Their first record deal was on Eric "Eazy-E" Wright's Ruthless Records, the independent label owned by Wright that featured major acts like N.W.A., The D.O.C., and Eazy-E himself.
In 1990 they released their debut album Livin' Like Hustlers. Critically acclaimed on release, the album was produced by the group alongside casual member Laylaw and Dr. Dre, and featured a guest appearance by N.W.A.. Despite the strong material, the album was a commercial flop. However, in their 1998 "100th issue," The Source magazine listed Above the Law's debut as one of the 100 Greatest Hip Hop Albums of All Time.
A 1991 EP was released to promote the groups sophomore album. However, by the time Vocally Pimpin was released, it had received mixed reviews. With only a scant few new songs and mostly remixes, the EP did not perform well.
It was during this time Dr, Dre was involved in a messy break up with Eazy E and Ruthless Records, and was (according to Ronin Ro's Have Gun Will Travel) contractually obliged to produce two more songs for the group. Although these songs were recorded, they were never released. It is possible the changing times at the reocrd label were responsible for the average quality of the EP.
In 1993, the group released the critically acclaimed Black Mafia Life. Go Mack was now gone, as was Laylaw, and Cold 187um took on the bulk of production. The group reinvented themselves with a fresh new sound which they referred to as G-funk. Dr. Dre's The Chronic released at the end of 1992, may or may not have adopted this sound, although it was released several months before Black Mafia Life, and sparked a long-standing debate between Dre and ATL over the originator of the sound.
Here is a snip from an interview explaining how the G-Funk sound came about.
Big Hutch (Cold 187um): Well here is the real. Weather people wanna believe it or not, I don’t know, it doesn’t really matter to me. G-Funk was actually created as a type of sound. It wasn’t like “this is gonna be our sound”. When we came to Ruthless, we were more like Funky melodic and NWA was more like matally sound. Like metal… like hard head break beatish. We brought the funky, vibey, groovey shit to the table. We were cutting “Black mafia life”… actually we was cutting “For the funk of it”, the EP which was between “Livin’ like hustlers” and “Black mafia life”. I started mixing up a lot of Clinton shit and real funky shit and do it melodic. Melody style… You know you’ve got to remember the melody of “London bridge” before you remember the words… That’s how a melody is so intriguing and so step-on. So I was doing a lot of melodic stuff… but we was talkin’ about ghetto shit. You know straight gutter… And we was cutting “Call it what you want” and at the time people was like “Your shit is kinda different. What do you call your shit?” and we was like “You know this is some G shit mixed with some funk”. We would call it G-Funk or some shit like that.
Ok…
At the time, Warren G was sleeping on my floor in my apartment and he was like “Wow that’s kinda cool”… and so we cut “Call it what you want” and even Pac, this was before The Chronic, if you listen to “Call it what you want” you can hear Pac saying “I’m pumpin’ G-Funk but you can call it what you want”. This was before The Chronic or anything… So the first time you hear the term “G-Funk” on record it’s from 2pac’s mouth. So go do your research and that’ll tell you the truth about that. It’s on record. It has nothing to do with Warren G. It has nothing to do with Dr Dre because none of those records were cut with none of those guys. They weren’t even in the building.
The album featured cameos by Tupac, Money-B, MC Ren, and Eazy E, as well as a quirky fresh new talent named Kokane (Cold 187um/ Big Hutchs cousin). The single VSOP proved to be popular, but once again the album failed to achieve success.
In 1994 the group were back with the hit single Black Superman, later cited as one of the 100 Greatest Hip Hop Singles of All Time in The Source magazine, 1999. The single preceded their third album Uncle Sams Curse, introducing a harder, more heavy and ominous twist on the G-funk they previously presented. Again Cold 187 took on the production and Kokane featured heavily throughout.
In 1995 label boss Eazy E died quickly of AIDs related illness, and the majority of the remaining roster at Ruthless Records began to jump ship from the waning label.
Above the Law would find themselves signed to Tommy Boy in 1996, where they released their fourth album Time Will Reveal.
In 2004 Murder Rap appeared on popular videogame Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, playing on West Coast hip hop radio station Radio Los Santos.
City Of Angels
Above the Law Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Chorus:]
Let me tell you something
about the way we do it, where we from
"In the City of Angels"
We are from Los Angeles
And no other city can handle us
"Creep with me as I roll through the 'hood"
[Verse 1: ColdUm 187]
They always yelling out freeze
When I'm on the back streets gettin' mine
Dodging the law, dodging the chalk line
And if y'all feel me
I'mma keep it real for this episode
Takin' you all into some critical overload
What must I do to live in the City of Angels?
Pack a full clip with one cocked in the chamber? "that's right"
Cause it remains to be the same to me
I gotta be an O.G like my daddy
And my grandpappy
Don't ever test mine
Don't ever disrespect mine
Better yet I tote a 'Tec in case you ever cross the line
Yo, I'm like the crow
Low down and dirty
As I handle my business and as I take you on this journey
It ain't no City Of Angels where I'm at
It's just people playing get back and more get back
Yo, a lot of drama on my block but I never stress
Because I'm built like a Presidential Rolex
A lotta people die over the red or the blue
A lotta players hustle cause they got to
But if I ever go out 'fore I'm supposed to go
I'm goin' revenge myself like the Crow...
[Chorus]
[Verse 2: KMG]
Welcome to the city of drag where my pants sag
And my homies still reying on the flag
Yeah, life starts to twist and turn
And it hits you at another angle "That's right"
Just some more drama in the City Of Angels
Violence is brought forth through many years
Broken memories, we cried so many tears
Ooh the Devil plays the repo man
And he's sucking up souls
As fast as he can
It ain't no question
It's in our nature
A 45 can bring out the criminal behaviour
When the clouds in the sky turn black and gloom
As soon as the smoke starts to fill the room
Your heart starts to beat, it's like the ritual
And the feeling that you get is somewhat spiritual
I'mma have to let you know how reality goes
Make you fly like the Crow as you slide into limbo.....
[Chorus]
[Verse 3: Frost]
I see the clock strike half past
I'm movin' fast, quick to blast
I'm like an angel in the city with the devil's path
And everybody's out to get me
So I quickly stick and move
And if he moves I trip, my finger's itchy
I got a vision, I'm on a mission
Listen, I can hear 'em but I can't trust my intuition
I'm wishin' upon that midnight mystical
And through the darkness, I'm hoping for a miracle
I can't holler till you hear me
I gotta get me through the madness even though I'm guilty
And as I reload I'm all alone set to explode
Like a pathological murderer that's in the zone
I know the working, the spirit's lurking
I'm hurting, the triple six with the kiss got my soul searching
When I awoke I choked on a cloud of smoke
It was a dream and in my dream, I seen a black crow...
[Chorus x2]
The lyrics to Above the Law's song "City of Angels" tell a story of life in Los Angeles, a city that's often romanticized in pop culture but can be a difficult place to live. The song opens with a chorus that introduces the city as a place where people do things their own way and where outsiders might not be able to keep up. The first verse, delivered by ColdUm 187, talks about the violence and danger that can come with living in L.A., referencing the need to carry a gun and to be respected by others. The second verse, by KMG, emphasizes the toll that the city's problems take on its residents, including broken memories, tears, and criminal behavior. Finally, Frost's verse focuses on the constant threat of danger, with the angel-like narrator trying to navigate the city without falling prey to the devilish forces at work.
Overall, the song is a gritty portrayal of life in Los Angeles that's set against a thumping beat and some sharp rhymes. It's a reminder that, beneath the glamour and romance of Hollywood, L.A. can be a tough and unforgiving city.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me tell you something
Allow me to inform you
about the way we do it, where we from
Regarding our methods and origins
"In the City of Angels"
Referring to Los Angeles
We are from Los Angeles
Our home is Los Angeles
And no other city can handle us
We are too much to handle for any other city
But if you think you could
If you believe you are up to the challenge
"Creep with me as I roll through the 'hood"
Come with me as I navigate the neighborhood stealthily
They always yelling out freeze
Police frequently shout for me to stop
When I'm on the back streets gettin' mine
While I try to secure what's mine on the less popular streets
Dodging the law, dodging the chalk line
Avoiding run-ins with the police and death
And if y'all feel me
If you understand what I am saying
I'mma keep it real for this episode
I will be honest for this moment
Takin' you all into some critical overload
I am showing you the intense reality
What must I do to live in the City of Angels?
What actions should I take to survive in Los Angeles?
Pack a full clip with one cocked in the chamber? "that's right"
Should I have a fully loaded gun for protection?
Cause it remains to be the same to me
It is still identical from my perspective
I gotta be an O.G like my daddy
I must be an original gangster like my father
And my grandpappy
And my grandfather
Don't ever test mine
Never challenge my capabilities
Don't ever disrespect mine
Do not dishonor me or what I stand for
Better yet I tote a 'Tec in case you ever cross the line
Actually, I carry an automatic weapon in the event that someone oversteps the boundary
Yo, I'm like the crow
I am akin to the crow
Low down and dirty
Unscrupulous and dishonorable
As I handle my business and as I take you on this journey
While I tend to my affairs and invite you along
It ain't no City Of Angels where I'm at
My current location is not Los Angeles
It's just people playing get back and more get back
It is just individuals repaying acts of aggression or revenge
Yo, a lot of drama on my block but I never stress
There is much conflict on my street, but I am never rattled
Because I'm built like a Presidential Rolex
Because I am forged like a Rolex watch owned by a president
A lotta people die over the red or the blue
Many people expire due to affiliations with either the Bloods or Crips
A lotta players hustle cause they got to
Numerous actors are forced to hustle to survive
But if I ever go out 'fore I'm supposed to go
But if I perish before my time arrives
I'm goin' revenge myself like the Crow...
I will avenge myself like the title character from The Crow
Welcome to the city of drag where my pants sag
Welcome to the city where individuals wear low-hanging pants
And my homies still reying on the flag
Also, the area where my friends remain devoted to their gang
Yeah, life starts to twist and turn
Yes, existence becomes fraught with unexpected developments
And it hits you at another angle "That's right"
And it hits you in a different way, yes
Just some more drama in the City Of Angels
Simply some more conflict in Los Angeles
Violence is brought forth through many years
Violence has been prevalent for many years
Broken memories, we cried so many tears
Shattered remembrances and abundant weeping
Ooh the Devil plays the repo man
Ooh, the Devil serves as the person who repossesses things
And he's sucking up souls
And he is gathering people's souls
As fast as he can
As quickly as possible
It ain't no question
There is no doubt
It's in our nature
It is inherent to our being
A 45 can bring out the criminal behaviour
A handgun could provoke criminal conduct
When the clouds in the sky turn black and gloom
When the sky darkens ominously
As soon as the smoke starts to fill the room
Once the smoke permeates the surroundings
Your heart starts to beat, it's like the ritual
Your heart races, akin to the manner in which a ceremony unfolds
And the feeling that you get is somewhat spiritual
And the sensation you experience is somewhat sacred
I'mma have to let you know how reality goes
I must convey to you how reality plays out
Make you fly like the Crow as you slide into limbo.....
Will transport you like the character from The Crow as you enter limbo
I see the clock strike half past
I observe the clock displaying 30 minutes past the hour
I'm movin' fast, quick to blast
I am moving swiftly and likely to shoot
I'm like an angel in the city with the devil's path
I am like a celestial being amongst the dangerous in the metropolis
And everybody's out to get me
And people are actively seeking to harm me
So I quickly stick and move
Therefore, I hastily dodge and dart in various directions
And if he moves I trip, my finger's itchy
If the person moves, I trip them or shoot them quickly
I got a vision, I'm on a mission
I possess a plan and an objective for my actions
Listen, I can hear 'em but I can't trust my intuition
I can hear them, but I cannot rely on my instincts
I'm wishin' upon that midnight mystical
I am desiring something from the mysterious midnight hour
And through the darkness, I'm hoping for a miracle
And I am longing for a miracle to occur in the darkness
I can't holler till you hear me
I cannot speak loudly until you hear me
I gotta get me through the madness even though I'm guilty
I must persevere through the insanity even though I am culpable
And as I reload I'm all alone set to explode
As I reload my weapon, I am alone and ready to strike out
Like a pathological murderer that's in the zone
Like a killer driven by compulsion and focus
I know the working, the spirit's lurking
I understand the inner workings, and the spirit of anxiety is present
I'm hurting, the triple six with the kiss got my soul searching
I am wounded, the immoral number with a kiss has my soul in turmoil
When I awoke I choked on a cloud of smoke
Upon awakening, I inhaled a dense cloud of smoke
It was a dream and in my dream, I seen a black crow...
This was a dream, and in the dream, I saw a black crow...
Contributed by Emily T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Cat’s life: the purrsuit of joy
My favourite track by above the law. Bump this in your car loud the bass line is crazy. One of most slept on tracks
Dragon Surfer
Yeh this, endonesia and concrete jungle. Fucking love atl
Julio Cesar Gonzalez
90's hip-hop for life
fleshnbone187
At long last you've finally acknowledged ABOVE THE LAW!!! Now we just need Time Will Reveal and Legends on spotify! :-)
Jay Sauce
This has aged well. Classic albums!
17 Wayz Podcast
It has officially been added to streaming sites. If you didn't know. Enjoy!
BusaridingT B.
REST IN POWER,KMG ONE OF MY FAVORITE GROUPS ABOVE THE LAW
KERISTerbang77
26yrs old legendary tune
fabian f
1 of the most gangsta songs ever recorded in rap.
iselect 101
Frost killed it he went hard