty, B2K and homelessness.

Sonzala — the Booking Agent, Tour Manager, Brand Ambassador and Promoter for Pushermania — eventually released a statement on his personal blog, labeling the interview “… insane” to which Bizzy responded:

“I go to the radio station in Houston — dealing with so many prejudices and blasphemies and the different things that were happening to me, just going on and being around people that weren’t the same type of people. Every person who I thought was family, left.”

Also in September 2005 was Layzie’s second bizarre career injury. While in Palm Springs, California for a concert, the show was cancelled due to the promoter failing to obtain the proper permits. Layzie and Felecia Lindsey hosted a small gathering in their hotel room for friends and fans alike. Inexplicably, a male fan attacked Layzie regarding the concert cancellation, bit down on one of Layzie’s fingers and pierced the skin to the bone. The crazed fan was held by Layzie’s entourage until police arrived, although the attacker was not arrested, as Layzie refused to press charges or even cooperate with authorities. He was then rushed to a hospital, where doctors were able to stitch his finger properly.

To end September 2005, Bone appeared on The Rose, Vol. 2, the second volume of compilations of Tupac-related poetry. Layzie, Krayzie and Wish appeared on “Power Of A Smile”, produced by New Orleans, Louisiana legend Sean “G’sta” Self.

“Thanks for the respect Bones Thugs-n-Harmony. Thanks for the respect and at least musically understanding what my son was about and saying. They’ve done that. I thank them from the bottom of my heart.” — Afeni Shakur

In October 2005, Bone Thug Records released LeathaFace presents: Knieght Riduz — Tha Undaland which featured Krayzie on the track “Hot Heat”. The mysterious group was comprised of Sylynce (Krayzie), Cyco Bitch (LaReece), Deadly Whispers (Sin) and The Widow Maker (Richard “Mo! Hart” Drake of Poetic Hustla’z), while the album was essentially a compilation of previous Knieght Riduz features and tracks.

“The group is rock, rap and they wear masks — their faces are never seen. It’s how they are, even off stage. I have a lot of people interested in them, but I want them to be all the way developed before they make any commitments. I don’t want to give people too much of them yet. I want them to hear them and want more. They’re really different. I had to sign ‘em, ‘cause I’m really feeling their music and their image.” — Krayzie

In November 2005, Krayzie released Too Raw For Retail, a mixtape available only on ThugLineRegime.com / BTNHBoard.com which featured other ThugLine artists as well as previously unreleased tracks from both Gemini: Good vs. Evil and Thug On Da Line.

In December 2005, Bad Boy Records released the final posthumous remix/studio album from The Notorious B.I.G., aptly entitled Duets: The Final Chapter. The second single “Spit Your Game” joined Biggie with Krayzie and Twista and was produced by South Bronx, New York native and Grammy winner Kasseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean. The video also featured cameos from Layzie and Wish, while a later remix added 8Ball & MJG.

“We was going at it at one point. We was all young, just trying to own that style. I think when we first made our real good connection was when we shot the Spit Your Game video. Me and Krayzie got a chance to chop it up, bury the hatchet about a lot of stuff and talk about doing records.” — Twista

Also in December 2005 was the Krayzie mixtape Leathaface and Bone Thugs: Streets Most Wanted on BoneThugRecords.com. The mixtape was essentially a compilation of Krayzie features and previously-released solo tracks.

Released in January 2006:

• The Lost Files: The Unreleased Hits, by U-Neek on BoneThugRecords.com, marketed as “Bone’s Last Recordings With Bizzy: A Collector’s Item”.
• Only One (For The Fans Vol. 2), a limited-edition Bizzy release, available strictly through BTNHBoard.com.

In February 2006, Real Talk Entertainment released Thug Brothers — a collaboration from Layzie and Rufus “Young Noble” Cooper III from Outlawz. The majority of production was from Sacramento, California native Walter “Big Hollis” Hollis and contained an interlude (“Money First”) from Houston, Texas legend Brad “Scarface” Jordan.

“Me and Layzie did it out in Sacramento. Being that we couldn’t get everybody together like that, me and Layzie just did it. We knocked it out in three days; three songs a day. The original plan was a group album of Bone Thugs and Outlawz. It ain’t got the whole Outlawz, but when you hear Noble you hear Outlawz, same with Layzie.” — Young Noble

Also in February 2006, Bizzy released Thugs Revenge on Thump Records. Entirely produced by Whittier, California native Roberto “Mr. Criminal” Garcia except the sole single “We Ride,” produced by Pomona, California native John “Fingazz” Stary. Layzie was featured on “Ridin’ In The Streets” while San Gabriel Valley, California native Fahd “Mr. Capone-E” Azam was featured on the introspective “For The Homies” as Bizzy rapped:

“For the homies / doing it tight / give you the shirt off my back / for the homies / I sing songs, in fact / for the family / I’ll never forget you / whatever you need / for the family / I’m walking the streets / I know you see / for my momma / I’d do anything that I can / gotta love my father / he fathered a manly man, man / for my sister / I help you on out with the nephews / I do the best that I can / for my sister / I tell ‘em to spread the love / for my brother / I greet you with a spiritual kiss / for my brother / spiritual kisses selling peace”

In March 2006, Bizzy released The Story on Real Talk Entertainment. Another featureless album of honesty, The Story contained tracks like “Bizzy’s Story”, “The Future Bone Thugs-n-Harmony” and “The Truth”:

“A many a people in my business / many a people indeed / many a people on my disnic / and they don’t even know me / they wasn’t around for Thuggish Ruggish / wasn’t around for the struggle / they wasn’t around when I was homeless / wasn’t around for my troubles”

March 2006 also brought another soundtrack appearance credited to Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, as Layzie, Krayzie and Wish provided the lone single for the Take The Lead soundtrack. The title track also featured New York City, New York native and Grammy winner Isaac “Fatman Scoop” Freeman III with Trenton, New Jersey native Melissa Jiménez as well as Wisin & Yandel — a Cayey, Puerto Rico duo made up of Juan “Wisin” Luna and Llandel “Yandel” Salazar. The track and majority of the soundtrack was produced by Swizz Beatz.

April 2006 reunited Bone and Avant with the remix of “4 Minutes,” the second single from Director — the fourth album from Avant and the Billboard Number One Top R&B/Hip-Hop Album. The only Bone members to appear were Layzie and Krayzie.

“I worked on Bone’s album and they put a joint on my album. I got a good relationship with the guys and they’re very talented, they don’t get the props that they need because of all the things that go on in music today. But they still got it and hopefully we can work on something even more. I really enjoy their talent and I think it’s crazy because everybody is different, but working with those guys was the best time I ever had because they were totally different to everybody else in the industry.”— Avant

STAND NOT IN OUR WAY

In May 2006, Bizzy appeared on the single “Doin’ It Wrong” off Code Green: Operation Takeover, the debut album from Denver, Colorado native Dustin “Playalitical” Robbins.

“My favorite song I’ve done is ‘Doin’ It Wrong.’ People I look up to in the industry told me, ‘That’s your voice; stick with it.’ ” — Playalitical

June 2006 brought another Bone soundtrack appearance: the film Waist Deep and the track “This Ain’t A Game”, which also featured Petersburg, Virginia native Tremaine “Trey Songz” Neverson and Lil’ Eazy.

“Just being around him you could feel Eazy’s soul, so it was all love. It was like something long overdue. But yeah, we most definitely felt Eazy’s presence. You know he look just like his dad and sound like his dad. Lil’ E is the closest thing we can get to Eazy so we most definitely felt Eazy’s presence.” — Layzie

Also in June 2006 was the release of the debut album from New Orleans, Louisiana native Khaled “DJ Khaled” Khaled entitled Listennn… the Album. The record reunited Krayzie and Twista on the track “Destroy You,” produced by Marcello “Cool” Valenzano and Andre “Dre” Christopher Lyon — the North Miami, Florida production duo known as Cool & Dre.

To end June 2006, Los Angeles, California radio station Power 106 FM’s annual summer concert Powerhouse was headlined by Kanye West, Ice Cube and Houston, Texas native Hakeem “Chamillionaire” Seriki. Midway through his set, Seriki welcomed Bone onstage as part of a surprise appearance; they stole the show performing “1st Of Tha Month” and “Tha Crossroads.”

Later in 2006 was The SeaReal Way from Seattle, Washington native Wyeth “Dub B” Barclay, which contained three Bone-related features — including the Play-N-Skillz produced “Daily.”

“Being in the studio alongside legends, like all of the Bone Thugs members, as an artist you have to be on point. You have to step your game up to that next level, and consistently do that on every track with every lyric, every vocal.” — Dub B

In July 2006, Mr. Criminal released his heavily anticipated album Stay On The Streets and featured Bizzy on the single “We Ride” while Layzie was featured on the track “From The 216 To The 213.”

Also in July 2006, Bizzy released The Midwest Cowboy on Illuminated Entertainment Group and distributed by Real Talk Entertainment. The album contained no Bone features and was produced entirely by Playalitical.

“We both felt like it was a good idea that I produce an album for him from beginning to end. We put it out the indie way. We did what we were meant to do and that’s it.” — Playalitical

Later in July 2006, Layzie was featured on the Get In Get Out mixtape from Bay Area, California native Noah “Killa Klump” Kerrien. As Layzie was on nine of eighteen tracks, he and Young Noble were listed on the front cover.

To end July 2006, dead prez and Outlawz united for Can’t Sell Dope Forever, a full-length collaboration album on Affluent Records and featuring Layzie on the final track “Came-Up”.

“Man, I’ll list the whole thing. I like ‘Fork In The Road,’ ‘I Believe’ and I like that Layzie Bone joint, ‘Came-Up.’” — stic.man

In August 2006, Mr. Capone-E released Don’t Get It Twisted with Bizzy on the track “Breakin’ Chains”. As the founder of Hi-Power Entertainment, Mr. Capone-E also signed both Bizzy and Layzie to solo deals.

“Being in the studio with some legends, you learn a little something about how they conduct their life because they’ve been there and done that. They’ve been legends and they’ve seen the big stream. Doing stuff with them was a good feeling because that let us know that we are doing something right.” — Mr. Capone-E

Also in August 2006, Layzie released his second official album The New Revolution on Mo Thugs and Siccness Records, producing four tracks himself. The marijuana-tribute track “I Get Higher” was produced by Sheldon “Teflon” Harris, a Swizz affiliate who gained international attention with “Who’s That Girl?,” the first single from Scorpion — the March 2001 certified platinum and Grammy-nominated second album by Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native and Grammy winner “Eve” Jeffers-Cooper.

Another marijuana-tribute track on the album was “For My Weed Heads”:

“I was shot by a .25 caliber bullet. I got hit in the back of the ear. For a while in the early ‘90s I was suffering from migraines. I couldn’t sleep. I’d smoke a joint to deal with it. The pain would be so bad I’d have a hard time thinking, but when I smoked a joint the pain would go away and things would be a whole lot easier.” — Layzie

In September 2006, several Bone-related projects were released:

• Layzie Bone & Mo Thugs Records Presents: 100% Pure Thug Tour, released on Mo Thugs Records in conjunction with Cleopatra Records. The project was billed as a ‘DVD+CD Set’: the DVD featured various West Coast artists’ videos and interviews while the CD contained similar artists’ amongst Layzie, Krayzie and Bizzy features.
• The Bone Collector Volume 1, an online-only project comprised of Bizzy tracks which did not make Heaven’z Movie. Nearly every track featured Q-Loco, including his solo closer “Erupt”.
• Everyday Thugs, a collection of Bone B-sides and unreleased material by Auckland, New Zealand label Intergalactic Records.
• The #1 Gun, by Cuete Yeska, the Redondo Beach, California native who featured Bizzy on the Fingazz-produced “No Jealousy”.

Also in September 2006 was the 2006 Ohio Hip Hop Awards:

• Best Group: Bone Thugs-n-Harmony
• Best Album: Bizzy Bone — Speaking In Tongues
• Best Athlete: LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers)

“We always wanted to be a part of anything that LeBron was doing. Not only because it helps Bone and our brand, but because it’s Cleveland. He’s from Akron. Every sales pitch was, ‘When are we going to do something?’ Bottom line was: let’s work. It’s all Cleveland; Akron is just forty-five minutes up the street.” — Layzie

Later in September 2006, the three active members of Bone released Thug Stories, the sixth official release under the Bone Thugs-n-Harmony moniker. The album went Number One on the Billboard Independent Album Chart despite no features and only one U-Neek track (“She Got Crazy”).

“Basically that was an album we recorded almost two years ago and we had just been sitting on it, so that was our last independent album before we stepped out onto a major again.” — Layzie

An artist who did appear on Thug Stories was Compton, California legend Michael “DJ Mike T” Bryant — former member of Compton’s Most Wanted, the Compton, California group led by MC Eiht. C.M.W. was responsible for several classic additions to hip-hop culture, most notably “Growin’ Up In The Hood,” from the 1991 Oscar-nominated film Boyz N The Hood and accompanying Number One Top R&B Albums certified gold soundtrack.

Executive Producer on Thug Stories: Steve Lobel, former A&R at Relativity Records who received his first break into the hip-hop and music industry from Brooklyn, New York-born Run-D.M.C. co-founder Jason “Jam Master Jay” Mizell — a longtime friend, mentor and business associate of Lobel before his murder in October 2002.

“Managing is not easy, bro. It’s not easy because, just say Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. The five members of Bone — no disrespect — is five Kanye’s. It’s five Snoop’s. It’s five Jay Z’s. It’s five members. So as you get older, there’s different issues. There’s egos. There’s emotions. There’s feelings and different attitudes.” — Steve Lobel

On October 17th, 2006, Columbia Records released Priceless, the fifth album from Tijuana, Mexico-born Francisco Javier “Frankie J” Bautista, Jr., a singer and founding member of the Latin Grammy-winning group Kumbia Kings. The Play-N-Skillz track “Never Let You Down” was credited as featuring Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, although only Layzie and Krayzie appeared.

“The whole approach to the record was definitely to give it more of the urban appeal, which was more of what I’ve always been wanting to do when I got signed to Columbia; working with different artists like Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, who have been just incredible in the hip-hop industry and world.” — Frankie J

On the same date in October 2006, Birmingham, Alabama native and Grammy-nominated American Idol winner Ruben Studdard released The Return, his third and final album for J Records. The album contained the track “Listen To Ya Heart”, which sampled “Foe Tha Love Of $” and was produced by Las Vegas, Nevada-based Grammy winner Matthew “Vudu Spellz” McAllister.

Still on October 17th, 2006, Layzie released Cleveland, his second record released on Mo Thugs and Siccness Records in a three-month span. The album contained eight tracks with Killa Klump — including “I’m Good” with Young Noble and Jerold “Yukmouth” Ellis III — while “All For You” was a duet with Felecia Lindsey.

Felecia also joined Layzie on the single “Lockdown Love” — entitled “Rain” on the track listing — a dedication to both Flesh-N and inmates everywhere:

“Whatever you need — I got you, bleed / relax and chill — it’s on me / it was on for a minute / but it’s better right now / back the way it’s supposed to be / can’t wait for the day that you close to me / how we used to be / my brother / them Howse boys in the building / still cooler than a motherfucker”

While Flesh-N served the longest prison sentence, and while Bizzy had numerous documented episodes with the law, they were not the only Bone Thugs to experience jail throughout the years.

Layzie was arrested in August 1990 on drug charges, and as a result was sent to Texas to live with family.

“It was 1990 when I got caught selling drugs and shit and my judge had sent me to Texas to live with my uncle and aunt, supposedly to change my life. I was fourteen when I got caught. It was Texas or go to jail. I wanted to do my time ‘cause I wanted to hurry up and get back on the streets, but my family wasn’t having that shit. So I went down there and met a dude named Alzie Roundtree. He was from some shit called Bone. He made up the shit. I got all that shit from him.” — Layzie

Layzie was arrested by U.S. Marshals at his Solon, Ohio home in May 1999 for an outstanding drug warrant — issued in Detroit, Michigan in March 1997 after he failed to appear on a marijuana possession charge. He was taken to federal court in Cleveland, Ohio and released on bond.

Layzie was arrested again at his Solon, Ohio home in May 2013 on two outstanding warrants — one related to a prior arrest for driving on a suspended license. Layzie posted the $80K bail and was free hours later.

Layzie was also later placed in jail on charges of driving under the influence:

“Drove with about two-fifths of Hennessy in me and woke up at a red light, got my ass took to jail; had to go to AA meetings and shit.” — Layzie

Raised a Jehovah’s Witness, Krayzie was also arrested during his teens — for accidentally shooting Wish with a twelve-gauge shotgun. Despite Wish not pressing any charges, the state of Ohio locked him up for nearly two years for illegal gun possession.

“I shot my partner Wish in the leg with a 12-gauge by mistake. I had to go to prison for that. We was out on the streets trying to survive, trying to rob niggas or whatever, we was drunk at the time, and you know I wasn’t paying attention to what I was doing so I accidentally pulled the trigger on the gun and it shot him in his leg, you know what I’m saying. A twelve-gauge, at point-blank.

He was in the driver’s seat and I was in the passenger seat and I had the gun laying across my lap, just drunk out of my mind. I clicked the barrel up and the gun went off and shot him right in the leg. That was the craziest thing that ever happened to my life. He never pressed charges on me, but the state picked it up. In Ohio, having a sawed-off shotgun is illegal. I think it’s like that in a lot of states.” — Krayzie

An arrest warrant was issued to Krayzie in February 2005 for his failure to make appropriate child support payments over the course of three years. Krayzie was indicted in August 2004 on two counts of felony nonsupport of dependents — each count punishable by up to a year in prison. He staunchly denied the nature of the charges, claiming the non-payment stemmed from a lack of a biological test proving paternity:

“I know it’s been in the papers about me having child support issues, going to jail for child support or whatever. But I’m a lot smarter now. I done gave up the weed. I really never drank a lot, but I keep that to a minimum. I was just spiritually weak, you know what I’m saying? I had to fix that. I’m a Bible student with Jehovah’s Witnesses right now, so I’ve been trying to turn everything around.” — Krayzie

Krayzie was arrested for suspicion of Driving Under the Influence and without a license in Los Angeles, California in July 2012. Released the next day, Krayzie promised it was his first and last DUI, and eventually pleaded No Contest in exchange for three years summary probation and a promised enrollment in an alcohol education program.

“I was just riding home late and got into a little trouble with the law. It is what it is. It happens sometimes. I’m cool now. First time it has ever happened to me. So lesson learned.” — Krayzie

Wish was arrested in Cleveland, Ohio in July 1997 on the charge of aggravated disorderly conduct; the result of an encounter at Tiffany’s Cabaret, a local strip club. The dancer accused Wish of slapping her ass, an accusation which Wish vehemently denied.

After he demanded and was refused an apology from management, the police were called. Wish and his entourage were arrested and looked at a maximum penalty of six months in prison and $1K in fines. One of his entourage members was additionally held on assault on a police officer.

After being released on bail, Wish continued to strongly deny any wrongdoing, sticking to his claim of the dancer identifying the wrong culprit.

Wish was sued by another woman in 1997 who claimed she suffered injuries from an 1996 concert in Arizona. The lawsuit claimed the injuries resulted from Wish leaping into the crowd of fans. The city of Tucson was also named in the lawsuit, claiming inadequate safety precautions at the concert was a factor in the incident.

Wish was also previously arrested for possession of a handgun.

“We real. We wouldn’t carry guns if we didn’t feel we needed ‘em. Bottom line: it’s like we just real. We ain’t gonna change our ways for nobody. We just thank God that the world accepted us as we are. We not about to change now, for nobody.” — Wish

To begin November 2006, Layzie was featured on the track “Big Wheels” off the collaboration album Killa Thugs between Killa Klump and Yukmouth.

Later in November 2006, Interscope and Amaru Entertainment jointly released Pac’s Life, the sixth posthumous album of original, updated and remixed 2Pac material. “Untouchable” — the first single from the album — paired 2Pac with Krayzie on a Swizz beat for the opening track.

“We were always fans of Tupac when he had the 2Pacalypse Now album. We were fans of him from, like, Juice, so it was cool to run with him. People didn’t know it was beef with us and ‘Pac at first, because ‘Pac had — when The Box was on TV — he went on there and said something like, ‘Who’s these Thuggish Ruggish Bone dudes, anyway? We lay down the bricks to this Thug stuff.’ So we were like, okay, when we see him it’s on, it’s going down.” — Krayzie

In December 2006, Bizzy continued his voluminous output with Evolution of Elevation on Mob Life Records. The track “Still Know All About You” featured Dallas, Texas native and former Death Row artist Jevon “Tha Realest” Jones while Columbus, Ohio native Jupiter “Aeileon El Niño” De Leon was featured on four tracks.

AIN’T NOTHIN’ CHANGED

2007 was one of the most prolific and rewarding years in the individual and collective careers of the members of Bone Thugs.

“It means everything for me to prove everybody wrong. I’ve always been the underdog, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony have always been an underdog. That’s where I get my gratification from; telling a motherfucker, ‘I told you so. I told you I could do it.’ We set our goals so high and the average person can’t really fathom the goals we set out for 2007.” — Layzie

In January 2007, Marshfield, Wisconsin-born Jamie Adler —apprentice to Steve Lobel and younger half-brother to Cleveland, Ohio-born ex-Guns N’ Roses drummer Stephen — opened Adler Entertainment, LLC in Los Angeles, California. The agency immediately began to exclusively represent Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.

“While all my friends were listening to my brother’s albums, I was cranking Bone Thugs. We turned the group’s reputation upside-down, making sure they put on an amazing show that they were always on time for.” — Jamie Adler

Also in January 2007 was another release by Bruce Hathcock: Explicit The Mix CD, distributed by BTR. Released ahead of his second album, the mix contained features from Layzie, Krayzie, Bizzy and recycled Eazy-E vocals on the track “Dawn 2 Dusk”.

In February 2007, Bizzy launched the nonprofit venture Walk In My Shoes to align and partner with non-profit homeless organizations in the Columbus, Ohio area. Bizzy sought an understated approach to contribute to the less-fortunate after being inspired by his own spiritual journey:

“Everybody thought I went crazy. They were questioning my motives and what was going on. I seen things for what they really was. Everybody around me changed. I was literally walking and spiritually walking. You can’t take a walk without taking a walk.”

Also in February 2007, Krayzie was awarded another Grammy for his work on “Ridin’ ” from the November 2005 certified platinum debut album The Sound of Revenge by Chamillionaire, jointly released by Universal and Chamillitary Entertainment.

“Basically it was a song we did like a couple of years ago and I met him through Play-N-Skillz, because I had worked with Play-N-Skillz previously. I didn’t think at all that the song was going to be a Number One song. I had no idea, it shocked everybody, even him. So yeah, it was a real big shock.” — Krayzie

Produced by Play-N-Skillz, “Ridin’ ” was released as the second single from the album in January 2006, certified quadruple-platinum and celebrated across countless music outlets and year-end award discussions.

“That’s actually a very interesting story because that was the last song on the album. The song almost didn’t make the album, because truth be told, Chamillionaire didn’t really want the song on the album. When we made the record, the record was pretty much already done prior to Chamillionaire even getting on it. Krayzie was already on it. Krayzie did the verse for Play-N-Skillz because we’ve known Krayzie and Bone Thugs. They’re our big brothers. We’ve been making music prior to that. We asked Krayzie to do a verse for Chamillionaire — who he didn’t even know or know of — because we told him we thought this would be something huge.” — Play

“Ridin’ ” also peaked at Number One on the Billboard 100 and remained there for two weeks. Chamillionaire was then named the best-selling ringtone artist ever, with over four million ringtone sales and certified as the first multi-platinum Mastertone artist in history.

The track was nominated in two categories at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards, winning once. The track lost Best Rap Song but won Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group.

“I was supposed to get nominated for another Grammy category and I got disqualified because they said I had dropped too many albums in a year. And I was like, I had only dropped one album. But all these bootleggers were scanning my mixtapes that they were bootlegging and they were on the charts. So they thought I had dropped like twenty albums so they disqualified me from the Best New Artist category, which I believe I would have won. So maybe I woulda had two Grammy’s.” — Chamillionaire

The Grammy award was the first for Chamillionaire, second for Krayzie and first of two for Play-N-Skillz, who won at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards in February 2009 for their contributions to Tha Carter III, the certified triple-platinum sixth solo album from New Orleans, Louisiana native Dwayne “Lil Wayne” Carter, Jr.

“It really kinda set the stage for the whole comeback. I mean, we had things in the making with Bone already. But then when that single came along, and it started growing, and it was like the Number One single, it had people like, when you looking at Bone, like, ‘What happened to Bone? Where they at?’ People started calling. It really set the stage for us to really come back and plant our feet right back down in the game.” — Krayzie

The music video for “Ridin’ ” previously earned a Best Rap Video award at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards in August 2006.

Chamillionaire — who sampled “Foe Tha Love of $” for the track “Dead Presidents” off his August 2009 Mixtape Messiah 7 — won the Rookie of the Year award at the inaugural BET Hip Hop Awards in November 2006, while “Ridin’ ” won the Alltel Wireless People’s Champ Award during the same award ceremony, hosted by comedian and Cincinnati, Ohio native Micah “Katt” Williams.

In March 2007, Krayzie, Layzie and Wish were featured on the cover of New York-based magazine The Fader for the first time in their career: Issue 44 entitled “Bone Thugs-n-Harmony: Hip-Hop’s Dark Stars Returns”.

May 2007 was one of the single most prolific months in group history: for the second time, two separate Bone-related projects were released on the same date.

On May 8th, 2007 both the Bizzy-and-Layzie collaboration duo Bone Brothers and the trio-version of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony released albums:

• Bone Brothers 2 — the second release from the duo.
• Strength & Loyalty — the certified gold seventh album from the group and third from the trio-version.

Bone Brothers 2, another Bone-related release from Real Talk Entertainment contained three bonus solo Bizzy cuts as well as “One Day” which revisited “Tha Crossroads” themes, specifically Wally Laird III:

“It’s been about twelve years since I seen my nigga / when we buried him in the ground / damn, Wally I miss you / we wrote that song about you, dog / it was Bone’s biggest hit / we went and broke them Beatles records / you can say you the shit / I seen yo’ momma last week / and we laughed and cried / reminiscin’ how you lived / then you suddenly died / but she strong / and we strong / you living through Bone / so much drama going on / I had to write you this song”

The certified gold Strength & Loyalty was the first and only official release by Bone for Full Surface Records, the label founded in 2001 by Swizz Beatz. Bone previously worked with Swizz, and rumors of a record deal being offered in 2005 but halted by the unreliable Bizzy allowed Strength & Loyalty to blossom as a trio.

“They didn’t want to fly in first class, they didn’t want no hotel like that, they didn’t want no car service to the studio. They was just the epitome of what a group should be, and they sold millions and millions of records. I had to respect that.” — Swizz Beatz

The funds and friends networked by Swizz were apparent from the track list alone. With Swizz as Executive Producer, featured artist and track producer, prior Bone collaborators appeared: Felecia Lindsey on “So Good, So Right”, Mariah Carey and Jermaine Dupri on the single “Lil’ Love” and Twista on “C-Town”, which also marked the first collaboration between Bone and will.i.am:

“I remember when I first met will.i.am. It was like, we was just getting down with Eazy-E and The Atban Klann had already been down with Eazy-E. I remember when they walked in the office and were signing, and we like, ‘What the hell Eazy-E doing with these niggas?”’ They were dressed up in thrift store clothes, they was doing the breaking and beat locking and all that type shit. So our initial reaction, we was like, ‘Now what the hell is they doing?”’ ‘Cause that wasn’’t our style, it was totally opposite of what we were doing. But I remember when E introduced us, we immediately hit it off with will.i.am… blowing trees — I don’’t know if will.i.am was smoking back then, but he was around. It was like we immediately hit it off even though we was so different. That’’s why when we did the song we was like, ‘We gon’’ do this one for E’.” That was like some of Eazy-E protégées from back in the day, like, he wanted us to work and we felt like E’’s spirit was moving.” — Layzie

Hip-hop legend and multi-Grammy nominee George “DJ Scratch” Spivey appeared on “9mm” while gospel legend and four-time Grammy winner Yolanda Adams appeared on “Order My Steps (Dear Lord)”. Less than two years later, Billboard Magazine named Adams the Number One Gospel Artist of the last decade.

“The song that sticks with me, because my faith in God is so strong, and the fact none of this could happen without the Lord, is Order My Steps. I can listen to that song and hear the truth in it. To dedicate something like that to the Lord and thank him, and truly have an anointed woman like Yolanda Adams on the song like that, it gives me chills every time I listen to it.” — Layzie

“Wind Blow” sampled “The Chain” from London, United Kingdom legends Fleetwood Mac, originally off their February 1977 album Rumours — the group’s best-selling album to date. Produced by Orlando “Pretty Boy” Watson and Bradd Young, Watson had spent the previous two years fighting and ultimately beating lymphoma.

“A lot of people thought it was a U-Neek beat, but it’s actually a dude named Pretty Boy. They really got some nice tracks and we got a couple on our album. They’re really off the hook. — Krayzie

On “So Good, So Right” — which sampled the track of the same name from the February 1979 eponymous debut album by Brooklyn, New York-born Grammy nominee Brenda Russell — Layzie spoke directly to the ongoing Bizzy drama despite the second Bone Brothers album being released the same day:

“Bone Brothers did it with Bizzy / supposed to be a new beginning / but I’m screaming out / ‘Where is he?’ / yes, I miss him / how could I not? / when I know Bone is all he got? / one day we might get it together / fulfill the whole plot”

The first single was also one of the most successful Bone-related tracks in years: “I Tried”, one of two tracks on the album produced and featuring five-time World Music Award winner Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Bongo Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam — known simply as “Akon”.

Released in February 2007, “I Tried” debuted at Eighty Two on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached Number Six, which made it the highest charting Bone Thugs single in ten years. The track went on to be certified platinum and in November 2007 Akon won Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist at the American Music Awards — one of three nominations he received that year.

The video for “I Tried” reunited Bone Thugs with director Rich Newey, who previously worked with Bone for the “Home” video.

“Swizz was the one who truly stepped up and got the vibe back going like, ‘Ya’ll niggas legends, we need ya’ll in the game. Come fuck with me.’ ” — Layzie

To round out May 2007, the trio starred in their first full-length feature, the semi-autobiographical film also entitled I Tried and also directed by Rich Newey and based on the premise of Bone never meeting Eazy-E.

The film also featured Los Angeles, California native and fellow Steve Lobel client Ermias “Nipsey Hussle” Asghedom, New York City, New York native and NBA Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as well as Long Beach, California native and fifteen-year NFL linebacker Willie McGinest, Jr., who signed with the Cleveland Browns in March 2006 after he played his first twelve seasons with the New England Patriots.

“We had to move the whole thing over, rewrite the whole script, start the whole production over. A lot of people we had wanted to be in it couldn’t because of their schedule; so we got lucky, but it was difficult. I like the movie a lot, but it was very difficult. I don’t know if it got the exposure that it could. Because of all those difficulties, I think Interscope maybe had some problems with promoting it.” — Krayzie

In April 2007, X-Ray Records — an imprint of Cleopatra Records — released Bone Box thugs-for-life, a double-disc compilation containing several previously-released Bone tracks and features among several other hip-hop artists with little-to-no connection to Bone.

Later in June 2007, DJ Khaled released his second studio album entitled We The Best with Layzie, Krayzie and Wish on the Cool & Dre-produced “The Originators”. Layzie used his verse to speak on the countless major artists who borrowed the Bone flow:

“Now most of the greatest done did it / and some of the latest done did it / Rest In Peace to the B.I.G. / been thirteen years and they still fuck wit’ it / Jay-Z done did it / J.D. done did it / Lil’ Bow Wow did it and killed it / I love when a real nigga do they thang

Eternally / this be Bone’s style”

June 2007 was also the first DUB Magazine cover story for the trio of Layzie, Krayzie and Wish, in an article entitled “Bone Thugs-n-Harmony: Road Warriors”.

In July 2007, Layzie released How a Thug Was Born, his fourth official solo studio album. The album heavily featured Big Caz and Thin-C, as well as three rare collaborations: “Cruisin’ ” with Eazy-E, “2wice” with Flesh-N and “Stop The Music” with 2Pac, Outlawz and Thin-C.

July 2007 was a major month for Krayzie. To begin, he joined American-Bermudian native Patrick “Collie Buddz” Harper on his self-titled debut record on the track “Defend Your Own”, produced by Havendale, Jamaica native Stephen “Di Genius” McGregor — son of Clarendon, Jamaica native and Grammy-nominated reggae legend Freddie McGregor.

“As soon as I heard the rhythm, I said I have to run this. The song’s about not letting anybody come steal your food. You work hard for what you have and nobody can take that from you. You can’t let anybody take what’s rightfully yours. Nowadays you have to fight to keep what you have because there are people that will come snatch it from you. So you have to protect what’s yours.” — Collie Buddz

Later in July 2007, Krayzie independently released Mellow, Smooth And Krayzie — essentially a greatest hits compilation which contained a majority of previously-released Krayzie feature appearances. He simultaneously released Eternal Legends on Requiem Entertainment, a limited-edition two-disc compilation of unreleased Bone tracks and several U-Neek remixes.

To end July 2007, Real Talk Entertainment released The Best of Bizzy Bone, the first in a two-part collection of past Bizzy cuts.

In September 2007, Krayzie independently released ThugLine Boss which listed Big Caz as the Executive Producer, who was also Executive Producer on Layzie’s How a Thug Was Born and Mo Thugs Family Mo Thug Soldiers.

“I hadn’t spoken to Layzie in over a year and he called me on on Father’s Day and after sending his wishes, he uttered the comment, ‘I don’t know why you retired bro, you need to come back.’ And the rest is history.” — Big Caz

Also in September 2007, another Bizzy release: Trials & Tribulations, his ninth solo album. Again released by Real Talk Entertainment, the album signified the ongoing spiritual journey of Bizzy. The track “Explain To Me” — which appeared as the renamed title track on Evolution of Elevation — was one of several to reference Islam and Allah:

“I’ve been in a flurry of war / and enemies ain’t talkin right / I don’t have the time / ain’t expecting no love up in here / Allah, I pray you forgive me / for closing my eyes and ears”

Later in September 2007 — a week after Trials & Tribulations — came the sixth album released from Twista, the certified gold Adrenaline Rush 2007 on Atlantic Records. Only featuring Layzie and Krayzie, the track “Ain’t No Hoes” addressed the past beef between Twista and Bone, as Twista rapped:

“What you know about grown thugs / Bone Thugs-n-Harmony / Im’a be lettin’ everybody know about it / steady trippin’ and bitchin’ over styles / when we shoulda been getting guap / I ain’t no motherfuckin’ hoe about it”

To end September 2007, the quartet of Chamillionaire, Krayzie and Play-N-Skillz reunited on the track “The Bill Collecta” for the profanity-free second album from Chamillionaire entitled Ultimate Victory on Universal Records.

In October 2007, Hi-Power Entertainment released Bone-Ified: Thugs Unification, a nineteen-track compilation of old and new material from Layzie, Krayzie, Bizzy and Mr. Criminal.

Also in October 2007, after dating Felecia Lindsey for a near-decade, Layzie proposed to her on the red carpet of the I Tried film premier.

“I used to watch you playing hopscotch / licking on the lollipop / run up and grab your ponytail / you chase me up the whole block / first kisses / playing hide-and-go-get-it / whoever would’ve thought that you’d become my Mrs.”

In November 2007, Krayzie, Layzie and Wish joined Eve on B.A.R.S. The Barry Adrian Reese Story, the third album from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native and Swizz Beatz protégé Barry Adrian “Cassidy” Reese. The album itself was highly anticipated mostly due to his murder trial and eight-month prison time in January 2006 and automobile accident and subsequent coma in October 2006.

The Bone track (“Cash Rulez”) was produced by Cincinnati, Ohio native Tony “Hi Tek” Cottrell — winner of two consecutive Best Producer awards at both the 2007 and 2008 Ohio Hip Hop Awards — and featured Reese adopting the Bone flow while the chorus interpolated “Notorious Thugs”.

“They never should’ve let me get the hang of this / now I’ma spit game so dangerous / I’m amazing, homes / I raise the chrome / put the laser on / then blaze the chrome / better never fuck with Lazy Bone / can’t forget Wish / and Krayzie Bone” — Cassidy

One week later in November 2007, another major award was rewarded to Bone Thugs. The group was nominated for two American Music Awards at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, California: Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album (for Strength & Loyalty) which they lost, and Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Band, Duo or Group, which they won.

Accompanied by Mo Thugs Family members Thin-C and DJ Dre Ghost, Layzie accepted the award on behalf of the group and reminded the audience of the Bone Thugs longevity:

“We got one of these ten years ago and we still here, baby! The fans — we thank ya’ll very, very much!” — Layzie

On the same day in November 2007, Ruthless Records released T.H.U.G.S., a compilation of previously unreleased Bone material. The album — which shared the same name as the Flesh-N solo debut — featured no Flesh-N and no guest artists.

Detroit, Michigan native, Grammy winner and multi-platinum producer Noel “Detail” Fisher produced five of the thirteen tracks on T.H.U.G.S. including the title track and sole single “Young Thugs”.

Fisher was robbed of money and equipment in March 2009, allegedly as revenge for an outstanding debt owed to Suge Knight — and accused of sexual assault in January 2011 and subsequently sued for unspecified punitive damages as a result of emotional distress and lost wages regarding an incident at Lil Wayne’s Canyon Country, California house during a Grammy-celebration party.

In December 2007, “Foe Tha Love of $” was included on Featuring… Eazy-E, a posthumous compilation of Eazy-E collaborations released by Priority Records.

“Basically that’s my mentor and we forever indebted to Eazy-E because he didn’t have to take that chance. But we seen a different side of Eazy-E, we know that he loved children, we knew he was really about his business; he was a very, very humble guy. He could have a conversation with the leader of the world and he could kick it down in the slums with the Crips and the Bloods. He was just a very versatile, well-rounded dude. We got to see his heart. He was a great person, man. Just by him taking a chance on somebody from Cleveland, Ohio; that says a lot right there.” — Layzie

January 2008 came with Mo Thug Soldiers — the final Mo Thugs Family and Mo Thugs Records release. While Layzie was on the cover art and a majority of the tracks, the compilation also contained several notable features: Bizzy on “Pray On Our Knees”, Krayzie on “Break ‘Em Down/Quicc Cash”, Eve on “I Need A Thug”, 2Pac on “Don’t Sleep” and Outlawz on “We’re Outlawz”.

In February 2008, the third edition in the Bone Brothers series was released through Siccness.net. Bizzy Bone & Layzie Bone Present Bone Brothers III featured Greenville, North Carolina native Moses “Petey Pablo” Barrett III along with Krayzie and Wish on the track “The Struggle”, initially planned for the Strength & Loyalty album.

“I felt in my heart knowing my brother Flesh comes home in June, and we got the American Music Award, I felt it was time to start looking toward the future to a reunion. The first thing I did was called Bizzy and said, ‘Let’s do an album and prep the group and let them know you working and you’re really ready to get back.’ ” — Layzie

In March 2008, Ruthless was another solo release from Bizzy, and first of his two solo releases in 2008. The opening track “Intro (Layzie Dedication)” once again displayed the loyalty Bizzy felt for Layzie, while a majority of the remaining tracks continued the religious and spiritual journey of Bizzy. Aside from “Rollercoaster”, the album featured only Coahoma County, Mississippi native and four-time Grammy nominee William “Rick Ross” Roberts II (“Hoodtails”) and Miami, Florida native and eighteen-time Billboard Latin Music Awards nominee Armando “Pitbull” Pérez (“That’s How”).

“I ain’t scared and I don’t care what nobody thinks of me. I feel like I’m alright. I do my thing. I get my drink on, I get my puff on, that’s my own self-medication. And I work on it to get myself together.” — Bizzy

Also in March 2008 was Thugz Nation, the fifth solo release from Layzie. Released on Hi-Power Records, the album contained new material as well as several tracks which did not make Strength & Loyalty. The record also featured Long Beach, California native Damon “Big Sloan” Sloan on back-to-back tracks: “Fresh To Def” and “Cold Muthafuckers”.

Still in March 2008, U-Neek dropped DJ U-Neek Presents: Bone Instrumentals Pt. 1, a twelve-track instrumental and remix compilation.

To round out March 2008, Still Creepin on ah Come Up was released by Real Talk Entertainment and featured only Layzie and Bizzy on the cover art. The album contained the track “Conspiracy”, which sampled “Foe Tha Love of $” and contained lyrics dealing with everything from the ozone layer to the death of Eazy-E:

“E got sick / then he went to Jerry Heller’s doctor / damn, E — why you do that shit? / took a shot for the flu / now what did that do? / Little E got worse / it was very scary / we thought it was temporary / he was diagnosed — in January / in February — it was full-blown / then March — Little E was gone / somebody explain that / while Magic Johnson’s still kicking it strong” — Layzie

In April 2008, Bizzy released his second solo album in as many months: A Song for You was the first in a contracted three-album deal with Virgin Records and After Platinum Records.

The album received overwhelmingly positive reviews and contained high-profile features: production from Rap-A-Lot Records original Leroy “Mr. Lee” Williams, Jr., past collaborators Jim Jones (“Ballin’ ”) and Twista (“Money”), Waldorf, Maryland native Good Charlotte lead singer Joel Madden (“I’m The One”) and Yonkers, New York native and three-time Grammy nominee Earl “DMX” Simmons (“Prelude” / “A Song For You”).

“I think if people hear the song with Twista and then they hear that Trina song and then they see me with Good Charlotte the rock group! It is not gonna be pretty! And then we gonna smack them in the back of the head with the new DMX shit. Oh my God, that song is just so — that make me want to just jump back and just hug my damn self like, ‘Oh my goodness, this is beautiful’. So I’m very grateful for the project. Make sure that everybody knows that the record is just completely beautiful from the start to the finish. It is lovely; it is a great, great thing, trust me.” — Bizzy

The track “Muddy Waters” became a perennial fan favorite upon the album release. Speaking on his own mistakes and lost peers, Bizzy dedicated his second verse to a brief history and update on Bone:

“You had you four friends / and y’all grew up together / on the corner swigging wine / singing about the ghetto / breaking bread / stealing cars / and staying in trouble / house parties with the homies / and then watching ‘em rumble / but soon your friendship crumbles / as you grow up in life / you reached the age of thirty / and soon forget your plight / what if they blew up / and became the biggest group ever? / I guess we’ll never know / that’s just the way it goes / having high school dreams of turning pro / catch an injury / and now the scouts ain’t ‘round no mo’”

Ernie Romero — CEO for After Platinum Records — was equally impressed with the artist and project:

“I feel very fortunate for the opportunity to create music with such an unbelievably brilliant artist and all the more fortunate to share a friendship with such a remarkable human being. Bizzy is a guy who’s seen more hard times than most people can even imagine, yet against all odds, he has overcome these adversities while keeping his faith and positive outlook on life.” — Ernie Romero

Also in April 2008, a photo leaked online which allegedly depicted Layzie in a compromising position with a woman different than his new wife Felecia Lindsey-Howse.

Later in April 2008 was the first in a series of ‘street’ albums from Krayzie: The Fixtape Volume One: Smoke On This, released by RBC Records. Despite being labeled a ‘fixtape’, the release contained three major-name features: Akon (“Stay Down”), Scarface (“Crooked Cops”) and Game (“Whatchuwando”).

The timing of the release coincided with Krayzie deciding to quit smoking weed as well as to reinvest his time and effort into ThugLine Records:

“I made it before I stopped smoking, but it’s the last album that’ll you’ll hear. It’s the first official mixtape I’ve ever done, and it was something that I had wanted to do for some time. I did it to show people that it didn’t matter what track I’m on, I’m killing it.” — Krayzie

To end April 2008, Krayzie reunited with TQ for the title track from his fifth studio album Paradise, released on EMI and Gracie Productions. The track was produced by Grammy-winner Stephen “Static Major” Garrett, a Louisville, Kentucky native who unexpectedly passed away in February 2008 at age thirty-three from myasthenia gravis; the lyrics evolved into a completely different meaning after his passing.

“We were actually reading for a movie part and we were actually at a casting call for a movie. As I was getting on the elevator, Krayzie was getting off and I said to him, ‘Hey man, I got this song that has your name written all over it’ and he said, ‘Send it to me, I’ve been trying to link up with you for a minute, too.’ So I sent it to him, he loved it, and he jumped right on it.” — TQ

In May 2008, Krayzie and Wish released Krayzie Bone and Wish Bone Present ThugLine Records Mix Tape Volume One. The sixteen-track mix contained several Cleveland-based artists among several Krayzie and Wish tracks.

On May 17th 2008, the temporary-trio of Bone Thugs performed at the University of California-Riverside Spring Splash Concert, an annual outdoor music festival put on by the Associated Students Program Board. Bizzy was in attendance, and announced and introduced the individual members as they took the stage to the Strength & Loyalty-version of “Flowmotion”.

Later in May 2008, Krayzie reunited with Play-N-Skillz for their single “One Mo’ Gin” which also featured Lil Jon and Port Arthur, Texas legend Bernard “Bun B” Freeman.

In June 2008, previous Bizzy collaborator Lil’ Flip teamed up with Mr. Capone-E to Executive Produce Lil’ Flip Presents Lootenant: Second In Charge, the debut from Biloxi, Mississippi native Anthony “Lootenant” Walker. The album contained two Bone member cuts: “Cloud 9” with Krayzie and “She’s A Freak” with Layzie and Mr. Criminal.

In July 2008, Mr. Criminal released Rise To Power on Hi-Power Entertainment and featured Krayzie on the track “Girl You Blow My Mind”.

Also in July 2008 was Screamin’ 4 Vengeance, the sixth studio album from C-Murder, who was (and is) serving a life sentence for the 2002 beating and murder of Steve Thomas. The sentence was initially issued in September 2003; a new trial was granted and C-Murder was placed on house arrest.

C-Murder pleaded no contest to two counts of attempted second degree murder from a 2001 double shooting in May 2009, and was ultimately sentenced to mandatory life imprisonment in Louisiana State Penitentiary in August 2009. Screamin’ 4 Vengeance — which shared its name with the Judas Priest album from July 1982 — featured Krayzie on the track “Posted on the Block (Remix)”.

REBIRTH

In June 2008, Krayzie conducted an interview with his own ThugLine TV YouTube channel and spoke on the possible reunion with Bizzy — as the Bone Brothers III album, the Still Creepin on ah Come Up album and the Spring Splash concert fueled speculation of the five members reuniting upon Flesh-N’s release, scheduled for July 2008:

“We told people what it was: when everything got right, we was gonna come back together and do what we had to do. It could be that time is now. We all just been hibernating and trying to come up with the concept of the album.”

Later in June 2008, the soundtrack for the independent film Hustle Hard was released, and featured Q-Loco and Bone on “Take II” as well as Layzie, Bizzy and Q-Loco on “Gangsta Gangsta”.

In July 2008, Flesh-N was released from prison after nearly nine years of incarceration. Layzie, Krayzie, Bizzy and Wish — along with both Howse parents and Flesh-N’s in-laws — boarded a twelve passenger tour bus and met Flesh-N at the prison gates. The entire family reunion was captured by several cameramen, as Flesh-N took the time to sign autographs and answer questions from fans.

Cleveland, Ohio native Dontè “TA Smallz” Carter — artist and CEO of The Life Entertainment / L7 Global — published the footage on his personal YouTube channel; the video has over one-hundred thousand views.

“I was praying really hard for them to be able to keep it together. Thankfully, we’re all still well and alive today. I wasn’t able to keep tabs on them as closely as I would’ve liked. There’s been a lot of ups and down with us, but it’s still Bone Thugs being Bone Thugs. We’re always individuals and humble and recognizing and empathizing and sympathizing with our fans.” — Flesh-N

For the next two years, the quintet would re-focus on their next group album while consistently releasing solo and feature work.

In August 2008, former Bone enemy Daz released his tenth studio album: Only To The Left Side on D.P.G. Records. The track “Meal Ticket” featured Krayzie and was produced by Daz, also Executive Producer of the album.

In September was the 2008 Ohio Hip Hop Awards:

• Best Male Artist: Bizzy Bone

Also in September 2008, Siccness.net released Bone Thugs-n-Harmony Present: Layzie Bone & A.K. of Do or Die: Finally, a collaboration album from Layzie and Dennis “A.K.” Rounk of Do or Die, the one-time nemesis of Bone. The project ignited rumors of a future Bone Thugs / Do or Die collaboration:

“We talked about it and did it and there was talks of Twista and Krayzie doing a project together. We are all looking forward to doing it, we just need to bring everyone to the table and do it.” — A.K.

Later in September 2008, Atlanta, Georgia native Mario “DG Yola” Talley released “Rollin’ ” which featured both Layzie and Krayzie. The track was supposed to be on his solo debut Gutta World, but legal trouble and criminal allegations impeded the project from ever being released. Initially famous for his November 2006 breakout single “Ain’t Gon’ Let Up”, Talley was shot in the face during an alleged attempted robbery in March 2007.

After a full recovery, Talley began a one-year sentence in August 2009 after shooting his cousin in December 2008; Talley maintained his cousin attempted to rob him, as well. Talley was then arrested in March 2014 on charges of felony murder, aggravated assault and attempted robbery for his role in an Atlanta, Georgia double-shooting two weeks prior.

“I know what I did was wrong. I shot my people. I shot my cousin two times over some bullshit or whatever. But he ain’t the only one I done shot, but I shot him. So I had to do what I had to do and that shit put a strain on my shit. It stopped a whole bunch of stuff so it was like, really… I won’t do that again. I’ll think before I do it again.” — DG Yola

To end September 2008, Krayzie appeared on “Watch How I Do This”, a track by East Cleveland, Ohio native Kevin “Kev Blaze” Frazier off his debut album Smoke N Blaze. The song was also featured in several Season Two videos of the YouTube channel phenomenon FЯED. By April 2009, the channel had over one million subscribers, making it the first YouTube channel to do so, and the most subscribed channel at the time.

“We sent Krayzie the track, and within days he laid his verse. It was really exciting for me because we’re both from Cleveland. Krayzie is a guy I’ve always looked up to. It was great that he liked the track and really brought his ‘A’ game to it.” — Kev Blaze

In October 2008, after the failed efforts of Ruthless Records, Interscope Records and Full Surface Records, the five Bone members formed BTNH Worldwide: an independent record label which allowed the collective to own and operate all future releases as well as handle the Mo Thugs artist roster.

“That’s just the foundation of our umbrella; keep more in control of our own stuff.” — Wish

With each member anointed CEO, the label created a format for Mo Thugs Records, 7th Sign Records, ThugLine / TheLife Entertainment, Flesh-N-Bone Global and Harmony Howse Entertainment.

Also in October 2008, Krayzie was featured on the fourth Paperboy album The New News on the track “Money”:

“I was just listening to the song I did with Krayzie and it is bananas. Krayzie is still crazy in the studio He’s laid back and quiet, but when he gets on that mic he is straight shooting fire.” — Paperboy

In November 2008, the original Bone Thugs-n-Harmony presented their first show as a quintet in nearly a decade at Club Nokia, a 59,000 square foot, 2,300-person capacity space in Los Angeles, California. The concert included a live back-up band, was filmed by hundreds and created into an amature mixtape made available for download on DatPiff.com.

On January 5th, 2009, Bizzy was beaten and robbed of jewelry in his Hilton hotel room in Universal City, a district of Los Angeles, California. Marlo “Bow Wow” Jones and three Grape Street Crip gang members went to Room 1165, where Bizzy was staying with approximately $35K worth of jewelry. Two unidentified women with Bizzy earlier in the evening had alerted Jones and his crew to Bizzy’s location and possessions. Not only did the hotel hallway cameras capture Jones and his associates entering/leaving the room, he and his associates took to social media shortly after, where they posed with the stolen goods. Less than a week after the incident, Jones and his associates were identified and arrested.

A sub-contract employee from the anti-gang organization Unity One — which was established in 1992 after the civil uprising spawned from the Rodney King riots — Jones once worked with then-University of Southern California Head Football Coach Pete Carroll on his own gang reduction effort. All four assailants pleaded no contest to residential felony burglary and were immediately sentenced. Jones was sentenced to twelve years in prison while his three accomplices received nineteen, eleven and six years.

“I wasn’t trying to snitch on nobody, so I ain’t point niggas out in the lineup. I found out that them niggas received a lot of time. I hate to see anybody in jail, though; that’s fucked up, you know what I mean? I don’t give a fuck about what you do to whoever — even if it’s myself. I hate to see anybody sitting in that motherfucker for any amount of time. That’s just a fucked-up system.” — Bizzy

Later in January 2009, the soundtrack for the Notorious B.I.G. biopic Notorious was released by Fox Searchlight Pictures. The soundtrack reached Number One on both the Billboard Top Rap Albums and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and opened with “Notorious Thugs”.

“The song came out and I was like, ‘Woah, Big killed it.’ I ran into Puff and he said, ‘It took Big a while to do that. He mastered that and really studied it.’ He just helped Bone on the East Coast; the East Coast was really fickle. Bone and Biggie killed it and that was one of the biggest songs in hip-hop, I feel.” — Steve Lobel

In February 2009, Mo Thugs Records released Big Caz presents: Thuggin Without A Cause, a thirty-five track mix which featured Layzie, Krayzie, Bizzy, Big Sloan and Mo Thugs.

In March 2009:

• U-Neek continued his practice of releasing Bone-related work with DJ U-Neek Presents: Bone Instrumentals Pt. 2, the second installment in his Bone instrumental series. Also released was Bone Thugs-n-Harmony Presents DJ U-Neek’s Thuggish Mix Cd, a twenty-one track mix album compiled by U-Neek.
• U-Neek and Krayzie re-released Krayzie Bone & D.J. U-Neek Presents: LeathaFace — The Legends Underground (Part I), after an initial limited-edition release in 2003.
• Bizzy released Back With The Thugz, his first in a two-part series released by Hi-Power Entertainment. Included was a Bad Azz collaboration (“Race Against Time”) and a Snoop collaboration (“Let’s Get High”).
• Bruce Hathcock released his album Miracle Mile with the sole feature coming from Krayzie on “At Your Own Risk”. The album closed with an instrumental interpolation of “Tha Crossroads”.

Krayzie ‎released the second in his fixtape series, The Fixtape Volume Two: Just One Mo Hit. Keef G and South Carolina native Cornelius “Countrified” Wedman — a United States Marine who developed a career in the entertainment business as a writer, actor, rapper, director and promoter — were the only features on the album on the track “Po Folk Holiday”.

“This is a way that I can still get my music out and do what I wanna do on these mixtapes. I ain’t got to clear it with nobody, no labels and I can put out what I wanna put out. I like doing that; that’s why I came with another one. I don’t want to stop making music because the record company says so. This is what I do 24/7.” — Krayzie

In April 2009, Krayzie was featured on two separate tracks:

• “All I Really Want (Remix)” — which originally appeared on Deeper Than Rap , the third album by Rick Ross, the third co-distributed by Slip-N-Slide Records and his third consecutive Number One album.
• “Midwest Choppers 2” — which appeared on Sickology 101, the eighth studio album from Tech N9ne. The track was produced by Des Moines, Iowa native Tramaine “Young Fyre” Winfrey, a protégé of Tallahassee, Florida native and two-time Grammy winner Faheem “T-Pain” Najm — himself a protégé of Akon.

“Me and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony cool like family.” — Tech N9ne

Also in April 2009, Krayzie released ThugLine Chronicles Vol. 1 Welcome To Da Alley, an equal-parts Keef G and Krayzie collaboration album which featured Farmville, Virginia native and former Death Row artist Robin “The Lady of Rage” Allen on the track “Turbulent Times”.

Later in April 2009, Flesh-N was arrested again, this time in Canyon Country, Santa Clarita, California as the result of being stopped for a defective tail light. The sheriff’s deputies discovered marijuana and a handgun, both in direct violation of the stringent probation requirements established, and Flesh-N was held in lieu of the $135,000 bail.

Flesh-N was represented by Attorney Shepard Kopp, who worked for the Law Offices of Geragos & Geragos, home of criminal defense attorney Mark Geragos. Geragos initially defended Michael Jackson in January 2004 and represented Chris Brown in the February 2009 domestic violence case which involved Robyn “Rihanna” Fenty.

During his court appearance for the charges, Flesh-N entered a ‘not-guilty’ plea — he claimed the weapon was the property of his wife Isabela, an officer with the Chicago Police Department. He additionally claimed the weapon was found in his Canyon City, California home in a subsequent search, not his car; as part of his parole, his house was subjected to random searches.

“Imagine problems with crooked coppers / why they wanna go there? / tried to pop me / lock me / but couldn’t knock me off my square”

Two weeks later, the gun possession charges were dropped, as the weapon was kept in a locked box in a locked closet and registered. The marijuana charges were also dropped — the result of Flesh-N owning a medical marijuana card.

To finish April 2009, Bizzy appeared on the debut album 3-D from Warren, Michigan sextet I See Stars, released on Sumerian Records. Bizzy was the only feature, appearing on the track “Sing This!”.

In May 2009, Bizzy released Back With The Thugz Volume 2, the second in his two-part series for Hi-Power Entertainment. Entrenched with West Coast artists, Volume 2 featured the track “Diary of a G” — a promotional version of “Light My Fire” from Diary of a G, the August 2oo9 solo release from Mr. Capone-E.

In June 2009, Book of Thugs was released — a Japanese-based import of discarded Bone tracks, the majority coming from the Strength & Loyalty recordings. The long-rumored collaboration “Everyday Together (You & Me)” with Fullerton, California native Gwen Stefani was included; the chorus being an interpolation of “Don’t Speak”, the April 1996 Grammy-nominated single from Stefani’s group No Doubt.

Another previously unreleased collaboration was the track “Ain’t Satisfied” which paired Bone Thugs with multi-Grammy winner Kanye West:

“It’’s off the hook. It shows the evolution of Bone Thugs. We stepped it up and it’s like a Bone track to the fiftieth power.” — Krayzie

In July 2009, former Fort Worth, Texas music publisher Songster LLC — owned by Andrew Marks and London McDaniels — sued Akon, Swizz Beatz, Interscope Records, Sony/ATV Publishing and Universal Music Group over the “I Tried” collaboration track. Songster alleged illegally-used portions of a 1978 Hare-Krishna influenced song (“When The Day Will Come”) and attempted to take the case to trial to determine the amount of damages the original producer and songwriter were entitled to. Songster also demanded all profits earned from the sales of “I Tried” in addition to the removal of any media containing the track from being sold physically and digitally.

In August 2009, Cleveland, Ohio native and former Mo Thugs Family member Kamilha “Thug Queen” Greer sued Bone Thugs, Mo Thugs Records and Ruthless Records for $22.5 million dollars, claiming breach of contract, conversion, negligence, fraud and breach of fiduciary duty. She claimed unpaid royalties for her contributions to “Mighty Mighty Warrior”, “The Queen” “Otherside/Outro”” and the single and video for “Ghetto Cowboy” — all from the Mo Thugs Family Chapter II: Family Reunion compilation.

Also in August 2009 was the release of Thug Twins, the collaboration album from Layzie and Big Sloan. Released on Hi-Power Entertainment, the album featured both Bizzy and Thin-C.

“Actually, I got into hip-hop because my brothers were already in the game, when they came with Thuggish Ruggish Bone and 1st Of Tha Month. Just watched them growing up.” — Big Sloan

In September 2009, Bizzy and Bad Azz paired for Thug Pound, released on Hi-Power Entertainment. The majority of the album was produced by NuNation Productions: South Central Los Angeles, California brothers Gabriel “Nutone” and Saul “Platnum P” Limon.

In October 2009, Hi-Power Entertainment released Bone-Ified: Thug Smoke Fest, the second Bone-Ified compilation and featured Layzie, Krayzie and Bizzy.

Also in October 2009, Krayzie was again recruited for a feature, this time with Twista for the track “I Won’t Change” off the mixtape The Incredible Truth: Tha Mixtape Before Tha Album from Houston, Texas legend Frazier “Trae Tha Truth” Thompson.

Thompson was awarded his own annual Trae Day in July 2008 to honor his work within the Houston-area community — the first time the honor was extended to a rap artist. In November 2011, his associate Dominic “Money Clip-D” Brown, Sr. was shot and killed after being caught in crossfire which also left Thompson wounded.

“I don’t know nobody in my age bracket or a little younger that don’t know about Bone.” — Trae Tha Truth

In November 2009, Layzie reteamed up with G’sta to drop The Outlawz Presents We Workin’ — a digital album released through iGrooves and named after Steve Lobel’s creed and company.

Outlawz Records and So Stimulus Entertainment and Productions — the production company founded by G’sta in June 2000 — assisted in the release of the album, which featured youngest Howse brother Stew Deez on several tracks.

Also in November 2009 came That Was Then, This Is Now — the sixth studio album from Tha Dogg Pound. Krayzie was featured on the Daz Dillinger-produced track “Money Fold’N”.

“I found that a lot of times through disagreements you meet some of your best friends and family. Me and Layzie is like brothers. During the Death Row era, we were ready to tear each other apart. Now, that’s one of my best friends. Layzie Bone is one of my best friends.” — Kurupt

In December 2009, the entire group created Fixtape Vol. 3: Special Delivery, released on BTNHboard.com. Initially scheduled for a March 2010 release, Special Delivery was a consolidated collection of new and unreleased material; Krayzie eventually released his own solo Fixtape Vol. 3 in July 2010.

“It feels good to be back as a full family and team with my brothers after all the years apart. We have been working at a steady and focused pace. One day at a time, one fan at a time we’re working hard to truly give the world a special delivery.” — Flesh-N

2010 began with two more projects from U-Neek:

• DJ U-Neek Presents: Thuggish II, the second in a two-part mixtape series. The album contained “What Have We Done”, which sampled Michael Jackson’s “Earth Song” from his June 1995 double-disc effort, the Grammy-winning, six-time certified platinum HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I.
• Bone 2010, twenty-three unreleased or little-known Bone tracks, the final seven being unreleased Bizzy solo tracks.

“It’s been a lot of stuff that I had no idea was being released on the Internet and I didn’t know he was doing it. I have yet to speak with him about that.” — Layzie

In February 2010, Bizzy sponsored Bizzy Bone and Papillon Bandana: Destination Ailleurs, the debut record from French MC Fabrice “Papillon Bandana” Bally. The album featured Bizzy on nine of the fourteen tracks, while Layzie appeared alongside Big Sloan on the track “Question Difficile”. The project was released on L2K Calidad.

In March 2010, Flesh-N was arrested once again — this time during a House of Blues concert in Cleveland, Ohio. The concert was part of the reunion tour which had just begun a week prior, and marked the first time Flesh-N was in Ohio in over a decade. Approximately fifty Cleveland police officers and Cuyahoga County Sheriffs deputies were on-scene to apprehend Flesh-N. Several officers went backstage after the concert began; they alleged Flesh-N attempted to flee upon noticing the police presence by inviting audience members on state to unwittingly assist in his exit.

“My brother walked off stage to get some water; he wasn’t tipped off. But why did they let us go on stage if we couldn’t finish the show? That was disrespectful.” — Layzie

Flesh-N was arrested on two outstanding warrants: Domestic Violence with a Firearm Specification and Felonious Assault with a Firearm Specification; his bond was set at $10,000. He allegedly struck his mother in the head with a gun in October 1998, leaving her with a gash on her forehead.

“That’s a damn lie. My brother never struck my mother. I was right there. What happened was, some dudes walked up and were hating on us, and my mother got in the middle of it. She was trying to protect her children. And then they’re gonna say my brother hit my mother — c’mon, man. We aren’t barbaric. My brother is so respectful of my mother. He’s her oldest son. They’re trying everything they can to tear Bone Thugs-n-Harmony down.” — Layzie

When Flesh-N was arrested, his mother Pamela was in attendance, had an anxiety attack and needed to be rushed to Huron Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio.

“She had just seen her son after all this time — she didn’t understand what was going on. So I had to put my mother in the ambulance and my brother in the police car. You can just imagine how I feel.” — Layzie

Despite the arrest, Flesh-N eventually posted bail and was released from custody five days later; he was levied a $150 fine and all of the charges were eventually dismissed.

In March 2010, Outlaw Recordz released The Lost Songs Volume Three, the final compilation in a three-part digital series from Outlawz which contained unreleased tracks and features. Layzie joined Bizzy on “Ball Cautiously” and joined Krayzie on “Make It Last”.

In April 2010, Glass: The Personal Saga of 2 Brothers was released straight-to-DVD. Written and directed by Big Caz and Rayce Denton, the film detailed the harrowing childhood of Big Caz and his younger brother Glasshouse, portrayed in the film by Layzie; Steve Lobel also had a role.

Also in April 2010 was the release of The Red Room mixtape from Game, the first of two mixtapes released in advance of his fourth studio album The R.E.D. Album in August 2011.

Bizzy was featured on “Real Gangstas” alongside Shreveport, Louisiana native Christopher “Hurricane Chris” Dooley, Jr., who released his certified platinum single “A Bay Bay” in May 2007 off his debut studio album 51/50 Ratchet, released in part by Polo Grounds Music.

Later in April 2010, the quintet released Uni5: The Prequel, a precursor to their upcoming reunion album. The Prequel was a compilation of old and new tracks, and included many of the unreleased Strength & Loyalty tracks already found on The Book of Thugs import.

PAY WHAT THEY OWE

In May 2010, the original Bone Thugs-n-Harmony released Uni5: The World’s Enemy, their first cohesive full-length original album in nearly fifteen years. The quartet had established a distribution deal with Warner Bros. Records for their BTNH Worldwide record label, and re-enlisted U-Neek for six of the final fourteen tracks.

“It was good to be back with U-Neek, obviously it made sense because it was the five of us together again, should be him, too. I learned a lot from U-Neek. That stuff is still something I draw from today.” — Krayzie

Other production came from Thin-C (“My Life”) and four tracks co-produced by Krayzie, including lead single “See Me Shine” which featured Toledo, Ohio natives Johnathan “Jay Rush” Jennings— Best Male Vocalist two years in a row (2009 / 2010) at the Ohio Hip Hop Awards — and his older brother Chester “Lyfe” Jennings — Best Male Vocalist the previous two years (2007 / 2008) at the Ohio Hip Hop Awards.

Lyfe was previously a prison inmate for over a decade on charges of Arson; shortly after his release in December 2002, he won five straight amateur night competitions at the famed Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York.

The album version did not contain Lyfe; he was arrested in October 2008 and sentenced to three years in prison in September 2010 on misdemeanor charges of Criminal Trespass, Discharging a Firearm Near a Public Highway and refusal to take a DUI test, in addition to two felony counts of Attempting to Elude an Officer and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

The track “Gangsta’s Glory” was recorded for the album but did not make the cut; it sampled lyrics from the title track off Eazy-Duz-It.

The quintet was intent on embarking on a Uni5 promotional tour, performing in over thirty cities in support of the album, which took nearly two years to complete.

“Bizzy has other obligations and we had a difference of opinion on how much we should get for this tour. We looked at it like promo tour, he looked at it a little differently, which is cool, because his arrangement doesn’t require him to be there. He’s still a one-fifth member of Bone. We been together for eighteen years now. We are all grown men, so we all have different arrangements within the Bone structure. The main thing about it, we don’t ever give up.” — Layzie

Bizzy attempted to negotiate his own pricing for his portion of the tour; the remaining four members did not agree with his business strategy, leaving them to continue the tour sans Bizzy.

“Just not well-organized. And it was no extra ‘umph’ to it. They came up off of winning an American Music Award for Strength & Loyalty and I felt as though with Flesh coming out and with me participating on the record, that it should’ve been a major impact. But it just turned out not to be, man. Turned out to be something stupid.” — Bizzy

In July 2010, Krayzie dropped two projects:

• Everybody Wants a Thug, a collection which contained a variety of projects which previously featured Krayzie. The compilation was again released via Requiem Entertainment / ThugLine International.
• The Fixtape Volume 3: Lyrical Paraphernalia, an eleven-track record as part of his ongoing Fixtape series. The featureless mixtape listed Krayzie as the sole Executive Producer and was accidentally leaked on iTunes in May 2010 before receiving a proper release. The mixtape contained the track “What Have I Become” — previously featured in the I Tried film:

“For the movie, I was going to write the whole song and then they told me, ‘Hold up. We only need to play the first verse in the movie.’ That song means alot to me. The fans wanted to hear the rest of it, the completists kept asking me, hitting me up like, ‘When we going to get to hear the rest?’ So there you go.” — Krayzie

In July 2010, Bizzy released Crossroads: 2010 EP, which contained only the three guest vocalist tracks from his upcoming full-length Crossroads: 2010.

In August 2010, Mo Thugs Entertainment dropped two projects:

• Layzie Bone Presents: Glass Soundtrack, the soundtrack for the film and featured Krayzie and Damizza.
• Mo Thugs Records Presents: Thuggin Without A Cause 2, the second installment in the series; the thirteen-track compilation featured Big Sloan and Mo Thug Soldiers.

Also in August 2010, The Best of Bizzy Bone 2 was released by Real Talk Entertainment.

Later in August 2010, Bizzy released Crossroads: 2010, his fifteenth solo studio album and first mid-major label release in over two years. Both the EP and full-length were released by Sumerian Records — based in Washington D.C. and Los Angeles, California and founded in 2006 by Ash Avildsen as an independent hardcore and electronica label with no prior hip-hop releases.

“The album is incredible! While we have been making a meaningful impact on the current state of heavy music, the true theme to Sumerian has always been about progressive music, not just metal. Bizzy Bone is one of the most progressive vocalists I have ever heard! Known in his genre for being the fastest yet the most melodic, the most technical yet the most harmonic, the marks Bizzy has left in music are something I will always love.” — Ash Avildsen

Crossroads: 2010 was able to align with the typical Sumerian release by containing production from Washington, D.C. native Javier Reyes of Animals as Leaders and only three vocal features; all three being singers from Sumerian or like-minded artists. “Automatic Rewind” featured Danny Worsnop of Asking Alexandria, “Cowboy” featured Devin Oliver of I See Stars and “Bottled Up Like Smoke” which sampled the track “Istillfeelher, Pt. III” by Jonny Craig, formerly of Dance Gavin Dance, Emarosa, Isles & Glaciers and currently of SL▲VES.

Craig — an immensely talented yet troubled singer from Minot, North Dakota — was involved in an Internet scam in February 2011. He essentially fooled his fans into thinking they were purchasing his used laptop; after securing their funds via PayPal, he discontinued communication and never provided the purchased laptops. Shortly after, Craig was kicked out of his second band and entered a rehabilitation program on account of his well-publicized heroin addiction. In March 2011, he apologized for the scam after completing the rehab program.

Craig was arrested for two counts of illegal drug use, two counts of possession of narcotics and one count of failure to appear in October 2011. His bail was set at $15,000 which he eventually paid and graduated another court-mandated rehabilitation program in March 2012.

Bizzy sampled the Craig vocals from A Dream Is A Question You Don’t Know How To Answer, his solo debut released in August 2009 on Rise Records.

“It feels good; everyone knows Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. It was just really cool to see that. They are still very influential for me. It is cool to just talk with someone, and them asking you if they can sample something you wrote, you know? The fact that they wanted to sample something I personally wrote is an amazing thing.” — Jonny Craig

Later in August 2010 was Bizzy Bone Presents TA Smallz: Who Killed My Mama?!, a mixtape/DVD concept which featured Layzie, Krayzie, Bizzy, Flesh-N, Lil Wayne, DJ Quik, E-40 and New Orleans, Louisiana native Christopher “B.G.” Dorsey. Dorsey was arrested in November 2009 on a charge of illegal carrying of weapons, and sentenced to fourteen years in a federal prison for gun possession and witness tampering in July 2012.

The mixtape revolved around the real-life unsolved murder of TA Smallz’ mother:

“She was going to the University of Berkley. She was a single mother and still singing in the group with my father — they had been divorced — and a buyer for Anderson Products. Someone came in our house, locked me in the closet, me and my three brothers. And my half-brother, he was only eleven months; he couldn’t talk, she tried to throw him under the bed. So in front of him, they stabbed her twenty-four times in the face, cut her jugular vein, cut off her fingers, put her in the trunk of the car in Richmond, California and then took her to Sacramento, California on December 6th and we didn’t find her until December 19th.”

To round out August 2010, Hi-Power Entertainment released HiPower Entertainment Presents: Cholos and Thugz, a three-disc compilation of previously-released material and split between Lil’ Flip, Bone Thugs and various Hi-Power artists.

In September 2010, the fifth annual Ohio Hip Hop Awards took place:

• Best Collaboration: “See Me Shine” from Bone Thugs-n-Harmony and Jay Rush, who also won Best Male Vocalist.

Also in September 2010, Krayzie and partner Wish rebranded ThugLine Records into both TheLife Entertainment and TheLife Apparel: Entertainment continued to operate as an independent record label while Apparel focused on clothing through the website and eventual brick-and-mortar boutique on Santee Street in Los Angeles, California.

“Me and Wish are partners at TheLife Entertainment. We basically started this idea back when I decide to venture off from Mo Thugs. So I started a label called ThugLine Records. Just recently, I’ve re-named the label to give it a more global appeal. Didn’t want to put myself, nor the artists I’m working with in a box.” — Krayzie

TA Smallz was displeased with the choice, as he claimed to own and operate his own similarly-named Life Entertainment since 1999:

“Fuck you Krayzie and the whole fucking ThugLine Entertainment. Who is TheLife Entertainment trying to steal my name? Tupac didn’t even like you, bitch; let the truth be told. Pac fucked with Bizzy, he was the only one with Pac recording a song in the studio. You are out here selling me and Bizzy records on your website because none of your records ain’t selling.” — TA Smallz

In October 2010, Real Talk Entertainment released The Best of Bone Brothers, a compilation of sixteen previously released Bone Brothers-related tracks.

In November 2010, Bizzy released yet another album: The Greatest Rapper Alive, another full-length solo project of featureless original material entirely produced by U-Neek. The album was released by Thump Records, and Seven Arts Music CEO David Michery was listed as Executive Producer.

Later in November 2010, Layzie was featured on two tracks from the G’sta mixtape Blood, Sweat & Redemption: The Chronicles Of G’sta G, released by So Stimulus Entertainment and Sucker Proof D.J.’s.

In December 2010, Krayzie joined Diddy-Dirty Money for a remix version of “Last Night (Part 2)”, a track off the deluxe-edition version of Last Train To Paris, the sole release from Diddy under the Diddy-Dirty Money moniker. The original version had Oakland, California native multi-Grammy nominee Keyshia Cole and was featured on Diddy’s October 2006 album, Press Play.

In January 2011, Siccness.net released Thug Luv, a ten-track collection of remixed, remastered and previously-released Layzie tracks — the title coming from the The Art of War-2Pac collaboration. Bizzy was the only featured artist and joined for the track “Bang”.

Also in January 2011, Layzie established his Harmony Howse Entertainment label, an off-shoot separate from the expired Mo Thugs Records:

“I grew tired and I grew weary and said, ‘I’m gonna be on Harmony Howse Entertainment’ because after all this time, I felt that maybe I wasn’t being appreciated or maybe people didn’t know that before Bad Boy became a family, it was Mo Thugs Family.” — Layzie

On February 22nd, 2011, Siccness.net released Mr. Ouija, a ten-track Bizzy mixtape with no features — the title coming from the Creepin on ah Come Up track. Although the majority of the tracks were unreleased, they were recorded between 2006 and 2007.

On the same day, Layzie released two solo projects of new material, both through RBC Records:

• The Definition, which had a combination of artists: Chamillionaire (“My Hood”), Vallejo, California native Ronnie “Baby Bash” Bryant (“Spend The Night”), Houston, Texas native Grammy nominee Paul “Wall” Slayton (“Grind Hard”) as well as Mo Thugs artist and San Jose, California native Claudia “Snow Tha Product” Feliciano (“Chasing Paper”). Over half the album either featured or was produced by Thin-C.
• The Meaning, which opened with the track “The Game Ain’t Ready” featuring all five members of Bone. The track “Every Night” featured Columbus, Ohio native Shad “Bow Wow” Moss while “She Bad” featured Too $hort. Layzie also included his family members: Felecia (“Better Days”) and Stew Deez (“The Syndrome”) were featured while Flesh-N appeared on four songs. Half of the production was handled by Thin-C.

“The main reason is because it’s really been a long time since I did an official solo album. When we got to making the record it was like, ‘We got too much music to give to our fans’. So, the first album became The Definition, and then once I defined what I was talking about then it was like, okay, now we need The Meaning of this whole movement.” — Layzie

HEARTACHES

In March 2011, Cleveland, Ohio native Charles “Chip Tha Ripper” Worth released the track “Don’t Come Into My Hood”, an interpolation of the Bone track “Days Of Our Livez”.

“There have never been four guys that can outdo Bone as far as rapping. There’s never been a group of four or five that can do it bigger or better than Bone. That’s amazing.” — Chip Tha Ripper

Worth first gained attention after he was featured on A Kid Named Cudi, the July 2008 debut mixtape from fellow Cleveland, Ohio native and two-time Grammy winner Scott “KiD CuDi” Mescudi. Worth was also featured on Mescudi’s major label debut Man on the Moon: The End of Day in September 2009, his follow-up Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager in November 2010 and three times on Mescudi’s third album Indicud in April 2013.

“Kid Cudi hasn’t even admitted that we influenced him, that we was a big influence on him as well as other artists. I mean that basically speaks for itself when he says that.” — Krayzie

On March 15th, 2011, Nate Dogg passed away at forty-one years of age as the result of complications of multiple strokes. Through the estate of Nate Dogg, David Michery was responsible for Nate’s cumbersome medical bills and was sued by CareMeridian rehabilitation facility for $300,000.

“I was the only person who would come forward because I didn’t want him to die. Me and Nate have twenty years history together and I did what everyone should have done and tried to save his life — not let him get kicked out in the streets and die. I would do it again in a minute. I just wish that the people he looked out for all these years and the people who claim to love him so much would help out.” — David Michery

Other associates of Nate Dogg — including Tha Dogg Pound founder Daz Dillinger — did not share Michery’s opinion:

“David Michery, we’re suing your motherfucking ass too, you punk motherfucker. How did you get in Nate Dogg’s album when we was on Death Row? You’re a thief. What David Michery pushing? Thump Records stole. The publishing company Global Reach Music, Nate Dogg’s publishing, they stole a bunch of shit. Everybody in that whole camp stole. So the first person to sue ‘em is the hospital and we right behind them. We gonna be suing the fuck outta you niggas.” — Daz

Later in March 2011, Real Talk Entertainment released Bizzy Bone: Greatest Hits Vol. 1, thirty-six Bizzy solo tracks with only three features.

April 2011 began with two more Bizzy-related releases:

• Bone Brothers IV, a ten-track collaboration between Layzie and Bizzy which they claimed consisted of outdated and unauthorized material; the project stands as another unauthorized release from Siccness.net.
• Bizzy Bone Presents The Bone Collector Volume 2, a sixteen-track Thump Records release which featured Layzie on back-to-back tracks and Q-Loco and Belissa “Mrz. Loco” Frazier on a majority of the tracks.
• The Book of David, the eighth studio album by DJ Quik and featured Bizzy on two tracks: “Babylon” with Kelton “BlaKKazz K.K.” McDonald from 2nd II None and “Across the Map” with Bun B.

“It gives fans reassurance I can take a break, come back and slap everybody over their ears with some hot shit with friends of mine like Bizzy.” — DJ Quik

The larger issue in April 2011 regarded Krayzie, who abruptly announced his resignation from Bone via his OfficialTheLifeEnt2 YouTube channel on April 13th, 2011:

“Due to uncontrollable circumstances, it’s basically time for me to move on and start embarking on different endeavors that I’ve already had planned in my life. It’s been a great twenty-year run with Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, I have nothing to complain about. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be here right now, so it’s much love for what Bone Thugs-n-Harmony has done for me.” — Krayzie

A week after Krayzie released his resignation video, Flesh-N was the first member to speak on the situation:

“Krayzie might as well say ‘Fuck Eazy-E’ because he is disrespecting Eazy-E’s legacy by leaving the group.” — Flesh-N

Flesh-N then gave a radio interview to Cleveland, Ohio native Edgar “Latin Assassin” Betancourt — disc jockey for Z-107.9 and four-time consecutive Personality of the Year at the Ohio Hip Hop Awards — where he spoke passionately about Krayzie:

“What the fuck do people mean it ain’t no Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, because Krayzie’s bitch-ass decided he wanted to quit? Fuck Krayzie, homie. Put that in the paper. Bone Thugs-n-Harmony gonna keep moving as Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, man. Bone Thugs-n-Harmony don’t consist of no motherfucking Krayzie Bone, man. It consists of Flesh, Bizzy, Wish, Krayzie and Layzie. Just because one nigga decided to quit don’t mean it’s over for Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.” — Flesh-N

Betancourt referenced being “high school buddies” with Flesh-N — both alumni of Lincoln-West High School in Cleveland — as Flesh-N elaborated on the timing and reasoning behind Krayzie’s announced departure, which corroborated claims Bizzy had already made regarding his reasoning for staying off the majority of the Uni5 tour dates:

“They gave him an ultimatum: ‘If Bizzy gets on that stage, we walk.’ So Bizzy got on that stage cause he’s a part of Bone. He deserved to be up on that stage and be a part of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony just as much as Krayzie and Wish. They so goddamn jealous of Bizzy, man. Don’t nobody give a fuck about Krayzie talking about he done with Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. Stupid, broke-ass nigga.”

Flesh-N passionately continued the interview:

“Krayzie is a fraud. Let me explain something to you about Chamillionaire: Chamillionaire wrote a Grammy award-winning hook and it don’t matter who the fuck got in the middle verse. That song would’ve still won a Grammy because of it’s content and it’s powerful hook that Chamillionaire wrote to it; not because of the wack-ass verse Krayzie Bone put in the middle of it. Some of y’all need to get ya’ll heads out your asses about that bitch-nigga Krayzie; that nigga ain’t shit but a sellout, man.”

While overseas and once again using his OfficialTheLifeEnt2 YouTube channel, Krayzie shed a brighter light on his resignation — or as he understood it, termination:

“It was basically an e-mail that was going out to our attorney. We were all copied on the e-mail. And the e-mail said: ‘Just to inform you, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony will be splitting up, going our separate ways. Me and my brother Flesh is gonna do our thing, and I guess Krayzie and Wish is gonna do they thing.’ I was shocked. They were basically saying they were gonna add Bizzy back into the group, and they were gonna represent Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. Basically saying: ‘You’re out. You and Wish’. Everything I’ve done, I’ve done for the benefit of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. Everything.”

Krayzie appeared genuinely shocked, hurt and dazed as he continued speaking in the nearly twenty-minute monologue:

“Wish never said anything. His name was getting thrown around in all kinda crazy stuff. Me and Wish do business together. And I guess just because we do business together, everything I do they automatically think he’s riding with it. I hated Bizzy? Wow. The word ‘hate’ is a real strong word; I don’t think I’ve ever hated anybody. In my life. Ever. Just so everybody know: there is no love lost between me and Bizzy.”

Krayzie then spoke on the personal comments made by Flesh-N, someone he had known for over twenty years:

“I think it was a little bit too … not true. I was shocked because you going off on me, but you sent the e-mail and you said, ‘I’m confirming with my brother.’ I’m like, dog, where is all this coming from? I just talked to you the other day. This is a family situation. No matter what we go through, I never said them dudes wasn’t still my brothers. I never said that.”

Several days after the Flesh-N radio interview and Krayzie video release, Bizzy offered his explanation and interpretation via his own BizzyBoneOfficial Youtube channel:

“That’s still my dude. All them niggas still my dudes. I said this many times: ‘Krayzie, I support you or whatever you do.’ You ain’t never gonna catch me on the side talking bad about Krayzie, or talking bad about any individual member. So, you know what it is, KB: keep it rocking one zillion, my nigga.”

To end April 2011, Bone found themselves in another Mo Thugs Family lawsuit. Roland Brown, a writer on Family Scriptures, claimed he was never paid for two songs: “Take Your Time” and “Here With Me” — both performed by Tré.

Brown sought $24 million in compensatory damages and $3 million in quantum meruit relief — a restitution in the absence of an agreement or binding contract — as well as mechanical royalties for the album and singles plus all future earnings. In addition to Bone, Brown also named Sony, Ruthless, Relativity, Loud Records, WMG and Mo Thugs Inc.

In May 2011:

• Big Caz released another compilation: Big Caz Presents… Turf Bangers #1 on Mo Thugs Entertainment with Layzie on the track “Ain’t No Thug”.
• TheWarriorDJs.com released Warrior DJ’s & Layzie Bone of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony Presents Big Sloan & Mo Thugs: From E. 21st to E. 99th, an exclusive mixtape from Big Sloan featuring Bone Thugs, Layzie, Krayzie, Big Caz and Thin-C.

Also in May 2011, Flesh-N released with another YouTube video via Drama’s Den Productions. He took exception to media and fans commenting on the internal drama of Bone without being privy to the realities of the twenty-year group. Flesh-N responded to doubters who questioned his worth to the Bone brand while incarcerated, as well as remarked on how the remaining members of Bone Thugs held it down while he was serving his sentence:

“I don’t know how many people that can go where I went and still hold down what you represent. I’m Bone Thugs-n-Harmony no matter where the fuck I’m at. And I was Bone Thugs-n-Harmony in the pen’. You know how hard it is to be a motherfucking Flesh-N Bone on a motherfucking Level-3 yard? And any one of my motherfucking Bone Thug niggas can go anywhere incarcerated and say, ‘Yo Flesh was here, and he held it down.’ I was praying about my niggas when I was locked down, hoping that they could keep it together. And they failed at that. When I was in the pen’, them niggas let the business go to shit. Nigga, I held this shit down in Hell.”

Later in May 2011, Wish spoke on Krayzie and by extension himself:

“As everybody know, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony been going through some shysters as far as management. We’ve been going through things like that for a minute. So we actually had a plan to do something with a management team, which didn’t work out. And I guess because some other reasons, or personal reasons I think came into play to where it wasn’t really about what’s better for us; it was just better at this point in time. And I didn’t agree with it, Kray didn’t agree with it, and Kray — and I’ma put myself on record as saying this — he didn’t say he was leaving the group. He’s said that before, that’s real as fuck. I mean, that’s been said. But he didn’t say it in this point in time, in this situation, he did not say he was leaving the group. That was said for him, and he just had to go with it.”

Wish also responded to Flesh-N’s impassioned radio interview with Cleveland, Ohio-based radio station Z-107.9:

“In a sense, what would you be talking about if we didn’t hold it down while you were gone? So to come out and badger anyone that’s a part of this, I think you’re wrong. But, no disrespect to Bizzy either, but in the same sense, he’s been gone away from this whole situation for a while, too. No disrespect to him at all, or Flesh. But, I mean, let’s keep it fucking real: Layzie, Krayzie and Wish kept this brand relevant. If we didn’t do what we did while everybody was doing what they were doing, would we be having this conversation?”

THAT’S THAT BONE

In July 2011, Requiem Entertainment and Thugline International once again collaborated to release Bone Thugs-n-Harmony: Behind the Harmony, a Japan-based compilation of unofficially-released solo and group tracks. A “Thug Edition” was additionally released and contained a DVD with behind-the-scenes footage and interviews; the cover art for both editions was the same, and neither featured Flesh-N.

In September 2011, Flesh-N released Blaze of Glory — his third solo album and first since October 2000 — through RBC Records and his own Flesh-N-Bone Global imprint. The cover art was done by Milwaukee, Wisconsin-born artist Gary “Freehand Profit” Lockwood and featured a portrait of Flesh-N behind a crossbone and skull which created an x-ray effect to represent flesh and bone in a singular image.

“My first passion has always been art but hip-hop became my mistress; in middle school she introduced me to graffiti and emcees/rappers like Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.” — Gary Lockwood

While Flesh-N promoted Blaze of Glory, he again noted his disappointment with the remaining four members while he was imprisoned:

“If it wasn’t for Flesh-N-Bone there would be no Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, first of all. People don’t understand that. I came out to Los Angeles when I was eighteen-years old, by myself and saw the opportunity. I went back to Cleveland to get them dudes. I worked hard, hustled up. Went and got a job at a restaurant so I could get a weekly check to go buy some dope that I could flip and then got everybody out there. So if it wasn’t for Flesh, it would be no Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. When I got out of prison, all them niggas spit in my face. That’s how shit went down.”

Flesh-N went on to make a bold prediction: “Fallin’ ” and “Can’t Take It” — two unreleased Bone songs featured on his album — were the last songs the quintet would ever record together:

“That’s it. As of right now, as far as I know, that’s gonna be it. I don’t think there’ll ever be another opportunity or situation where you’ll get Bone Thugs-n-Harmony together again. I think that’s a wrap. I’m solo for the rest of my life.”

Later in September 2011, Krayzie was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2011 Ohio Hip Hop Awards in Columbus, Ohio.

“I feel that it’s important to support every musical movement that’s coming from your home state. For me to be receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award is a blessing and an honor, and I’m proud to be from Ohio. I look forward to keeping Ohio at the forefront of the music industry in the years to come, and really opening up doors for other struggling artist out here that’s trying to be heard on a grander scale.” — Krayzie

During the same ceremony, Cleveland, Ohio native Ray “Ray Jr.” Winegarner and rap collective New Cleveland won Best Collaboration for their Bone-inspired song “Cleveland Is The City”, which was titled after the Thug World Order track and contained a sample of “Thuggish Ruggish Bone”.

“I like to represent where I’m from. I’m trying to show the scene here. From Avant to Bone and Machine Gun Kelly, everyone that comes out of Cleveland comes out big.” — Ray Jr.

Also in September 2011 was two releases which featured Bone:

• “Don’t Wait” from Perfect Timing, the sixth studio album from Outlawz. The track — which featured Krayzie and Jesse “Aktual” Blake — was produced by Alexander “Lex Lucazi” Warren, who previously contributed piano to the Grammy-nominated, American Music Award-winning, certified platinum fifth album T.I. vs. T.I.P. from Atlanta, Georgia native and three-time Grammy winner Clifford “T.I.” Harris, Jr. in July 2007.

“Did you understand everything Bone Thugs-n-Harmony was saying? Did your momma and daddy understand everything James Brown was saying? Your momma and daddy didn’t understand what James Brown was saying. They just liked it.” — T.I.

• “Sloppy (Remix)”, a track by Ray Jr. which featured Krayzie and Colson “Machine Gun Kelly” Baker. Another remix was released and featured College Park, Georgia native and four-time Grammy-nominated Tauheed “2 Chainz” Epps and Santa Monica, California native and two-time Grammy nominated Sean “Big Sean” Anderson.

The original single came from the Ray Jr. mixtape Vote Or Die 2, featured fellow Cleveland, Ohio native Ducky Smallz and won Single of the Year at the 2011 Ohio Hip Hop Awards.

“Pioneers. O.G.’s. It’s like Bun B to Texas. Bun B is to Texas is what Bone Thugs-n-Harmony is to Cleveland.” — Machine Gun Kelly

Scheduled for release in September 2011 but shelved for unknown reasons: Fire Squad, the collaborative EP between Layzie and Fred “Fredro Starr” Scruggs who, with his cousin Kirk “Sticky Fingaz” Jones made up the South Jamaica Queens, New York duo Onyx. Layzie and Fredro did release the collaborative tracks “Going In For The Kill”, “Celebrate” and the title track.

“We hooked up because we came out around the same time in the ‘90’s. Every time I’d see Bone, it was always a competitive thing because rap is like basketball. Me and Layzie always had respect for each other.” — Fredro Starr

In October 2011, Los Angeles, California native Patricia “Doll-E Girl” Barron featured Layzie and Bizzy on the track “Better Dayz” off her double-disc fifth album Unleashed from $et Up $hop Records.

Also released in October 2011 was Countdown To Armageddon, a collaboration album between Bizzy and Los Angeles, California native Jonathan “A.C. Killer” Hanasab, who was admitted to a mental institution by his parents at eleven years old. The first in a planned trilogy, the album featured several appearances from Layzie, Krayzie and Flesh-N as well as several Mo Thugs Family members.

“Ever since day one when I met Bizzy we were close like brothers, then when he introduced me to the rest of the fellas we all just clicked. Bone is my dudes, I’ll always love them.” — A.C. Killer

To add to the volume of Bone in October 2011, Bizzy was accused of assaulting two fans after a June 2011 concert at the Congress Theater in Chicago, Illinois. The alleged victims contended they paid $80 total to attend a post-concert party with other fans on a tour bus occupied by Bizzy. The fans then claimed Bizzy struck them both, even fracturing one of their noses.

Despite a follow-up police review producing zero arrests, the two fans sued Congress Theater, the concert organizers, record labels and Bone as a group in excess of $1.2 million dollars.

“One thing about it is that Bone will stand united against these situations. Because for somebody to sue for $1.2 million is a ridiculous amount of money. We stand united and we will see it all the way through.” — Layzie

To begin November 2011, Big Sloan released Layzie Bone & Warrior DJ’s Present: Big Sloan: Exacta Standardz, an internet-only mixtape which contained features from Layzie, Krayzie, Flesh-N and D-Rado.

Also in November 2011, Krayzie released The Fixtape Vol. 4: Under The Influence — the fourth volume in his fixtape series. The track “Spread the Love” — discarded from Uni5 and the only Bone track — featured all five members as well as Felecia.

Later in November 2011 was the release of the free Harmony Howse mixtape Law of Attraction by Layzie — hosted by Japan-born DJ Smallz. The project contained multiple previously-released songs which featured Layzie as a guest artist, including:

• “Pac Man Ya Body (Remix)” by Miami, Florida quintet Pretty Ricky — the original from their August 2011 mixtape Sex Music Vol. I: Streets In The Sheets.

• “60 Second Assassins” by New York natives Keith “DJ Kay Slay” Grayson, Trevor “Busta Rhymes” Smith, Jr., Jonathan “Jaz-O” Burks and Twista, from the unreleased Kay Slay mixtape Rhyme or Die.

The “Special Limited Edition” version of the project included an Intro, Outro and a track entitled “My Way” with both Bizzy and Flesh-N.

“I really don’t even know why I’m calling it a mixtape. It’s really a full album. So it’s basically a gift to all my fans that did so much for me over the years with supporting our music. It’s a well put-together album that goes beyond a mixtape that I’m giving away.” — Layzie

In January 2012, Krayzie was featured on the track “Stay Sleep” from the Chip Tha Ripper mixtape Tell Ya Friends.

“It’s kind of hard to say which song is my favorite. It’s got to be a tie between Boomshakalaka with Bun B and Stay Sleep with Krayzie because those guys are such pioneers in the game. Those weren’t like features, like some rapper hopping on my record like that. They really made the project authentic.” — Chip Tha Ripper

Also in January 2012, an Oakville, Missouri resident sued Bone and Layzie individually for $25K, claiming she suffered facial injuries after Layzie lost control of his microphone during a concert at The Blue Note nightclub in April 2010.

In February 2012, Layzie gave an exclusive two-part interview where he spoke on a variety of issues, mainly his absence and near-abandonment either by or of Bone Thugs. The interview provided fascinating insight regarding one of the most successful hip-hop groups of all-time, especially considering the words being spoken were from the leader and founder.

Amongst the most interesting topics Layzie touched on was that of Bob Francis: the former Bone manager during Uni5 and the I Tried film:

“This guy just sat there and straight manipulated our whole Uni5 deal. You know what I mean, it was just a bunch of misappropriation of funds. Not only did he misappropriate, I don’t really appreciate that man. I’m not the best person in the world, the most educated, but I am an intelligent motherfucker and I read people like a book. You can’t play me. And that’s the reason why he got fired, because he was causing too much division within our camp. And, matter of fact, I done talked to everybody but Bob since then ‘cause I care not to talk to that motherfucker. He’s a snake. And I’ll put it out there. And I’ll be in Boston, I know where he live, and it don’t matter. Because a motherfucker took food out my baby’s mouth.”

Publicly — and most notably — Francis took to BTNHBoard.com in September 2009 and stated:

“Many music lovers across the world don’t realize that Felecia’s HIT song serves as the blueprint for every HIT song that Mariah Carey has ever recorded, since she heard Felicia’s song missile and copied / borrowed / used her vocal style ever since!”

Francis — a co-producer for the I Tried film — was fired in January 2010 after several years of drama-plagued management during his tenure with Bone.

In the second-part of the interview, Layzie continued to expand on his emotions and motivations for distancing himself from the only true friends he’s ever known. Layzie revealed his own struggles with alcohol abuse, poor business decisions, poor leadership decisions and ended the interview with a message to the other members of Bone:

“T.E.A.M. Together Everyone Achieves More. Teamwork makes the dream work. Team. Team. Team. Team. Team. Exclamation point, exclamation point, exclamation point. Together everyone achieves more.”

In April 2012, the mixtape Krayzie Bone & Big Heff Presents Cleveland is The City, Ohio Is the State was released by Beyond Stars Entertainment. The mixtape featured Krayzie and Layzie with various Cleveland-area rappers and compiled several Bone features from recent tracks, including the aforementioned “Sloppy (Remix)” and “Cleveland Is The City”. The opening track “Go Dumb” paired Krayzie with Wardell “Ray Cash” Cheeks, who was the Ohio Hip Hop Awards Mixtape Artist winner in September 2012.

In May 2012, Krayzie appeared on the track “Crazy World” from the debut mixtape Elevated by Cleveland, Ohio natives Kevin “Draft P1ck” Tyler and Pardeep “KPT” Saini.

“I’ve worked with Krayzie and other rappers who think I’m really good, so it’s made me more motivated to keep making music and keep working on my skills.” — KPT

In June 2012, Layzie had a similar moment to the infamous ‘speaking in tongues’ Bizzy interview from May 2005. Speaking with veteran music journalist Scott “Prezident” Bejda on his Murder Master Music Show from the Underground Society in Fairfield, Illinois, Layzie sounded both intoxicated and disinterested in the questions Bejda lobbied. The interview was humorous and eventually ended on a light note, as Bejda posted on his Prez Ugsfti YouTube channel:

“I interviewed the legend Layzie. No disrespect I interviewed him because I grew up off his music, but after twenty minutes or so of crazy shit I went off, lol. But it’s all good much luv to Layzie Bone!” — Bejda

In July 2012:

• Bizzy Bone presents Q-Loco: U Live U Die, a seventeen-track project which featured Bizzy on several cuts. In the same month, Bizzy and Q-Loco were featured on three songs off the soundtrack to the short film Dead Wrong by T1 Productions.
• “How Many”, a six-minute video from Flesh-N which featured Layzie, described to “graphically explore the darker side of human interaction and motivation.”
• Monica, the fifteen-year old daughter of Flesh-N went missing for over a week from the family’s Big Bear, California home. After a family member was able to contact her, she returned home safely on her own accord.

The man believed to be with her was arrested and booked for having sex with a minor, but later released. The District Attorney’s Office declined to file charges, and sent the case back to detectives for additional investigation.

“I am very grateful that she is back home and okay.” — Flesh-N

• Bloodline S.T.I.G. — billed as “The Next Generation of Bone” — was formed as a five-piece hip-hop group made up of two of Bizzy’s sons and three of his nephews: Clarence a.k.a. Cleve, Bryon a.k.a. LB / Lil Bizzy, Leone a.k.a YB / Young Bone, Anthony a.k.a. Goldee and Randolph a.k.a. So Throwed.

“I have my sons and nephews in S.T.I.G. I’m going to be putting out a record with them. But I’m kind of letting them fly. Pops isn’t all over what they’re doing.” — Bizzy

In August 2012, Bone performed at the three-day Rock The Bells music festival, backed by DJ Quik’s band. The 2012 edition of the festival consisted of three, two-day weekend events; two shows on the West coast and one on the East Coast.

Bone performed at all three locations, as the culmination of their twenty-year anniversary.

• August 18–19: San Bernadino, California — NOS Events Center
• August 25–26: Mountain View, California — Shoreline Amphitheatre
• September 1–2: Holmdel, New Jersey — PNC Bank Arts Center

“You always hear about one of us somewhere, and when we all come together, it’s a great dynamic.” — Bizzy

East Los Angeles, California native and Rock The Bells founder Chang Weisberg began the festival in Los Angeles, California in December 2003, eventually building Rock The Bells into a multi-talent mini-tour featuring some of the most celebrated and most-respected hip-hop groups in history.

“Seeing all five members on stage at Rock the Bells, for the first time in years, was a moment long-awaited in hip-hop. Those that made it to the festival in San Bernardino, Mountain View or New Jersey experienced history right before their eyes.” — Chang Weisberg

The latter portion of 2012 continued to expand on the next generation of hip-hop artists, creators and rappers seeking to work with Bone — both for homage and legitimacy. Whereas Bone began their career self-contained and slow-burning, their addition to the “Notorious Thugs” track changed the path of their success and feature opportunities.

“I feel like any song that we do that someone remixes, we may have looked at as being disrespectful back when we were young and getting in the game. Us being in the game for twenty years and younger cats coming up behind us doing our style, a style that we invented, that’s kind of a compliment.” — Wish

In September 2012, Gary, Indiana native Fredrick “Freddie Gibbs” Tipton — initially signed to Interscope Records — featured Krayzie and Miami, Florida artist Markese “SpaceGhostPurrp” Rolle on the track “Kush Cloud” from his tenth mixtape Baby Face Killa. The track — produced by Atlanta, Georgia-based SMKA — sampled “Mo Murda”.

“A big influence. They were some of my favorite rappers. I grew up on their shit, and I still listen to Bone to this day. They’ve got some records. Shit, they’re Grammy Award winners. They’re really underrated in the hip-hop spectrum. I don’t think a lot of guys give them the credit they deserve. You’ve got people sampling their shit now and starting to make those type of records. But I’m glad I got the real thing on my record.” — Freddie Gibbs

In September 2012:

• Coffee Cups and Combat Boots, the debut EP from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native and Grammy winner Whitney Peyton featured Layzie on the track “Here We Go Again”.
• Revival, an Internet-only album from his own BizzyBone.us website. The thirteen-track project had no features and continued the spiritual exploration of Bizzy, with tracks entitled “For Allah”, “I Am Muslim” and “Mercy”.
• Bizzy By Choice, Bone By Blood: Inside a Bizzy Mind, the 192-page official Bizzy autobiography on Alfred Perez Publishing.
• Jury Trial, the solo album from Q-Loco which featured Bizzy on the track “Put Something In The Air”.

“You do as many guest appearances as you can over the course to feed your kids and take care of things of that nature. So that’s a good thing.” — Bizzy

In October 2012, RBC Records released Flesh-N-Bone Presents The Duct Tape Gang: Duct Tape Everything Vol. 1, from The Duct Tape Gang. The mixtape featured Flesh-N, Layzie and Bizzy as well as G’sta and B.G. Knocc Out.

Later in October 2012, Game released a remix to his track “Celebration”, originally on his December 2012 fifth studio album Jesus Piece. While the original version was the first single and released in September 2012, Game and Bone collaborated on the remix and video; both the original and remix contained an interpolation of “1st Of Tha Month”.

“I grew up in Compton, California, and I’m a huge fan of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. My whole career I’ve been trying to figure out how to flip ‘1st Of Tha Month’ and I finally did it. I wanted to keep the feel of the song without taking too much of the original.” — Game

With November 2012 came Loose Screw Music & Layzie Bone Presents T-Red: Prayed Up, a mixtape from Milwaukee, Wisconsin native Tristan “T-Red” Wiggins and presented by Layzie — featured on the final track “Feel Like Music”.

Also in November 2012, Krayzie was featured on the track “Welcome To Real Life” from the second solo Young Noble album entitled Son of God.

In December 2012, Krayzie appeared on the single “Hating On Me” from Dubai-based Rachid “Two Tone” Messaoud.

“The song shows that when you are rich and successful, people say they are your fans but are not really your fans. They hate the fact that you have come up in life.” — Krayzie

Later in December 2012, Bizzy appeared on three tracks from Mountain Lion Pt. 1: The Breathing Truth, the debut album from Denver, Colorado native Jonathan “Jahni Denver” Barefield. His own life marked by several tragedies, Barefield paid homage to the early belief in him shown by Bizzy:

“I have an undeniable passion to make sure that my sister and my loved ones didn’t die for no reason, feel me? And finally am getting some recognition after teaming up with the legendary Bizzy Bone from Bone Thugs” — Jahni Denver

In January 2013, Cleveland, Ohio native Jamaal “Caine” Flowers featured Krayzie on his single “When The Music Stop”, produced by certified platinum, Grammy-nominated fellow Cleveland, Ohio native Ronald “Young Yonny” Ferebee, Jr.

“The beat by Yonny is amazing. Everything he does is amazing. But when I heard it, I thought it’s time to give it that Cleveland shine. This is that perfect connection.” — Krayzie

In February 2013, Bizzy was featured on:

• “I Got Work”, a single by Inglewood, California native Lonnie “Skeme” Kimble produced by Los Angeles, California native Kris “Wundermine” Washington.
• 7th Sign: The Sign of Seven, the compilation released by C.N.O. Music, owned and operated by A.C. Killer.

Later in February 2013, Flesh-N was featured on the track “Who Am I” with G’sta off his The Walking Classic Vol. 3: Classic Status mixtape.

In March 2013, Krayzie released Quick Fix: Less Drama. More Music (Level 1), a seven-track EP through TheLife Apparel. Mixed by U-Neek and Kenny McCloud, the EP contained three bonus solo songs and featured two tracks with Tony “Pozition” Harris, the official DJ for Krayzie and Wish. Krayzie then founded The Quick Fix Radio Show, a weekly radio talk show named after the EP.

“It’s a quick fix, and I’m actually thinking about doing the quick fix series but my main thing is getting the Chasing the Devil album done because I’ve been working on it for a long time. I need to get it out of my system.” — Krayzie

March 2013 also brought another announcement different from the steady stream of music projects and features: The Green Oasis — a medical marijuana facility based in Otisville, Michigan and owner Anthony Butler — teamed up with Flesh-N to produce and carry an original and exclusive strain aptly named Phifty Caliber Kush.

“We worked closely together to figure out what we wanted out of the medication. It’s the best of the best. It’s almost unreal. It’s definitely an honor.” — Anthony Butler

The partnership allows The Green Oasis to cultivate and distribute marijuana and seeds from the strain, while Flesh-N-Bone Global will assist the facility through development and marketing the strain amongst his well-established network — built over two decades by the icon and connoisseur:

“It needs to be legalized. I’m an advocate of the 420 movement, that it will one day be legalized. It’s a real deal situation. Between the people and the dispensaries, there are millions and maybe billions in taxes they can make.” — Flesh-N

In April 2013, a lawsuit was filed by a woman who claimed Layzie fathered her child and failed to respond to child support motions, which allowed a judge the option to declare him the biological father by default and order him to pay interest on all unpaid child support installments.

Also in April 2013, Flesh-N released the single “Debt To Society” on his FleshNBoneGlobal.com site, and featured Bizzy and Krayzie on the track.

Later in April 2013, Kurupt announced a Bone Thug/Dogg Pound joint album — tentatively titled Thug Pound and still yet to be released:

“Me and Layzie, we putting together that Thug Pound project. Snoopie and Krayzie are headlining that thing; it’s gonna be classic. And that’s a good thing for hip-hop. One of my best friends is Layzie, so it’s good to show how you can get over a hump. Bone Thugs ain’t no punks, and Tha Dogg Pound ain’t no punks, so when you have two people like that having issues, it can really, really get ugly. There was times we would see each other, and it was almost on and cracking.” — Kurupt

In May 2013, three separate Bone-related features dropped:

• Firecrackaz, the digital-release debut album from Insane Clown Posse affiliates and Lakeland, Florida natives Durty White Boyz which featured Krayzie on the track “Jack Move”.
• The Year of the Underdogz, the collaboration album between Young Noble and South Lake Tahoe, California native Gage Gully — entirely produced by San Francisco, California native Cosmo “COZMO’ Hickox — featured Krayzie on the song “Hustleholic”.
• Bizzy Bone Presents Kray: Pre$idential, a Siccness.net release with Bizzy on thirteen of the sixteen tracks; the Washington, D.C.-based Kray FKR also featured Young Noble on “Hustlaz Anthem” and Bruce Hathcock on “Ready To Go”.

“Being recognized as a peer by the group I grew up respecting was a feeling you just can’t describe as an up-and-coming artist. Once the respect and love was shown by Bone, especially from Bizzy who really showed an appreciation for my work, I knew that was my door to do what I have always wanted to do: become a voice for the have-nots. To become a voice of the struggle.” — Kray FKR

BRING IT BACK

In June 2013, HarmonyHowseEnt.com released Harmony Howse Ent. Presents: Lost Archives, Vol. 1 under the Bone Thugs-n-Harmony moniker. Essentially a collection of Bone rarities, the release included the original versions of “Thug Luv” and “Rebirth” and came with a limited edition DVD of various videos and behind-the-scenes footage from The Art of War tour.

“These lost archives consist of old Bone songs, old Layzie Bone songs that never made records that I was doing. So it’ll be surprising to a lot of people the material that I’m going to release.” — Layzie

Also in June 2013, Bone Thugs performed at the first and second official Gigit shows in Los Angeles, California. Gigit — a online platform which allows users to book established and independent artists for private shows — received a huge boost in credibility when the Bone quintet agreed to become their flagship act after speaking with founder and San Jose, California-born Tegan Monique Gaan.

“What I love is that they took a chance with the company. They didn’t act like rock stars.” — Tegan Monique Gaan

Also in June 2013, the Frankfurt, West Germany-born artist Jermaine “J. Cole” Cole released his second studio album — the Grammy-nominated certified gold Born Sinner. The Deluxe Edition bonus tracks — also known as the Truly Yours 3 EP — contained the track “Niggaz Know” which sampled “Notorious Thugs” and was produced by Cole.

Later in June 2013, the Harlem, New York artist Rakim “A$AP Rocky” Mayers performed at Summer Jam 2013. During his performance, Mayers brought out Layzie, Bizzy and Wish for a full rendition of “Thuggish Ruggish Bone” and rapped alongside his admitted childhood favorites.

“As far as the A$AP Crew, those guys have been so instrumental in the opportunity to get back into the music scene. It’s been phenomenal and wonderful for the rebels of the industry to be genuinely interested in the work we’ve done. It’s crazy because we’ve got a second wind now, and it’s in large part due to those guys. What’s cool is that they’re real fans. It’s just amazing, really.” — Bizzy

To close June 2013, the West Coast Fest tour was held at seven different locations — beginning at the Warnor’s Theatre in Fresno, California in June 2013 and ending at the Riverside Fairgrounds in Indio, California in September 2013.

Featuring several legendary hip-hop acts, the event was headlined by Bone, DJ Quik, E-40, Mack 10, Dogg Pound, Baby Bash and Long Beach, California legend Warren “Warren G” Griffin III.

In July 2013, the comedy documentary Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain — shot at a sold-out 2012 performance at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York — featured the Krayzie song “I’m A Monster”.

“When the opportunity came along, it’s crazy because I just put out The Quick Fix EP, and the song was supposed to go on the EP. Kevin heard the song and he wanted to run with it.” — Krayzie

Also in July 2013, the new single “Everything 100” was released in advance of the upcoming Bone album. The track featured Los Angeles, California native Tyrone “Ty Dolla $ign” Griffin, who dropped his second mixtape Beach House 2 during the same month.

“We a fan of his music and we know he a fan of ours. We stay in the mix: we Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. We love all music. We can do anything with anybody.” — Wish

August 2013 brought three more Bone-related singles:

• “Echos In My Head”, a track by German-Turkish rapper Ekrem “Eko Fresh” Bora off his seventh solo album Eksodus, released by Seven Days Music. The track featured Krayzie while the album featured Lil’ Eazy-E, Cassidy and Outlawz member Bruce “Hussein Fatal” Washington. Eksodus eventually became the Number One album in German charts.
• “Get It 4 I Die”, a single by Caine, released by TheLife and featuring Layzie.
• “The Future”, a single by Krayzie, released by TheLife and featuring Pozition.

“To be with Bone is just like on a whole new level — it’s crazy. I was actually Krayzie’s and Wish’s DJ first and then Bone had they little split. We went to Australia and they didn’t have a DJ and I thought I was going out there to open up for them. Then I got off the plane, Krayzie handed me this case and I was like, ‘What the fuck is this?’ I didn’t know shit about DJ’ing at the time.” — Pozition

Towards the end of August 2013, Harlem, New York native and fellow A$AP Mob member Donald “A$AP Ferg” Ferguson released his debut studio album Trap Lord and featured four-fifths of Bone on the track “Lord”. Wish did not appear on the track, which was co-produced by Harlem, New York native Crystal Caines and Liège, Belgium-born Elton “Ozhora” Mpembele.

“They like, blessed my whole … They was like, ‘Yo, we’re big fans.’ They knew about Work, they knew about my songs already, all the freestyles. They knew about the movement. So it was just like, ‘Let’s do it’. They was pleased to work with the Young Lord.” — A$AP Ferg

Ferguson had previously sampled “Thuggish Ruggish Bone” on his track “Death B4 A Million”, released in honor of deceased Brooklyn, New York legend ‘Aayliah’ Haughton on her would-be thirty-third birthday.

IT WILL BE ALRIGHT

On August 27th, 2013, Layzie penned an open letter to fans of him and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, essentially announcing his resignation from the group he co-founded and led throughout the years.

“I’m doing what makes sense right now for my family and myself which is building my own brand. I will be performing with Bone Thugs-n-Harmony at the Rock the Bells dates and for a TV appearance with them, but after that I am not obligated to do anything else with Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.” — Layzie

As Layzie never truly displayed an interest in completely branching out as a solo artist nor contributing to the revolving-door-practices of Krayzie, Bizzy and Flesh-N throughout the years, he became the fourth member to publicly voice his frustration with the internal organics of Bone.

Bone Thugs were not only scheduled to release another album within the year, they were additionally scheduled to perform at Rock The Bells in 2013. During his previous interview in February 2012, Layzie had made his status within Bone crystal-clear:

“I’ma put this shit in big, bold capital letters: LAYZIE BONE WILL NEVER LEAVE BONE THUGS-N-HARMONY. EVER. Because, like I said, I think about carrying the caskets, ‘cause we don’t live forever.”

The first to publicly react to the letter, Krayzie spoke diplomatically about the status of Layzie and Bone Thugs:

“It is what it is. He has his reasons. We’re still going to support him and everything he does. He’s actually going to be performing with us at Rock The Bells. I guess he needs to step away because there are some things he wants to do as a man, and as men, we can’t do nothing but respect that. We’re going to continue as a team and keep moving forward with this grind.” — Krayzie

Layzie continued to produce and appear on numerous features during his time away from Bone:

In September 2013: Layzie Bone presents: Strait 8 EP (Trilogy III & Nu-Era), a nine-track EP from the Washington, D.C.-based eight biological Marsh brothers who make up Trilogy III and Nu-Era — together Strait 8. The project was jointly released through Black Pyramid Records and Harmony Howse Entertainment.

Despite the newest turmoil, the 2013 Ohio Hip Hop Awards in September reminded the world of Bone’s twenty-year relevancy:

• Best National Artist Runner-Up: Bone Thugs-n-Harmony
• Best Collab. Runner-Up: “When The Music Stop”, the single by Caine featuring Krayzie
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Kermit Henderson

Also in September 2013, the aforementioned Grand Theft Auto V soundtrack featured the track “Medication Meditation”, a collaboration between Krayzie and Los Angeles, California natives Stephen “Thundercat” Bruner and Steven “Flying Lotus” Ellison on the enhanced version of his “FlyLo FM” radio station.

“Specifically, I wanted to have ‘Foe Tha Love of $’ in there. But once some of the guidelines came through, I realized that they wanted it to be more like my live show than anything else.” — Flying Lotus

To end September 2013, Krayzie appeared on the track “Ho’ Lat” from the self-titled album by San Francisco, California legend Andre “Andre Nickatina” Adams — formerly known as “Dre Dog”— who had won Best Underground Artist at the inaugural Bay Area Rap Scene (B.A.R.S.) in July 2005.

“The video shows a person losing it, someone who’s just been pushed over the edge and snaps and goes on a rampage across town. I really like the chemistry that me and Krayzie have on this song, and I felt like the video fit the vibe.” — Andre Nickatina

Despite the Bone-related public drama, Rock The Bells 2013 still took place. Four different venues on four different weekends were originally scheduled: the mini-tour began in September 2013 at the San Manuel Amphitheater in Los Angeles, California; moved onto the Shoreline Amphitheater in San Francisco the following weekend; hit RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. two weeks later and finished at the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, New Jersey in October 2013.

Unfortunately, a decline in ticket sales left the final two dates underfunded and in need of cancellation. The initial two California performances were no less legendary: inspired by the Tupac hologram performance at Coachella 2012, Chang Weisberg sought to create a similar unforgettable performance moment: bringing an Eazy-E hologram onto the stage to perform aside his most successful project.

“I was so jaw-dropped and impressed by the Tupac performance; it was one of the ultimate hip-hop performances I’ve seen in my life. Bone Thugs-n-Harmony is the only group to have recorded music with Eazy-E, Tupac, Biggie and Big Pun. So, they’re a natural-amazing well if you’re thinking about producing something like what we saw at Coachella.” — Chang Weisberg

Midway through the Bone performance, the Eazy hologram joined the quintet for several solo tracks and his verse from “Foe Tha Love of $”.

“Every night we pay a tribute to the fallen soldiers of rap — Tupac, Biggie, Eazy. This is a dream come true, it’s something we’ve been wanting to do for a long time, because we’re the only group that could incorporate all three of those souls into our show.” — Bizzy

In October 2013, the quintet released “20th Year Anniversary Cypher” exclusively to WorldStarHipHop. The eleven-minute Internet track was co-produced by DJ Quik and Dave Foreman and sampled the Dr. Dre-produced single “The Formula” for Dallas, Texas-born Tracy “The D.O.C.” Curry and his June 1989 debut album No One Can Do It Better. Krayzie used the track to remind the world:

“Shame these niggas don’t really know / that we started it / fathered it / birthed it / we be the heart of it / so give me the beat / the melody / really don’t matter / ‘cause I’m killing all of it”

Also in October 2013, 7th Sign Worldwide released Bizzy Bone Presents: Best Of Collabo’s, seventeen tracks of lesser-known Bizzy collaborations.

“I don’t consider myself old-school, I consider myself being reborn every day.” — Bizzy

Later in October 2013, A$AP Ferg was awarded Rookie of the Year at the 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards. During the evening, four members of Bone performed a medley of “Thuggish Ruggish Bone”, “1st Of Tha Month” and “Tha Crossroads” with a live band. Compton, California native Kendrick Lamar was in the audience, rapping along.

“Shouting out the big homies that taught me the game: Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. I could talk all day about the memories; how I thought they was from Compton, when Eazy brought ‘em out. I thought they were my older cousins; I had my big hair and stuff. Salute! Legends in the game. Legends forever.” — Kendrick Lamar

Lamar was featured on the track “Thuggin’ ” by Los Angeles, California native Charles “Glasses Malone” Penniman in April 2015 —a track which sampled “Foe Tha Love of $”.

“I consider what A$AP Ferg and Rocky and all the other heads that may have incorporated what we were doing into their style and gave us credit, like Kendrick and everybody else, we really consider it an honor.” — Layzie

In November 2013, former Bone enemies Three 6 Mafia — who changed their name to Da Mafia 6ix — released the first mixtape under their new moniker. 6ix Commandments featured DJ Paul as producer or co-producer on every track and paired Krayzie and Bizzy with SpaceGhostPurrp for the track “Murder On My Mind”, co-produced by Marietta, Georgia-based Jemel “JGRXXN” Green and SpaceGhostPurrp.

“My sound came from what I grew up on. It was Three 6 Mafia. It was my father, my parents. My mom would play Bone Thugs all the time and my dad would play Three 6 all the time. Oh, my mom did a song with Bone Thugs, too. She rapped on it. I think it was with Layzie. I can’t remember. She did it when I was like five years old. I was up in the studio, young as fuck.” — SpaceGhostPurrp

East Memphis, Tennessee native Xavier “XavierWulf” Beard— a former member of SpaceGhostPurrp’s defunct creative collective RVIDXR KLVN — was also influenced by the soundscapes of both Bone and Three 6 Mafia:

“In middle school, I was at my cousin’s house and he had a Bone Thugs mix CD with a bunch of songs on there. It was a bunch of their albums mixed on the CD. I heard that, and I had never heard them before. Them folks’ music just did something to me. I just liked them so much. I went home, looked up all the lyrics, and learned all the songs. Bizzy Bone was my favorite. I just used to spend hours learning Bone Thugs songs, but I still didn’t think I would be rapping. I just wanted to learn all that for me.” — XavierWulf

Later in November 2013, Rappin’ 4-Tay announced a return to music. Although he listed Bone as collaborators on his new project, the album has yet to come to fruition.

“Star-studded. I got a whole bunch of predominant artists that got tracks on there. We got one on there with Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. It’s gonna be star-studded.” — Rappin’ 4-Tay

To end November 2013, Krayzie appeared with Atlanta, Georgia native Jeffery “Roscoe Dash” Johnson, Jr. on the track “Stay Trill (Mr. Bill Collector)” from the Trae Tha Truth twenty-song mixtape I Am King — dedicated in tribute to Dominic “Money Clip-D” Brown, Sr.

In November 2013, Eminem released the Grammy-winning The Marshall Mathers LP 2, his certified double-platinum eighth studio album fueled by the single “Rap God”. Produced by Bigram “DVLP” Zayas, the six-minute track left a mark on hip-hop and music in general: it entered the Guinness World Records as the single containing the most words with 1,560.

“I’m a product of Rakim / Lakim Shabazz / 2Pac / N.W.A / Cube, hey / Doc / Ren / Yella / Eazy / thank you — they got Slim”

In December 2013, Krayzie released his own Bone-inspired version of “Rap God” entitled “Clash of the Titans”. Lesser known but perhaps faster and ultimately more impressive, “Clash of the Titans” found Krayzie holding nothing back in pursuit of what he perceived to be the title he never relinquished:

“And really I never had to be awakened / ‘cause they fell asleep on a giant”

Although Krayzie went directly at Eminem on his own song and concept — labeling it “blasphemy” — he still showed Eminem love on the second verse.

“Krayzie is the sensei as far as Bone Thugs-n-Harmony lyricists. He was the one that focused on everything more and was able to bring it to the light.” — Layzie

INTO THE FUTURE

In December 2013, The Art of War: World War III was released on Seven Arts Music and BTNH Worldwide.

Labeled as a Bone Thugs-n-Harmony release, the album actually featured a different trio of members: Layzie, Bizzy and Flesh-N. Krayzie and Wish still appeared on the album, as it was comprised of several unreleased tracks as well as new material.

The majority of production reunited Bone with U-Neek. Bizzy produced two tracks (“Born In The Ghetto” / “100-K”) while David Michery was a co-Executive Producer.

“One thing I got to say about that album is, it’s been so much stuff going on about that album, and it ain’t even what everyone thinks. For one, Wish ain’t even on that album. That’s an album with Layzie, Bizzy and Flesh Bone. I guess the situation was not what it was supposed to be or whatnot to make my brothers not even want to participate in it anymore, so I don’t even know what’s going on with that album. I never had nothing to do with it, never recorded anything for it. So I really don’t know what’s going on with it.” — Krayzie

Despite the record going to print, none of the five members seemed comfortable with the end-product:

“We just gotta get those things out of the way because it’s absolutely not true and we wanna make sure that it’s known clearly and not speak too much on it and give it too much hyphy because it ain’t a finished project It’s just some damn snatch-and-grabs off the goddamn Internet. It ain’t professional, it ain’t where it needs to be, if they do have anything it’s gonna be on some smash-and-grab.” — Bizzy

Ty Dolla $ign was the only major-label artist featured on the album and collaborated with Wundermine for “Everything 100” — initially released as a single in July 2013 and included as an iTunes Bonus Track.

In January 2014, the quintet performed “Everything 100” with Ty Dolla $ign and “Tha Crossroads” on The Arsenio Hall Show and were interviewed after their performance.

Hall — a Cleveland, Ohio native — had the second incarnation of his talk show nominated for Outstanding Talk Series at the 45th NAACP Image Awards. The show ultimately lost to Welch, West Virginia comedian Steve Harvey and his show at the Los Angeles, California ceremony in February 2014.

Also in January 2014:

• TA Smallz featured Layzie on his single “You Ain’t Bout That Life (Carter Man)” for his forthcoming album Layzie Bone Presents TA Smallz: High Off Life.
• Bizzy joined B-Real for “The Smoke Box”, his web series on BREALTV.

“Y’all have been one of my favorite groups in hip-hop, man. Just ‘cause y’all attacked it so different. Y’all trend-setted the style that a lot of motherfuckers use today; they change it and try to make it theirs to a degree, but y’all really flipped the style. Ya’ll were the ones who really stepped it. Y’all made some big, big songs and influenced a generation of motherfuckers.” — B-Real

• Spice 1 featured Layzie on his single “Sidelines” and Krayzie on the track “Run Yo Mouth” from his forthcoming Haters Nightmare album.

“I wanted to put all the members of Bone on different tracks and make a whole album with me and all the smashers. So hopefully I’ll be successful with my quest and get all of the smashers on my shit and smash these motherfuckers.” — Spice 1

• Krayzie mentioned recruiting Queensbridge, New York legend Nasir “Nas” Jones for his unfinished Chasing The Devil album:

“Nas, if you out there, holla at me. We supposed to do a song. I need you on Chasing The Devil. I need you on there, because I need you to kick some knowledge to these folks.” — Krayzie

In February 2014, Layzie continued his feature appearances with “I Guess I’ll Smoke” the single from Bloomington, Illinois native Zachary “Futuristic” Beck which also featured Flint, Michigan-born La’Reonte “Dizzy” Wright.

Wright — homeless at twelve years old for five months after his mother squandered financial opportunities and his father was incarcerated for a twenty-year sentence — signed with Funk Volume in 2011.

Funk Volume — an independent label co-owned by Los Angeles, California native Marcus “Hopsin” Hopson — has released six Dizzy Wright projects after being founded in 2009. Hopson was initially signed to Ruthless Records in 2007 but sought a contractual release after his debut album Gazing at the Moonlight was not released until October 2009 with little-to-no publicity nor support from the label:

“Tomica Wright, she’s just a stupid-ass bitch. She doesn’t know what she’s doing. My grandma could have done better, literally, not even joking. She’s stingy with money and she makes the dumbest moves. She was sleeping on me. She doesn’t put out any of her artists. She is the definition of an idiot.” — Hopsin

Like most rappers Wright’s age, he mentions Bone Thugs as one of his largest influences:

“The most shit that I listened to was Bone, just their harmonizing. I always felt like they were really singing. I’ve just always been a fan of the music. I’m a big Bone Thugs-n-Harmony fan, a fan of the music, the harmonizing, the rapping. That’s more what I’m into.” — Dizzy Wright

Unlike most rappers Wright’s age, the familial relationship between his mother Katrenia and Layzie inspired Layzie to take on young Wright as his surrogate nephew:

“My mom was close with Layzie before I was born. Them just always being around, he told me when I was young, ‘I’m your Uncle Layzie Bone.’ It’s been like that, he’s always just treated me like I was his nephew. They just always had a lot of love for us. It’s just always been cool, I enjoy watching them do they thing and be creative.” — Dizzy Wright

In February 2014, Bizzy reappeared on BREALTV, this time with Steve Lobel on “The Dr. Greenthumb Show”.

“In our era of hip-hop, we were students of the game before we got put on. There was a certain protocol. Before you were even able to get in the studio, somebody had to stamp you and say, ‘Yeah, these are the motherfuckers right here I’m working with. I think they’re gonna do something.’ Back in the time when we were coming up, you had to have your shit together before you presented it to somebody.” — B-Real

In March 2014:

• Longtime Bizzy collaborator and 7th Sign artist Brian “Big B” Parker passed away in Columbus, Ohio.
• Montgomery, Texas native Colby Bright featured Layzie on his track “Worldwide Hustla” from his debut mixtape Victory Lap.

• Blythe, California duo The Gooneez — Andre Anthony and cousin Frank Clark — featured Bizzy and Minneapolis, Minnesota native Samuel “DJ Sidereal” Matthew on “Hittin’ Hard” from their debut Bonez Brigade.

In April 2014, Belmont, California native Viral “Overdose” Khatri released his project entitled Mixtape and hosted by Layzie.

In May 2014, Layzie appeared with Jacksonville, Florida native “Young Cash” on the track “Medifaded” off A New Era mixtape by Orlando, Florida artist and T-Pain disciple Kevin “Kalico Fortycal” Adams.

In June 2014:

• Bizzy Bone Presents V-Slim: Anger Released, the C.N.O. Music project which featured Bizzy on the track “She Ain’t Ready”.
• Hi-Tek released the single “Ohio Players” which featured Krayzie, Bow Wow and William “Bootsy” Collins and was created in tribute to Hamilton, Ohio native Leroy “Sugarfoot” Bonner — writer and performer of many songs for Ohio Players — who passed away in January 2013.
• A new-generation rapper paid perhaps the greatest tribute to Bone Thugs-n-Harmony thus far: Minot, North Dakota native Cameron “Wiz Khalifa” Thomaz tattooed a large all-black portrait of the quintet on his left thigh the same month he released his fifth studio album Blacc Hollywood:

“I seen kids, they really wanna live the same life that we live, the same way I did with Bone. Like I grew my hair out to get braids, and rapped fast. Everything that I thought they did, I wanted to do.” — Wiz Khalifa

In July 2014, Bizzy released his album Bizzy Bone presents The Wonder Years through TheLife Entertainment. Bizzy was the sole Executive Producer and featured one guest: Bronx, New York native Christina “Dutchess” Herrera on the track “Bonnie & Bizzy Bone”. The record found a calmer, introspective Bizzy over a handful of soulful, near-melancholy beats; the result was one of the most focused and pleasing projects in the long and prolific career of Bizzy.

“A record that I wanna be able to take my fans on a Bizzy Bone cruise: what I’ve been doing, where my mindstate is and where I’ve come from. I’ve come from one place in music and artistically and now we’re here.” — Bizzy

Also in July 2014 brought another milestone: inspired by the Wu-Tang Clan’s plan to release their long-secret double-album Once Upon A Time In Shaolin as a single stand-alone piece of art to the highest single bidder, Bone announced a similar plan. Already planning to release a final group album in conjunction with the twenty-year anniversary of E. 1999 Eternal, Krayzie brought the vision of Wu-Tang Clan’s final album to his associates, and the twenty-anniversary project combined with the rare auction-style release came to fruition.

“We want to supersede all others. We wanna be the number-one group that ever did this. Period. This is our status. Legendary. We wear the crown and wear it proudly. We can safely say that Bone Thugs is one of the greatest of all time.” — Flesh-N

The plan is to auction the double-disc final project — currently entitled E. 1999 / Legends — at a starting price of $1 million and reunite with as many past collaborators as well as invite new hit-makers to join.

“The idea for that is to make it the final group project. What better way to go out and to solidify the brand. I don’t see no other way. It has to be big. We have to make sure we reach everybody. So I think doing it like this will be huge, especially for our last group album. Everybody was pretty much in agreement with it. We never wanted Bone to go out like one day there just is no more Bone. We had a beginning and we wanted to have an ending. That’s rare. We wanted an ending and everybody agreed that this would be the perfect ending to our legacy.” — Krayzie

To end July 2014, Oceanside, California native G.L. “Gramm” Ford released his debut album THC: The Hustler’s ComeUp on Harmony Howse, featuring Layzie on the track “Automatic”.

In August 2014, Bizzy appeared on the track “Gambling Man” from the album Grind Over Matter by Ottawa, Canada artist Aspects and entirely produced by German-based production quartet Snowgoons.

In September 2014, Bone Thugs continued their penchant for groundbreaking live performances: in celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of The Source Magazine, they performed at the first annual SOURCE360 concert at Cushman & Wakefield Theater at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

“As far as us, it’s a deep bond. We work on other things and we work with each other personally and spiritually, but our legacy to the people is the music and what they remember. But to us, it’s each other.” — Bizzy

In October 2014:

• Harmony Howse released the single “Do That Thing” by Layzie, Shawn “Hydro” Owens, Jr. and Gramm.
• Krayzie released “Headhunters”, yet another single from his alleged final album Chasing The Devil.

“I would say it has the usual dark, eerie Bone feel to it but it’s a lot of storytelling. The majority of the album is telling the story of what I’ve seen, being a part of the business, things that I’ve experienced myself and what other people have gone through. It’s kind of like a movie. It all comes together from the beginning to the end.” — Krayzie

In November 2014, Layzie appeared on the track “Rehab Is For Quitters” on Lost In The Music 2, the mixtape from Naples, Florida rapper Anthony “Burgos”. Jeremy Howse also appeared on the mixtape on the track “Katie”.

In December 2014, J. Cole released his third studio album, the certified gold 2014 Forest Hills Drive. The album debuted at Number One on Billboard 200 despite little marketing and zero featured artists, although Krayzie and Bizzy were originally scheduled to appear:

“We just went into the studio with J. Cole. Krayzie is going to be on his new album. J. Cole was telling his story and Kray is like, ‘I’m gonna tell you my story.’ But we’re gonna let Cole tell it first. The record’s fucking crazy. Crazy. Bizzy got on it, too.” — Steve Lobel

In January 2015:

• Caine featured Trae Tha Truth and Layzie on his single “Gotta Eat” in advance of his debut album release.
• Bizzy was featured on the track “No Competition” by Louisville, Kentucky native Mouthpie$e.
• Bone performed in concert with Twista, Do Or Die and Crucial Conflict at The Portage Theater in Chicago, Illinois as part of their mini-tour entitled Midwest Legends.

“(In 1997) Wildstyle and I drove to Cleveland with no guns, no security, just us to try to find them to see what all the fuss was about. We had a mutual friend who grew up with them that put us in tune with Bizzy Bone. When Bizzy saw us he couldn’t believe it was actually us in his city. The first thing he said when he walked up to us was, ‘Man, I had to do that, I had to ride with my crew, but I didn’t really want to diss y’all.’ So after about three or four hours of conversation everything was quickly squashed.” — Q-Ball

In February 2015 was the release of Addiction, the debut album from Caine on TheLifeApparel.com. Supported by previously-released singles “Get It 4 I Die” and “When The Music Stop”, the album featured Krayzie on the track “Live Fast, Die Slow” and Layzie on the aforementioned single “Gotta Eat”.

“I’ve seen Krayzie looking at deals where he could make all kinds of money and he’d be eating good, but there wouldn’t be nothing left for the rest of us. But he’s looking for a situation where we can all have success and all have money going forward. Looking at him, I just learn so much about how to be in this for the long term.” — Caine

Later in February 2015 was the official return of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony with the single “More Than Thugs”, produced by Santa Barbara, California native Lewis “Lewis On The Track” Hernandez; the title and chorus stem from the Set It Off soundtrack cut “Days Of Our Livez”.

Although Flesh-N and Wish are not on the audio, all five members are featured in the video, directed by Mr. Criminal. The track and video were lauded by critics and fans alike.

“You can see their happiness in the new video. It is amazing, musically, from a writing standpoint and fun to be around. It’s a pleasant surprise and the reaction has been amazing.” — Damizza

Also in February 2015, Layzie lashed out at Rolling Stone via Facebook, incredulous the magazine did not include Bone Thugs in their “The 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs” list in their January 2015 collector’s edition issue; Bone was also excluded from their “50 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs of All Time” list in 2012.

“#‎RollingStone releases new issue ‘The 100 Greatest Hip-Hop songs’ you mean to tell me not one Bone song made there roster. SMH. First rap group with a Grammy. Over 50 mil sold worldwide and, we contributed a style and harmony that changed hip hop 4eva. They trying to sweep me and my Niggaz under the rug huh. Erase us from history. Nah fuck that and fuck #RollingStone I’m heated ‪#‎BoneThugsNHarmony ‪#‎Eternal we still selling out shows 20+ years and counting. Bitches” — Layzie

Although both lists were created after the magazine polled hip-hop associates, Bone actually did make the 2015 list: “Tha Crossroads” was voted as the ninety-fifth greatest hip-hop song ever.

To end February 2015, Bizzy began to revamp and reinvest his resources into 7th Sign and Only One Media Group. One of the first releases under the new Reb7rth Worldwide Syndicate was 7th Sign / Bizzy Bone Ent. Presents Whodini-Blak: The No Days Off Mixtape by label artist Demetrius “Whodini-Blak” Reynolds; the EP featured both Bizzy and Layzie.

“I didn’t even hear rap music until I was about twelve, and it was Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. My cousins hipped me to it. I stole his Bone Thugs cassette tapes and listened to Creeping on ah Come Up all night and every night.” — Whodini-Blak

March 26th, 2015 marked the twenty-year anniversary of the untimely passing of Eric “Eazy-E” Wright. The hip-hop community collectively paused to appreciate and reflect on the life and foresight of one of the most important artists to impact hip-hop and modern pop culture:

“Man, this marks a day when I thought Bones Thugs’ whole new world just crumbled and it was back to the block. We had a very short, but good time with him. A great friend left us, not to mention a music icon. I still don’t believe it sometimes, but I remember God only gives us what we can handle. And as you can see, he’s still looking out for us.” — Wish

Also in March 2015:

• Los Angeles, California-based unsigned artist Lexini Blanco featured Layzie on “We Don’t” off her Medusanati mixtape.
• Krayzie released another single from TheLifeApparel.com entitled “Practice”.

In April 2015:

• Only One Media Group and Reb7rth Worldwide Syndicate released #7Rising — Chapter 1: The Orphanage, an EP which featured Bizzy, Krayzie and past Bone collaborators Whodini-Blak, Kray FKR and A.C. Killer.
• Krayzie featured Pozition on his single “Get Down”, released through TheLife Apparel.
• Bone Thugs teamed up with fellow Cleveland natives Caine, DJ Steph Floss — official DJ for the Cavaliers, Lebron James and voted Best Club DJ at the Ohio Hip Hop Awards from 2009 to 2014 — and Tyshon “Yur Honor” Johnson to make “The Land”, an anthem for the Cavaliers during the 2015 NBA Playoffs.
• Big Caz appeared on Botched, the plastic surgery reality television series on E! Network in an episode entitled “Mo Steroids Mo Problems”. A checkered past which involved drugs and near-five year prison sentence for manslaughter, Caz had become addicted to steroids which caused Gynecomastia to develop in his body.

• Krayzie married his longtime girlfriend in a beachfront wedding in Malibu, California. Along with Krayzie’s father, the four other Bone Thugs members were groomsmen.
• What Now, the comedy film written, directed and starring Ash Avildsen was released and co-produced by Sumerian Films. While Bizzy had a major role in the movie, Layzie and Krayzie also had supporting roles as police officers, as did Tracy “Ice T” Marrow as himself.

“There was this one moment when we filmed this amazing scene where Krayzie and Layzie are just really killing it. It’s just incredibly hilarious. It was crazy because I grew up just loving them, and as they were performing, I was like, ‘I can’t believe this is happening.’ ” — Ash Avildsen

In May 2015 while traveling through Riverton, Wyoming for a solo performance, Layzie encountered an erratic driver he thought to be under the influence. As the other motorist spun his car and ended up in a ditch, Layzie and his team pulled over to offer assistance. Rather than under the influence, the other driver was in a state of diabetic shock; Layzie and another motorist provided the driver with fruits and chocolates while an off-duty EMS worker happened to be driving behind Layzie as the chaotic scene unfolded.

“He didn’t know who anybody was, so I said, ‘Do you know Bone Thugs-n-Harmony?’ And he kinda woke up. He was like, ‘Yeah, that’s my group.’ ” — Layzie

Also in May 2015 was The Growing Process: #TheSecondAgreement, the second album by Dizzy Wright on Funk Volume. The album contained back-to-back Bone features: Layzie on “Regardless” and Krayzie on “Don’t Ever Forget”.

“I remember seeing Krayzie in the studio, smoking a blunt. Half his hair was done and the other half wasn’t and he was just in there puffing, and the nigga was singing. So every time I hear them harmonizing, I always pictured these thug-ass niggas really trying to sing. I was all about that.” — Dizzy Wright

Also in May 2015, Beverly Hills, California native and famed hip-hop producer Daniel “The Alchemist” Maman released Israeli Salad, a twenty-song instrumental LP led off by the track “Bone Thugs N’ Haifa”.

Also in May 2015, Big Sloan released Raider Gang, a limited-edition mixtape on Harmony Howse Entertainment which featured Layzie on the track “Night Life” and Layzie, Flesh-N and Kurupt on “Oh Yea”.

To end May 2015, Bone discussed their wish-list of potential guest features for E. 1999 / Legends, including Grammy winner Drake:

“I gotta show love to the dudes from this generation that’s been showing love, which is Wiz Khalifa, which is Drake, which is Lil Wayne, which is Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, A$AP Mob. There’s a lot of young dudes that understand what it is and people always talk shit about these dudes but these are the guys that respect and pay homage to where the art came from.” — Krayzie

The same wish-list also included four-time Grammy winner Lil Wayne:

“We have to give a big shout out to Lil Wayne. He’s killing it right now. I listen to him so much and every time we turn around he’s figuring out a way to flip Bone Thugs in his poetry.” — Flesh-N

In June 2015, Machine Gun Kelly released his single “Till I Die Part II” in advance of his untitled second studio album. The song featured Bone Thugs, Ray Cash, French Montana and Memphis, Tennessee native Mario “Yo Gotti” Mims while the video illuminated the city of Cleveland, Ohio.

“Self-explanatory. I’m a Cleveland boy, they’re Cleveland boys.” — Machine Gun Kelly

To begin July 2015, all five members of Bone were scheduled for a two-show performance in New Zealand — a first for the group in over twenty years of working together. Previous passport issues and internal squabbling hindered the quintet’s ability to travel overseas together; Bizzy had never even left the States.

In classic Bone fashion, Flesh-N was denied a working Visa, unable to perform at the New Zealand nor Australia concerts. Layzie was then unable to arrive on time and only able to perform at the New Zealand concert. Local New Zealand promotion company Talk Later issued a bittersweet statement regarding refunds:

“Yesterday was a great day in hip-hop history landing Bizzy Bone outside of America for the first time, and that’s something we’re extremely proud of. The rest we’ve had to deal with the best we can on our end.” — Talk Later

On July 11th, 2015, Outlawz member Bruce “Hussein Fatal” Washington, Jr. passed away as the result of an Atlanta, Georgia car accident driven by his fiancé Zanetta Yearby; Washington, Jr. was thirty-eight years old.

Later in July 2015, the Art of Rap Festival took place. A brainchild of Ice-T, the two-day festival aimed at educating the masses on the importance of hip-hop culture through a multi-medium display of the art form. All five Bone members performed on both dates: the Saturday edition hosted by the Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre in Irvine, California and the Sunday edition hosted by the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California.

“We battle rappers. We battle a lot for the essence of the battle rap. Crackin’ heads on a mic, smashing, being the best. The greatest that ever done it. We got our own lane, and when it comes to the mic, lyrically we crush everybody. Rap is a very competitive field, so you gotta be able to get into a cypher in a circle and spit bars.” — Flesh-N

Later in July 2015, Krayzie was featured on the Compton, California legend Keenon “YG” Jackson single “Cash Money”, produced by Korean-born Kang “Brave Brothers” Dong-chul.

Also in July 2015, Chris Rivers — the son of late legend Big Pun — dropped “1st of the Month Pimpin’ Freestyle”, a single which combined the classic Bone beat with the Do or Die track “Po Pimpin”.

To end July 2015, the soundtrack for the film Southpaw was released. Eminem — initially scheduled to star in the film — instead switched to Executive Producer for the soundtrack, selecting “Notorious Thugs” as one of fourteen tracks. The score for the film was the final work completed by Los Angeles, California native James Horner, who died in a single-engine aircraft crash on June 22nd, 2015.

THA OUTRO FLOW

Between E. 1999 / Legends and the accompanying promotion and tour, Bloodline S.T.I.G., the current crop of artists showing love and paying homage to their heroes and Bone themselves continuing to provide quality music, there seems no end in sight to the success and influence of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.

“We want to carry Bone Thugs-n-Harmony all over the world to one day be able to get into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. We want to put in the work, though. We want to earn it.” — Bizzy

For the majority of their collective careers, Bone has consistently displayed recurring creative tropes. Weed. Money. God vs. the Devil. Violence bordering on macabre. Braggadocio raps and sinister beats juxtaposed with harmonized ballads and pure R&B songs.

They’ve also consistently insisted on the same ethics and codes: always putting on for Eazy. Always putting on for Cleveland. Always carrying themselves as real individuals, as a real family.

When considering record sales, influence, personal and professional hardships, range of collaborators and overall body of work — there may never again be another group of artists like Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.

“I just love to work with my niggas, man. I love Bone Thugs-n-Harmony to death. That’s all that is to that.” — Layzie

Written By: Matteo Urella / March — July 2015

Photography:

• Google Images