Bone Thugs-N-Harmony - Creepin on ah Come Up

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony - "Creepin On Ah Come Up" (4.5 stars)

The year was 1994 when the struggling rap group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony released this album, which at one time was considered a prelude to another album (now scrapped) entitled "Thugs-N-Harmony". And even though it's short, like they say, "big things come in small packages".

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony consisted of 5 members at that time, Krayzie Bone, Layzie Bone, Bizzy Bone, Wish Bone and Flesh-N-Bone. They're music style(s) is unique, a typical Bone Thugs-N-Harmony song consists of rapid fire rapped verses and mellow R&B chorus lines. In my personal opinion, I would rank this group up there with N.W.A.

As for this album, "Creepin On Ah Come Up", this is not their first release. Before signing to Eazy-E's "Ruthless Records", they released an underground album called "Faces Of Death" which I'll be reviewing sometime in the near future. But this album only a taste of their greatness. Every song here is dope in its own way. All 5 members here tore the rhymes up. As most of the lyrics are in the gangsta rap category.

The production is nice as well, as this would go on to be their only album produced by Eazy-E whom had died later from AIDS in 1995. Production also came from ex-N.W.A. DJ/producer Yella. As well as Bone's long-time future producer DJ UNEEK. Bone also co-produced some tracks. The beats here are laid back, if I had to label the sound, I'd rule it out G-Funk. The production here fit extremely well with the raps.

Here's my individual track ratings.

01. "Intro" (A)
02. "Mr. Quija" (N/A)
03. "Thuggish Ruggish Bone (ft. Shatasha Williams)" (A+) (favorite)
04. "No Surrender" (A)
05. "Down Foe My Thang" (B-) (least favorite)
06. "Creepin On Ah Come Up" (A+)
07. "Foe Tha Love Of $ (ft. Eazy-E)" (A+)
08. "Moe Cheese (Instrumental)" (A+)

There we are. I recommend this to everyone who enjoys fast hip-hop, or harmonic and laid back production that will guarantee to make you want more. By the way, the reason I gave this a 4.5/5 is because there is 8 tracks and only 5 official songs. But don't let that take the pleasure out of enjoying it. Go ahead and get it. You won't be disappointed, especially if you were big on N.W.A. Peace.

~ Raw Hide

July 19, 2008

East 99 Is Where You'll Find Them... {4 ½ Stars}

There isn't a whole lot to say about EPs. They're so short that there isn't much to expand on. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony's sophmore effort (some will mistake this as their first release, but their 1993 release, Faces Of Death, carries that distinction) was released in a year that I hold in high regard when it comes to rap music -- 1994. Creepin' On Ah Come Up is one of those EPs that, despite its brevity, is still worthy of any spins it gets because the songs are of high quality. There are only eight tracks, but I'd say that 3 are classic Bone and the rest are solid. Production isn't shown in the original release, but wikipedia credits Bone, Eazy E, DJ U-Neek, DJ Yella, and Rhythm D with production and it's all great stuff, really. Maybe the production credits were straightened out on the 1998 reissue...I can't say for sure.

As far as flaws go, the only track I routinely skip is "Down Foe My Thang." The beat doesn't grab me and the song in general doesn't really go anywhere. That's about it though.

Creepin' On Ah Come Up is a great release, but it's incredibly short. At only 8 tracks and a hair under 30 minutes, it pretty much comes to a halt just as you start to get into it. It's still a dope EP though. I recommend grabbing this one whenever the opportunity shows itself.

Standout Tracks: Foe Tha Love Of $ feat. Eazy E (My Favorite), Thuggish Ruggish Bone, Moe Cheese, and No Surrender November 26, 2007

East 99 Is Where You'll Find Them... {4 ½ Stars}

There isn't a whole lot to say about EPs. They're so short that there isn't much to expand on. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony's sophmore effort (some will mistake this as their first release, but their 1993 release, Faces Of Death, carries that distinction) was released in a year that I hold in high regard when it comes to rap music -- 1994. Creepin' On Ah Come Up is one of those EPs that, despite its brevity, is still worthy of any spins it gets because the songs are of high quality. There are only eight tracks, but I'd say that 3 are classic Bone and the rest are solid. Production isn't shown in the original release, but wikipedia credits Bone, Eazy E, DJ U-Neek, DJ Yella, and Rhythm D with production and it's all great stuff, really. Maybe the production credits were straightened out on the 1998 reissue...I can't say for sure.

As far as flaws go, the only track I routinely skip is "Down Foe My Thang." The beat doesn't grab me and the song in general doesn't really go anywhere. That's about it though.

Creepin' On Ah Come Up is a great release, but it's incredibly short. At only 8 tracks and a hair under 30 minutes, it pretty much comes to a halt just as you start to get into it. It's still a dope EP though. I recommend grabbing this one whenever the opportunity shows itself.

Standout Tracks: Foe Tha Love Of $ feat. Eazy E (My Favorite), Thuggish Ruggish Bone, Moe Cheese, and No Surrender November 26, 2007

NOT THE FIRST BONE CD!!!!!!!!1

people lemme tell u somethin bone's first cd was titles bone enterprise and had songs titled hell sent and 40 oz look for it.....it's really a good cd if you want to hear all 4 bone members `before they were thugs n harmony October 8, 2007

Dark, Grimy, Early Game From The Thugs

1994, Cleveland, Ohio's, Bone Thugs record their first album for ruthless with their current group name, a short EP. They had an album from 1993 under the name of B.O.N.E. Enterprise, called Faces Of Death, which I have yet to hear. I'm glad Eazy-E signed these cats so they could blow up. Creepin' On Ah Come Up is full of great harmonization and killa spits by BTNH over G-Funk beats that couldn't have better suited their style. The pairing of slow to mid tempo beats really complement their often rapid speed and when theyb rap slower. DJ Yella produces the most of the album, while Rhythm D does 1, and DJ Uneek does 2 joints, and BTNH produces one and co-produces another. The title track is a slow rollin' beat with a nice whiny synth to roll slow to at night. "Foe Tha Love Of $" features Eazy-E over a smooth beat and is one that helped the group blow up. They do what they gotta to get paid, even if it is illegal and bloody. "Thuggish Ruggish Bone" is one that also helped them blow up and is a standard setter for their music here and later on. Yella laces a nice whiny synth lead beat, and you can hear BTNH rap on beat even while slowing or speeding up their flows, a hard feat. Rhythm D laces a stone-cold, mobbin' beat on "Down Foe My Thang" with a piercing whiny synth only he can do, and Bone rips the track with harsh, violent flows, a phat "get yours however you can" joint. Their flow ability is definitely showcased here. "Moe Cheese" is an instrumental of "Foe The Love of $." "No Surrender" is bangin.' I love the dark keyboard ridden beat and the vocorder laced hook. Here, they paint gothic and dark imagery like they do pretty much on this whole album. Out of the 8 tracks, 5 are songs, and the other 3 are the intro and 2 skits. This album definitely showcases their hunger, their hit-making potential, and their beloved harmonious, at times sing-rapping style that would be popular for the next half-decade. This album is a must have for any BTNH fan or any other serious rap fan. September 2, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...