5th Ward Boyz

Last updated
5th Ward Boyz
Origin Houston, Texas, United States
Genres Hip hop
Years active1993—2003
Labels
MembersAndre "007" Barnes
Eric "E-Rock" Taylor
Richard "Lo Life" Nash

5th Ward Boyz is an American southern hip hop trio, based out of Houston, Texas. [1] Their name is derived from Houston's Fifth Ward. The group signed to Rap-A-Lot Records following the Geto Boys' popularity on the label. [2]

Contents

The group originally consisted of Andre "007" Barnes and Eric "E-Rock" Taylor, with Richard "Lo Life" Nash joining the group following his release from prison for their second album, Gangsta Funk. They have been influenced by Dr. Dre, Funkadelic, N.W.A, Ice Cube, Eazy-E, Compton's Most Wanted. [2]

The group was signed to Rap-A-Lot Records in 1993, 7 years after the label started.

Discography

Studio albums

YearTitleChart positions
U.S. [3] U.S. R&B [4]
1993 Ghetto Dope 17619
1994 Gangsta Funk
  • Released: February 22, 1994
  • Label: Rap-A-Lot/Virgin
10513
1995 Rated G
  • Released: November 28, 1995
  • Label: Rap-A-Lot/Virgin
18935
1997 Usual Suspects
  • Released: November 18, 1997
  • Label: Rap-A-Lot/Virgin
18026
1999 Keep It Poppin'
  • Released: August 31, 1999
  • Label: Rap-A-Lot
12526
2001Recognize the Mob
  • Released: October 31, 2001
  • Label: Underground Records
2003Word Is Bond
  • Released: 2003
  • Label: Underground Records

Compilation albums

Singles

Related Research Articles

Gangsta rap or gangster rap, initially called reality rap, is a subgenre of hip-hop that conveys the culture and values typical of urban gangs and street hustlers. Emerging in the late 1980s, gangsta rap's pioneers include Schoolly D of Philadelphia and Ice-T of Los Angeles, later expanding in California with artists such as N.W.A and Tupac Shakur. In 1992, via record producer and rapper Dr. Dre, rapper Snoop Dogg, and their G-funk sound, gangster rap broadened to mainstream popularity.

Geto Boys was an American hip-hop group originally formed in Houston, Texas. The Geto Boys enjoyed success in the 1990s with the group's classic lineup consisting of Bushwick Bill, Scarface and Willie D, earning several certified albums and hit singles, including "Mind Playing Tricks on Me" which reached No. 1 on the Hot Rap Songs and #23 on the Billboard Hot 100. The group was formed in 1986, and was active until the 2019 death of Bushwick Bill.

Southern hip hop, also known as Southern rap, South Coast hip hop, or dirty south, is a blanket term for a regional genre of American hip hop music that emerged in the Southern United States, especially in Atlanta, New Orleans, Houston, Memphis, and Miami—five cities which constitute the "Southern Network" in rap music.

G-funk, short for gangsta funk, is a sub-genre of gangsta rap that emerged from the West Coast scene in the early 1990s. The genre was heavily influenced by the synthesizer-heavy 1970s funk sound of Parliament-Funkadelic, often incorporated through samples or re-recordings. It was represented by commercially successful albums such as Dr. Dre's The Chronic (1992) and Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle (1993).

<i>Straight Outta Compton</i> 1988 studio album by N.W.A

Straight Outta Compton is the debut studio album by American gangsta rap group N.W.A, which, led by Eazy-E, formed in Los Angeles County's City of Compton in early 1987. Released by his label, Ruthless Records, on August 8, 1988, the album was produced by N.W.A members Dr. Dre, DJ Yella, and Arabian Prince, with lyrics written by N.W.A members Ice Cube and MC Ren along with Ruthless rapper The D.O.C. Not merely depicting Compton's street violence, the lyrics repeatedly threaten to lead it by attacking peers and even police. The track "Fuck tha Police" drew an FBI agent's warning letter, which aided N.W.A's notoriety, with N.W.A calling itself "the world's most dangerous group."

<i>Doggystyle</i> 1993 studio album by Snoop Dogg

Doggystyle is the debut studio album by American rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg. It was released on November 23, 1993, by Death Row and Interscope Records. The album was recorded and produced following Snoop Doggy Dogg's appearances on Dr. Dre's debut solo album The Chronic (1992), to which Snoop contributed significantly. The West Coast style in hip-hop that he developed from Dre's first album continued on Doggystyle. Critics have praised Snoop Dogg for the lyrical "realism" that he delivers on the album and for his distinctive vocal flow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Too Short</span> American rapper

Todd Anthony Shaw, better known by his stage name Too Short, is an American rapper. A pioneer of West Coast hip hop, Shaw was among the first acts to receive recognition in the genre during the late 1980s. His lyrics were often based on pimping and promiscuity, but also drug culture and street survival; exemplified respectively in his most popular singles "Blow the Whistle" and "The Ghetto." He is one of few acts to have worked with both Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G. during the height of their respective careers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rap-A-Lot Records</span> Southern hip-hop record label

Rap-A-Lot is a hip hop record label co-founded by James Prince and Cliff Blodget in 1986. Smoke-a-Lot Records is a subsidiary.

<i>Quik Is the Name</i> 1991 studio album by DJ Quik

Quik Is The Name is the debut studio album by American hip hop artist and producer DJ Quik, released by Profile Records on January 15, 1991. Production was mainly handled by DJ Quik himself along with his executive producers Courtney Branch and Tracy Kendrick. Recording sessions took place throughout 1990 at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California, with a production budget of $30,000.

The Screwed Up Click is an American hip hop collective based in Houston, Texas, that was led by DJ Screw. Its most notable members include DJ Screw, Big Hawk, Big Mello, Big Moe, Big Pokey, the Botany Boyz, E.S.G., Fat Pat, Lil' Flip, Lil' Keke, Lil' O, and Z-Ro. In addition, Devin the Dude, K-Rino, Lil' Troy, South Park Mexican and UGK are considered to be "Screwed Up Affiliated". Many of the current and former SUC members come from the neighborhoods of South Park, 3rd Ward, Sunnyside, Cloverland, Hiram Clarke and South Acres.

<i>Radio Fusion Radio</i> 1992 studio album by College Boyz

Radio Fusion Radio is the debut album by rap group, the College Boyz. It was released on April 7, 1992, through Virgin Records. The album peaked at No. 118 on the Billboard 200, No. 25 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and No. 2 on the Top Heatseekers chart. Three singles — "Victim of the Ghetto", "Hollywood Paradox" and "Humpin" — also made the Billboard charts.

<i>Rigormortiz</i> 1993 studio album by DMG

Rigormortiz is the debut studio album by rapper DMG. It was released on June 1, 1993 through Rap-a-Lot and Priority Records and featured production from Mike Dean, N.O. Joe and DMG's mentor Scarface. The album made it to 40 on the R&B charts and 22 on the Heatseekers chart. "You Don't Hear Me Doe" was released as a single and had a promotional music video shot for it.

The 5th Ward Juvenilez was an American hip hop group from the 5th Ward of Houston, Texas. The group consisted of Daddy Lo, Mr. Slimm and Nickelboy and was signed to Rap-a-Lot Records.

<i>Ghetto Dope</i> 1993 studio album by 5th Ward Boyz

Ghetto Dope is the debut studio album by American hip hop group 5th Ward Boyz. It was released in May 1993 through a joint venture between O.G. Dewey Forker's Underground Records and J. Prince's Rap-A-Lot Records with distribution via Priority Records. Recording sessions took place at Jungle Style Studios and at Digital Services in Houston. Production was handled by John Bido, Mike Dean, N.O. Joe, and J. Prince, who also was serving as executive producer together with Edward Russell and O.G. Dewey. It features guest appearances from Bushwick Bill, Devin the Dude and Scarface. Member Richard "Lo Life" Nash was absent on the project due to his imprisonment.

<i>Gangsta Funk</i> 1994 studio album by 5th Ward Boyz

Gangsta Funk is the second studio album by the 5th Ward Boyz, released in 1994.

<i>Usual Suspects</i> (album) 1997 studio album by 5th Ward Boyz

Usual Suspects is the fourth studio album by American hip hop group 5th Ward Boyz. It was released on November 18, 1997, through Rap-A-Lot Records. Recording sessions took place at Hippie House Studios and Digital Services in Houston and at the Enterprise in Burbank. Production was handled by Mike Dean, who had produced the majority of the group's previous three albums, Leroy "Mr. Lee" Williams, Freddie Young, Scarface, Flip, John Bido, and the 5th Ward Boyz themselves. It features guest appearances from Mr. Slimm of 5th Ward Juvenilez, Do or Die, Devin the Dude, Johnny P, Scarface, Spice 1, Willie D, 8Ball & MJG.

<i>Keep It Poppin</i> 1999 studio album by 5th Ward Boyz

P.W.A.: The Album... Keep It Poppin' is the fifth studio album by American hip hop group the 5th Ward Boyz. It was released on August 31, 1999, through Rap-A-Lot Records, making it their final record for the label. Production was handled by Derek "Grizz" Edwards, Mr. Lee and 5th Ward Boyz member E-Rock, with executive producers J Prince and OG Dewey. It features guest appearances from Devin the Dude, Ghetto Twiinz, Kuirshan, Outlawz, Rapsta, Willie D and Yukmouth. The album peaked at number 125 on the Billboard 200 and at number 26 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States.

Boss Hogg Outlawz were an American hip hop collective from Houston, Texas formed and led by Slim Thug. The collective originally included Le$, Sludge Von, C. Ward, J-Dawg, Killa Kyleon, Sir Daily, Lil Ray, Young Black, Dre Day, PJ & M.U.G. (Deceased).

<i>Gangstas Paradise</i> (album) 1995 studio album by Coolio

Gangsta's Paradise is the second studio album by American rapper Coolio, released on November 7, 1995. It is Coolio's best-selling album, with over two million copies sold in the United States. The album produced three singles, which became hits: the title track, "1, 2, 3, 4 ", and "Too Hot".

<i>J Prince Presents R.N.D.S.</i> 1999 compilation album by various artists

J Prince Presents R.N.D.S. is a two-disc compilation album of presented and executive produced by Rap-A-Lot Records CEO J. Prince. It was released on October 5, 1999 through Priority Records.

References

  1. "Ghetto Do-Gooders. The 5th Ward Boyz may not be saints, but they're not sinners either". Houston Press . 25 January 1996. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
  2. 1 2 Bush, John. "5th Ward Boyz > Biography". Allmusic.
  3. "5th Ward Boyz Chart History". Billboard 200 . Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  4. "5th Ward Boyz Chart History". Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums . Retrieved March 7, 2019.