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 donโt know, it doesnโt really matter to me. G-Funk was actually created as a type of sound. It wasnโt like โthis is gonna be our soundโ. When we came to Ruthless, we were more like Funky melodic and NWA was more like matally sound. Like metalโฆ like hard head break beatish. We brought the funky, vibey, groovey shit to the table. We were cutting โBlack mafia lifeโโฆ actually we was cutting โFor the funk of itโ, the EP which was between โLivinโ like hustlersโ and โBlack mafia lifeโ. I started mixing up a lot of Clinton shit and real funky shit and do it melodic. Melody styleโฆ You know youโve got to remember the melody of โLondon bridgeโ before you remember the wordsโฆ Thatโs how a melody is so intriguing and so step-on. So I was doing a lot of melodic stuffโฆ but we was talkinโ about ghetto shit. You know straight gutterโฆ And we was cutting โCall it what you wantโ and at the time people was like โYour shit is kinda different. What do you call your shit?โ and we was like โYou know this is some G shit mixed with some funkโ. We would call it G-Funk or some shit like that.
Okโฆ
At the time, Warren G was sleeping on my floor in my apartment and he was like โWow thatโs kinda coolโโฆ and so we cut โCall it what you wantโ and even Pac, this was before The Chronic, if you listen to โCall it what you wantโ you can hear Pac saying โIโm pumpinโ G-Funk but you can call it what you wantโ. This was before The Chronic or anythingโฆ So the first time you hear the term โG-Funkโ on record itโs from 2pacโs mouth. So go do your research and thatโll tell you the truth about that. Itโs 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 werenโt 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.
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
[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
[Chorus:]
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.
Moh
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 ๐
SouthCntrlBred
Such a classic album.
Boon Dogg ESP
Still Bumping this hard in ESPOMONA. ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฃ๐ฃ๐ฃ
Jason
Explicit versions are always better, but I like Hutch's flow better in the clean version. He came with more intensity.
Big Spike T.V.
LONG LIVE KMG ๐
Alvera Smith
Bump this all the time๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ
Antonio Gambardella
this is rap classic ๐ฅ๐ฃ๐๐๐โ๐
ฮฮฃฮ 138
The 2nd dopest track after Black Superman on this super dope album. Pure G-Funk
The Admiral
Gangster Madness is ill
Michael Brown
Could be, although I really love V.S.O.P. and 100 Spokes, too.