Who are Bone at War with? “Hatin-ass niggas” according to the Intro, including rappers stealing their style. It’s not the rapid-fire delivery nor the Harmony but their melodies that make them sound better than the average rap group. They’re Thuggish Ruggish R-and-B singers too as all the best songs; Ready 4 War, Look Into My Eyes, Hardtimes, Nothin Changed; have them crooning the choruses all the while toting guns and murdering people.
my rating : 3 of 5
1997
1997
The first version of the song was released in 1991 on Are U Xperienced; the sole album of Yomo And Maulkie. The rap duo were protégés of Eazy-E, who brought the concept back three years later for Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. Their version, stylized as Foe Tha Love Of $, can be heard on their Creepin On Ah Come Up EP. The song wouldn’t be revisited, at least among NWA associates, until Dr Dre’s 2015 Compton album. This one is led by Jon Connor.
I like all three, but the original is the best. Yomo And Maulkie’s raps are rudimentary; a sign of the times; but the music (loop) is melodic and Jewell adds some powerful ad-libs near the end. The Bone one is the worst. The music is basically the same and their raps are better, but I don’t like their hook and Jewell’s parts are limited. The John Connor and Dr Dre version, which takes the most liberties musically, ranks somewhere between the other two.
my vote : Yomo And Maulkie
2015
1994
1997