Perhaps the group's most important contribution to rap is their speedy, harmonizing flow. While fast rapping has always had a niche in the culture, Bone certainly brought the style to the forefront. In addition, the group's ability to harmonize whilst flowing at top speeds is truly remarkable. Not before nor since has a rapper or rap group sung an a cappella tune without loss of street cred.
Their albums have varied in subject material, with 1994's Creepin on Ah Come Up being heavily influenced by the G-Funk gangsta rap era. E. 1999 Eternal, the group's most successful album, focused primarily on violent criminal activity, but also showed Bone exploring themes of spirituality, and the introduction of the group's trademark "weed songs"-- songs devoted entirely to smoking weed. The group's 1997 album, the Art of War, saw Bone further explore a wide variety of subjects and styles, with even more focus on God and family and an overall more ambient, mellow sound. The group still found time for violent lyrics, though, with a large portion of the album dedicated to what they labeled "clones" who claimed Bone had stolen their quick-tongued rapping style and vice-versa. 2002's Thug World Order album saw a drastic change in subject matter and tone for the group. The lyrics were almost completely void of any violence.
Although 1996 was definitely the peak of their popular appeal, Bone still has a fairly large cult following. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony are the only rap artists ever to have collaborated with late rappers Eazy-E, 2Pac, Big Punisher and The Notorious B.I.G.. Their latest release, Thug Stories, was released September 19, 2006.
Bone Thugs released their new album Strength and Loyalty on May 8, 2007 with production by Swizz Beatz, Kanye West, Lil' Jon, Three 6 Mafia, Big Boi of Outkast, Play-N-Skillz, Jermaine Dupri, Timbaland and Dr. Dre. It will be featuring guest appearances by Jennifer Lopez, Kelly Rowland, The Game, Lil Eazy-E ,Mariah Carey, Akon, Chamillionaire, Twista, Busta Rhymes, Stevie Wonder, Eve, Cassidy, Lil' Recka and DMX. According to the group they have recorded nearly 70 tracks and are in the process of deciding which tracks will appear on the album. Although producer DJ-Uneek helped to launch the band to stardom, he does not appear on the album; rather, handling the majority of the producton is Chicago native LT Hutton, with whom the band has worked on prior recordings. According to Bone, the album will feature all-new vocals from imprisoned member Flesh-N-Bone.
The first single, "Just Vibe", has been released on the radio in Southern California. Bizzy Bone will not be on the album. Bone says that this album will be their best ever. Swizz Beatz will handle most of the production, as the group signed in 2005 to Swizz Beatz' Full Surface Records, and in 2006 to Interscope Records.
As of 2006 to the present, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, especially Krayzie Bone, have continued their strong track record of collaborations and appearances on compilation albums. Krayzie appeare d on Duets: The Final Chapter by The Notorious B.I.G, the soundtrack from the Antonio Banderas movie Take the Lead and on DJ Khaled's new album Listennn... The Album (all of these appearances were credited as Bone Thugs-N-Harmony on the track listings to show the loyalty of the group). Bone Thugs appeared with Lil Eazy-E on the soundtrack to The Game's debut acting movie Waist Deep, and on The Source Presents Fat Tape Vol. 1. The most successful was Krayzie Bone's appearance on Chamillionaire's #1 single Ridin'. Krayzie Bone is featured on the new 2Pac album Pac's Life on the song "Untouchable (Swizz Beatz Remix)," credited as Bone Thugs-N-Harmony.
Sleepwalkers
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Woke up this mornin' fifty-five past six
Eazy-muthafuckin-E with tha hard ass dick
Nigga plottin', ahhhh
Nigga schemin'so don't wake me bitch cuz i'm dreamin
1-8-7s on bitches in my head, nigga up snorin' like fuck, sleep in fear
Cock my nine, and i'm out the window
Drunk as fuck and high off that indo
And i really don't think u wanna fuck with me
Nigga walkin half up with nine in hand
I gives a mad fuck but they don't understand
I wet 'em up, wet 'em up, wet 'em up
Now back to the mutha fuckin set, creepin crawlin crawlin creepin
Don't get caught sleepin
(Layzie)
Sleepwalkin stalkin runnin with the guage up under this murderous spell now
Consider me hellbound, crossin my path, i'ma drop this 12-guage shell down
On the road to destruction, guage eruption, creepin so i'm cautious
Catch a nigga sleep, six feet deep
and scopin out peepin cause ya be makin me nauseous
Deeper than a ocean man, hitttin you with this potion man
Death runnin up from the left, Bang! #1 in this murder game, insane
See a nigga fall victim, pick him, me click him, hunt on this deadly prowl
Watch out for the nightfall,when them come, mo murder be a nigga style
Mo murder, me comin to serve ya
Judgement day, me reapin
Lil Lay on the deep end
So me flipped with a spiff and I caught them sleepin
Eternally soldiers of the Clair, keep it ruthless, Mo Thugs
Little Layzie ya big boss, wanna floss on this
Gotta make that cheese, yeah nigga we gettin 'em
(Krayzie)
(It's on on on) Nigga let's killa killa killa
Bodies they count, me buckin em down, stay down
Murder me style, me put em in the ground now way down
Steady flip when I bang, bang, man
Flippin I roll with me gun
Still it's itchin to bang, bang, hang
And it's all the same
They willin to serve ya mo murder, mo murder
They thinkin you tangle but when they get mangled
rip all of your soldiers scream, but no body heard ya
Then pop in the clip if ya lettin me doze off, you lost
Creepin, I'm drunk when I stalk me victim
Sleepwalk with the intent to kill him
Woke up and my shovel done soaked in blood, put em in the mud
Dont know what it was but his gut was still drippin off me fuckin gloves
Then I got me strapped up, straight-jacked up, but man i'll be reapin,
creepin up under your dome, it's seepin
When the sawed off get to creepin,fall victim
(Bizzy)
Me stalkin, chalkin up bloody victims
Rest, the Ripsta, the sinister kill a nigga
put him in a river, bodies shiver, pump blood now
Wanna rest with the Mo Thugs, buckin em on down
What is it in ya, deep in the dead and we get fried
P.O.D. d when it comes to ride
Creep out your seat, but dont fall in the night
Once inside, forgettin about remorse
Tour curse'll ride, cry now when i'm ready to lie down
Then I awake in a mental state somebody gotta die now
I'll pap pap puttin a clack back in a me gat
Not never to mention never to mention
It'll be over when I take a nap, me deadly
But then me put in the bullet, the wickedness in me
And I'm on a mission on murder roll city to city without no pity
Well I got a clique see
My niggas up out of the woods reapin
Peep me creepin out of the corner, who just got caught sleepin?
(Wish)
Once the Mo comes up thers gonna be murder
Killer when the night falls
And it aint shit to kill cuz I really don't love ya
Don't run, run, run, I like my knife
Run up with that gun, gun, gun, and take your life
Straight-jakket is loose creepin up to get ya get ya
But fo' mo killas #1, Leatherface,that psycho and that killa Ripsta
Dippin me clip and me dumpin, me ditch ya
Thought he was dead but they saved him with stitches
When I come hard let's kill em all, niggas and bitches
Leave no witnesses
The song "Sleepwalkers" by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony feat. Eazy E is a vividly violent tune that seems to document the thoughts of men on a murderous spree. The opening verse by Eazy E starts off with him waking up and admitting to having sexual arousal, but then he is immediately drawn into the thoughts of murder, "1-8-7s on bitches in my head," and then he proceeds to describe in detail an account of killing several people. The following verses by the other members of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony continue in the same violent and murderous vein. Each verse describes stalking, shooting, and stabbing their victims with abandon, and repeatedly cautioning listeners not to let their guard down and fall into a dreamlike state. The song is, therefore, about the dark side of humanity, exploring the disturbed psyches of murderers who walk among us.
The song draws from the reality of the rappers' lives, with many of the members of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony actually living a life of violence before they made it big in the industry. The group has openly admitted to activities that would frighten most people, including being involved in drive-by shootings and members of the group having spent time in prison for violent crimes. While the lyrics can be unsettling to hear, they showcase the harsh reality of living in gang-riddled neighborhoods in America, where danger lurks around every corner. As such, the song serves as a commentary on the effects of poverty, marginalization, and systematic racism on the individuals who are forced to live in such adverse circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Woke up this mornin' fifty-five past six
Eazy-E woke up at 6:55 in the morning
Eazy-muthafuckin-E with tha hard ass dick
Eazy-E introduces himself braggingly
Nigga plottin', ahhhh
Eazy-E is scheming and planning to do something
Nigga schemin'so don't wake me bitch cuz i'm dreamin
Eazy-E is dreaming about his plans and doesn't want to be disturbed
1-8-7s on bitches in my head, nigga up snorin' like fuck, sleep in fear
Eazy-E thinks about committing murder and is not afraid of anyone sleeping around
Cock my nine, and i'm out the window
Eazy-E grabs his gun and leaves through the window
Drunk as fuck and high off that indo
Eazy-E is intoxicated with alcohol and marijuana
Nigga E, C-P-T, the O.G.
Eazy-E is from Compton, California, and identifies himself as an original gangster
And i really don't think u wanna fuck with me
Eazy-E warns people not to mess with him
Nigga walkin half up with nine in hand
Eazy-E is walking around with his gun
I gives a mad fuck but they don't understand
Eazy-E doesn't care what others think of him or his actions
I wet 'em up, wet 'em up, wet 'em up
Eazy-E shoots his enemies multiple times
Now back to the mutha fuckin set, creepin crawlin crawlin creepin
Eazy-E returns to his location, sneaking around
Don't get caught sleepin
Eazy-E warns people not to fall asleep
Sleepwalkin stalkin runnin with the guage up under this murderous spell now
Layzie Bone is sleepwalking with a shotgun, influenced by the urge to kill
Consider me hellbound, crossin my path, i'ma drop this 12-guage shell down
Layzie Bone sees himself as being destined for hell, and he will shoot anyone who crosses his path
On the road to destruction, guage eruption, creepin so i'm cautious
Layzie Bone is making his way to destroy, being careful and alert
Catch a nigga sleep, six feet deep and scopin out peepin cause ya be makin me nauseous
Layzie Bone kills someone who is asleep and feels disgusted by them
Deeper than a ocean man, hitttin you with this potion man Death runnin up from the left, Bang! #1 in this murder game, insane
Layzie Bone is going all out, with death coming from left field. He prides himself on being the best in killing
See a nigga fall victim, pick him, me click him, hunt on this deadly prowl
Layzie Bone sees someone as a potential victim, shoots him, and continues his killing spree
Watch out for the nightfall,when them come, mo murder be a nigga style
Layzie Bone suggests being cautious when darkness falls, as he will continue to kill
Mo murder, me comin to serve ya
Layzie Bone warns people that he's coming to kill them
Judgement day, me reapin Lil Lay on the deep end
Layzie Bone sees himself as someone who will be held accountable for his actions but still chooses to kill
So me flipped with a spiff and I caught them sleepin
Layzie Bone smoked marijuana and killed people who were asleep
Eternally soldiers of the Clair, keep it ruthless, Mo Thugs
Layzie Bone and his team, Mo Thugs, are relentless and brutal in their killing
Little Layzie ya big boss, wanna floss on this Gotta make that cheese, yeah nigga we gettin 'em
Layzie Bone brags about being the boss and making money from killing
(It's on on on) Nigga let's killa killa killa
Krayzie Bone suggest that it's time to kill
Bodies they count, me buckin em down, stay down Murder me style, me put em in the ground now way down
Krayzie Bone shoots and kills people in large numbers, burying them deep in the ground
Steady flip when I bang, bang, man Flippin I roll with me gun Still it's itchin to bang, bang, hang And it's all the same
Krayzie Bone is skillful with his gun, and he's ready to shoot anyone with the urge to do it
They willin to serve ya mo murder, mo murder They thinkin you tangle but when they get mangled rip all of your soldiers scream, but no body heard ya
Krayzie Bone and his team will kill on demand. Soldiers may fight but will die, screaming, and no one will help them
Then pop in the clip if ya lettin me doze off, you lost Creepin, I'm drunk when I stalk me victim Sleepwalk with the intent to kill him
Krayzie Bone threatens to shoot anyone who makes him drowsy. He goes out while intoxicated and kills anyone he wants to
Woke up and my shovel done soaked in blood, put em in the mud Dont know what it was but his gut was still drippin off me fuckin gloves
Krayzie Bone wakes up to find his shovel covered in blood from burying someone. He doesn't know what's happening, but he's got blood on his hands
Then I got me strapped up, straight-jacked up, but man i'll be reapin, creepin up under your dome, it's seepin When the sawed off get to creepin,fall victim
Krayzie Bone arms himself with his weapons and kills without mercy. No one is safe when he's around
Me stalkin, chalkin up bloody victims Rest, the Ripsta, the sinister kill a nigga put him in a river, bodies shiver, pump blood now
Bizzy Bone and his team record their body count and throw their victims in the river. They enjoy the sight of blood
Wanna rest with the Mo Thugs, buckin em on down
Bizzy Bone wants to join the Mo Thugs in killing people
What is it in ya, deep in the dead and we get fried P.O.D. d when it comes to ride Creep out your seat, but dont fall in the night
Bizzy Bone is curious about what makes people want to kill. When the Mo Thugs decide to kill, they execute it with precision. People should be cautious but alert
Once inside, forgettin about remorse Tour curse'll ride, cry now when i'm ready to lie down Then I awake in a mental state somebody gotta die now
Bizzy Bone overcomes empathy or sympathy upon killing. He's disturbed and is always ready for his next kill without any regrets
I'll pap pap puttin a clack back in a me gat Not never to mention never to mention It'll be over when I take a nap, me deadly
Bizzy Bone reloads his gun and will not talk about his next kill. He won't rest until he's asleep or dead
But then me put in the bullet, the wickedness in me And I'm on a mission on murder roll city to city without no pity
Bizzy Bone embraces his evil side and goes on a killing spree across different cities, showing no mercy
Well I got a clique see My niggas up out of the woods reapin Peep me creepin out of the corner, who just got caught sleepin?
Bizzy Bone brags about his team, Mo Thugs, who kill people from their hiding spots in the woods. He surprises people who fall asleep with his killing
Once the Mo comes up thers gonna be murder Killer when the night falls And it aint shit to kill cuz I really don't love ya Don't run, run, run, I like my knife
Wish Bone confirms that the Mo Thugs will kill at night without mercy. He cares nothing for his victims and prefers using a knife
Run up with that gun, gun, gun, and take your life Straight-jakket is loose creepin up to get ya get ya But fo' mo killas #1, Leatherface,that psycho and that killa Ripsta
Wish Bone will kill anyone who comes close with his gun. He's crazy, but so are his teammates #1, Leatherface, Psycho, and Ripsta
Dippin me clip and me dumpin, me ditch ya Thought he was dead but they saved him with stitches
Wish Bone shoots his victim multiple times, thinking he's dead, only to find out that he got saved after being stitched up
When I come hard let's kill em all, niggas and bitches Leave no witnesses
Wish Bone ramps up his killing spree and will not spare any witnesses, be it male or female
Contributed by Alaina M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.