Compton's Most Wanted

Last updated
Compton's Most Wanted
C.M.W. 2.jpg
Compton's Most Wanted.
Original Members:
MC Eiht, Tha Chill, Boom Bam, DJ Mike T & DJ Slip
Background information
Also known asC.M.W.
Origin Compton, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active1987–present
LabelsKru Cut / City Fresh Records, Techno Hop Records, Orpheus Records, EMI Records, Epic Records, Qwest Records, Half Ounce Records Inc., B Dub Records, Startin' Frum Skratch Records.
Members
Website

Compton's Most Wanted (C.M.W.) is an American gangsta rap group and part of the early West Coast hip hop scene. [1] [2] The leaders of the group are MC Eiht and Tha Chill.

Contents

History

Formation and early years

C.M.W. included rappers MC Eiht, Tha Chill, DJ Mike T, and producers DJ Slip and The Unknown DJ. [2]

In the mid-1980s, founding members Tha Chill and MC Eiht were writing raps and recording demo tapes (also called "hood tapes") in their spare time while gang bangin' in their hood in Compton, CA. Tha Chill and MC Eiht chose to leave that street corner hustle scene in Compton and start making money in a legit but fun way when they saw their long time friend MC Ren of the multi platinum West Coast hip hop group N.W.A started to create a huge street buzz in the Los Angeles County area by releasing records along with rapper Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, DJ Yella and Arabian Prince. In 1987, while in Compton, The Unknown DJ was given one of these "hood tapes" by a friend and became very interested in the diverse style and rhyme schemes of the "Compton's Most Wanted" rap group. The Unknown DJ then took the "hood tape" to DJ Slip in Gardena, a city just west of Compton, who at the time was the owner of Los Angeles County's largest DJ Rental business called "Music People - DJ4HIRE".

In 1988, Compton's Most Wanted, under the production leadership of Terry "DJ Slip" Allen, recorded their 1st ever professional songs called Rhymes To Funky. It was one of the many featured songs on the "Sound Control Mob - Under Investigation" Compton compilation album on "Kru Cut / City Fresh Records", along with artist like: "Vanilla C", "PG 13" and "MC Looney Tunes A.K.A. MC Loon E Toons". This label was owned by Compton, CA. Executive producers Alonzo Williams A.K.A. "Grandmaster Lonz' of the World Class Wreckin' Crew and Charles Turner.

In 1989, C.M.W. released their first single "This Is Compton" b/w "Give It Up" and "I Give Up Nothin'" (pt. 1) on The Unknown DJ Los Angeles-based record label Techno Hop Records. Techno Hop Records label was primarily an Electro genre label, but thru the futuristic mind of The Unknown DJ, he single-handedly launched the legendary west coast gangsta rap genre with songs by Ice-T "6 In The Mornin'" and King Tee "Ya Better Bring A Gun" featuring Mixmaster Spade. In the middle of recording this maxi single "This Is Compton" b/w "Give It Up" and "I Give Up Nothin'" managing misunderstanding started to occur between DJ Ant Capone who, along with his father "Old Man Conway", were acting managers for C.M.W. on the "Sound Control Mob - Under Investigation" (Compton Compilation album) and The Unknown DJ. Soon after DJ Ant Capone choose to leave the group.

In 1990, C.M.W. released their first album, It's a Compton Thang on Orpheus Records. [3] It contained the hit single and video "One Time Gaffled Em Up". It's a Compton Thang was entirely produced by DJ Slip and The Unknown DJ and all song lyrics were written by MC Eiht. During the recording of this album Tha Chill was arrested for joy riding, but was released a few weeks later on time served and finished recording his remaining verses on the songs of the album. The album peaked at #132 in the U.S. charts.

A year later in 1991, the group C.M.W. released their 2nd album, Straight Checkn 'Em, which featured popular hits songs like "Growin' Up In tha Hood", "Driveby Miss Daisy", "Compton's Lynchin'", and the first version of the "Def Wish" series.. "Growin' Up In The Hood" was also released on Warner Bros for the John Singleton block buster movie Boyz n the Hood starring Ice Cube, Cuba Gooding Jr., Laurence Fishburne, Nia Long and Morris Chestnut. During the recording of this album Tha Chill once again was arrested and this time sent to prison. This altercation had happened some months before the album was released and Tha Chill did not have the chance to participate on any of the other songs recordings, except for the original album version of "Growin' Up In the Hood". However, the album Straight Check'n Em was a bigger success than their previous album, peaking at #92 in the U.S. charts.

Again in 1992, the group released their third and most successful studio album, Music to Driveby. It featured the single "Hood Took Me Under" which the original song was produced by DJ Mike T and the remix single and video version by DJ Slip. This song charted at #5 in U.S. The "Hood Took Me Under" album version was also featured years later in 2004 on the popular PlayStation 2 video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas radio station, Radio Los Santos and in 2005 for Microsoft Windows and Xbox. MC Eiht also has a voice role on one of the game characters "Ryder". The album charted at #66 in the U.S. U.S. charts and is considered a classic by many people. C.M.W. are known especially for their slow, often melancholic raps, using samples from 1970s soul and funk records such as "Joy" and "Walk On By" by Isaac Hayes and "Love T.K.O." by Teddy Pendergrass. They are also known for using movie samples such as "Scareface" and "Deep Cover". Freestyle keyboardist, saxophone and harmonica player Willie Zimmerman, though not officially a member, is used extensively on songs Drive By Miss Daisy, Def Wish, Niggaz Strugglin, U's A Bitch, and Hood Rat.

On the Music To Driveby album song "Who's Fucking Who," produced by DJ Mike T and DJ Slip which took aimed at Bronx, NY old school rapper Timothy "Tim Dog" Blair. This whole altercation had begun while C.M.W. was on their album promotional tour for Straight Checkn' Em in 1990. While at a Sony music release party for all the labels under the Sony Corporation. Epic Records Compton's Most Wanted and Columbia Records Tim Dog were at the party. C.M.W. met Tim Dog and he explained his reasons for recording the "Fuck Compton" song saying it was a personal beef against N.W.A's Dr. Dre for an altercation with rapper/ television personality Dee Barnes from the rap video show Pump It Up. Tim Dog felt that since Dee Barnes was born in New York City he had to address the issue represent all New Yorkers in some type of way . He also stated that he didn't like jeri curls and he also hated R&B singer Michel'le's voice. But all that changed while taking pictures when Tim Dog asked members DJ Mike T and MC Eiht to spread a message to all Compton and West Coast hip hop rappers that "he was accepting all diss records and he wanted to start a U.T.F.O. style of dissing like the "Roxanne Roxanne" era. DJ Mike T got infuriated by the gimmick approach, knowing that the New York/ Los Angeles feud was about to boil over and Tim Dog rhyme style was getting outdated in New York by their next generation of rap. Once back on the West Coast DJ Mike T had to convince MC Eiht to write a song because MC Eiht already knowing thatTim Dog was already irrelevant with his one hit wonder. C.M.W. released their 2nd single/ video "Def Wish 2" was focused at well-known Compton rapper name DJ Quik after, MC Eiht fellow gang members convinced him that DJ Quik made a low key diss in a controversial statement on his "underground tape", prior to his signing with Profile Records. "Def Wish II" along with "Another Victim, Dead Men Tell No Lies, U's A Bitch, Hood Rat", were the last 5 songs ever produced again by The Unknown DJ for Compton's Most Wanted, before being relieved of his production contract from Epic Records for sub selling MC Eiht writers publishing, misdirecting funds and covering it up in a fraudulent business tax write-off. It was the last album C.M.W. released before their long hiatus.

Finally, after a break of eight years, C.M.W. released Represent in 2000 on the independent record label Half Ounce Records Inc. owned by MC Eiht, Boom Bam and deceased rapper Bird from Lil Hawk and Bird. The album featured the single "This Is Compton 2000" and "Some May Know", but did not achieve the success of their previous albums.

In 2006, C.M.W. released Music to Gang Bang on B Dub Records, which contained four singles, most notably the single titled "Music to Gang Bang", with original member MC Eiht and newest members "Big 2Da Boy and Diamond Rich". However the album was not as commercially successful as previous releases.

In 2008, Compton rapper The Game revealed in an interview that he was in talks with MC Eiht to revive the group; [4] however, this has yet to materialize.

Solo careers

By serving over 2 years in prison Tha Chill had missed recording on two of C.M.W. biggest albums Straight Checkn 'Em and Music to Driveby. So MC Eiht had a better plan to revamp Tha Chill rapping career and choose to connect him with Compton rapper and fellow gang brother Boom Bam to form the group Niggas On The Run. Tha Chill agreed with MC Eiht plan and began to tour with C.M.W. opening up for all their shows with songs from N.O.T.R. In 1994, the N.O.T.R. rap album was shelved after the short release and members Tha Chill and Boom Bam became current members of the Compton's Most Wanted team. Tha Chill had never let making a few mistakes in life shorten his goals on becoming a respected artist. Knowing how to play the drums at an early age he ventured in producing and started recording songs for MC Eiht, MC Ren, Compton rapper C.P.O., Kokane, Jayo Felony, Killafornia Organization, Wanted Gang, Chillafornia, 1st Generation rap group King Tee, Kurupt, MC Eiht, Jayo Felony, producers Battle Catt and Sir Jinxs, Diirty OG'z with Kurupt, Tray Dee and Weasel Loc and the list goes on. Tha Chill is due any day in 2017 to release his solo album "4 Wit 80" written and produced by himself with some features of many popular artist and of all the original Compton's Most Wanted members: MC Eiht, Boom Bam and DJ Mike T.

After "Music To Driveby", MC Eiht had 3 albums left under contract with Epic Records and decided to pursue a solo career since he had already written the lyrics for all three C.M.W. previous albums. In 1994, MC Eiht debut solo album "We Come Strapped" featuring C.M.W. which was certified "Gold" after selling over 500,000 copies. In 1995, he released his 2nd solo album "Death Threatz" featuring C.M.W. In 1996 MC Eiht released his 3rd and last album on Epic Records "Last Man Standing" to finish out the 5-album deal with them. In 1997 and 1998, MC Eiht signed to Mack 10 "Ho Bangin Records" and release "Thicker Than Water" title song for the blockbuster movie "Thicker Than Water" and recorded 2 album as well "Section 8 and N' My Neighborhood". In the publics eye MC Eiht is a very underrated artist for the fact he has released a solo album, song features with popular artist such as: 2004 Snoop Dogg "Wet Like Candy" on the album Blue Carpet Treatment, 2004 and 2006 MC Eiht released collaboration album with Spice 1 "The Pioneers" and "Keep It Gangsta" and Brotha Lynch Hung "The New Season", 2010 1st Generation rap group with west coast artist King Tee, Kurupt, Tha Chill, Jayo Felony, producers Sir Jinxs and Battle Catt. "Sharks In The Water", "Killin' Me Softly" and "Whole World Spends" and 2012 Kendrick Lamar "M.A.A.D City" and various mixtapes every year since 1994 except for 2008, 2011 and 2016 where he stayed either working on tour or recording studio songs with himself and other artist. In 2016 MC Eiht recorded a feature on a young Compton rapper album known as "Problem" produced by DJ Quik which is soon to be released. In 2017 MC Eiht has joined forces with DJ Premier of Gangstarr and recorded his solo album "Which Way Is West" with features by Tha Chill, "Young Maylay", "Dub C" of the Westside Connection and many more.

Since the formation of Compton's Most Wanted in 1989, DJ Mike T was also known as one of the most top rated DJ's in the Los Angeles, CA. club scene. He worked in all the most popular dance spots in the Hollywood and Downtown areas for a promotional company known as Diamond Productions. In 1991, Diamond Productions had teamed up with R&B and hip hop singing group Bell, Biv, DeVoe and created an epic club era in the Los Angeles area called "Mental Mondays" with music provided by DJ Mike T. DJ Mike T has also produced songs for artist that were featured on DJ Slip "Sound Control Mob - Under Investigation (Compton compilation)" album. Such as: 1990, Vanilla C A.K.A. Ms. Vee and The Flava System song "Pump It" on Thump Records. 1990, PG 13 song "Childs Play" on the Rollin' Wit Da PG executive produced by The Unknown DJ on Quality Records. MC Eiht also had a feature on "Young Riders" and written a few songs on this album as well. 1991, DJ Mike T produced 3 songs on the "Compton Cartel - Back In The Hood" for "MC Looney Tunes A.K.A. Loon E Toons" song Lets Get Hype, "MC Shaheed" song Addressing The Blackman and "MC T Bear song Non Believers on Par Records. 1993, MC Loon E Toons and DJ Mike Tee "Inglewoodz Finast" (EP) on Power Move Records. 1996, "Flamin' Compilation" album with the songs by the Crenshaw Mafias with their song titled "Crenshaw Mafia" and Lil Hawk song "Crabs Keep On Slippin" on Triple X Records in the US and Dolphin Entertainment in Japan. Currently DJ Mike T A.K.A. "DJ Mike TzLee" is working from his home studio producing and DJing on mixtapes "Startin' Frum Skratch Studio" under the W.C. Skratch Gang production team.

DJ Slip subleased part of Cherokee Studios in the Fairfax, Los Angeles area and opened up "X Factor Studios" where he recorded popular Los Angeles rappers such as 1995, I Smooth 7 debut album Ghetto Life with songs produced by himself and others like DJ Battle Catt and DJ Fat Jack and scratching by DJ Mike T. Also in 1995, DJ Slip also recorded and mixed MC Eiht's 2nd solo album Death Threatz. In 2001 DJ Slip started working for an Independent studio/label West Coast hip hop IV Life Records.

Discography

Studio albums

Collaboration albums

Compilation albums

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MC Eiht</span> American rapper (born 1971)

Aaron Bernard Tyler, better known by his stage name MC Eiht, is an American rapper. Many of his songs are based on his life in Compton. His stage name was partly inspired by the numeral in KRS-One's name. He chose Eiht for its links to "hood culture", including Olde English 800 and .38 caliber firearms. He is the de facto leader of West Coast hip hop group Compton's Most Wanted, which also included fellow Compton-based rappers Boom Bam, The Unknown DJ, Tha Chill, DJ Mike T, DJ Slip and Ant Capone. He is also known for his role as A-Wax in the 1993 film Menace II Society, as well as playing the character Ryder in the 2004 video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DJ Quik</span> American rapper and record producer (born 1970)

David Marvin Blake, better known by his stage names DJ Quik or Da Quiksta, is an American rapper and record producer from Compton, California, known for his production in the G-funk style of West Coast hip-hop. Blake has collaborated with Snoop Dogg, Kurupt, Tupac, Chingy, R. Kelly and Shaquille O'Neal, among others. As a recording artist himself, he is perhaps best known for his 1991 single "Tonite", which within the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100. Blake's stage name refers to his ability of producing songs in a short period of time.

Andre Manuel, a disc jockey and record producer called The Unknown DJ or DJ Unknown, was a pioneer in the Los Angeles area's 1980s music scene, moving from electro funk and electro rap to gangsta rap. Now a legend of West Coast rap, he worked with rapper Ice-T in the early 1980s, then with Alonzo "Grandmaster Lonzo" Williams, and with MC Eiht's group Compton's Most Wanted in the early 1990s.

<i>Way 2 Fonky</i> 1992 studio album by DJ Quik

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<i>Its a Compton Thang</i> 1990 studio album by Comptons Most Wanted

It's a Compton Thang! is the debut studio album by American gangsta rap group Compton's Most Wanted. It was released in 1990 through Orpheus Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Streiht Up Menace</span> 1993 single by MC Eiht

"Streiht Up Menace" is a song and the debut solo single by American rapper MC Eiht. It was released on May 31, 1993 through Jive Records as the second single off the soundtrack of 1993 film Menace II Society. Written and produced by Eiht himself together with fellow Compton's Most Wanted groupmate DJ Slip, it peaked at number 72 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 46 on the Hot R&B Singles. A remix to the song was also heard in the film, but was not included in the soundtrack album.

<i>We Come Strapped</i> 1994 studio album by MC Eiht featuring CMW

We Come Strapped is the debut studio album by American rapper MC Eiht. It was released on July 19, 1994, through Epic Street. The recording sessions took place at X-Factor Studios in Long Beach, California. The album was produced by Compton's Most Wanted members MC Eiht and DJ Slip, except for one song, "Compton Bomb", produced by Ric Roc. It features contributions from William "Willie Z" Zimmerman on the keyboards, Josh Achziger on guitar, Carla Evans on vocals, and guest appearances from rappers Redman and Spice 1. In addition to a Parental Advisory sticker, Epic also included text on the album cover that noted that Eiht's lyrics reflected his personal views.

<i>Death Threatz</i> 1996 studio album by MC Eiht featuring CMW

Death Threatz is the second studio album by American rapper MC Eiht. It was released on April 9, 1996, through Epic Street. The recording sessions took place at Echo Sound and X-Factor Studios in Los Angeles. The album was produced by Compton's Most Wanted members DJ Slip and MC Eiht, along with Prodeje of South Central Cartel, Gentry "Black Jack" Reed, Robert "Fonksta" Bacon, and Tomie Mundy. It features guest performances from Young Prodeje and N.O.T.R.

<i>Music to Driveby</i> 1992 studio album by Comptons Most Wanted

Music to Driveby is the third studio album by American gangsta rap group Compton's Most Wanted. It was released on September 29, 1992 through Orpheus/Epic Records. Recording sessions took place at Big Beat Soundlabs in Los Angeles and at Slips X Factor Studios in Inglewood from May 18 to June 9, 1992. Production was handled by members DJ Slip, MC Eiht and DJ Mike T, as well as The Unknown DJ and Ric Roc. It features contributions from William "Willie Z" Zimmerman on background vocals, keyboards, saxophone and harmonica, EMmage on backing vocals, and guest appearance by Scarface of Geto Boys.

<i>N My Neighborhood</i> 2000 studio album by MC Eiht

N' My Neighborhood is the fifth studio album by American rapper MC Eiht. It was released on June 20, 2000, through Hoo-Bangin' Records and Priority Records, making it his sophomore and final album for the label. Production was handled by seven record producers, Young Tre, Caviar, DJ Raw Steele, DJ Slip, Overdose, Binky Mack of Allfrumtha I, and MC Eiht himself, with Hoo-Bangin' Records founder Mack 10 serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Mack 10, Soultre, Techniec, and CMW members.

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Straight Checkn 'Em is the second studio album by American gangsta rap group Compton's Most Wanted. It was released on July 16, 1991 through Orpheus Records and Epic Records. Recording sessions took place at Big Beat Soundlabs in Los Angeles from April 2 to April 19, 1991, except for the song "Growin' Up in the Hood" recorded and mixed at Trax Recording Studio in Hollywood on March 31, 1991. Production was handled entirely by DJ Slip and the Unknown DJ.

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When We Wuz Bangin' 1989–1999: The Hitz is the first greatest hits album by American hip hop group Compton's Most Wanted including solo material recorded by the group's frontman MC Eiht. It was released on January 23, 2001, via The Right Stuff/Capitol Records. Composed of thirteen tracks, it contains songs from the first three Compton's Most Wanted albums—It's a Compton Thang, Straight Checkn 'Em and Music to Driveby—, its A-side and B-sides, Menace II Society , MC Eiht featuring CMW album We Come Strapped, Spice 1's album 1990-Sick, and MC Eiht's solo album Section 8. Production was handled by DJ Slip, The Unknown DJ, Blackjack, Fredwreck and MC Eiht, with Tom Cartwright serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Scarface and Spice 1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hood Took Me Under</span> 1992 single by Comptons Most Wanted

"Hood Took Me Under" is a song by American West Coast hip hop group Compton's Most Wanted, released as a single from their third studio album Music to Driveby. Its lyrics were written and performed by MC Eiht. It was recorded at Big Beat Soundlabs in Los Angeles, produced by DJ Mike T, and released via Orpheus Records/Epic Records. The song samples Isaac Hayes' version of "Walk On By". The single peaked at #5 on the Hot Rap Songs and at #63 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales in the United States.

Vernon Johnson, professionally known by his stage name Tha Chill, is an American rapper and record producer. He embarked on his music career in the early 1990s, as a co-founder of the Compton-based West Coast hip hop/gangsta rap group Compton's Most Wanted, along with frontman Aaron "MC Eiht" Tyler. During his childhood, Johnson dropped out of high school and hooked up with neighbourhood friend MC Eiht, to form the group.

<i>Tales from the Hood</i> (soundtrack) 1995 soundtrack album by Various artists

Tales from the Hood: The Soundtrack is the soundtrack to Rusty Cundieff's 1995 horror film, Tales from the Hood. It was released on May 9, 1995 through MCA Records, and consists of twelve songs by various hip hop music recording artists. The album features performances by the likes of Wu-Tang Clan, Facemob, Gravediggaz, Havoc & Prodeje, MC Eiht, Scarface, Spice 1, Tha Chill, The Click and more. Audio production was handled by several record producers, including Inspectah Deck, Mike Dean, N.O. Joe, Kurupt, Too Poetic. Spike Lee served as one of six executive producers on the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Niggaz on tha Run</span> American gangsta rap group

Niggaz on tha Run (N.O.T.R.) was a 1990s Gangsta rap group from Compton, California. They were formed by MC Eiht and mainly featured his long-time friends and members of Compton's Most Wanted, DJ Slip, Tha Chill and Boom Bam.

<i>Things in tha Hood</i> 1994 studio album by DFC

Things in tha Hood is the second studio album by American rap duo DFC from Flint, Michigan. It was released on March 22, 1994 through the Atlantic Records subsidiary Big Beat Records. Production was handled by six record producers: DJ Slip and MC Eiht of Compton's Most Wanted, Warren G, The D.O.C., Cedric "Swift C" Barnett and the group's frequent collaborator MC Breed. It features guest appearances from MC Breed, MC Eiht, Warren G, Nate Dogg and Bushwick Bill. The album spawned two singles: "Caps Get Peeled" and "Things in tha Hood".

References

  1. ↑ "Compton's Most Wanted | Biography & History". AllMusic.
  2. 1 2 Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 2. MUZE. p. 507.
  3. ↑ "Comptons Most Wanted". Trouser Press. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  4. ↑ "The Game - Disses Jay-Z on 104.7 Kiss FM". HipHopDX . August 14, 2008. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  5. ↑ Eustice, Kyle (November 20, 2018). "Tha Chill Says Compton's Most Wanted's New Album Has That "Wow Factor"". HipHopDX . Retrieved December 9, 2018.


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