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.
Untouchable
Above the Law Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All hail to those who believe in lying
For they know the spirit of our life
True as a brother make his way in life
Shall he make it uncontrollable towards any other being
[ VERSE 1: Cold 187um ]
First let me explain that I'm a hustler
In this lifetime you got two things
Bad and good, and ain't nothin in between
Now I'ma break down a little slogan
So you can figure out the path that I'm strollin
Some say it's hard, some say it's dirty
Some say it's all sex, money and murder
Now me myself, see, I'm a hustler
And I rather be that than a new jack buster
I'm always known for doin somethin
Cause I'm always in the mix when the shit start jumpin
At a club and at a house
If a sucker disrespect, I get upset
Now I'ma make my plan to get with it
I'ma hit, and seek, and destroy it
Now what could I really be sayin?
That all set aside, that I don't be playin
187's a killer, even iller
And I'm also a thriller
And of course I'm untouchable
It's not what you know, it's what you can prove
(For the so-called law) --> MC Ren
[ VERSE 2: KM.G ]
See, I got to misbehave, just a little taste
Push up, increase, yo, I start the phase
New lyrics, breakin like a running rebel
For the words are defined, cause we're on a higher level
Cause I'm goin out with Jack in my system
Hustlers from the house, you can just list them
Lookin for some heartbeat, ready to rumble
If I spot a soft sucker his world's got to crumble
Pardon me a moment, I be just at it
Brothers claimin what ain't there, they're rhyme bandits
I will arraign my death until I reach my peak
And if the king slip, I've got to impeach
(KM.G, do you have the contacts?)
The homie Ant, K-oss with the dope tracks
On the 12 spin, behind his back
2nd DJ jumpin off is Go Mack
On a mission to keep on dishin all fools
187 got the right, cause we wrote the rules
Lyrical techniques keep fools in a daze
Straight up your panjacks just to hear me faze
(Now what about the brother we took out?
Don't sweat him, cause he didn't have no clout
Cause yo, in attack I broke his back, I show no slack
And I never got caught because
I'm untouchable)
It's not what you know, it's what you can prove
(For the so-called law) --> MC Ren
[ VERSE 3: KM.G & Cold 187um ]
Untouchable, on the Cali streets
On the corner where the dope and destruction meets
Where a cool young brother could never be soft
On a top-dollar street where shit jumps off
You're never up on a, tagged as a tinted
You're tryin to get out, but you're already in it
Cause pooh-put suckers don't amaze me
Cause I live my life wild, ruthless and crazy
If I don't hit you, you probably hit me
How could it be, I'm the illustrator KM.G
And see, that's just one thing that never happens
KM.G, 187 - lose when we rappin
See, we slide out some suckers who be nappin
Grab the mic, put in the clip and commence to start cappin
Cause when we flow, we got dignity
And we're givin the world an opportunity
That there's a lesson to be taught when you come to our show
Cause we scratch on our table, and bust the rhyme flow
Plus our lyrics is steaks, and rhythms come clean
Do damage, break backs, if you know what I mean
We stay untouchable
It's not what you know, it's what you can prove
(For the so-called law) --> MC Ren
The lyrics of Untouchable by Above the Law explore the nature of being a hustler and living life on the streets. KM.G's verse discusses the idea of lying and how it is necessary for survival on the streets. He also talks about making one's way in life without causing harm or being uncontrollable towards others. Cold 187um's verse touches on the idea of good and bad and how a hustler must do what they can to survive in a tough world. He also discusses the importance of standing up for oneself and seeking revenge when necessary. Both KM.G and Cold 187um emphasize how they are untouchable and cannot be stopped by anyone.
The lyrics of this song reflect the group's experiences growing up in Compton, a city known for gang violence and criminal activity. Above the Law was part of the West Coast rap scene in the late 80s and early 90s, along with other groups like N.W.A. and Ice-T. The song was included on their 1990 album, "Livin' Like Hustlers," which was praised for its unique mix of hard-hitting beats and socially aware lyrics. Overall, the song captures the gritty, dangerous world of the streets and the struggle to survive in it.
Line by Line Meaning
All hail to those who believe in lying
Praising those who manipulate the truth for their own benefit
For they know the spirit of our life
Acknowledging that deception is an inherent part of life
True as a brother make his way in life
Adhering to loyalty and unity among comrades
Shall he make it uncontrollable towards any other being
Not allowing personal success to harm or negatively impact others
First let me explain that I'm a hustler
Introducing oneself as someone who navigates the socioeconomic landscape through various means
Now here's an example of what a hustler must do
Providing an illustration of the mindset and actions required to be successful in a life of hustling
In this lifetime you got two things
Implying that life can be simplified into two categories: good and bad
Bad and good, and ain't nothin in between
Reinforcing the notion that there is no moral gray area in life
Now me myself, see, I'm a hustler
Emphasizing the artist's personal identity as a hustler
And I rather be that than a new jack buster
Expressing a preference for being a successful hustler over an inexperienced failure
If a sucker disrespect, I get upset
Not tolerating any form of disrespect toward oneself
Now I'ma make my plan to get with it
Formulating a strategy to overcome obstacles and achieve success
And of course I'm untouchable
Believing in one's invincibility due to their status as a successful hustler
See, I got to misbehave, just a little taste
Indulging in minor wrongdoing as a means of asserting one's control and independence
Now what about the brother we took out?
Discussing a past conflict and its outcome
Cause yo, in attack I broke his back, I show no slack
Bravado in recounting a violent altercation and one's own dominance
Untouchable, on the Cali streets
Proclaiming one's immunity to societal norms and laws
You're never up on a, tagged as a tinted
Avoiding suspicion and detection from authorities
Cause we scratch on our table, and bust the rhyme flow
Achieving success through one's skills and talents rather than illicit means
Plus our lyrics is steaks, and rhythms come clean
Boasting of the high quality of one's artistic output
We stay untouchable
Reiterating one's invincibility and autonomy
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Quincy D. Jones, Kevin Gulley, Gregory Frenard Hutchison, John Paul Densmore, Robert Krieger, Ray Manzarek, Jim Morrison
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Pat
What's this beat The rap group UnLV from New Orleans used it too
StrykerEcks
Patrick King the rap group is Above The Law. The song contains the following samples...
Main sample: https://youtu.be/-Fn3OOX3IMc at 0:10.
The Hook/Riff: https://youtu.be/wNeg4KN0hms at 0:57.
Other sample: https://youtu.be/AoQ4AtsFWVM at 5:20
Pat
Gotcha 👌🏾
Larry Green
? Jackie Wilson
FoxNewsChannelSux
@Larry Green Yeah, they use the Jackie Wilson version of "Light My Fire" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDWyTMKM2Fc
KLartrandM
As a teenager this one verse stuck with me til this day. "Untouchable, its not what you know, its what can prove" #facts
OFFICIAL O-CREEP
Classic!!! Nobody had this chemistry in a Hip-hop group like Above The Law. RIP KMG. ATL Hip-hop's most under appreciated and underrated groups.
sirpoppinchuck
Their flow on this was incredible!!!
Ben
Hell yes it was had this tape in grade 7 i was the only one that had it
Stephen RA'EL
They had some good tracks behind their raps. That's what made them sound good. Who ever produced them did a good job.