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".

Late Nite Shift
Outlawz Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hey 'Pac, it's yo' boy
Hey man so far I've been listenin' to your album
And I ain't heard nothin' you could kick back and smoke a beadie to
You know?

Yeah like that
Some of that mellow s***
Some of that s*** that make b****es drink

Make n****s think
And help you check a fat-a** bank,
So why don't you kick some of that s***, n**** only you know how
Ha feel me?

I'm barely standin, and plus my secondhand say it's midnight
Some Alize and Cristal guaranteed to get right
Like misdemeanors is a small thang
With DJ Quik in this b****, I let my balls hang
Runnin' through the street lights, 'cause we like, yo n****
Get your mobb on show 'em what a G like
Around the corner it's like Vegas, or better yet like Reno
N****s poppin, welcome to our casino, 'cause you and me know
Hundred percent like a c-note
Lookin' for a b**** that's half-black and Filipino
And when I meet her I'ma offer her some indo
Tongue-kissing on the window of a pearl white limo
Don't wanna be your man, I'm your n****
Touch me here, I'll get bigger
While I'm diggin' I'll get deep into your liver
I'm game type
Love f***in' b****es in the same night
My words are aphrodisiacs if you say 'em right
The club be poppin' so I'm stoppin' at the Fat Burger
Look through the paper it's another black crack murder
The city's full of surprises, you can live or you can die
You can f*** on the first night, or try, in the late night

"Last night last night changed it all"
In the late night!
"Last night"
"I don't give a f***, where you gon' be"
?
In the late night!

"Last night last night changed it all"
In the late night!
"Last night"
"I don't give a f***, where you gon' be"
?
In the late night!

Around my way we lamp, many styles get cramped
I clock rocks in the rain 'til my socks is damp
Ain't nothin' like bein' a thug when I can just
Sit on the Row of Death straight knowin' that I'm blessed
Hussein Fatal, flawless fatality
Overdosin' on crime, three steps from reality
Get up to get down, represent your town, last night
Was poppin' like like c***ed Glocks with hollow-tip rounds

From booty calls to bail sheets, it ain't no tellin'
If I wake up in the county in my jail sheets
My intuitions and ambitions up in the late night
Probably involves me comin' up with just to see another day
Might be me who bites the bullet
In these streets where a man journey
With crooked cops and a society who tryin' to burn me
I'm like a pit in a cage, spittin' my shells in a gauge
Deadly as AIDS, n****s gettin' crossed like a maze
Now picture me livin' my life like a king, maybe one day
Until then I'm livin' Monday through Sunday
Bringin' the Gunplay for all these beefs and battles
When we collide, I'm a ride on that hide like cattle
Cowards best to skedaddle in the late night

"Last night last night changed it all"
"Last night"
"I don't give a f***, where you gon' be"
?
"Last night last night changed it all"
"Last night"
"I don't give a f***, where you gon' be"
?

Money and multiple gunshots are shown, large amps are blown
N****s in low-lows, pursuin' mo' hoes, then go home
The life of a California star, and when you see me
In the drop-top Jag', how many n****s wanna be me?
Game is automatic, mandatory I sell
To Live or Die, I survive, but with a story to tell
'Cause when you gettin' some riches, watch for dumb b****es
They have you labelled a rapist before you get to tongue-kissing
It's a mean world n**** you strapped, or be a throwaway
Will I survive the late night, to see dawn of day?
Nobody knows me, I'm a shadow
My army fatigues made for battle, pockets full of ammo
'Cause when I'm out in the streets, I'm on point, where the static?
Too many done died from semis, so now we automatic
I disappear whenever heated, ride whenever needed
For my n****s up in Clentin gettin' weeded
Continue to roll until I'm old, ride until I die
Supply long as you motherf***ers buy
My homies rolled by in a bucket, but they ain't short and duckin'
Slappin' n****s known for tellin' b****es f*** it in the late night

"Last night last night changed it all"
It's in the late night!
"Last night"
"I don't give a f***, where you gon' be"
?

In the late night!

"Last night last night changed it all"
Holla at me in the late night!
"Last night"

"I don't give a f***, where you gon' be"
?

Overall Meaning

The song "Late Nite Shift" by Outlawz featuring Tupac Shakur is a reflection of their experiences and observations about life in California, particularly in the late hours of the night. The conversation between Outlawz member E.D.I. Mean and Tupac at the beginning of the song sets the tone for what they want to hear from the music, which is something that they can relax and smoke to, something mellow that makes people think.

As the song progresses, Tupac's verse paints the picture of the night life in California. He talks about drinking Alize and Cristal and running through the street lights with his crew, DJ Quik playing in the background. He describes the city's surprises, from the club scene to the newspaper headlines about black crack murder. He also touches on the danger of living on the streets, with crooked cops and a society that wants to burn him. Throughout the song, Tupac and the Outlawz reflect on their experiences and how they have learned to survive.

The chorus of the song, "Last night last night changed it all," reinforces the idea that anything can happen in the late night, both good and bad. The late night represents a time of possibilities, where one can make a name for themselves or be taken down.

Line by Line Meaning

Hey 'Pac, it's yo' boy
Addressing Tupac as a friend.

Hey man so far I've been listenin' to your album
Complimenting Tupac's work.

And I ain't heard nothin' you could kick back and smoke a beadie to
Suggesting that Tupac's songs are not mellow enough.

Some of that mellow s***
Asking for a laid-back, chill song.

Some of that s*** that make b****es drink
Asking for a song that girls will enjoy.

Make n****s think
Asking for a song that stimulates the mind.

And help you check a fat-a** bank
Asking for a song that inspires financial success.

So why don't you kick some of that s***, n**** only you know how
Encouraging Tupac to write a specific type of song.

I'm barely standin, and plus my secondhand say it's midnight
Feeling tired and that it's late at night.

Some Alize and Cristal guaranteed to get right
Drinking Alize and Cristal to help get in the right mood.

Like misdemeanors is a small thang
Feeling like minor crimes are not a big deal.

With DJ Quik in this b****, I let my balls hang
Feeling confident with DJ Quik around.

Runnin' through the street lights, 'cause we like, yo n****
Running through the streets for fun and with friends.

Get your mobb on show 'em what a G like
Showing off gangster behavior.

Around the corner it's like Vegas, or better yet like Reno
Feeling like the neighborhood resembles a casino city.

N****s poppin, welcome to our casino, 'cause you and me know
Criminal activity happening like in a casino.

Hundred percent like a c-note
Being 100% committed like a $100 bill.

Lookin' for a b**** that's half-black and Filipino
Looking for a girl with a specific ethnic background.

And when I meet her I'ma offer her some indo
Offering to smoke marijuana with the girl.

Tongue-kissing on the window of a pearl white limo
Passionately making out in a limo.

Don't wanna be your man, I'm your n****
Preferring a casual, friendly relationship.

Touch me here, I'll get bigger
Being turned on by physical touch.

While I'm diggin' I'll get deep into your liver
Being sexually invasive and intense.

I'm game type
Being down for sexual activity.

Love f***in' b****es in the same night
Enjoying hooking up with multiple girls in one night.

My words are aphrodisiacs if you say 'em right
Being good at dirty talk.

The club be poppin' so I'm stoppin' at the Fat Burger
Stopping at a fast food joint after clubbing.

Look through the paper it's another black crack murder
Reading about violent crime in the news.

The city's full of surprises, you can live or you can die
Feeling like the city can be dangerous or full of opportunity.

You can f*** on the first night, or try, in the late night
Being able to have sex on the first meeting, or at least try to.

"Last night last night changed it all"
Feeling like something significant happened last night.

Around my way we lamp, many styles get cramped
Being used to hanging out and sharing resources among many people.

I clock rocks in the rain 'til my socks is damp
Dealing drugs in all conditions.

Ain't nothin' like bein' a thug when I can just
Liking the feeling of being tough and intimidating.

Sit on the Row of Death straight knowin' that I'm blessed
Feeling grateful to be alive despite dangerous circumstances.

Hussein Fatal, flawless fatality
Identifying as Hussein Fatal, a rapper who brings death to his enemies.

Overdosin' on crime, three steps from reality
Living a life of crime that is dangerous and close to reality.

Get up to get down, represent your town, last night
Showing pride in yourself and your hometown.

Was poppin' like like c***ed Glocks with hollow-tip rounds
Feeling like last night was exciting and dangerous.

From booty calls to bail sheets, it ain't no tellin'
Going from casual sex to legal trouble.

If I wake up in the county in my jail sheets
Possibly going to jail.

My intuitions and ambitions up in the late night
Feeling a drive to succeed and pursue goals late at night.

Probably involves me comin' up with just to see another day
Using creativity and hard work to survive.

Might be me who bites the bullet
Possibly being killed.

In these streets where a man journey
Experiencing a dangerous and uncertain life.

With crooked cops and a society who tryin' to burn me
Feeling like the police and society are against you.

I'm like a pit in a cage, spittin' my shells in a gauge
Feeling confined and ready to attack.

Deadly as AIDS, n****s gettin' crossed like a maze
Being as deadly as a disease, catching people off guard.

Now picture me livin' my life like a king, maybe one day
Aspiring to live a wealthy and powerful life.

Until then I'm livin' Monday through Sunday
Enjoying life day to day without worrying about the future.

Bringin' the Gunplay for all these beefs and battles
Being ready for fights and arguments.

When we collide, I'm a ride on that hide like cattle
Defending oneself and fighting aggressively.

Cowards best to skedaddle in the late night
Knowing when to avoid trouble.

Money and multiple gunshots are shown, large amps are blown
Experiencing violence and loud music.

N****s in low-lows, pursuin' mo' hoes, then go home
Going out to pursue sex and then returning home.

The life of a California star, and when you see me
Living a glamorous life in California.

In the drop-top Jag', how many n****s wanna be me?
Feeling proud and enviable while driving a luxury car.

Game is automatic, mandatory I sell
Being good at rapping and needing to make money from it.

To Live or Die, I survive, but with a story to tell
Finding a way to survive despite difficult experiences.

'Cause when you gettin' some riches, watch for dumb b****es
Warning against women who are only interested in money.

They have you labelled a rapist before you get to tongue-kissing
Being falsely accused of rape before even kissing someone.

It's a mean world n**** you strapped, or be a throwaway
Feeling like the world is harsh and tough, and being prepared by carrying a gun.

Will I survive the late night, to see dawn of day?
Questioning whether one will survive past the current night.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MICHAEL WILLIAMS, ASHETON HOGAN, TREMAINE NEVERSON, NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN, SAMUEL JEAN, JORDAN HOUSTON, LISA FISCHER, PAUL D BEAUREGARD, RICKY DUNIGAN, LOLA CHANTRELLE MITCHELL, ROBERT EDWARD COOPER, DARNELL CARLTON

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