Outlawz
| Company type | Hip-hop collective |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Founder | Makaveli, Kadafi |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Hip hop music |
Outlawz was a hip-hop collective from the United States, established in 1995 by Makaveli and Kadafi. Originally performing under the names Thoro Headz and Young Thugs, they first attracted notice through their feature on Tupac’s track "Flex," which served as the B-side to his single "Holler If Ya Hear Me" released on February 4, 1993.
Subsequently, the group adopted the name Dramacydal and contributed to the songs "Me Against the World" and "Outlaw" on Tupac's album Me Against the World released March 14, 1995.
1992–1995: Formation and Dramacydal
In 1992, a rap trio consisting of Kastro, E.D.I Mean, and Tupac’s godbrother Yafeu "Kadafi" Fula came together. Performing as Thoro Headz and Young Thugs, they appeared on Tupac’s "Flex," which was the B-side to "Holla If Ya Hear Me" (February 4, 1993). By late 1993, Mutah "Napoleon" Beale joined the ensemble, which had been renamed Dramacydal. This lineup featured on the tracks "Me Against the World" and "Outlaw" from Tupac’s Me Against the World album (March 14, 1995).
1995–1996: Transition to Outlawz
Early in 1996, the group rebranded themselves as the Outlaw Immortalz. The roster then included Shakur ("Makaveli"), Hussein Fatal ("Fatal-N-Felony"), Yaki Kadafi, Big Syke ("Mussolini"), Mopreme Shakur ("Komani"), E.D.I. Mean ("Big Malc"), Kastro ("K-Dog"), and Napoleon ("Lil' Mu"). Their first appearance under this name was on "When We Ride," featured on Tupac’s All Eyez on Me album. Storm was introduced as the sole female member during this period and became the ninth member; she also worked on a solo project managed by Tupac.
In June 1996, Hussein Fatal, Yaki Kadafi, and E.D.I. Mean participated in Tupac's diss track "Hit 'Em Up". Although Kastro and Napoleon did not contribute vocals to this song, they were visible in its music video.
During these sessions, Hussein Fatal and Kadafi brought in Rufus Cooper III—later known as Young Noble—who joined the collective and appeared on Makaveli’s album The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory.
1996–2025: Aftermath of Tupac's death and ongoing activities
After Tupac’s assassination, both Hussein Fatal and Yaki Kadafi departed from the group; Kadafi himself was killed in November 1996. The Outlawz contributed to the Gang Related soundtrack in 1997, which reached number two on the Billboard 200 chart and earned double platinum certification.
They signed with Death Row Records in 1997 and remained until 1999. During this time, they released a collaborative album with Tupac titled Still I Rise, which attained platinum status and peaked at number six on the Billboard 200. Subsequently, they founded their own label, Outlaw Recordz, under which they launched Ride wit Us or Collide wit Us in 2000.
On July 4, 2025, Noble died by suicide in Atlanta, Georgia.
Former members
- Tupac Amaru Shakur, who led the group and took his stage name from Niccolò Machiavelli, was killed in September 1996 at age 25. In 2011, members of the group revealed they had smoked his cremated ashes mixed with kush following his cremation.
- Yafeu Akiyele Fula, known as Yaki Kadafi and Tupac’s godbrother named after Muammar Gaddafi, was fatally shot by Roddy Beale in November 1996 at age 19.
- Bruce Edward Washington Jr., a childhood companion of Kadafi named after Saddam Hussein, temporarily left due to disagreements over Tupac’s death and signing with Death Row Records. He returned in 2010 to record Perfect Timing, released in 2011. Fatal passed away in a car accident in 2015 at age 42 and was posthumously featured on Outlawz’s track "So Much Pain".
- Katari Terrance Cox, Tupac’s cousin named after Fidel Castro, exited in 2009 pursuing a solo path due to creative differences.
- Mutah Wassin Shabazz Beale, a childhood friend of Kadafi named after Napoleon Bonaparte, left music to become a motivational speaker after converting to Islam in 2001.
- Tyruss Gerald "Big Syke" Himes, also known as Mussolini and a former member of Thug Life named after Benito Mussolini, died of natural causes in 2016 at age 48. Though credited alongside Outlawz tracks, he is primarily recognized as part of Thug Life.
- Mopreme Shakur, Tupac’s stepbrother and also a Thug Life member named after Ayatollah Khomeini, has one credited appearance with Outlawz on "When We Ride" from All Eyez on Me. His main association remains with Thug Life.
- Donna Harkness, known as Storm—the only female member appointed by Tupac in 1995—featured on several tracks including those from All Eyez On Me, Gridlock'd, and Gang Related soundtracks. She left following Tupac’s death and was omitted from some posthumous remixes. Alongside Young Noble and Nuttso, she is among the few members without names derived from historical figures or dictators.
Discography
Studio albums
- Ride wit Us or Collide wit Us (2000)
- Novakane (2001)
- Neva Surrenda (2002)
- Outlaw 4 Life: 2005 A.P. (2005)
- We Want In: The Street LP (2008)
- Perfect Timing (2011)
- Livin' Legendz (2016)
- #LastOnezLeft (2017)
- One Nation (2021)
Collaborative albums
- Still I Rise (in collaboration with 2Pac) (1999)