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".

Good Bye
Outlawz Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

We live in a world where a man is judged by the color of his skin
We can't win, not the content of his character, they scared of you
22 million black in America, you better stand your area
75 percent population of the prison system, niggas listen
Niggas listen, niggas listen, Outlawz on a mission

So more gun shots by some young niggas
And now the media consider y'all some dumb niggas

And where you at, I done came from that
So I know what's on your mind when you're cocking your nine back

Busting your bullets at them niggas on the corner
And you aim 7 5 till your victim is a goner
But it's more than life and I don't blame you
Matter of fact I blame your parents for the shit you gonna do

There's a lot of niggas under ten getting shot by the nine
8 of them died and left 7 of them crying for the 5th and 6th time
I'm trying to tell you dog, you done pulled through
Nigga I know that's where we are

And the third second and first is when the welfare kicks in
We joined by nothing 'cause you're (unverified) drinking
Buying crack, go for drugs again
And it make you want to go and bust your gat again

But if you got a problem grab a pen, write a letter
And send it to the Outlawz, we'll try to make it better
My young soldier, you ain't no dumb soldier
Keep your mind on your dream and you a pro soldier

Hey yo, I spit, rip for Pac and Yak, I love y'all both
That's why I rap with a grudge and keep my enemies close
Memories float, nothing else to do but smoke
Now I'm numb with a lump in my throat

I'm scoffed up, constipated with pain hating the rain
We all get wet and pretty much when you close to death
I think you live by the gun, you die by the judge
And if my girl have a son, I'ma raise him better than I was

A little time does justice to the heart
You should ask your little boy why he rushing to the park
Everyday after school, you wonder why he love there?
They got guns drugs and plenty of thugs there

No care, that's why I speak on shit to you parents out there
Don't sleep on shit, raise your kids, come on you made the kids
We got kids killing kids, doing major bids, damn

I never really got a chance to say good-bye
I hope you're thankful you lived your life
And nothing keeps that before your eyes
I never really got a chance to say good-bye
And even though you're gone, you're always on my mind
I never really got a chance to say goodbye

To all my youngsters out there, trying to burn something
Will you pay attention a minute, you might learn something
'Cause look all they want to do is lock you up
And make some dough off you and when your ass finally die

They'll find a hole for you, I know it ain't no love
It seem cold to you but yous a soldier
Got to keep your goals close to you
'Cause 25 with an L ain't closer junior

Now in society, you're labeled as a loser junior
2 times at that, so close to your 3rd
Only 22 now what the fuck you gonna do
Convicted felons, they don't get no work, we all know that

Now you forced to draw back, you seen the cycle
They don't call it the system for nothing
Systematic ways to get you to your grave
But you heard it before, you ain't gonna listen to Edi

You gonna have to go through it but please believe me
Ain't no glory in pain, a soldier story in vain
You niggas gobbled by the game
Ain't no glory in pain, a soldier story in vain
You niggas gobbled up by the muthafuckin' game

It's a long long dark road out of hell, I've been there
I can tell you the story well, most don't make it
10 out of 12 and the 2 left fighting themselves
We sit in desperate need, searching for a cure

Us youngsters indeed we deserve much more
It's war 'cause we don't get along with each other
God damn we need to get it together for real

I never really got a chance to say good-bye
I hope you're thankful you lived your life
And nothing keeps that before your eyes
I never really got a chance to say good-bye
And even though you're gone, you're always on my mind
I never really got a chance to say goodbye

I got 50 shots for every (unverified)
These pigs is more crooked than some snakes on my block
They gave him a choice, he had to ride or die
Since bullets don't die, oz can you tell me how he died

Stay ahead of your game, young star, grow eyes
Stay away from them haters, also 1 time
I respect the game, I'm real serious with mine
It's like they lost, playing on furious with mine

So serious, you know, it's all about will and how strong you are
If you can stand it, stand the pressure and stay strong youngsters
Move up

I never really got a chance to say good-bye
I hope you're thankful you lived your life
And nothing keeps that before your eyes
I never really got a chance to say good-bye

And even though you're gone, you're always on my mind
I never really got a chance to say goodbye

Overall Meaning

The Outlawz's song 'Good Bye' is a commentary on the struggles of being a young Black person in America. The lyrics express the realities of living in a society where people are judged by the color of their skin rather than the content of their character. The song is a message to young Black people to stand up to the system that is working against them. It highlights the fact that 22 million Black people are living in America, while 75 percent of the prison system is made up of Black people. The song encourages young Black people to not give up and keep their dreams and goals close to them. It speaks of the vicious cycle of violence and crime that plagues many Black communities and urges parents to raise their kids to make better choices. Overall, the song is a poignant and powerful message about the struggle for equality and justice.

Line by Line Meaning

We live in a world where a man is judged by the color of his skin
In our society, people are unfairly evaluated based on their race rather than their character

We can't win, not the content of his character, they scared of you
The system is rigged against us, they are afraid of us expressing our true selves and potential

22 million black in America, you better stand your area
There are 22 million black people in America, and we must assert ourselves and defend our communities

75 percent population of the prison system, niggas listen
Black people make up 75 percent of the prison population, we need to pay attention to this injustice

Niggas listen, niggas listen, niggas listen, Outlawz on a mission
We need to listen and unite, because the Outlawz are on a mission to bring about change

So more gun shots by some young niggas
The continuous gun violence is perpetrated by young black individuals

And now the media consider y'all some dumb niggas
The media portrays young black individuals as unintelligent or foolish

And where you at, I done came from that
I understand the environment and struggles you come from

So I know what's on your mind when you're cocking your nine back
I understand the thoughts that go through your mind when you prepare to use a gun

Busting your bullets at them niggas on the corner
You're firing your gun at rival individuals on the street corner

And you aim 7 5 till your victim is a goner
You shoot with the intention to kill until your target is dead

But it's more than life and I don't blame you
However, life has more meaning and value, and I don't hold you solely responsible

Matter of fact I blame your parents for the shit you gonna do
In fact, I blame your parents for the circumstances that led you to make harmful choices

There's a lot of niggas under ten getting shot by the nine
Many young black children are being killed by guns

8 of them died and left 7 of them crying for the 5th and 6th time
Eight of them died, leaving seven grieving siblings crying for the fifth and sixth time

I'm trying to tell you dog, you done pulled through
I'm trying to emphasize that you have survived difficult situations

Nigga I know that's where we are
I understand the reality and struggles we face

And the third second and first is when the welfare kicks in
The government assistance program (welfare) provides support on the third, second, and first of each month

We joined by nothing 'cause you're (unverified) drinking
We have no resources or support because of your excessive drinking

Buying crack, go for drugs again
You resort to purchasing crack cocaine and getting involved in drugs once more

And it make you want to go and bust your gat again
This leads you to desire using your gun again

But if you got a problem grab a pen, write a letter
Instead of resorting to violence, express your issues by writing a letter

And send it to the Outlawz, we'll try to make it better
Send your letter to the Outlawz, and we will do our best to address your concerns

My young soldier, you ain't no dumb soldier
My young warrior, you are not foolish

Keep your mind on your dream and you a pro soldier
Focus on your dreams and aspirations, and you will become a skilled soldier

Hey yo, I spit, rip for Pac and Yak, I love y'all both
I rap fiercely and passionately in honor of Tupac and Yaki Kadafi, expressing my love for both

That's why I rap with a grudge and keep my enemies close
I rap with a deep resentment and keep my adversaries nearby

Memories float, nothing else to do but smoke
Memories resurface, and the only escape seems to be smoking

Now I'm numb with a lump in my throat
I feel emotionally detached with a heavy feeling in my throat

I'm scoffed up, constipated with pain hating the rain
I am filled with sorrow and unable to release my emotions, cursing the rain

We all get wet and pretty much when you close to death
We all experience pain, and it becomes more prevalent when we are near death

I think you live by the gun, you die by the judge
If you rely on violence, ultimately, the justice system will be responsible for your demise

And if my girl have a son, I'ma raise him better than I was
If I have a son with my partner, I will ensure that he receives better upbringing and guidance than I did

A little time does justice to the heart
With time, healing and justice can be found for emotional pain

You should ask your little boy why he rushing to the park
You should inquire why your young son is eager to go to the park

Everyday after school, you wonder why he love there?
Every day after school, you question why your son is so drawn to that place

They got guns drugs and plenty of thugs there
The park is filled with individuals carrying firearms, involved in drug activity, and surrounded by criminals

No care, that's why I speak on shit to you parents out there
I express these concerns to all the parents out there because they seem indifferent

Don't sleep on shit, raise your kids, come on you made the kids
Don't ignore the issues, take responsibility for raising your children, you brought them into this world

We got kids killing kids, doing major bids, damn
Our children are murdering each other and facing lengthy prison sentences, it's tragic

I got 50 shots for every (unverified)
I have plenty of ammunition to retaliate against anyone who threatens me

These pigs is more crooked than some snakes on my block
The police officers are highly corrupt, even more so than the snakes in my neighborhood

They gave him a choice, he had to ride or die
The system gave him a false choice between loyalty or death

Since bullets don't die, oz can you tell me how he died
Since bullets cannot be killed, can someone explain how he lost his life?

Stay ahead of your game, young star, grow eyes
Continue to advance in life, young individual, and become more aware and wise

Stay away from them haters, also 1 time
Avoid those who hate and despise you, along with avoiding conflicts with the law

I respect the game, I'm real serious with mine
I hold the game with high regard, I take it seriously

It's like they lost, playing on furious with mine
It seems that they are unaware or confused, while I am determined and focused

It's a long long dark road out of hell, I've been there
Escaping a difficult and horrifying path is challenging, as I have personally experienced

I can tell you the story well, most don't make it
I can narrate the story effectively, but unfortunately, most individuals do not survive

10 out of 12 and the 2 left fighting themselves
Out of a group of twelve people, only two remain and are struggling with internal conflicts

We sit in desperate need, searching for a cure
We are in a desperate state and desperately searching for a solution

Us youngsters indeed we deserve much more
Young individuals like us definitely deserve better treatment and opportunities

It's war 'cause we don't get along with each other
There is a constant state of conflict among us because we fail to cooperate and unite

God damn we need to get it together for real
We urgently need to come together and resolve our issues

I never really got a chance to say good-bye
I never had the opportunity to bid farewell

I hope you're thankful you lived your life
I hope you appreciate the time you had on earth

And nothing keeps that before your eyes
Let nothing diminish the importance of those memories

And even though you're gone, you're always on my mind
Even though you have passed away, you are constantly in my thoughts

I never really got a chance to say goodbye
I never had the opportunity to bid a proper farewell

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Malcolm Greenidge, Katari Terrance Cox, Mutah Wassin Shabazz Beale, Rufus Cooper III, Kamil Beale, Artis Leon Ivey Jr., Vivian Fernandes

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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