Bone Thugs-n-Harmony

Bone Thugs-n-Harmony
Company type	Hip-hop group
Industry	Music
Founded	1991 in Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Founder	Bizzy Bone, Wish Bone, Layzie Bone, Krayzie Bone, Flesh-n-Bone
Headquarters	Cleveland, United States
Products	Hip hop music, albums

Bone Thugs-n-Harmony (initially known as B.O.N.E. Enterpri$e) is a hip-hop ensemble from the United States that originated in 1991 in Cleveland, Ohio. The group consists of rappers Bizzy Bone, Wish Bone, Layzie Bone, Krayzie Bone, and Flesh-n-Bone. In late 1993, they secured a contract with rapper Eazy-E's label, Ruthless Records, and launched their career with the EP Creepin on ah Come Up in 1994.

Their 1995 release E. 1999 Eternal included popular tracks such as "1st of tha Month" and "East 1999". The song "Tha Crossroads", a tribute piece, garnered them a Grammy Award in 1997. That same year, they followed up with their third album, The Art of War. The album BTNHResurrection (2000) achieved platinum certification within a month, while 2002's Thug World Order also went platinum and reached number 3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

Bone Thugs-n-Harmony played a significant role in developing the chopper rap technique and integrating vocal harmonies into hip-hop, helping to elevate the profile of Midwestern hip-hop. Widely regarded as one of the most influential rap groups, they have sold upwards of 16 million albums globally.

1993: Early days as B.O.N.E. Enterprise

Originating in Cleveland, Ohio in 1991, the group was initially named "Band Aid Boys." Charles Scruggs Jr. (Wish Bone) joined forces with Krayzie Bone, Layzie Bone, and Bizzy Bone. To avoid confusion with an existing Inglewood group, they adopted the name B.O.N.E. Enterpri$e and recorded an album titled Faces of Death. This project was produced in the studio of their mentor Kermit Henderson and released on his independent label Stoney Burke in 1993.

In pursuit of a record deal, the group reached out to industry figures and received an unfulfilled commitment from rapper Eazy-E. They then journeyed by bus to Los Angeles, spending several months attempting to contact him until learning he was traveling to Cleveland for a performance.

Once back in Ohio, promoter Diego Blak facilitated their introduction to Eazy-E during a Compton concert. On November 2, 1993, they performed an audition for Eazy-E; impressed by Krayzie’s rendition of "Flow Motion," Eazy signed them—except for Flesh-n-Bone—to Ruthless Records. He rebranded them as Thugs-n-Harmony but allowed them to keep the Bone element, resulting in the name Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.

1994: Release of Creepin on ah Come Up

Debuting with Ruthless Records in June 1994, Creepin on ah Come Up marked Bone Thugs-n-Harmony's first official release under the label. The album predominantly explored themes centered around violent crime and reached number 12 on the Billboard Top 200 chart and number 2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. It included successful singles such as "Thuggish Ruggish Bone" (which peaked at number 20 on the Hot 100 and number 2 on Hot Rap Tracks) and "Foe tha Love of $" (reaching number 39 on the Hot 100 and number 4 on Rap Tracks), featuring a guest verse from Eazy-E. Initially resonating primarily with gangsta rap listeners, the album eventually broke into mainstream audiences by adopting elements of the G-funk style dominant in West Coast hip-hop at that time. Production credits included DJ Yella, Rhythum D, Kenny McCloud, and newcomer DJ U-Neek—who played a pivotal role in crafting the distinctive sound that defined the group’s later work. Eazy-E acted as executive producer and mentor until his passing in March 1995 due to AIDS-related pneumonia; thereafter, Ruthless Records continued its support for the group.

1995–1997: E. 1999 Eternal and The Art of War

Bone Thugs-n-Harmony's sophomore album, E. 1999 Eternal (1995), was primarily produced by DJ U-Neek, with additional production contributions from Tony C. and Kenny McCloud. It featured notable singles such as "1st of tha Month", which peaked at No. 12 on the Hot 100 and No. 4 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart, and "Tha Crossroads", which achieved the top position on both charts and earned a Grammy Award. Remarkably, "Tha Crossroads" became the quickest single to reach No. 1 since The Beatles in 1964. This album expanded their sound by incorporating elements of spirituality and mysticism alongside their characteristic violent themes, moving beyond their initial gangsta rap style. The title pays homage to a Cleveland street corner and honors Eazy-E's album Eternal E. E. 1999 Eternal stands as their most commercially successful project, receiving quadruple platinum certification from the RIAA.

In 1996, Flesh-n-Bone debuted as a solo artist with his album T.H.U.G.S., which was certified gold by the RIAA. That same year, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony established their own label, Mo Thugs Records, through which they released the compilation Family Scriptures, aimed at promoting emerging Cleveland artists under their mentorship.

A planned collaborative effort titled One Nation, involving West Coast rapper 2Pac alongside groups such as Boot Camp Clik, OutKast, Scarface, and E-40, was ultimately abandoned following Tupac's death in September 1996; only unofficial bootlegs of recorded material have surfaced.

In 1997, the group unveiled the double album The Art of War, delving into topics like faith, familial bonds, and confrontations with imitators of their style ("clones"). The record included the single "Look into My Eyes", which reached No. 4 on the Hot 100 and No. 2 on Hot Rap Tracks, also appearing on the Batman & Robin soundtrack. Another single, "If I Could Teach the World", peaked at No. 20 on the Hot 100 and No. 3 on Hot Rap Tracks, earning an American Music Award. Additionally, the album featured a collaboration titled "Thug Luv" with Tupac Shakur.

1998–2001: The Collection: Volumes One & Two, BTNHResurrection and controversies

From 1998 through 2000, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony's lyrical content came under examination amid connections to criminal cases involving Michael Tisius and Mitchell Johnson. During this timeframe, they issued two compilation albums: The Collection and The Collection: Volume Two, compiling hits from the mid-1990s to early 2000s.

In 2000, they released BTNHResurrection, featuring the single "Resurrection (Paper, Paper)", which reached number 52 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The album’s first segment contained aggressive tracks, while its latter half presented more reflective material. Other singles such as "Can't Give it Up" did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100, and the music video for "Change the World" received minimal broadcast exposure. This record prominently showcased Flesh-n-Bone for the first time since his previous limited involvement was due to not signing with Ruthless Records. In June of that year, Flesh-n-Bone was sentenced to eleven years in prison after being convicted of assault with a firearm and criminal weapon possession.

Tensions escalated publicly with Bizzy Bone as he declined to promote BTNHResurrection, citing unpaid royalties owed by Ruthless Records. He eventually withdrew a million-dollar lawsuit against Sony Music and Loud Records in return for terminating his contract with Sony. In 2001, three members pursued solo projects: Bizzy Bone released The Gift, Layzie Bone (under the name L-Burna) issued Thug by Nature, and Krayzie Bone presented Thug on da Line.

2002–2006: Thug World Order and Thug Stories

In 2002, the group unveiled Thug World Order, signaling a transition toward politically charged content with lyrics that largely avoided violent themes, instead centering more on the collective itself. Early leaked tracks indicated that the album might have initially embraced a different direction. Upon release, it entered the Billboard 200 chart at number 12. The singles "Money, Money," "Get Up & Get It" featuring 3LW, and "Home," which included Phil Collins and reached number 33 on the Rhythmic Top 40, notably impacted UK charts as well. In January 2003, Bizzy Bone was removed from the group, leaving Krayzie Bone, Layzie Bone, and Wish Bone as the active members. Thug World Order marked their last project under Ruthless Records.

Their seventh studio album, Thug Stories, was released on September 19, 2006, through Koch Records. This record was their first effort as a trio since the internet-exclusive EP Bone 4 Life in 2005. Demonstrating a more refined approach, the album emphasized melodic harmonies rather than the earlier "thug" motifs. It sold 38,000 units during its debut week, reaching number 25 on the Billboard 200 and securing the top position on the Independent Albums chart.

2007–2008: Strength and Loyalty and T.H.U.G.S.

Initially named The Bone Thugs Story, Strength & Loyalty was launched on May 8, 2007, via Interscope Records subsidiary Full Surface Records. Their first major studio release in nearly five years, it debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200 and claimed number 1 spots on both iTunes and the Billboard urban music rankings. The album featured collaborations with artists such as Mariah Carey, the Game, will.i.am, Akon, Twista, Bow Wow, Yolanda Adams, and Felecia. Production credits included Swizz Beatz, Akon, Pretty Boy, Bradd Young, DJ Toomp, Jermaine Dupri, and will.i.am, with Swizz Beatz serving as executive producer. The lead single "I Tried" became their first top-10 hit in ten years, peaking at number six on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. However, the follow-up single "Lil Love" did not achieve comparable success. The album received gold certification from the RIAA.

In 2007, the semi-autobiographical film I Tried, directed by Rich Newey, depicted an alternate reality where Bone Thugs-n-Harmony pursued their careers without Eazy-E's involvement. Layzie Bone, Krayzie Bone, and Wish Bone portrayed themselves in this project. That same year, the group earned the American Music Award for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Band, Duo or Group.

The compilation album T.H.U.G.S., released by former label Ruthless Records on November 13, 2007, assembled unreleased and remixed material from BTNHResurrection and Thug World Order. This collection incorporated refreshed production elements including new beats and vocal effects. The single "Young Thugs" was accompanied by a newly produced music video featuring Krayzie Bone, Layzie Bone, Bizzy Bone, and Wish Bone.

In November 2007, Layzie Bone revealed that he had completed work on Bone Brothers III with Bizzy Bone, sparking rumors about a possible full group reunion. Krayzie Bone expressed enthusiasm about reuniting but highlighted potential challenges stemming from record label issues.

After serving nearly ten years incarcerated, Flesh-n-Bone was released on July 13, 2008. Bizzy Bone confirmed Flesh-n-Bone’s return to the group along with their reunion coinciding with his release.

2009–2013: Uni5: The World's Enemy and The Art of War: World War III

Bone Thugs-n-Harmony officially came back together with the release of their album Uni5: The World's Enemy on May 4, 2010, launched through their own label BTNH Worldwide and distributed by Warner Bros. This project marked the return of longtime producer DJ U-Neek, who was absent from their 2007 album Strength & Loyalty but had been a key figure behind earlier hits such as "Thuggish Ruggish Bone" and "Tha Crossroads". The album featured singles like "See Me Shine" with Jay Rush and Lyfe Jennings, "Rebirth" featuring Thin-C from Mo Thugs, and "Meet Me in the Sky".

In 2011, members Krayzie Bone, Bizzy Bone, and Layzie Bone revealed plans for several projects slated for 2012, including a full-group anniversary album, a collaborative effort between Bizzy and Krayzie, as well as compilation albums titled Lost Archives Vol. 1 containing unreleased tracks. The ensemble reunited to commemorate their 20th anniversary during the 2012 Rock the Bells festival series.

During the summer of 2012, West Coast rapper Game obtained permission from Bone Thugs-n-Harmony to sample their classic "1st Of Tha Month" on his song "Celebration". Game also confirmed collaboration with the group on a remix intended for his album Jesus Piece.

By November 2013, Krayzie Bone disclosed that the upcoming album Art of War III would mainly spotlight Layzie, Bizzy, and Flesh-n-Bone, as neither he nor Wish Bone had contributed new recordings for this project. Nevertheless, both appeared through previously unreleased material from the Uni5 sessions. The album The Art of War: World War III was officially released on December 10, 2013.

2014–present: New album, New Waves, signing with Greenback Records

On July 15, 2014, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony unveiled plans for what they described as their final album, scheduled for release in 2015 as a unique copy to be auctioned starting at $1 million. Alongside this announcement, they revealed intentions for a world tour covering 20 countries beginning in December 2014. Krayzie Bone shared that the album would be titled E. 1999 Legends, with recording sessions having commenced in late 2013. The concept involved a double-disc format: one disc dedicated solely to Bone Thugs-n-Harmony tracks, while the second would feature guest artists such as Mariah Carey, Kendrick Lamar, Phil Collins, Wiz Khalifa, Drake, A$AP Mob, and Linkin Park. Production duties were handled by Damizza with beats contributed by Dr. Dre and DJ U-Neek; distribution was arranged through Damizza’s Baby Ree Records.

On February 14, 2015, Damizza introduced the single "More Than Thugs". By August that year, Krayzie confirmed that the album had attracted a $1 million bid.

In 2017, Krayzie Bone and Bizzy Bone released a joint album titled New Waves under the shortened name Bone Thugs. The lead single "Coming Home" featured Stephen Marley. Krayzie also affirmed that the full group was working on new material but decided against auctioning its rights this time. All five members contributed to Wiz Khalifa’s 2018 album Rolling Papers 2, appearing on the track "Reach for the Stars". In early 2020, they briefly adopted the moniker Boneless Thugs-n-Harmony for a promotional campaign with Buffalo Wild Wings; however, Bizzy Bone later clarified this was not a serious rebranding.

On December 2, 2021, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony took part in a widely praised Verzuz battle against longtime rivals Three 6 Mafia. The event included all surviving members along with guest collaborators and was hailed as a significant moment in classic hip hop history despite a minor disruption involving Bizzy Bone.

On July 21, 2024, the group announced their signing with Greenback Records, an imprint established by MMA fighter Conor McGregor. They released the single "Aww Shit" featuring all five members on April 25, 2025. Subsequently, on May 28, 2025, they made an appearance on the final episode of Everybody's Live with John Mulaney. In August of that year, they performed at the Gathering of the Juggalos’ 25th anniversary celebration.

Discography

Studio Albums

Awards and Recognitions

About.com placed Bone Thugs-n-Harmony at number 12 on its ranking of the 25 Greatest Rap Groups ever, while MTV described them as "the most melodic hip-hop group ever."

American Music Awards

|- | align="center" | 1996 || Bone Thugs-n-Harmony || rowspan="3" | Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist || |- | align="center" | 1997 || Bone Thugs-n-Harmony || |- | align="center" | 1998 || Bone Thugs-n-Harmony || |- | align="center" rowspan="2" | 2007 || Bone Thugs-n-Harmony || Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Band, Duo or Group || |- | align="center" | Strength & Loyalty || Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album || |}

Grammy Awards

|- | align="center" rowspan="2" | 1996 || E. 1999 Eternal || Best Rap Album || |- | align="center" | "1st of tha Month" || rowspan="2" | Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group || |- | align="center" | 1997 || "Tha Crossroads" || |}

Soul Train Music Awards

|- | align="center" | 1995 || Creepin on ah Come Up || rowspan="2" | Best Rap Album || |- | align="center" | 1996 || E. 1999 Eternal || |- | align="center" | 1997 || "Tha Crossroads" || Best Video of the Year || |}

Source Awards

|- | align="center" rowspan="2" | 1995 || Bone Thugs-n-Harmony || Best New Rap Artist (Group) || |- | Thuggish Ruggish Bone || Single of the Year || |}

Billboard Music Awards

|- |align="center"| 1996 || Tha Crossroads || Best R&B Song || |- |align="center"| 1996 || Tha Crossroads || Clip of the Year || |- |align="center"| 1999 || Ghetto Cowboy (featured artist) || Top Rap Song || |}

MTV Video Music Awards

|- |align="center"| 1996 || Tha Crossroads || Video of the Year || |- |align="center"| 1996 || Tha Crossroads || Best Group Video || |- |align="center"| 1996 || Tha Crossroads || Best Rap Video || |- |align="center"| 1996 || Tha Crossroads || Best Special Effects in Video || |- |align="center"| 1996 || Tha Crossroads || Viewer's Choice Award || |}

External links