Above the Law was an American hip hop group from Pomona, California, founde… Read Full Bio ↴Above the Law was an American hip hop group from Pomona, California, founded in 1989 by Cold 187um, KMG the Illustrator, Go Mack, and DJ Total K-Oss.
In 1989, the group signed with Eazy-E's Ruthless Records. While there, the group became an additional influence in pioneering with N.W.A. Their first album on Ruthless, 1990's Livin' Like Hustlers, featured a guest appearance from N.W.A and production from Dr. Dre. Above the Law member Cold 187um worked closely with Dre on production, and the two greatly influenced each other. The songs "Murder Rap" and "Untouchable" became minor hits from the album. "Murder Rap" appeared in the 2008 film Pineapple Express. The song "Freedom of Speech" was featured in the 1990 movie Pump Up the Volume and its soundtrack album. In September 1990, members of Above the Law clashed with Ice Cube and his posse, Da Lench Mob, during the annual New Music Seminar conference.
The group's first full-length album, Livin' Like Hustlers, was released in 1990. This album, which came out before Dr. Dre's The Chronic, featured a similar G-Funk sound. Cold 187um has claimed that he was the first to pioneer the G-Funk style and that Dr. Dre's new sound was largely inspired by his work on that album. In 1994, the group released Uncle Sam's Curse, their last album on Ruthless Records. It included the minor hit "Black Superman".
Shortly after Eazy-E's death, the group signed with Tommy Boy Records in 1996. There, they released Time Will Reveal in 1996 and Legends in 1999. In the same year, the group signed with Suge Knight's Death Row Records, but they left the label in 2002. Above the Law was also part of the West Coast Rap All-Stars, contributing to "We're All in the Same Gang," a 1990 collaboration of West Coast hip-hop artists promoting an anti-violence message.
On the morning of July 7, 2012, multiple sources confirmed that emcee KMG the Illustrator had died. Longtime Above the Law affiliate Kokane announced the rapper's death on his Twitter account the same day. While the cause of death remains officially unknown, Big Hutch stated that he died of a heart attack while taking a shower. He was 43 years old.
Four of the group's most popular music videos, "Black Superman," "Call It What U Want" featuring 2Pac, "V.S.O.P.," and the long-form music video "V.S.O.P. REMIX" were written and directed by Marty Thomas, Eazy-E's longtime Ruthless Records film director. Thomas also wrote and directed the controversial and ultimately banned Uncle Sam's Curse album television commercials. These commercials featured disturbing imagery, including the KKK chasing Above the Law past a church with burning torches and a white "Uncle Sam" pulling a newborn African-American baby from its mother's arms. The commercial won several prestigious international awards.
According to Kokane, a new Above the Law album was recorded before KMG's death. Cold 187um has stated that over 30 unreleased tracks were recorded while KMG was still alive, with the rumored title Victims of Global Politics. However, no release date has been announced.
Above the Law claims to have invented the "G-funk" sound, which was later popularized by Dr. Dre's The Chronic.
Studio albums
Livin' Like Hustlers (1990)
Black Mafia Life (1993)
Uncle Sam's Curse (1994)
Time Will Reveal (1996)
Legends (1998)
Forever: Rich Thugs, Book One (1999)
Sex, Money & Music (2009)
Pomona Love (2024)
In 1989, the group signed with Eazy-E's Ruthless Records. While there, the group became an additional influence in pioneering with N.W.A. Their first album on Ruthless, 1990's Livin' Like Hustlers, featured a guest appearance from N.W.A and production from Dr. Dre. Above the Law member Cold 187um worked closely with Dre on production, and the two greatly influenced each other. The songs "Murder Rap" and "Untouchable" became minor hits from the album. "Murder Rap" appeared in the 2008 film Pineapple Express. The song "Freedom of Speech" was featured in the 1990 movie Pump Up the Volume and its soundtrack album. In September 1990, members of Above the Law clashed with Ice Cube and his posse, Da Lench Mob, during the annual New Music Seminar conference.
The group's first full-length album, Livin' Like Hustlers, was released in 1990. This album, which came out before Dr. Dre's The Chronic, featured a similar G-Funk sound. Cold 187um has claimed that he was the first to pioneer the G-Funk style and that Dr. Dre's new sound was largely inspired by his work on that album. In 1994, the group released Uncle Sam's Curse, their last album on Ruthless Records. It included the minor hit "Black Superman".
Shortly after Eazy-E's death, the group signed with Tommy Boy Records in 1996. There, they released Time Will Reveal in 1996 and Legends in 1999. In the same year, the group signed with Suge Knight's Death Row Records, but they left the label in 2002. Above the Law was also part of the West Coast Rap All-Stars, contributing to "We're All in the Same Gang," a 1990 collaboration of West Coast hip-hop artists promoting an anti-violence message.
On the morning of July 7, 2012, multiple sources confirmed that emcee KMG the Illustrator had died. Longtime Above the Law affiliate Kokane announced the rapper's death on his Twitter account the same day. While the cause of death remains officially unknown, Big Hutch stated that he died of a heart attack while taking a shower. He was 43 years old.
Four of the group's most popular music videos, "Black Superman," "Call It What U Want" featuring 2Pac, "V.S.O.P.," and the long-form music video "V.S.O.P. REMIX" were written and directed by Marty Thomas, Eazy-E's longtime Ruthless Records film director. Thomas also wrote and directed the controversial and ultimately banned Uncle Sam's Curse album television commercials. These commercials featured disturbing imagery, including the KKK chasing Above the Law past a church with burning torches and a white "Uncle Sam" pulling a newborn African-American baby from its mother's arms. The commercial won several prestigious international awards.
According to Kokane, a new Above the Law album was recorded before KMG's death. Cold 187um has stated that over 30 unreleased tracks were recorded while KMG was still alive, with the rumored title Victims of Global Politics. However, no release date has been announced.
Above the Law claims to have invented the "G-funk" sound, which was later popularized by Dr. Dre's The Chronic.
Studio albums
Livin' Like Hustlers (1990)
Black Mafia Life (1993)
Uncle Sam's Curse (1994)
Time Will Reveal (1996)
Legends (1998)
Forever: Rich Thugs, Book One (1999)
Sex, Money & Music (2009)
Pomona Love (2024)
Gangsta Madness
Above the Law Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Above the Law:
10. V S O P You can try that herb sign "V.S.O.P." You can try that…
100 Spokes [Verse 1: Cold 187Um] Ugh, now tell me who wanna step…
4 the Funk of It [Intro/Hook: DJ Total K-Oss & Go-Mack] Four niggas under ou…
Adventures Of To the people that's been locked away for a while Keep…
Adventures Of ... To the people that's been locked away for a while Keep…
Adventures Of... To the people that's been locked away for a while Keep…
Another Execution (Cold 187um) See it was seven o'clock and the sun had…
B.M.L We for breakin backs in the 9-4, time to play…
Ballin [ INTRO ] [ KM.G ] Yo, what's happenin Cold 187 [ Cold…Black Superman "You heard about what's goin' on in there?" "Heard a lotta…
Call It What U Want You've now entered the quest to, the black triangle Now you…
Call It What You Want feat. 2Pac & Money-B You've now entered the quest to, the black triangle Now you…
Call It What You Want feat. 2Pac Money B You've now entered the quest to, the black triangle Now you…
City of angels (feat. Frost) [Chorus:] Let me tell you something about…
Concreat Jungle This is Michelle Devine, coming to you live from the…
Encore Chorus: People came ?? Encore, encore People came in by…
Everything Will Be Allright We for breakin backs in the 9-4, time to play…
Everywhere We Go [Chorus] Everywhere we roll, niggas act like they don't kno…
Flow On [ Dr. Dre ] Hey yo, check this out, y'all Since we…
Freedom of Speach Yo, what's happenin, man? Yo, they tryin to come down on…
Game Wreck-Oniz-Iz Game (feat. Eazy-E, Kokane) [Intro: Eazy-E] Alright, this shi…
Intro [Intro: Cold 187Um Talking] [Thunder and Lightning] [Piano …
Just Kickin Yo, this is somethin new by Notorious-ass Above the Law In t…
Just Kickin' Lyrics [ KM.G ] Yo, this is somethin new by notorious-ass Above…
Kalifornia (feat. Kokane) [Intro: Cold 187] Yeah... want to give a …
Killaz In The Park (feat. MC Ren) [Helicopter propeller turning] [Intro: …
L.A. Vibe [Verse 1: KM.G] If it ain't about the chips, I ain't…
Last Song experience, so you know it's gonna be some mega shit,…
Livin Like A Hustler (Birds chirping) (Someone's snoring) (Sample of Alarm Cloc…
Livin' Like Hustlers [Above The Law] Let me start it off, 'cause I'm a…
Living Like a Hustler (Birds chirping) (Someone's snoring) (Sample of Alarm Cloc…
Menace II Society Today in South Central violence is an all-time high Due to…
Murder Rap [ KM.G ] Yo, Cold 187 They tryin to give you a…
My World [Intro: ColdUm 187 Talking] You know, it's been ten years i…
P.I.M.P. You can try that herb sign "V.S.O.P." You can try that…
Playaz & Gangstas Awawaw, awawaw, awawaw, awawaw (*Laughter*) Yeah, we be that…
Playin' Your Game (feat. Kokane) [Intro: Over Voice] You see pimpin' is bi…
Playlude [Intro:] [K-Oss:] Partner [K.M.G:] Yo, what's up homey? […
Promise Me Every afternoon i go inside these bitter walls and I'll op…
Rich Thugs (Intro) 1999, the Saga continuous, hustlers shit Streets shit, Rich …
Set Free We were once uhh. being kings and queens And now we…
Soul Searching (K.M.G.) Seems never, no hesitation for my frustration I f…
Soul Searching featuring Yukmouth (K.M.G.) Seems never, no hesitation for my frustration I…
Summer Days What's up homes? welcome to the catacombs we seduce the…
The 'G' In Me [Intro: Cold 187Um] Aoowwwww, aoowwwwww, ha ha, aooww, aoww …
The Crow: City Of Angels They all are yellin' out freeze As I'm on these backstreets…
The Last Song experience, so you know it's gonna be some mega shit,…
Uncle Sam's Curse (Opening Skit: Crooked Patrol Cop singing) Now, I'm listeni…
Untouchable [ KM.G ] All hail to those who believe in lying For…
V.S.O.P You can try that herb sign "V.S.O.P." You can try that…
V.S.O.P. You can try that herb sign "V.S.O.P." You can try that…
Who Ryde (Intro: Km.G Whispering on the Mic ) Here it is y'all,…
Wicked Cataract blinding your eyes To the violent design Regenera…
Words 2 My Firstborn Hehehe, these are my words to my first born.. Can you…
X. Owit Me [Intro: Cold 187Um] This is an escalation, merging every cor…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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