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Boyz-N-The-Hood (song)
Encyclopedia
Boyz-n-the-Hood is the solo debut by rapper Eazy-E
as a part of N.W.A.
Ice Cube
wrote the song, and originally intended it to be for H.B.O., another group signed by Ruthless, but after they rejected it Eazy was convinced to rap it. The song was originally on N.W.A. and the Posse
, which started with the phrase: "Cruisin' down the street in my '64". Ruthless Records executive Jerry Heller
considers the song to be a mix of Gil Scott-Heron
, The Last Poets
, the Rolling Stones, and the Black Panthers
. This samples "I'm a Ho" by Whodini
and vocal samples from "Hold It, Now Hit It
" by Beastie Boys
as well as "Mr. Big Stuff
" by Jean Knight
.
It was remixed and featured on Eazy's debut album Eazy-Duz-It
, which was released in 1988. It was remixed again and was featured on Eazy-E's third album, It's On (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa
(1993) under the name "Boyz-n-the-Hood (G mix)".
verses, starting with the line 'Cruisin down the street in my six-fo'. Slight lyric changes also are present in the
album version.
The remix version contains a prologue that has Eazy-E describing playing the track Gangsta Gangsta
from his group's N.W.A. 1988 album, then announcing he will be playing his own song, which is in fact the rest of the song Boyz-n-the-Hood, and the song continues.
The song was played on the Up In Smoke Tour, Dr. Dre played this song as a tribute to Eazy-E. With the crowd singing the chrous.
on his debut album On My Way to Church. His version was called "Certified Gangstas
", and featured The Game
, Bezel
and Cam'ron
(the album version did not feature the Game, however).
Besides Jim Jones' song there have been many remakes, most notably a cover by alternative rock
band Dynamite Hack
, which hit #12 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks
in 2000. The last line of the Dynamite Hack
version of the song, "Punkass trippin' in the dead of night... homie scored a key, he's gonna fly, punkass fly..." is sung to the tune of the opening line of Beatles song "Blackbird
"- "Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take these broken wings and learn to fly."
Hispanic rap group Brownside
did a remake to the song called "Vatos In The Barrio". The instrumental of the original is remade, and the lyrics are slightly different but keep the main structure of the Eazy-E version.
Underground memphis rapper Koopsta Knicca
made his own version called Back In Da Hood with also underground rapper Booker Headlock
Shwayze
uses one of the lines from "Boyz N The Hood" in his song "Lost My Mind" on his album Shwayze
, the line he uses is "Woke up at about noon just thought that I had to be in Compton Soon."
It is sampled in "Front Back
" by UGK
(as well as its remix by T.I.
) and "My 64
" by Mike Jones
(featuring Bun B
, Snoop Dogg
and Lil' Eazy-E.)
"Them Boys Down South" by Big Chance. Track 8 (Disc 2) on DJ Screw
's album "The Legend" has the same song style as Boyz-n-the-Hood.
Eazy-E
Eric Lynn Wright , better known by his stage name Eazy-E, was an American rapper who performed solo and in the hip hop group N.W.A. Wright was born to Richard and Kathie Wright in Compton, California...
as a part of N.W.A.
Ice Cube
Ice Cube
O'Shea Jackson , better known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper and actor. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer,...
wrote the song, and originally intended it to be for H.B.O., another group signed by Ruthless, but after they rejected it Eazy was convinced to rap it. The song was originally on N.W.A. and the Posse
N.W.A. and the Posse
N.W.A. and the Posse was a 1987 Macola Records release that compiled various Dr. Dre-produced tracks and was marketed as an album by N.W.A. It includes previously released tracks by N.W.A, Eazy-E, the Fila Fresh Crew, and Rappinstine. The cover photo is the same as N.W.A's "Panic Zone" single and...
, which started with the phrase: "Cruisin' down the street in my '64". Ruthless Records executive Jerry Heller
Jerry Heller
Jerry Heller is best known for managing West Coast rap group N.W.A. and rapper Eazy-E. He is co-founder and CEO of Ruthless Records. Heller managed War, Average White Band, Marvin Gaye, Michel'le, A.L.T...
considers the song to be a mix of Gil Scott-Heron
Gil Scott-Heron
Gilbert "Gil" Scott-Heron was an American soul and jazz poet, musician, and author known primarily for his work as a spoken word performer in the 1970s and '80s...
, The Last Poets
The Last Poets
The Last Poets is a group of poets and musicians who arose from the late 1960s African American civil rights movement's black nationalist thread...
, the Rolling Stones, and the Black Panthers
Black Panther Party
The Black Panther Party wasan African-American revolutionary leftist organization. It was active in the United States from 1966 until 1982....
. This samples "I'm a Ho" by Whodini
Whodini
Whodini is a hip hop group that was formed in 1981. The Brooklyn, New York-based trio consisted of vocalist and main lyricist Jalil Hutchins; co-vocalist John Fletcher, aka Ecstasy ; and turntable artist DJ Drew Carter, aka Grandmaster Dee.-Early years:Whodini was among the first hip-hop groups to...
and vocal samples from "Hold It, Now Hit It
Hold It, Now Hit It
"Hold It, Now Hit It" is a song by American hip hop group, the Beastie Boys, released as the firstsingle from their debut album Licensed to Ill...
" by Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys are an American hip hop trio from New York City. The group consists of Mike D who plays the drums, MCA who plays the bass, and Ad-Rock who plays the guitar....
as well as "Mr. Big Stuff
Mr. Big Stuff
"Mr. Big Stuff" is a song by R&B singer Jean Knight. Released from her 1971 debut album of the same title, it became a huge crossover hit. The song spent five weeks at number-one on Billboard's Best Selling Soul Singles and peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart. "Mr. Big Stuff" would...
" by Jean Knight
Jean Knight
Jean Knight is an African-American soul/R&B/funk singer, best known for her 1971 Stax Records hit single, "Mr. Big Stuff".-Early years:...
.
It was remixed and featured on Eazy's debut album Eazy-Duz-It
Eazy-Duz-It
Eazy-Duz-It is the debut album of rapper Eazy-E, released on September 16, 1988, through both Ruthless and Priority Records. The production by Dr. Dre and DJ Yella was deemed dense and funky by critic Jason Birchmeier. The pieces were written primarily by MC Ren, Ice Cube, and The D.O.C.. The...
, which was released in 1988. It was remixed again and was featured on Eazy-E's third album, It's On (
It's On (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa
It's On 187um Killa is an EP by rapper Eazy-E released in 1993. Eazy-E's 2nd EP is a response to Dr. Dre's The Chronic. The album was certified 5x Platinum in late 1994 by the RIAA. It's Eazy's most successful album, peaking on #5 on Billboard 200 and #1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums...
(1993) under the name "Boyz-n-the-Hood (G mix)".
Versions
The original version of the song, which was released on 1987's "N.W.A. and the Posse" contained only the fiveverses, starting with the line 'Cruisin down the street in my six-fo'. Slight lyric changes also are present in the
album version.
The remix version contains a prologue that has Eazy-E describing playing the track Gangsta Gangsta
Gangsta Gangsta (N.W.A song)
"Gangsta Gangsta" is a single from American rap group N.W.A's 1988 album, Straight Outta Compton. The song later appeared on the N.W.A Greatest Hits album and The Best of N.W.A. - The Strength of Street Knowledge. The song conveys the dangers of living in the streets of Compton, California and...
from his group's N.W.A. 1988 album, then announcing he will be playing his own song, which is in fact the rest of the song Boyz-n-the-Hood, and the song continues.
The song was played on the Up In Smoke Tour, Dr. Dre played this song as a tribute to Eazy-E. With the crowd singing the chrous.
Remakes
In 2004, the song was re-imagined and sampled by rapper Jim JonesJim Jones (rapper)
Joseph Guillermo Jones II , better known by his stage name Jim Jones, is an American rapper and original member of The Diplomats, also known as Dipset. He is Co-CEO of Diplomat Records...
on his debut album On My Way to Church. His version was called "Certified Gangstas
Certified Gangstas
"Certified Gangstas" is the debut single of Harlem based rapper Jim Jones off his album On My Way to Church. The song features Cam'ron and Jay Bezel.-Background:...
", and featured The Game
The Game (rapper)
Jayceon Terrell Taylor , better known by his stage name Game, formerly The Game, is an American rapper and actor. As a member of G-Unit, he rose to fame in 2005 with the success of his debut album, The Documentary, which earned him two Grammy Award nominations...
, Bezel
Bezel
Bezel may refer to:* Bezel setting, or bezel, the rim which encompasses and fastens a jewel, watch crystal, lens or other object* The sloping facets of the crown of a cut gem such as in diamond cutting...
and Cam'ron
Cam'ron
Cameron Giles , better known by his stage name Cam'ron or "Killa Cam", is a Grammy-nominated American actor. He is the founder of the hip-hop group The Diplomats , and also of The U.N. group....
(the album version did not feature the Game, however).
Besides Jim Jones' song there have been many remakes, most notably a cover by alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band Dynamite Hack
Dynamite Hack
Dynamite Hack is a post-grunge band, formed in Austin, Texas in 1997 taking its name from a line in the film Caddyshack in which Carl Spackler describes the marijuana he is smoking as "dynamite hack" to Ty Webb ....
, which hit #12 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks
Modern Rock Tracks
Alternative Songs is a music chart in the United States that has appeared in Billboard magazine since September 10, 1988. It lists the 40 most-played songs on modern rock radio stations, most of which are alternative rock songs...
in 2000. The last line of the Dynamite Hack
Dynamite Hack
Dynamite Hack is a post-grunge band, formed in Austin, Texas in 1997 taking its name from a line in the film Caddyshack in which Carl Spackler describes the marijuana he is smoking as "dynamite hack" to Ty Webb ....
version of the song, "Punkass trippin' in the dead of night... homie scored a key, he's gonna fly, punkass fly..." is sung to the tune of the opening line of Beatles song "Blackbird
Blackbird (song)
"Blackbird" is a Beatles song from the double-disc album The Beatles . Blackbird was written by Paul McCartney, but credited to Lennon–McCartney.-Origins:...
"- "Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take these broken wings and learn to fly."
Hispanic rap group Brownside
Brownside
Official Brownside facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/BrownSide/109423895784758?ref=tsBrownside is a Chicano hip-hop group founded in 1994 by the late Eazy-E. The group originally consisted of rappers Toker , Wicked , Lil Danger and Danger , who was shot dead in 1997 from a drive-by...
did a remake to the song called "Vatos In The Barrio". The instrumental of the original is remade, and the lyrics are slightly different but keep the main structure of the Eazy-E version.
Underground memphis rapper Koopsta Knicca
Koopsta Knicca
Robert Cooper, better known by his stage name Koopsta Knicca, is an American rapper. He is best known as one of original members of the Memphis rap group Three 6 Mafia and for his melodic 'fast-rapping' style similar to Bone Thugs-n-Harmony....
made his own version called Back In Da Hood with also underground rapper Booker Headlock
Shwayze
Aaron Smith , better known by his stage name Shwayze, is an American rapper.Born and raised in Malibu, California, Shwayze worked at a local Starbucks coffee shop until he met Whitestarr frontman Cisco Adler at a nightclub. One night Shwayze jumped on stage during Whitestarr's performance and...
uses one of the lines from "Boyz N The Hood" in his song "Lost My Mind" on his album Shwayze
Shwayze
Aaron Smith , better known by his stage name Shwayze, is an American rapper.Born and raised in Malibu, California, Shwayze worked at a local Starbucks coffee shop until he met Whitestarr frontman Cisco Adler at a nightclub. One night Shwayze jumped on stage during Whitestarr's performance and...
, the line he uses is "Woke up at about noon just thought that I had to be in Compton Soon."
It is sampled in "Front Back
Front Back
"Front Back" is the first promo and official single released from T.I.'s fourth album, King. It featured Port Arthur's own UGK. It had small attention and has helped promote the album....
" by UGK
UGK
UGK was an American hip hop duo from Port Arthur, Texas formed in 1987 by the late Chad "Pimp C" Butler . He then joined with Bernard "Bun B" Freeman, who became his longtime partner...
(as well as its remix by T.I.
T.I.
Clifford Joseph Harris, Jr. , better known by his stage name T.I., is an American rap artist, film and music producer, actor and author. He is also the founder and co-chief executive officer of Grand Hustle Records....
) and "My 64
My 64
"My 64" is the second single from Mike Jones' album The American Dream. It features Bun B and Snoop Dogg. It samples "Boyz-n-the-Hood" by Eazy-E. The radio version doesn't feature Snoop's outro and the last chorus that follows thus the airplay single is 3:55 long. Miss Nana freestyles the song on...
" by Mike Jones
Mike Jones (rapper)
Michael "Mike" Jones is an American southern rap artist, who initially was affiliated with the record label Swishahouse, then left to be the owner of Ice Age Entertainment....
(featuring Bun B
Bun B
Bernard Freeman better known by his stage name Bun B, is an American rapper and was one half of the southern hip hop duo UGK . He is also a guest lecturer at Rice University located in Houston, Texas...
, Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
and Lil' Eazy-E.)
"Them Boys Down South" by Big Chance. Track 8 (Disc 2) on DJ Screw
DJ Screw
Robert Earl "DJ Screw" Davis, Jr. was a Houston, Texas-based DJ. He was known as a central figure in the Houston hip-hop community and was the creator of the now-famous Chopped and Screwed DJ technique...
's album "The Legend" has the same song style as Boyz-n-the-Hood.