There are at least two bands with this name:
(1) a U.S. Rapcrew
(2) a… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least two bands with this name:
(1) a U.S. Rapcrew
(2) a Dutch Punkband

(1)
Katari Cox and Malcolm Greenidge grew up together in New York. They knew each other through Cox's mother and Greenidge's father who were close friends. They and their families later moved to New Jersey where they became friends with Yafeu Fula. Cox's cousin and Fula's Godbrother, Tupac Amaru Shakur, used to look out for them and when he became famous he moved them out of the ghetto and bought them homes in Atlanta, Georgia.

In 1992, Cox, Greenridge and Fula formed a trio. Cox's alias was K-Dog, Greenridge's was Big Malcolm and Fula's was Young Hollywood. The trio went under several names including the Thoro Headz and the Young Thugs. Big Malcolm and K-Dog made their debut on "Flex" on Tupac's "Holler If Ya Hear Me" single which was released on February 4, 1993. In 1994, Young Hollywood's mother and Tupac's aunt, Yassmyn Fula, told Tupac about Mutah Wasin Shabazz Beale, a 16-year-old who witnessed his parents being murdered when he was three or four-years-old. The story made Tupac cry. He decided he wanted to met Beale. They met and soon Beale joined the group. He didn't go under an alias, just his first name, Mutah.

On November 30, Tupac was robbed and shot four times at Quad Recording Studios in New York. The next day he was arrested for sexual abuse. He was found guilty and on February 14, 1995, he was sent to prison to serve up to four and a half years. On April 5, his LP, Me Against The World, was released. The group now known as Dramacydal appeared on two songs, "Me Against The World" and "Outlaw." On June 27, Tupac's "So Many Tears" single was released. It featured "Hard To Imagine," a song by Big Malcolm, K-Dog and Mutah.

Dramacydal almost signed with Interscope Records, but on October 12, Death Row Records, Interscope Records and Time Warner paid a $1.4 million bail to have Tupac released. In return he had to sign a three album deal with Death Row Records. When he was released, he and Dramacydal flew to Death Row Records in Los Angeles, California and started working on his double LP, All Eyez On Me.

When Tupac was serving time he planned to form a new group. He asked Young Hollywood to start searching for members. Of course him, Big Malcolm, K-Dog and Mutah would be members of it, but more were needed. Young Hollywood told Tupac about his friend, Bruce Washington. He said that once when Big Malcolm and K-Dog visited him in Montclair, New Jersey they were robbed of their hats so he went to Washington and asked him to get their hats back. Washington confronted the thieves and they returned their hats. Young Hollywood asked if he could bring Washington with him, Tupac agreed.

Young Hollywood told Washington that he's helping Tupac to search for members for a group they were forming and asked him to be a part of it. Washington didn't believe him and it wasn't brought up again until Yaasmyn Fula mentioned it. At that point he realized that Young Hollywood had been serious. The next day, they visited Tupac. Before he had any chance to introduce himself Tupac asked Washington to drop a few verses. Soon he joined the group. Tupac's brother Mopreme Shakur and Tyruss "Big Syke" Himes of Thug Life joined the group as well.

Tupac gave each member of the group an alias taken from an enemy of America. Big Malcolm's alias was E.D.I. after Ugandian president Idi Amin, Big Syke's was Moozaliny after Italian president Benito Mussolini, K-Dog's was Kastro after Cuban president Fidel Castro, Mopreme's was Komani after Iranian Ayatollah Ruholla Khomeini, Mutah's was Napoleon after French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, Washington's was Hussein Fatal which was later changed to Fatal Hussein after Iraq president Saddam Hussein and Young Hollywood's was Kadafi after Lybian colonel Muammar Al-Qadaafi. Tupac named himself Makaveli The Don after Italian philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli.

Now all that was left was to come up with a name for the group. Tupac liked Lil' Homies, but Fatal who was almost as old as Tupac didn't want people to refer to him as a lil' homie, instead he suggested Outlaw Immortalz which Tupac agreed with.. On February 16, 1996, All Eyez On Me was released. The group guest appeared on "When We Ride" and they made solo guest appearances on "All About U," "Tradin' War Stories," "Thug Passion," "Picture Me Rollin'," "Check Out Time," "All Eyez On Me" and "Run Tha Streetz." After the release Komani and Moozaliny left the group for unknown reasons and female rapper Donna "Storm" Hunter joined the group who changed its name from the Outlaw Immortalz to the Outlawz. Outlawz stands for Operating Under Thug Laws As WarriorZ.

On June 14, Tupac's "How Do U Want It" single was released. It featured "Hit 'Em Up" featuring the Outlawz. It's the most notorious dis song in history. Bad Boy Entertainment, Chino XL, Junior M.A.F.I.A. and Mobb Deep is dissed on it. Tupac claimed he had sex with Bad Boy Entertainment recording artist The Notorious B.I.G.'s wife, Faith Evans. The video which was made for the song was the first Tupac video the Outlawz appeared in. Kadafi and Fatal had their friend, Rufus "Young Noble" Cooper, to join the Outlawz.

On September 7, 1996, Tupac was shot four times in a drive-by-shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was taken to University Medical Center where he died a week later. E.D.I. and Kadafi were in the car behind the one Tupac was riding in. E.D.I. said he couldn't identify the murderer, but Kadafi said he might be able to. The police lead was never followed and Kadafi moved with the rest of the Outlawz back to New Jersey before the police could question him. On November 5, Tupac's LP, The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, was released. The Outlawz guest appeared on four songs, "Bomb First (My Second Reply)," "Hail Mary," "Life Of An Outlaw" and "Just Like Daddy." "Hail Mary" was the third single and video. Death Row Records didn't credit the Outlawz for being on it and they cut them out of the video.

On November 10, after visiting his girlfriend, Kadafi was shot and killed.. He was found by the police in a third floor hallway of an apartment building in Irvington, New Jersey. He was taken to University Hospital where he died on the afternoon. Who killed him remained unknown to the public until September, 2000, when Napoleon revealed in The Source that it was his cousin, Roddy, who killed him. Roddy claimed it was an accident, Napoleon believed him, but not everyone did; Fatal was one of them.

All of the Outlawz with the exception of Fatal moved back to Los Angeles, California. Although Tupac told them serveral times not to sign with Death Row, the Outlawz signed a contract with Death Row Records. Between 1997 and 1999, you didn't hear much from the Outlawz who were obviously wondering where to go from there. They appeared on other artists' albums, compilations and soundtracks. They guest appeared on "Still Ballin' (remix)," the first single and video of Yukmouth's double LP, Thugged Out: The Albulation. In late 1997, Fatal signed a solo contract with Relativity Records who released his debut single, "Everyday," on March 17, 1998 and his debut LP, In The Line Of Fire, on March 31. Former Kausion member Gonzoe joined the group, but left after three months due to beef with the rest of the members.

Death Row Records and Rap-A-Lot Records almost worked out a deal which would let the Outlawz sign with Rap-A-Lot. They even advertised their upcoming Rap-A-Lot album, Neva Surrenda, in The Source. But the Outlawz changed their minds at the last minute and never signed with Rap-A-Lot. Fatal however signed with them as a solo artist.

On December 21, 1999, their debut album, Still I Rise, was finally released. Tupac appeared on 14 out of 15 songs and Fatal was removed from the songs he originally was on due to beef with the rest of the group. The first single and video of the LP was "Baby Don't Cry (Keep Ya Head Up II)." The LP suffered sales because Death Row Records' CEO Marion "Suge" Knight ordered Interscope Records not to promote it because the Outlawz refused to sign with Suge Publishing. It still went double platinum.

On April 1, the Outlawz filed a $4.5 million lawsuit against Suge, Death Row Records, Interscope Records, Suge Knight Films and Suge Publishing claiming breach of contract, unfair business practices, intentional interference with prospective economic advantages, racketeering and others. They won the lawsuit. With Death Row Records behind them, they felt it was time for them to pursue a deal with another major label. But with each offer they got something would go wrong. So they came to the solution where there's nothing else to do, besides starting their own label.

In February, 2000, the Outlawz were on Live From L.A. and stated they were starting their own label, Outlaw Recordz. They signed Noble's step-daughter, Baby Girle, Dirty Bert, Napoleon's little brother, Hellraza, and Lil' D. Then they looked for distribution. Bay area rapper Spice 1 told his distributor, Bayside Entertainment Distribution, about this. They contacted the Outlawz and signed a distribution deal. On November 7, 2000, the Outlawz's second LP and Outlaw Recordz's first release, Ride Wit Us Or Collide Wit Us, was released. It debuted at the ninth position on the Billboard independent album charts and became the best selling independent rap album of 2000. The first and second single and video were "Black Rain" and "Thug With Me."

In 2001, Napoleon made his film debut in Thug Life which also starred The Lady Of Rage and Willie D. New Child from Harlem, New York joined the group. Tupac always wanted someone from New York to be a member of the Outlawz and Fatal felt New Child was exactly what Pac was looking for before his death. On October 23, Big Syke's label, RideOnUm Record Group, released Thug Law Chapter 1, a collaboration album between the Outlawz and Thug Life.

The Outlawz felt Bayside Entertainment Distribution was too small for them. They left and signed a distribution deal with KOCH Records instead. On November 6, their third LP, Novakane, was released. It debuted at the 100th position on the Billboard 200 and third on the Billboard independent album charts. The first single and video was "World Wide" featuring Tupac and T-Low. The LP also featured "Loyalty," a dis directed at Fatal. There had been beef between Fatal and the rest of the Outlawz for a long time, but it wasn't known for the public until we interviewed Fatal in 2001. Fatal said he was angry at them for not being there for Tupac when he was shot and for "forgiving" Roddy for Kadafi's killing, which Fatal may or may not believe was an accident but felt there was no reason to point a gun at Kadafi's head, period. As Fatal said, accident or not, the outcome is the same. Fatal also questioned their judgement because they signed with Death Row Records although Tupac told them not to.

The future looks bright for the Outlawz. Next year, Fatal's second album, Death Before Dishonor, and New Child's debut album, S.O.G. (Son Of A Gangster) are coming out. Outlaw Recordz is releasing Napoleon's solo debut album, Bonapartes, Noble's solo debut album, Noble Justice, E.D.I. and Kastro's collaboration album, Blood Brothers, and the fourth group album. Fortress Entertainment is releasing their homevideo, World Wide, and E.D.I. is writing a screen play. They've got Outlaw Films and O.G. (Outlaw Gear) coming soon. Let's just hope they can squash their beef, like Tupac said, "Let no man separate what we create!"

(2)
The Dutch punkband formed in november 1981 and were first named Koi Boys. With Jeroen on bass, Maarten and David on guitars and Barend played the drums, vocals were done by Fokkie. The Outlawz split up in july 11983. Numbers by them may be found on the two albums "Als je Haar maar goed Zit".

Black Rain
Outlawz Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Black rain...theres no chance 2 exscape it
You know how it seem like sometimes nothin but bad luck
It just won't go right that's the black rain

[Chorus 2X]
black rain black rain
don't come
you've been wettin us up from day one

we ain't never seen a high point howcome
black rain black rain comes under the sun

[E.D.I.]
We live those big money dreams
sixteen and so plining
lust to touch everything still no feelings
we move on
through these storms
when its on its on we move strong
you know the rules
roll with fools who use two's no trianing
hit ya block no stop no aiming
black raining
and man the forecast leak
stay inside ??? gone for weeks
its war on the streets
gang bangin ???
not a city that never sleeps and never see beefs
bad enough we still killing eachther over ???
now its more bust ??? to over color
man its insane black rain
feeding our seeds making em strong for payin the game
and yo we won't change
you better recognize
and its a damn shame 'cause its right in our eyes

[Chorus 2X]
black rain black rain
don't come
you've been wettin us up from day one
we ain't never seen a high point howcome
black rain black rain comes under the sun

[Napolean]
I seen it all
when the black rain falls
ride where you fall
black bodies fall
black rain... you got time to explain
while I'm still strugglin damn near insane
damn near in pain...from years ago
only you know how the story goes
took mah got lead all in me
1st you came now the Lord's calling me
all in me is what my outlawz train me
and all in me is what my brothers gave me
and all you see is just another young thug
but plese let my baby boy play in the mud
play in the sun
please let him have some fun
don't wet the sidewalk walk that he walk to school from
and don't let the pain that i touch he feel
and don't let him trust no snakes that's real

[Chorus 2X]
black rain black rain
don't come
you've been wettin us up from day one
we ain't never seen a high point howcome
black rain black rain comes under the sun

[Kastro]
Its cold outside in the middle of the summer
days fly by nights fall like lumber
crys... inside of the minds of the younger...the hunger
scream through the city like thunder
its like a bunch of black clouds we under
from day one to day none my heart getting nummer
its dark...tommorw might come alone
scince i can't see clear i stumble the home
it ain't fair
the air out here to thin
i breath...and don't beliveve in the hearts of men...its triflin
the life we in needs change till then we hustle in this black rain

[Young Noble]
Yo...aint no way out the hood
can't stay out the hood
hustle hard to everyday out is good
the days seem dark but the nights is bright
ain't nobody going down so we like to fight
cops they come around tryin to cuff me up
lock a brotha down tryin to ruff me up
we got a snitch on the block yeah they tellin authorities
watchin like hawks but I'm sellin regaurdless
my baby due soon i ain't playin wit y'all
it happend so fast 1st day already gone
a million new fiends on coke this year
a million whole familys went broke this year
we tryin to live long can you tell me how
I'm hopin that my heat don't fail me now
everytime i take a step they try and tair me down
but see me in the flesh and you starrin me down
i do it for my fam 'cause I'm livin for em
we seein a clouds but i paint a perfect picture for em
black rain
black rain...we see clouds but i paint a perfect picture for em

[Chorus 2X]
black rain black rain
don't come
you've been wettin us up from day one
we ain't never seen a high point howcome
black rain black rain comes under the sun

(singing and talking in backround)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Outlawz's song Black Rain speak to the challenges and struggles of living in a society where crime and violence seem to be the norm. The metaphorical "black rain" is a symbol of the difficult situations and circumstances that people cannot escape no matter how hard they try. The chorus emphasizes the idea that the black rain has been "wettin us up from day one," suggesting that this is a persistent and pervasive issue that has affected generations of people.

Each verse tells a different story of the hardships that people face. E.D.I., for example, describes the desensitization to violence that comes with living in a dangerous environment. The line "not a city that never sleeps and never see beefs" suggests that violence is so common that it becomes a fact of life that people have to learn to deal with. Napolean talks about the toll that living in a violent world takes on one's mental health, while Kastro speaks to the feeling of being trapped and hopeless. Young Noble's verse paints a picture of a community that is struggling to survive in the face of poverty, addiction, and police brutality.

Overall, Black Rain is a powerful commentary on the challenges that people face in a world where violence and inequality are widespread. The lyrics are raw and honest, capturing the pain and frustration of those who feel trapped in a cycle of poverty and violence. The song is a call to action, urging listeners to recognize the struggles of their fellow human beings and work to create a more just and equitable society.

Line by Line Meaning

Black rain...theres no chance 2 exscape it
The problems and struggles are coming relentlessly and there is no escape from it

You know how it seem like sometimes nothin but bad luck
There are times when nothing seems to go right and bad luck pursues

It just won't go right that's the black rain
No matter how much effort is put, things will not go as planned due to black rain

black rain black rain don't come you've been wettin us up from day one we ain't never seen a high point howcome black rain black rain comes under the sun
The black rain has been bringing them down since day one, they haven't seen any success, and it always comes when the sun is shining

We live those big money dreams sixteen and so plining lust to touch everything still no feelings we move on through these storms when its on its on we move strong you know the rules roll with fools who use two's no trianing hit ya block no stop no aiming black raining and man the forecast leak stay inside ??? gone for weeks its war on the streets gang bangin ??? not a city that never sleeps and never see beefs bad enough we still killing eachther over ??? now its more bust ??? to over color man its insane black rain feeding our seeds making em strong for payin the game and yo we won't change you better recognize and its a damn shame 'cause its right in our eyes
They have dreams of money, but they have become immune to feelings. They keep going through the struggles relentlessly. They follow the rules of gang members who are untrained gunmen. Even the forecast announces the war that occurs daily, there is always tension among groups. They are not just killing over gang affiliation, but also racial differences. It is sad to see young people being taught this and being sucked into this black rain culture.

I seen it all when the black rain falls ride where you fall black bodies fall black rain... you got time to explain while I'm still strugglin damn near insane damn near in pain...from years ago only you know how the story goes took mah got lead all in me 1st you came now the Lord's calling me all in me is what my outlawz train me and all in me is what my brothers gave me and all you see is just another young thug but plese let my baby boy play in the mud play in the sun please let him have some fun don't wet the sidewalk walk that he walk to school from and don't let the pain that i touch he feel and don't let him trust no snakes that's real
He has seen and experienced everything that happens when the black rain comes. He questions why he is still struggling and in pain from years ago. Only God knows the story of his life. The lead inside him refers to being shot, and now his time is coming. He has learned from the people around him, including his brothers and the Outlawz. He wants his son to have a normal life, to play and have fun, and not have to worry about the dangers of the streets.

Its cold outside in the middle of the summer days fly by nights fall like lumber crys... inside of the minds of the younger...the hunger scream through the city like thunder its like a bunch of black clouds we under from day one to day none my heart getting nummer its dark...tommorw might come alone scince i can't see clear i stumble the home it ain't fair the air out here to thin i breath...and don't beliveve in the hearts of men...its triflin the life we in needs change till then we hustle in this black rain
The days and nights seem endless and exhausting. The youth are full of hunger, and their minds full of sorrow. The environment is as if they are under a bunch of black clouds. His heart and soul are getting numb from all these experiences, and the future seems unknown. The air outside is too thin, to the point that it's hard to breathe. He doesn't believe in people's hearts and the life they live in, and it's unstable. Until the black rain culture changes, they will continue to hustle and survive.

Yo...aint no way out the hood can't stay out the hood hustle hard to everyday out is good the days seem dark but the nights is bright ain't nobody going down so we like to fight cops they come around tryin to cuff me up lock a brotha down tryin to ruff me up we got a snitch on the block yeah they tellin authorities watchin like hawks but I'm sellin regaurdless my baby due soon i ain't playin wit y'all it happend so fast 1st day already gone a million new fiends on coke this year a million whole familys went broke this year we tryin to live long can you tell me how I'm hopin that my heat don't fail me now everytime i take a step they try and tair me down but see me in the flesh and you starrin me down i do it for my fam 'cause I'm livin for em we seein a clouds but i paint a perfect picture for em black rain black rain...we see clouds but i paint a perfect picture for em
There is no way to escape the hood, and they must hustle every day to survive. They fight physically to defend themselves against police brutality and snitches. They know they are being watched but continue to sell drugs. His baby is due soon, he sees how fast life goes by, and how many families are affected by poverty, even though they try to live long. Life is tough, but he keeps moving forward for the sake of his family. Despite all the difficult times and the black rain, he paints a perfect picture of hope and strength for his family.

Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BEN C HARPER, JASON YATES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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