Above the Law (group)
| Company type | Hip-hop group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Headquarters | Pomona, California , United States |
| Products | Studio albums, extended plays |
Above the Law was a hip-hop ensemble originating from Pomona, California, formed in 1989 by members Cold 187um, Lay Law, KMG the Illustrator, Go Mack, and DJ Total K-Oss.
Biography
The group entered into a contract with Eazy-E's Ruthless Records in 1989, positioning themselves as significant contributors alongside N.W.A. Their inaugural album, Livin' Like Hustlers (1990), featured collaborations with N.W.A and production handled by Dr. Dre. Cold 187um worked intimately with Dre in developing the G-Funk genre. Songs such as "Murder Rap" and "Untouchable" achieved modest chart success; notably, "Murder Rap" was included in the 2008 motion picture Pineapple Express, while "Freedom of Speech" appeared in the 1990 film Pump Up the Volume. In September 1990, Above the Law engaged in a confrontation with Ice Cube and Da Lench Mob during the New Music Seminar.
Their debut release preceded Dr. Dre’s The Chronic and exhibited a comparable G-Funk style. Cold 187um asserts that he originated this sound, which subsequently influenced Dre’s productions. The group’s 1994 album Uncle Sam's Curse was distributed via Ruthless Records and contained the minor hit "Black Superman".
Following the passing of Eazy-E, Above the Law signed with Tommy Boy Records in 1996, issuing Time Will Reveal (1996) and Legends (1999). They also had a brief tenure with Suge Knight’s Death Row Records before departing in 2002. The collective participated in the 1990 West Coast hip-hop anti-violence project "[We're All in the Same Gang]".
On July 7, 2012, KMG the Illustrator passed away at age 43 due to a heart attack, as reported by Cold 187um.
Several notable music videos by Above the Law—including "Black Superman," "Call It What U Want" featuring 2Pac, "V.S.O.P.," and its remix—were directed by Marty Thomas of Ruthless Records. Thomas also produced their provocative television advertisements for Uncle Sam's Curse, which garnered international accolades.
According to Kokane, an additional album was completed prior to KMG’s death. Cold 187um has mentioned that over thirty unreleased tracks exist under a speculated title of Victims of Global Politics, though no official release date has been announced.
Above the Law maintains that they originated the "G-funk" sound that Dr. Dre popularized with his album The Chronic. Member LayLaw died in January 2023; Go Mack passed away in May 2025.
Discography
Studio albums
- Livin' Like Hustlers (1990)
- Black Mafia Life (1993)
- Uncle Sam's Curse (1994)
- Time Will Reveal (1996)
- Legends (1998)
- Forever: Rich Thugs, Book One (1999)
- Sex, Money & Music (2009)
- Pomona Love (2024)
Extended plays
- Vocally Pimpin' (1991)
External links
- Articles with short description
- African-American musical groups
- West Coast hip-hop groups
- G-funk groups
- Gangsta rap groups
- Giant Records (Warner) artists
- Tommy Boy Records artists
- Musical groups established in 1989
- Musical groups disestablished in 2012
- Ruthless Records artists
- Musical groups from Los Angeles
- Hip-hop groups from California
- Death Row Records artists
- 1989 establishments in California