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 donβt know, it doesnβt really matter to me. G-Funk was actually created as a type of sound. It wasnβt like βthis is gonna be our soundβ. When we came to Ruthless, we were more like Funky melodic and NWA was more like matally sound. Like metalβ¦ like hard head break beatish. We brought the funky, vibey, groovey shit to the table. We were cutting βBlack mafia lifeββ¦ actually we was cutting βFor the funk of itβ, the EP which was between βLivinβ like hustlersβ and βBlack mafia lifeβ. I started mixing up a lot of Clinton shit and real funky shit and do it melodic. Melody styleβ¦ You know youβve got to remember the melody of βLondon bridgeβ before you remember the wordsβ¦ Thatβs how a melody is so intriguing and so step-on. So I was doing a lot of melodic stuffβ¦ but we was talkinβ about ghetto shit. You know straight gutterβ¦ And we was cutting βCall it what you wantβ and at the time people was like βYour shit is kinda different. What do you call your shit?β and we was like βYou know this is some G shit mixed with some funkβ. We would call it G-Funk or some shit like that.
Okβ¦
At the time, Warren G was sleeping on my floor in my apartment and he was like βWow thatβs kinda coolββ¦ and so we cut βCall it what you wantβ and even Pac, this was before The Chronic, if you listen to βCall it what you wantβ you can hear Pac saying βIβm pumpinβ G-Funk but you can call it what you wantβ. This was before The Chronic or anythingβ¦ So the first time you hear the term βG-Funkβ on record itβs from 2pacβs mouth. So go do your research and thatβll tell you the truth about that. Itβs 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 werenβt 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.
Set Free
Above the Law Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And now we have became just enslaved
We were once uhh. being in America
But now we have just became slaves
We were once uhh. being in Africa
But now we have became just the product of.
Saperated in souls and hearts that we call sets
I wanna be free, uhh. free, free!!
Yo, I was known as a player, mamma had to break her neck
Coming up hard in the west Dollas projects
Thinking into myself, I can live or either die here
So when I step, yo, I step with no fear
Cause you can either get your bang on
Or you can get your slang on
In the 90's on the westcoast
Uhh. yeah, so let me take a toast
Or have a boast from
my homies, my comrades, my dogs, my locs
Yeah, Peace for you, cause it's rough in the bay
That's why we always staying high of that d-ay
Trying to stay high; cause the system always trying to keep us down
Haayyy, so I clown, cause I get down
Plotting as a nation of niggaz that want me to keep it underground
Yo, I ain't this dead nigga, so I ain't mislaid nigga
Call me the head nigga, straight call fed nigga
Then you get two souses for relief
By straight get served on the 1st of Fifteen
I used to be your breaker, I used to be your popper
But my first; dead beef as I hate the short stopper
My second; a nigga trying to play me for some pussy
Just my homie Sam tried to play for this bitch named Cookie
He's a rookie trying to play a man's game
But he don't know, how I got a brought, how I got a came
There's always some kind of drama
That's why I'm crazy, blame it on my mamma
It's not what you get out of life, it's what you make of it
Get your hustle on and you will bone the benefits
I've been working hard for ten years, I'm a Gee
And how I keep it, is by staying set free, yeah
Shot Chup-a-lot, Chup-a-lot, Chup-a-lot, Technique
Shot Chup-a-lot, Chup-a-lot, Chup-a-lot, stay with me
Shot Chup-a-lot, Chup-a-lot, Chup-a-lot, Set free
Shot Chup-a-lot, Chup-a-lot, Chup-a-lot, Stay with me
Set Free, Set Free, Set Free.
Check it out
I love the way your brass bitch?? across the floor
I can't forget the past y'all, the sweat starts to pour
Down my body, I pause as I stand up out the window
I've think of what I got then I've think of what I've been through
I've reminisced about the motherfucking old days
Old lays, and how we was in motherfucking pain
Rolling with my partner, to get a fucking zone
Scared to hold some cocaine, I think it was eighty four
A year later, still living off that shit
Counting a little paper as the world takes hits
And hits; sets over here, sets over there
You can tell they're set by the stars and they brags in the air
Bailing through the motherfucking street
Like this is a war, but thangs are motherfucking free
As the news starts to glorify them homicides and drive-bys
While we get high and rock them fly rhymes
Still serving them power by the gram
While some of niggaz go to the pen, it's up to Uncle Sam
Keeping brothers in check, keeping buds on deck
White man keep us starving with no respect
So think about it, when you hustle with your gang
Still gonna trying to keep breaking the chain
Just to stay uhh. Free!
Yeah, set free
The song "Set Free" by Above the Law is a deep reflection of the struggles and pains of African American people, who have faced oppression and slavery in the past and continue to fight for freedom and equality. The lyrics start by highlighting the contrast between the past and present, where the African American people were once kings and queens but are now slaves, oppressed and segregated.
The lyrics then shift to a reflection of the personal life of the artist, who talks about his struggles of coming up hard in the west Dollar projects and having to step out with no fear. He talks about the choices they had to make in the 90s on the West Coast, where they either had to get their bang or slang on. The artist talks about the struggles and dramas he has faced in his life but also emphasizes the importance of getting your hustle on and staying set free.
The song ends with a chant of "Set Free," which represents the desire of African American people to break free from the chains of oppression and be truly liberated. The powerful lyrics of "Set Free" make a statement about the continuing struggles of black people in society, emphasizing the need for resistance, unity, and determination to overcome oppression and find freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
We were once uhh. being kings and queens
We used to feel like royalty
And now we have became just enslaved
But now we feel like we're trapped
We were once uhh. being in America
Once upon a time, we lived in America
But now we have just became slaves
But now we feel like we're enslaved
We were once uhh. being in Africa
We once lived in Africa
But now we have became just the product of.
But now our identity has been reduced to just being a commodity
Separated in souls and hearts that we call sets
We have been split apart into different groups based on our souls and hearts
I wanna be free, uhh. free, free!!
I just want to be free
Yo, I was known as a player, mamma had to break her neck
I used to be a ladies' man, and my mother worried about me
Thinking into myself, I can live or either die here
I realized that staying where I was could lead to life or death
So when I step, yo, I step with no fear
So I move forward without any fear
Cause you can either get your bang on
You can either fight or compete
Or you can get your slang on
Or you can become a hustler
That's why we always staying high of that d-ay
That's why we're always smoking weed
Trying to stay high; cause the system always trying to keep us down
We try to stay high because the system always tries to oppress us
Then you get two souses for relief
Then you can get two ounces for some relief
My second; a nigga trying to play me for some pussy
The second time I got into trouble, a guy was trying to take advantage of a girl I liked
There's always some kind of drama
There's always some kind of problem or situation
It's not what you get out of life, it's what you make of it
Life is not just about what you get, it's about what you do with it
Get your hustle on and you will bone the benefits
Work hard and you will reap the rewards
I've been working hard for ten years, I'm a Gee
I've been working hard for ten years and now I'm respected as a gangster
Shot Chup-a-lot, Chup-a-lot, Chup-a-lot, Technique
A repeated vocal chant used in the song
Down my body, I pause as I stand up out the window
I pause as I stand up by the window and sweat pours down my body
Still serving them power by the gram
We're still selling drugs by the gram
While some of niggaz go to the pen, it's up to Uncle Sam
While some of us end up in jail, the government is responsible
Keeping brothers in check, keeping buds on deck
The white man keeps us under control and keeps drugs available
So think about it, when you hustle with your gang
So think about it, when you're out there hustling with your crew
Still gonna trying to keep breaking the chain
We're still trying to break free from the chains that hold us down
Just to stay uhh. Free!
Just so we can stay free
Set Free, Set Free, Set Free.
Repeated chorus line used in the song
Contributed by Allison K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kleenex Warrior
[Intro: Cold 187um]
We were once the kings and queens
And now we've became the slaves
We were once, uh, the innovator
But now we've just became the imitator
We were once the leader
But now we've just become the follower
Separating ourselves in packs that we call sets
I wanna be free, uh
Free, free!
[Verse 1: Cold 187um]
Yo, I was born as a player, momma had to break her neck
Coming up hard in the west Dallas projects
Thinking to myself, I can live or either die here
So when I step, yo, I step with no fear
Cause you can either get your bang on
Or you can get your slang on
In the 90βs on the west coast
Uh, yeah, so let me take a toast
Or have a roast for
My homies, my comrades, my dawgs, my locs
Yeah, peace to ya, cause itβs rough in the bay
Thatβs why we always staying high off that dank
Trying to stay high; cause the system always trying to keep us down
Hayyy, so I clown, cause I get down
Plotting as a nation of millions that want me to keep it underground, yo
I ainβt a scared nigga, so I ainβt misled nigga
Call me the head nigga, straight corn-fed nigga
And you get two drops for relief
Or straight get served on the 1st and 15th
I used to be a breaker, I used to be a popper
But my first pet peeve is I hate a short stopper
My second; a nigga trying to play me for some pussy
Just like my homie Sam tried to play me for this bitch named Cookie
Heβs a rookie trying to play a manβs game
But he donβt know, how I got her broke, how I got a cane
[KM.G] Thereβs always some kind of drama
As for why Iβm crazy, blame it on my momma
Itβs not what you get out of life, itβs what you make of it
Get your hustle on and you reap all the benefits
Iβve been working hard for ten years, Iβm a G
And how I keep it, is by staying set free, yeah
[Chorus]
Sha-doo-ba-dop [x4]
Set me free
[Verse 2: KM.G]
Check it out
I love the way your brass Bed slides across the floor
I canβt forget the past yo the sweat starts to pour
Down my body, I pause as I stare out the window
Iβve think of what I got then Iβve think of what Iβve been through
Iβve reminisced about the motherfucking old days
Old lays, and how we was in motherfucking pain
Rolling with my partner, to get a fucking zone
Scared to hold some cocaine, I think it was '84
A year later, still living off that shit
Counting a little paper as the world takes hits
And hits; sets over here, sets over there
You can tell they a set by the stars and they rags in the air
Bailing through the motherfucking street
Like this is a war and theyβs a motherfucking fleet
And the news starts to glorify them homicides and drive-bys
While we get high and rock them fly rhymes
Still serving that powder by the gram
While some of my niggas go to the pen, itβs up to Uncle Sam
Keeping brothers in check
Keep the birds on deck
White man keep us starving with no respect
So think about it, when youβre hustlin with your gang
[Cold 187um]
Still gonna trying to keep breaking the chain
Just to stay, uh β¦ free!
Yeah, set free
[Chorus]
Randall McGaugh
2023 and I'm still bumping this to this day. Set Free, Concrete Jungle and Uncle Sam's Curse are 3 of my favorite all time tracks!!!
Clifford Ryan
This whole CD is a westcoast classic understand the elements of the west in this
Each group had that Cali sound that no one can denie
Kleenex Warrior
[Intro: Cold 187um]
We were once the kings and queens
And now we've became the slaves
We were once, uh, the innovator
But now we've just became the imitator
We were once the leader
But now we've just become the follower
Separating ourselves in packs that we call sets
I wanna be free, uh
Free, free!
[Verse 1: Cold 187um]
Yo, I was born as a player, momma had to break her neck
Coming up hard in the west Dallas projects
Thinking to myself, I can live or either die here
So when I step, yo, I step with no fear
Cause you can either get your bang on
Or you can get your slang on
In the 90βs on the west coast
Uh, yeah, so let me take a toast
Or have a roast for
My homies, my comrades, my dawgs, my locs
Yeah, peace to ya, cause itβs rough in the bay
Thatβs why we always staying high off that dank
Trying to stay high; cause the system always trying to keep us down
Hayyy, so I clown, cause I get down
Plotting as a nation of millions that want me to keep it underground, yo
I ainβt a scared nigga, so I ainβt misled nigga
Call me the head nigga, straight corn-fed nigga
And you get two drops for relief
Or straight get served on the 1st and 15th
I used to be a breaker, I used to be a popper
But my first pet peeve is I hate a short stopper
My second; a nigga trying to play me for some pussy
Just like my homie Sam tried to play me for this bitch named Cookie
Heβs a rookie trying to play a manβs game
But he donβt know, how I got her broke, how I got a cane
[KM.G] Thereβs always some kind of drama
As for why Iβm crazy, blame it on my momma
Itβs not what you get out of life, itβs what you make of it
Get your hustle on and you reap all the benefits
Iβve been working hard for ten years, Iβm a G
And how I keep it, is by staying set free, yeah
[Chorus]
Sha-doo-ba-dop [x4]
Set me free
[Verse 2: KM.G]
Check it out
I love the way your brass Bed slides across the floor
I canβt forget the past yo the sweat starts to pour
Down my body, I pause as I stare out the window
Iβve think of what I got then Iβve think of what Iβve been through
Iβve reminisced about the motherfucking old days
Old lays, and how we was in motherfucking pain
Rolling with my partner, to get a fucking zone
Scared to hold some cocaine, I think it was '84
A year later, still living off that shit
Counting a little paper as the world takes hits
And hits; sets over here, sets over there
You can tell they a set by the stars and they rags in the air
Bailing through the motherfucking street
Like this is a war and theyβs a motherfucking fleet
And the news starts to glorify them homicides and drive-bys
While we get high and rock them fly rhymes
Still serving that powder by the gram
While some of my niggas go to the pen, itβs up to Uncle Sam
Keeping brothers in check
Keep the birds on deck
White man keep us starving with no respect
So think about it, when youβre hustlin with your gang
[Cold 187um]
Still gonna trying to keep breaking the chain
Just to stay, uh β¦ free!
Yeah, set free
[Chorus]
Chris Coleman
2017...still goes hard!!
Murat Ciçin
2021
Yusuf Abbasi
2022!
DesertStorm
31/08/2022!
Tim Graham
2023
Evelyn Williams
One of the hardest if not top 5 rap beats ever shhh just listen... u see what I'm saying
Sergeii Egoroff
indeed.. but what are the rest 4 from this top5?