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)
Kalifornia
Above the Law Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Intro: Cold 187]
Yeah... want to give a shout out to all my niggas out there
In the westcoast... on the westcoast...
Yeah... yeah... uhh...
Yo... I got to give a shout out to pomona...
Got to give it in south central, watts, compton, long beach But for now... KMG won't you spit... spit... spit... for em
[Verse 1: KMG]
Mothafuckas don't get mad
Cause calis kinda fly
We be the gangsta town
The niggas that like to stay high
The land of big diamonds ya'll
Palm trees lowriders and moviestars
Where fools be mobbin with the real
Original where jackin is an art
Punk niggas get they caps pilled
And the hoes ain't scared to show they bodies
They wear the fly shit and freaks the set parties
Gave it up and the hoes wearin baggy shit
They the world why niggas got'em pussy whip
They got niggas goin to pins got niggas stealin [? ]
For friends for foes for shows and more hoes
Cause it costs a grip to live on the westcoast
Cause we be flossin
We leave the world a commadose
It's all about the paper here
So hear my dear
So roll me up a little chronic
Cause LA got the byonic
See ya got to have hot
To live in cali ya'll
You got to have the fly shit
To live in cali ya'll
It's gonna cost you a grip
To live in cali ya'll
Ya see the hoes be legit
When you live in cali ya'll
[Verse 2: Kokane]
They say it never rains in southern california
That's what they tell me
G's with the big bank [? ] why you play us
Livin it up just to be a hoe player
All westcoast californ
We got them runnin in flocks
Now freddies dead
But the [? ] super chicken
Got you hit to the dope spot
And like KMG
They said them hoes be trippin
Cause bitches be settin a nigga up
When you off flossin
Still tossin
Yeah I'm bout to make bread
Wake up in the mornin
Found a mothafuckin bullet in my head
But it's alright
If yo games hook up tight
And in the summer time
Riders on corners
I wish you all can be california
Ya save up all
Went from slang dope
To get a fly ride [? ]
Still funkin on them switches for the bitches
This is off the west all
They call me Mr flossy
Dolla dolla bill ya'll
[Chorus]
[Cold 187 talking] (KMG background)
Yeah... And that's the westcoast anthem cali style boy
(straight up straight up)
Yo yo... (the [? ] we be like flossin main)
Yo you want me to set it off... let me set it off for them... uhh
[Verse 3: Cold 187]
It's the first of the mouth
And I just came up
I'm headin to the shop to put some rims on my truck
Yeah... and you know I'm like cold on them hoes
Cause I'm rollin in a black on black 4 54
It's time for me to check my connect
So I could be on deck
Before them fiens get they county checks
I left about 11:15
I spotted this fly fly cutey
In some [? ]
And you know I'm on them gold ones
So here she come... here she come...
Here she mothafuckin kitty come
All shit it's Sabrina from cavina
I hope she don't remember that I toss her cousin tina
Uhh... she probably care anyway
Cause bitches up in cali got game for days
She needed I ride to the mail
I said stall
I got shit to do
I ain't got no time to be fuckin with you
Uhh... and plus do I look like a cab
Turn the alpine up then I slam
It was hot like a mothafucka
Headed to the store
Saw a couple little homies kickin it at the front door
They say yo... hook us up main
Bought em a 40
For me I got a tall can
I said peace
Don't be trippin little comrades
But the shit be [? ] bout my own [? ]
[KMG:]
Yeah... cause we O hit
To bring you the fly shit
To make you feel pressure
Cause cali could test ya
Comrades still bangin
My niggas still bangin
And there's a whole lot of niggas still movin yayin
[Cold 187:]
Because it's highly compatible to come up
Ya got to have hard ache
Ya got to have a lot of luck
So if I hear you sayin cali ain't shit
Yo... you probably visited the valley little bitch...
The song "Kalifornia" by Above the Law featuring Kokane is an ode to the West Coast lifestyle and culture. The song opens with a shout-out to all the niggas out there, particularly in Pomona, South Central, Watts, Compton, and Long Beach. The lyrics boast about California being the gangsta town where the niggas like to stay high, and it's the land of big diamonds, palm trees, lowriders, and movie stars. The hoes aren't scared to show their bodies, and they wear the fly shit to the set parties. It costs a fortune to live on the west coast, but it's all about the paper here.
Kokane's verse reminds us that it never rains in southern California, and the G's with big bank accounts get to live the life of a hoe player while the bitches set a nigga up in case he's off-flossin'. Despite the dangers, California is still the place to be. It's the West Coast anthem Cali style and Mr. Flossy himself. Cold 187's verse tells the story of him heading to the shop to put some rims on his truck and meeting Sabrina from Covina along the way. He tried to brush her off, but she wanted a ride to the mail, and he had no choice but to oblige. He also bought a 40 for the little homies and a tall can for himself. The song ends with KMG's reminder that the comrades are still banging, moving yayin' and making everybody feel the pressure.
Line by Line Meaning
Mothafuckas don't get mad
Cause calis kinda fly
We be the gangsta town
The niggas that like to stay high
People shouldn't be envious because California is pretty cool. We live in a town where being a gangster and getting high is a way of life.
The land of big diamonds ya'll
Palm trees lowriders and moviestars
Where fools be mobbin with the real
Original where jackin is an art
California is full of wealth, palm trees, nice cars, and celebrities. There are many dangerous people who are genuinely hostile here. Carjacking is often viewed as a challenge.
Punk niggas get they caps pilled
And the hoes ain't scared to show they bodies
They wear the fly shit and freaks the set parties
Gave it up and the hoes wearin baggy shit
They the world why niggas got'em pussy whip
People who can't stand up for themselves are easily taken out, so they wear flashy clothes and participate in wild parties. In contrast, people who dress in loose clothing gave up on life. Women who dress provocatively have an influence over men.
They got niggas goin to pins got niggas stealin [? ]
For friends for foes for shows and more hoes
Cause it costs a grip to live on the westcoast
Cause we be flossin
We leave the world a commadose
The cost of living in California is high and pushes people to commit crimes. People befriend each other to take advantage of them. Living in California is an opulent experience.
See ya got to have hot
To live in cali ya'll
You got to have the fly shit
It's gonna cost you a grip
Ya see the hoes be legit
When you live in cali ya'll
To enjoy your stay in California, you need to be wealthy and dress flamboyantly. Women dress well to represent themselves at the same level as the state.
They say it never rains in southern california
That's what they tell me
G's with the big bank [? ] why you play us
Livin it up just to be a hoe player
All westcoast californ
We got them runnin in flocks
People say it never rains in Southern California, which is what they tell me. People with a lot of money and success are why we are criticized. All west coast Californians enjoy their life and do it their way.
And like KMG
They said them hoes be trippin
Cause bitches be settin a nigga up
When you off flossin
Still tossin
Yeah I'm bout to make bread
Wake up in the mornin
Found a mothafuckin bullet in my head
But it's alright
If yo games hook up tight
People accuse women of playing dirty when men fall for their schemes when they show off their wealth. Even when they're sleeping, someone could try and harm them. Tight connections between people can keep them safe.
It's time for me to check my connect
So I could be on deck
Before them fiens get they county checks
I left about 11:15
I spotted this fly fly cutey
In some [? ]
It's important to check up on your sources before their clients get paid. I left at 11:15 and saw an attractive woman in tight clothing.
They say yo... hook us up main
Bought em a 40
For me I got a tall can
I said peace
Don't be trippin little comrades
But the shit be [? ] bout my own [? ]
They asked for a favor, so I bought them some beer. I preferred a different brand for myself. I made peace with them and told them not to cause any problems. People don't know about my business.
Because it's highly compatible to come up
Ya got to have hard ache
Ya got to have a lot of luck
So if I hear you sayin cali ain't shit
Yo... you probably visited the valley little bitch...
It's very difficult to gain wealth in California, it takes a lot of hard work and luck. Don't criticize California unless you're from a poor area - you don't know what you're talking about.
Contributed by Blake P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Michael-Rooney007
One of the most underrated hip hop artists!
@marshalljay11
Raised in the Midwest and I was bumping west coast music since the 80s
@SouthCntrlBred
Such a classic album.
@ronaldjackson67
Still banging dis...7mile fo life west side Detroit..
@edsid15
Miss the 90s, nostalgic times in Southern California. Khakis, nikes, chucks, white ts, 3 flowers.
@reggiewhite7171
2023 I'm still banging this shit Cali fa life
@moh2502
When it's a blazing hot day, I have the windows down, sunroof open and I'm bumping Kalifornia by Above the Law, perfect combination 👌
@micaelfinley9379
I DON'T HAVE A DROP TOP, BUT THIS SONG IS PLAYING IN MY CTS ON A HOT SUMMER DAY IN OHIO.
@Yuvyhiphop1309
Above the law is my favourite West coast group 💯
@JoseTorres-tn8fw
Eazy was supposed to have a verse in this song but he passed that’s what big hutch said in an interview