- 2 Live Crew( The 2 Live Crew )【 14 albums 117 lyrics 】
- 2 Live Crew is an American hip-hop group from Miami, Florida. They caused considerable controversy with the sexual themes in their work, particularly on their 1989 album As Nasty As They Wanna Be.
History
Early career
The 2 Live Crew, although seen as a main fixture in the Miami hip-hop scene, actually got their start in California & was created by DJ Mr. Mixx (David Hobbs) with fellow rappers Fresh Kid Ice (Chris Wong Won), and Amazing Vee (Yuri Vielot). The group released its first single, 'Revelation', in 1985. 'Revelation' was popular in Florida, so The 2 Live Crew (sans Amazing Vee) relocated to Miami. Rapper Brother Marquis (Mark Ross) joined The 2 Live Crew for its next single 'What I Like'. Local rapper Luke Skyywalker (Luther Campbell) gave The 2 Live Crew a record deal and worked as the group's manager and then lead vocalist.
The 2 Live Crew Is What We Are
The 2 Live Crew's debut album, The 2 Live Crew Is What We Are, was released in 1986. Alex Henderson of Allmusic commented that the album 'did take sexually explicit rap lyrics to a new level of nastiness', with tracks such as 'We Want Some Pussy' and 'Throw the 'D''. With word-of-mouth attention, the album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Bob Rosenberg of Will to Power remixed 'Beat Box' (originally released as 'Two Live') and was billed 'King of Edits' by Luke Skyywalker. In 1987, a Florida store clerk was acquitted of felony charges for selling the album to a 14-year-old girl.
Move Somethin'
In 1988, the group released their second album, Move Somethin' It was certified Gold and featured the singles 'Move Somethin'' and 'Do Wah Diddy Diddy'. The album improved on the charts from the previous album, making in to #68 on the Billboard 200 and #20 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart.
Campbell decided to sell a separate clean version in addition to the explicit version of the album, Move Somethin' (1988), produced by Mr. Mixx. A record store clerk in Alexander City, Alabama, was cited for selling a copy to an undercover police officer in 1988. It was the first time in the United States that a record store owner was held liable for obscenity over music. The charges were dropped after a jury found the record store not guilty.
As Nasty As They Wanna Be
In 1989, the group released their third album, As Nasty As They Wanna Be, which also became the group's most successful album. A large part of its success was due to the single 'Me So Horny', which was popular locally with heavy radio rotation on Miami's WPOW-Power 96 FM. The American Family Association (AFA) did not think the presence of a 'Parental Advisory' sticker was enough to adequately warn listeners of what was inside the case. Jack Thompson, a lawyer affiliated with the AFA, met with Florida Governor Bob Martinez and convinced him to look into the album to see if it met the legal classification of obscenity. In 1990, action was taken at the local level and Nick Navarro, Broward County sheriff, received a ruling from County Circuit Court judge Mel Grossman that probable cause for obscenity violations existed. In response, Luther Campbell maintained that people should focus on issues relating to hunger and poverty rather than on the lyrical content of their music.
Navarro warned record store owners that selling the album might be prosecutable. The 2 Live Crew then filed a suit against Navarro. That June, U.S. district court Judge Jose Gonzalez ruled the album obscene and illegal to sell. Charles Freeman, a local retailer, was arrested two days later, after selling a copy to an undercover police officer. This was followed by the arrest of three members of The 2 Live Crew after they performed the As Nasty As They Wanna Be album at Club Futura in Hollywood, Florida, hosted by radio personality Tony the Tiger (Ira Wolf) from Power 96 FM; one of the few radio stations in the U.S. that continued airplay while the trial ensued. After international exposure with support from freedom of speech advocates like SCREW magazine's Al Goldstein and many others, they were acquitted soon after, as professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. testified at their trial in defense of their lyrics. Freeman's conviction was overturned on appeal as well.
'A lot of people have gotten the impression that I'm this rude sexual deviant or something,' Campbell told journalist Chuck Philips. 'But contrary to what has been printed about me in the papers, I'm no moral threat to anybody. I'm just a hard-working guy marketing a new product.'
In 1992, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit overturned the obscenity ruling from Judge Gonzalez, and the Supreme Court of the United States refused to hear Broward County's appeal. As in the Freeman case, Gates testified on behalf of The 2 Live Crew, arguing that the material that the county alleged was profane actually had important roots in African-American vernacular, games, and literary traditions and should be protected.
As a result of the controversy, sales of As Nasty As They Wanna Be remained brisk, selling over two million copies. It peaked at number 29 on the Billboard 200 and number 3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. A few other retailers were later arrested for selling it as well, including Canadian Marc Emery, who was convicted in Ontario in 1991, and would later gain fame as a marijuana activist. Later hard-rock band Van Halen sued over an uncleared sample of their song 'Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love' in the 2 Live Crew song 'The Fuck Shop'. The publicity then continued when George Lucas, owner of the Star Wars universe, successfully sued Campbell for appropriating the name 'Skywalker' for his record label, Luke Skyywalker Records. Campbell changed his stage name to Luke (and changed the record label's name to Luke Records) and the group released an extremely political follow-up album, Banned in the U.S.A., after obtaining permission to use an interpolation of Bruce Springsteen's Born in the U.S.A.. The 2 Live Crew paraphernalia with the Luke Skyywalker or Skyywalker logos are often sought-after collector's items.[citation needed]
Banned in the U.S.A.
Banned in the U.S.A. is the group's fourth album. It was originally credited as Luke's solo album. The certified Gold album included the hits 'Do the Bart' and the title track. It was also the very first release to bear the RIAA-standard Parental Advisory warning sticker.
The eponymous title single is a reference to the decision in a court case that its album As Nasty As They Wanna Be was obscene (the decision would later be overturned on appeal). Bruce Springsteen granted the group permission to interpolate his song 'Born in the U.S.A.' for it.
Displeased over the decision of Florida Governor Bob Martinez who, on being asked to examine the album, decided it was obscene and recommended local law enforcement take action against it and over the subsequent action of Broward County, Florida, sheriff Nick Navarro, who arrested local record-store owners on obscenity charges for selling the group's albums and the subsequent arrest of members of the group on obscenity charges, the group included the song 'Fuck Martinez', which also includes multiple repetitions of the phrase 'fuck Navarro'. The group found two other men with the same names, and had them sign releases, as they thought that this action would make it impossible for Martinez or Navarro to sue them.
Live in Concert
Live in Concert is their fifth album. This was 2 Live Crew's first and only Live album, and was also the only 2 Live Crew release under the Effect subsidiary label of Luke Records, a move that was deemed necessary for the company to be able to release additional 2 Live Crew material outside of their distribution deal with Atlantic Records, which was signed in 1990 – the same year they released Banned In The U.S.A..
Sports Weekend: As Nasty As They Wanna Be, Pt. 2
Sports Weekend: As Nasty As They Wanna Be, Pt. 2 is their sixth album. Released in 1991, it is the sequel of As Nasty As They Wanna Be. A clean version was released later that same year titled Sports Weekend: As Clean As They Wanna Be Part II. This would be the last studio album by all original members of the 2 Live Crew. It contains the very successful single Pop That Pussy. The album is certified Gold.
Shake a Lil' Somethin'
Shake a Lil' Somethin' is their seventh album. It was released on August 6, 1996, for Lil' Joe Records and was produced by Mr. Mixx. The album would make it to #145 on the Billboard 200 and #33 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and two singles 'Shake a Lil' Somethin'', which made it to #11 on the Hot Rap Singles chart and 'Do the Damn Thing', which made it to #24 on the same chart. At the time of this album, Fresh Kid Ice had left the New 2 Live Crew (which consisted of himself, Luke and Verb and Luke Records) to re-join original members Mr. Mixx and Brother Marquis. However, the reunion would be short lived as Mr. Mixx would leave the group after this album.
The Real One
The Real One is their eighth and last studio album. It was released on April 7, 1998, for Lil' Joe Records and with the absence of Mr. Mixx, was produced by various producers. The album peaked at #59 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Shortly after the release of this album, Brother Marquis left as well.
Reunions
Shortly after the recording of 'The New 2 Live Crew' Back at Your Ass for the Nine-4, Fresh Kid Ice, Brother Marquis and Mr. Mixx re-formed again to record 'Hoochie Mama' for the soundtrack of 1995 movie Friday. Luke failed to pay Fresh Kid Ice, Mr. Mixx, and Brother Marquis who then left Luke and Luke Records to go to Lil' Joe Records and released Shake a Lil' Somethin' (1996) without Luther Campbell. It peaked at number 145 on the Billboard 200, also peaking at number 33 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[citation needed] Mr. Mixx left soon after, leaving Fresh Kid Ice and Brother Marquis to record The Real One in 1998. It peaked at number 59 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop and albums chart.
In May 2010, it was announced that the duo's album, 'Just Wanna Be Heard' (later renamed 'Turn Me On'), would feature production from Mannie Fresh and was to be released on Nu Focuz Entertainment/Lil' Joe Records with guest verses from Too Short, E-40, and Insane Clown Posse. It was set to be released in August 2010, but remains unreleased.
In June 2014, the 2 Live Crew released a new single Take It Off, the video clip features cameos by Mannie Fresh, Flavor Flav, Trina, Flo Rida, and Trick Daddy. The single is available on iTunes
In May 2016, Mr. Mixx rejoined the group and Fresh Kid Ice left the group to relaunch Chinaman Records as well as stating on his Facebook page that he was fed-up with the label keeping their new music unreleased, while making false announcement of their release.
On July 13, 2017, Fresh Kid Ice died in a Miami hospital from unspecified medical conditions.[citation needed]
Members
Mr. Mixx
Brother Marquis - Sorted by ＞ Sorted by album (Time) Sorted by song name (Characters) Sorted by other
- Album name Release Date Song
-
Live In Concert
1990
1.If You Believe in Having Sex
2.The F--k Shop
3.One and One4.Face Down A-- Up
5.Me So Horny -
As Nasty As They Wanna Be
1989
1.Me So Horny (Luke's Side)
2.2 Live Blues
3.Reggae Joint
4.Bad Ass Bitch5.I Ain't Bullshittin'
6.Dirty Nursery Rhymes
7.Me So Horny -
The Essential DJ 12 Inch and Mega Mixes
1.We Want Some Pussy (German House Mix)
2.Get the Fuck Out of My House (House mix)
3.Bass 9-1-7 (Provided)
4.Banned in the U.S.A. - What Is This? (Much 2 Black mix)5.C'mon Babe (Doo Doo Brown mix)
6.Me So Horny
7.2 Live Party (feat. Three 6 Mafia) (Provided)
8.Pop That Pussy -
The 2 Live Crew Is What We Are
1.2 Live Is What We Are ... (Word)
2.Cut It Up3.Check It Out Y'all… (freestyle rappin')
4.We Want Some Pu--y -
Shake a Lil' Somethin'
1.PSK '95
2.Do the Damn Thing
3.Savage in the Sack
4.Skeeta Man5.Table Dance
6.Be My Private Dancer
7.Shake a Lil' Somethin'
8.When We Get Them Hoes -
Private Personal Parts
1.S&M
2.Bulldagger Stole My Bitch
3.Who's Fucking Who
4.Dick Almighty5.Freaky Behavior
6.Put Her in the Buck
7.Drop Your Draws
8.Pop That Pussy -
Luke's Hall of Fame
1.Throw the 'D'
2.Pop That Puxxy3.Move Somethin' -
Luke's Hall Of Fame Vol. 4
1.Banned In The Usa - Live In Concert
2.Dirty Nursery Rhymes3.We Want Some P-ssy (Live In Berlin) -
Greatest Hits, Volume 2 (disc 1)
1.Pretty Woman (Provided)
2.C'mon Babe (Doo Doo Brown version)
3.We Want Some Pussy (Live in Berlin extended mix)
4.Get It Girl (extended mix)5.Fuck Shop
6.Baby Baby Please Just a Little More Head
7.2 Live Party (feat. Three 6 Mafia and Freak Nasty) (Provided)
8.Me So Horny -
Greatest Hits, Vol.2
1.We Want Some P-ssy (Live In Berlin Extended Mix)
2.Who's F-ckin' Who3.F-ck Shop -
Goes to the Movies: Decade of Hits
1.Me So Horny (Full Metal Jacket)
2.F-ck Shop (Crackhouse)
3.Pop That Pussy (Major Payne)
4.Dirty Nursery Rhymes (Crackhouse)
5.Get It Girl (extended mix) (Crackhouse)6.Yakety Yak (Twins)
7.Hangin' Out (Boyz n' the Hood)
8.We Want Some Pussy (Hangin With the Homeboys)
9.Move Somethin (Men at Work)
10.We Want Some P--sy (Live In Berlin Extended Mix) -
Banned in the U.S.A.
1.Fuck a Gang (Provided)
2.Face Down Ass Up
3.So Funky
4.This Is to Luke From the Posse5.Man, Not a Myth
6.Martinez
7.Strip Club
8.Do the Bart -
As Clean As They Wanna Be
1.Coolin' (Yo' Mamma's Side)
2.Get Loose Now
3.My Seven Bizzos
4.C'mon Babe5.Coolin'
6.City of Boom
7.Me So Horny -
Miscellaneous
1.Feel Alright Y'All
2.2 Live Party
3.Hangin' Out
4.We Want Some P--sy
5.Baby Baby Please (Just A Little More Head) - Just A Little More Head
6.P-a-n
7.Baby Baby Please
8.We Want Some Pussy ('89 House Mix)
9.Pop That Coochie (Slammin' Sama Remix)
10.Banned In The USA
11.The Real One
12.H-B-C
13.Too Much Booty in the Pants
14.Hoochie Mama
15.Break It On Down
16.The Fuck Shop
17.Do Wah Diddy
18.Revelation - Original19.You Go Girl
20.Revelation
21.Get It Girl
22.C'mon Babe Doo Doo Brown
23.Pop That P***y
24.Do Do Brown
25.Ghetto Bass
26.Trow the D (dub mix)
27.Check It Out Yall (Freestyle Rap)
28.Me So Horney
29.Bill So Horny
30.Ravelation
31.Who's Fuckin' Who
32.Be My Private Dancer (Chrome Sparks Remix)
33.Drop The Bomb
34.In the Dust
35.Pop That Coochie
【Correction of errors in the album information】