2 Live Crew
| Company type | Hip hop group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Headquarters | Miami , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | DJ Mr. Mixx (David Hobbs), Fresh Kid Ice (Christopher Wong Won), Brother Marquis (Mark Ross), Luther "Luke Skyywalker" Campbell |
| Products | Hip hop music, albums |
2 Live Crew is a hip-hop ensemble originating from Miami, Florida, established in 1984. The initial members were DJ Mr. Mixx (David Hobbs), Fresh Kid Ice (Christopher Wong Won), and Amazing Vee (Yuri Vielot). The lineup most widely recognized formed when Brother Marquis (Mark Ross) was added and Amazing Vee was replaced by Luther "Luke Skyywalker" Campbell, who also took on the roles of manager and promoter. Renowned for their explicit lyrics and controversial themes, 2 Live Crew played a foundational role in the Miami bass genre and significantly influenced Southern hip hop. Their landmark album, The 2 Live Crew Is What We Are (1986), blended deep bass rhythms with playful yet provocative content.
The group achieved both commercial acclaim and notoriety with their 1989 release, As Nasty As They Wanna Be, which earned double platinum status from the RIAA and included the popular track "Me So Horny." The album's explicit nature sparked legal disputes, culminating in a 1990 federal court ruling that deemed it legally obscene—marking a first for a music album in the United States. This decision ignited a pivotal First Amendment lawsuit that was overturned by the Eleventh Circuit Court in 1992, cementing the group's position as champions of artistic freedom in music. Despite changes in personnel and ongoing legal issues, 2 Live Crew continued to produce albums such as Banned in the U.S.A. (1990), notable for being the first to display a Parental Advisory label, and remained active until their dissolution in 2016 following Fresh Kid Ice's passing in 2017. Their legacy endures within hip hop culture for challenging creative limits and advancing bass-driven sound production.
1984–1986: Formation and early success
Although closely associated with the Miami hip-hop movement, 2 Live Crew was originally formed in Riverside, California by DJ Mr. Mixx (David Hobbs) alongside rappers Fresh Kid Ice (Chris Wong Won) and Amazing Vee (Yuri Vielot).
Their debut single, "Revelation" (1984), was released under their own label Fresh Beat Records. The A-side featured Amazing Vee performing solo, while the B-side, titled "2 Live," showcased Fresh Kid Ice. This record gained popularity within Florida, prompting local DJ and promoter Luke Skyywalker (Luther Campbell) to invite them to Miami. Through this exposure, Fresh Kid Ice became recognized as one of the earliest prominent Asian American rappers.
The follow-up single, "What I Like" (1985), featured vocals exclusively by Fresh Kid Ice; Amazing Vee was credited as songwriter but departed from the group shortly afterward.
In January 1986, "Throw The D" set a new standard for future Miami bass productions. Drawing inspiration from a Miami dance known as "Throwing The Dick," the track combined a catchy hook crafted by Mr. Mixx with lyrics penned by Wong Won during an airplane flight. Recording took place soon after in a 16-track studio.
Rapper Brother Marquis (Mark Ross) joined the ensemble at this time, and Luke Skyywalker secured a recording contract for them while also managing the group and acting as hype-man amid ensuing controversies.
Their debut album, The 2 Live Crew Is What We Are (1986), pushed boundaries with sexually explicit rap songs such as "We Want Some Pussy" and "Throw the 'D'." The album achieved gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), fueled largely by grassroots promotion. Additionally, Bob Rosenberg of Will to Power remixed "Beat Box," earning praise from Luke Skyywalker who dubbed him the "King of Edits." In 1987, a Florida shop clerk faced felony charges for selling this album to a minor but was ultimately acquitted.
1988–1998: Top-selling records and legal disputes
The group’s sophomore album, Move Somethin' (produced by Mr. Mixx), was released in 1988 and achieved Gold certification. It included singles such as "Move Somethin'" and "Do Wah Diddy Diddy," reaching number 68 on the Billboard 200 and climbing to number 20 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Campbell issued both a censored and explicit version, which led to a notable obscenity trial against a record store clerk in Alabama; however, the store employee was ultimately found not guilty.
Their 1989 release, As Nasty as They Wanna Be, emerged as their most commercially successful album, largely propelled by the track "Me So Horny" receiving extensive airplay on Miami radio stations. The album encountered legal opposition from the American Family Association and authorities in Florida who labeled it obscene. Broward County Sheriff Nick Navarro secured a ruling affirming probable cause for obscenity, resulting in arrests of retailers and group members following performances. Nonetheless, with international advocacy and expert testimony affirming the lyrics as constitutionally protected speech rooted in African-American cultural expression, the charges were dismissed and convictions overturned.
Campbell portrayed himself as a diligent entrepreneur promoting an innovative product rather than a moral menace. The group also prevailed in a landmark copyright dispute when the Supreme Court determined their parody of Roy Orbison’s "Oh, Pretty Woman" qualified as fair use.
In 1992, the Eleventh Circuit Court rescinded the obscenity verdict, and sales of As Nasty as They Wanna Be surpassed two million copies, peaking at number 29 on the Billboard 200 and number 3 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Additional legal challenges included litigation from Van Halen concerning unauthorized sampling and from George Lucas over the use of "Skywalker," prompting Campbell to adopt the stage name Luke and rename his label Luke Records.
Their politically charged fourth album, Banned in the U.S.A., initially presented as Luke’s solo effort, attained Gold status with notable tracks like "Do the Bart" and its title song referencing their legal struggles. This album was among the first to carry the RIAA Parental Advisory label. It also controversially featured songs targeting Florida officials involved in pursuing obscenity charges.
The group’s only live album, Live in Concert (1990), marked their initial release under Luke Records’ Effect imprint, allowing distribution beyond their Atlantic Records contract signed that year.
The 1991 follow-up, Sports Weekend: As Nasty as They Wanna Be, Pt. 2, yielded the gold-certified single "Pop That Pussy". This album was the final studio project to include all original members; subsequent albums featured changing lineups except for Fresh Kid Ice.
In 1994, operating under the name "The New 2 Live Crew," they released Back at Your Ass for the Nine-4 without Brother Marquis and Mr. Mixx. The album reached number 52 on the Billboard 200 and number 9 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, featuring singles such as "Hell, Yeah" and "You Go Girl".
A short-lived reunion occurred in 1995 when Fresh Kid Ice, Brother Marquis, and Mr. Mixx collaborated on "Hoochie Mama" for the Friday soundtrack, which topped both the Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts.
Fresh Kid Ice, Mr. Mixx, and Brother Marquis departed from Luke Records to join Lil' Joe Records for the release of Shake a Lil' Somethin' (1996), produced by Mr. Mixx. This album peaked at number 145 on the Billboard 200 and number 33 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums with singles charting on Hot Rap Songs. Fresh Kid Ice later rejoined original members while Mr. Mixx exited following this release.
Their eighth studio effort, The Real One (1998), created with various producers excluding Mr. Mixx, reached number 59 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Shortly after its debut, Brother Marquis also left the ensemble.
2000–2009: Hiatus and Reunion
During the early 2000s, both Brother Marquis and Fresh Kid Ice focused on individual solo endeavors. By approximately 2006 to 2007, they reconciled their differences and chose to revive 2 Live Crew, extending invitations to former members who ultimately declined participation. The group resumed live performances and began releasing new singles.
2010–present: Recognition, Losses, Legal Disputes, and Membership Changes
In 2010, Brother Marquis and Fresh Kid Ice briefly joined forces again with Luke and Mr. Mixx to perform at the VH1 Hip-Hop Honors: The Dirty South Edition.
That same year, they launched several singles such as "I'm 2 Live" featuring Mannie Fresh, "Cougar," and "Boom" with E-40. They also announced an upcoming album titled Just Wanna be Heard, which was to include collaborations with Too Short, E-40, and Insane Clown Posse. Although slated for release in August 2010, this album has yet to be issued.
In June 2014, 2 Live Crew introduced the single "Take It Off," which featured appearances by Mannie Fresh, Flavor Flav, Trina, Flo Rida, and Trick Daddy. Additionally, the group appeared in Flo Rida's music video for "G.D.F.R.". An album named Turn Me On was announced but remains unreleased as well. Later in 2014, the ensemble reunited with Campbell for a series of performances extending into 2015.
Fresh Kid Ice departed from the group in 2016, prompting the return of Mr. Mixx. On July 13, 2017, Fresh Kid Ice passed away at age 53 due to cirrhosis.
Currently, Lil Joe Records is involved in a legal battle against Luther Campbell, Brother Marquis, and the estate of Fresh Kid Ice concerning copyright termination rights connected to bankruptcy filings from the 1990s. Lil Joe contends that these bankruptcy proceedings nullified rights to earlier recordings, whereas 2 Live Crew maintains that copyright law safeguards their termination rights. The outcome of this case could establish important legal precedent regarding how bankruptcy impacts artists’ rights.
On June 3, 2024, Brother Marquis was discovered deceased at age 58.
Discography
- The 2 Live Crew Is What We Are (1986)
- Move Somethin' (1988)
- As Nasty as They Wanna Be (1989)
- Banned in the U.S.A. (1990)
- Sports Weekend: As Nasty as They Wanna Be, Pt. 2 (1991)
- Back at Your Ass for the Nine-4 (1994)
- Shake a Lil' Somethin' (1996)
- The Real One (1998)