Geto Boys

Last updated

Geto Boys
Also known asGhetto Boys
(1986–1990)
Origin Fifth Ward, Houston, Texas, U.S.
Genres
Years active1986–2019
Labels
Past members

Geto Boys (originally spelled Ghetto 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. [1] The group was formed in 1986, and was active until the 2019 death of Bushwick Bill.

Contents

The Geto Boys earned notoriety for lyrics covering controversial topics such as misogyny, violence, psychotic experiences, and drug addiction. About.com ranked the Geto Boys No. 10 on its list of the 25 Best Rap Groups of All-Time, describing them as "southern rap pioneers who paved the way for future southern hip-hop acts." [2]

History

The original Ghetto Boys consisted first of Raheem, The Sire Jukebox and Sir Rap-A-Lot. When Raheem and Sir Rap-A-Lot left, the group added DJ Ready Red, Prince Johnny C, and Little Billy, the dancer who later came to be known as Bushwick Bill. The first single the group released was "Car Freak" in 1986, which then followed with two singles: "You Ain't Nothin'/I Run This" in 1987, and "Be Down" in 1988. In 1988, the group released its debut album, Making Trouble . With the release receiving very little attention, the group broke up shortly thereafter and a new line-up was put together in which Bushwick Bill was joined by Scarface and Willie D, both aspiring solo artists. This new line-up recorded the 1989 album, Grip It! On That Other Level . The group's 1990 self-titled album, The Geto Boys , caused Def American Recordings, the label to which the group was signed at the time, to switch distributors from Geffen Records to Warner Bros. Records (with marketing for the album done by Warner Bros. sister label Giant Records) because of controversy over the lyrics.

In the early 1990s, several American politicians attacked rap artists associated with the subgenre gangsta rap, including the Geto Boys. A high-profile incident in which Bushwick Bill lost an eye in a shooting helped boost sales of the group's 1991 album We Can't Be Stopped . The album cover features a graphic picture of the injured Bushwick being carted through a hospital by Scarface and Willie D. On the album's title track, the group responded to Geffen Records ending its distribution deal with Def American. The album featured the single "Mind Playing Tricks on Me," which became a hit and charted at No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Rapper Scarface Scarface (rapper).jpg
Rapper Scarface

After Willie D left the group, Scarface and Bushwick Bill continued with the Geto Boys with the addition of Big Mike, who made his debut appearance with the group on 1993's album Till Death Do Us Part . [3] Till Death Do Us Part was certified gold. The album spawned one top 40 hit in "Six Feet Deep" which peaked at #40 on the Billboard Hot 100. Subsequently, Big Mike was dropped and Willie D returned for 1996's critically acclaimed The Resurrection , and the 1998 followup Da Good Da Bad & Da Ugly , of which Bushwick Bill was not a part. After three years on hiatus, the group reunited in 2002 to record its seventh album, The Foundation , which was released on January 25, 2005. The Geto Boys were featured on Scarface's My Homies Part 2 album.

The song "Street Life" from Till Death Do Us Part was featured on the motion picture South Central . A video clip for the song with footage from the film was released. [4] Although the band rarely releases albums or perform together, the group came together for a reunion at Cypress Hill's SmokeOut festival in San Bernardino, California on October 23, 2009. [5] In 2010, Bushwick Bill was threatened with deportation to Jamaica. [6] In a 2015 DJ Vlad interview, Scarface stated that he will not be involved in another Geto Boys album. [7]

On August 24, 2018, founding member DJ Ready Red died at the age of 53, from an apparent heart attack. [8]

Following the stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis of Bushwick Bill in early 2019, a farewell tour, titled The Beginning of a Long Goodbye, The Final Farewell was announced, with a portion of the proceeds being donated to pancreatic cancer awareness. [9] However, this tour was cancelled just before its anticipated start. On June 9, 2019, Bushwick Bill died as a result of pancreatic cancer, at the age of 52.

Lyrics and influence

The group's name, Geto Boys, comes from an alternate spelling of the word "ghetto". For its first two albums, Making Trouble (1988) and Grip It! On That Other Level (1989), the spelling was the English standard "Ghetto Boys". For their third album, The Geto Boys, they changed it to the "Geto" spelling, which the group has used since. The Geto Boys' lyrics push gangsta rap themes to extremes, and sometimes focus on murder, explicit sex, and violence. The group is credited for putting Southern hip hop on the hip hop music map and inspired a legion of acts, including 2Pac, Eminem, UGK, T.I., Goodie Mob, Outkast, 50 Cent, Chamillionaire, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, Juvenile, Mystikal, Mac Lethal, Esham [10] and Insane Clown Posse. [11] Insane Clown Posse's Violent J (Joseph Bruce) described the Geto Boys as the first rappers to perform horrorcore, with their song "Assassins", released on their debut album, Making Trouble. [10] [12] Bruce says that the Geto Boys continued to pioneer the style with their second release Grip It! On That Other Level, with songs such as "Mind of a Lunatic" and "Trigga-Happy Nigga". [10] Conversely, "The Unseen", a song which appears on the group's compilation Uncut Dope , expresses anti-abortion views. [13] [14]

The Geto Boys' popularity was boosted somewhat in 1999 by the prominent use of two songs—"Damn It Feels Good to Be a Gangsta" (released as a promotional single for the 1992 compilation album Uncut Dope) [15] and "Still" (from The Resurrection)—in Mike Judge's comedy satire film Office Space . The song "Mind of a Lunatic" has been covered by many recording acts including Marilyn Manson in 2003, as a B-side off the album The Golden Age of Grotesque . The single "Damn It Feels Good to Be a Gangsta" has also been covered by the band Aqueduct and country singer Carter Falco. [16] Their song "Mind Playing Tricks on Me" was featured in the video game Grand Theft Auto V and also in the Netflix series Maniac .

The Geto Boys were also heavily influenced by the social politics of the day. Their lyrics consistently include themes ranging from police brutality (such as in "Crooked Officer") to concerns over the negative impact of violence on the urban community (such as "The World Is a Ghetto", "Geto Fantasy", and "Six Feet Deep").[ citation needed ]

Discography

Studio albums

Band members

Former members

Timeline

Geto Boys

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willie D</span> American rapper from Texas

William James Dennis is an American rapper and songwriter best known as a member of the Houston rap group the Geto Boys, alongside Bushwick Bill and Scarface. He maintains and regularly uploads to his YouTube channel, posting social commentary videos. As of July 2021, his channel WillieDLive has accumulated over 200 million video views.

Horrorcore, also called horror hip hop, horror rap, death hip hop, death rap, or murder rap is a subgenre of hip hop music based on horror-themed and often darkly transgressive lyrical content and imagery. Its origins derived from certain hardcore hip hop and gangsta rap artists, such as the Geto Boys, which began to incorporate supernatural, occult, and psychological horror themes into their lyrics. Unlike most hardcore hip hop and gangsta rap artists, horrorcore artists often push the violent content and imagery in their lyrics beyond the realm of realistic urban violence, to the point where the violent lyrics become gruesome, ghoulish, unsettling, inspired by slasher films or splatter films. While exaggerated violence and the supernatural are common in horrorcore, the genre also frequently presents more realistic yet still disturbing portrayals of mental illness and drug abuse. Some horrorcore artists eschew supernatural themes or exaggerated violence in favor of more subtle and dark psychological horror imagery and lyrics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bushwick Bill</span> Jamaican-American rapper (1966–2019)

Richard William Stephen Shaw, better known by his stage name Bushwick Bill, was a Jamaican rapper. He was a member of the Texas hip hop group Geto Boys, a group he originally joined as a breakdancer in 1986 as Little Billy. He went on to become one third of one incarnation of the group, alongside Willie D and Scarface.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mind Playing Tricks on Me</span> 1991 single by Geto Boys

"Mind Playing Tricks on Me" is a song by Geto Boys, featured on their 1991 album We Can't Be Stopped . The lyrics describe the mental anguish and exhaustion of life as a gangster, including dealing with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, paranoia, suicidal ideation, and loneliness. It also samples "Hung Up on My Baby" by Isaac Hayes, from his 1974 film Tough Guys. At the song's peak, it reached 23 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the highest-charting single by the Geto Boys.

<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>We Cant Be Stopped</i> 1991 studio album by Geto Boys

We Can't Be Stopped is the third studio album by Geto Boys, released on July 9, 1991. It was among their most successful records in terms of units sold. The album is analysed track-by-track by Geto Boys in Brian Coleman's book Check the Technique. We Can't Be Stopped was certified Platinum in early 1992.

<i>Mystic Stylez</i> 1995 studio album by Three 6 Mafia

Mystic Stylez is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Three 6 Mafia. Produced completely by founding members DJ Paul and Juicy J, the LP was published via Prophet, an independent record label.

<i>Making Trouble</i> 1988 studio album by Ghetto Boys

Making Trouble is the debut album by the American hip-hop group the Ghetto Boys. The group originally consisted of Bushwick Bill, DJ Ready Red, Sire Jukebox and Prince Johnny C. Following the release of Making Trouble, Rap-A-Lot Records dropped Sire Jukebox and Johnny C from the group, and added Scarface and Willie D.

<i>Grip It! On That Other Level</i> 1989 studio album by Ghetto Boys

Grip It! On That Other Level is the second studio album by the Houston, Texas based hip-hop group, the Ghetto Boys, released on March 12, 1989, on Rap-A-Lot Records. Following the disappointing results of the group's first album, Rap-A-Lot CEO James Prince replaced two of the group members with Scarface and Willie D, who joined original members Bushwick Bill and DJ Ready Red. Recording for the album began in 1988, and finished in early 1989. The majority of the album's tracks were produced by DJ Ready Red, and much of the album's lyrical content deals with violent and misogynistic topics, which would later be credited for pioneering the horrorcore hip hop subgenre.

<i>Till Death Do Us Part</i> (Geto Boys album) 1993 studio album by Geto Boys

Till Death Do Us Part is the fourth studio album by the Houston gangsta rap group the Geto Boys, released in March 1993 on Rap-A-Lot Records.

<i>Da Good da Bad & da Ugly</i> 1998 studio album by Geto Boys

Da Good Da Bad & Da Ugly is the sixth studio album by Houston hip hop group Geto Boys. It was released on November 17, 1998, by Rap-A-Lot/Virgin Records.

<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>Controversy</i> (Willie D album) 1989 studio album by Willie Dee

Controversy is the debut studio album by American rapper Willie Dee.

<i>The South Park Psycho</i> 1992 studio album by Ganksta N-I-P

The South Park Psycho is the first album by the rapper Ganksta N-I-P. It was released on February 25, 1992, through Rap-a-Lot Records. The album has production from Ganksta N-I-P, The Terrorists, John Bido and Doug King. The album is one of the earliest examples of the horrorcore genre, and considered by many as a Southern hip hop classic.

<i>Greatest Hits</i> (Geto Boys album) 2002 compilation album by Geto Boys

Greatest Hits is a compilation album by the hip-hop group Geto Boys, released in 2002. It is the second compilation album released by Geto Boys. Greatest Hits contains a bonus DVD in some copies and has songs from all of the Geto Boys' albums released up to 2002, from Making Trouble (1988) to Da Good da Bad & da Ugly (1998). There is also a song that had never appeared on any other Geto Boys album, "The Answer to Baby "; this also appeared in group member Scarface's compilation album, Balls and My Word (2003).

<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 discography of the Geto Boys contains seven studio albums, one remix album, three compilations and four charting singles. Geto Boys is a hip-hop group located in Houston, Texas that started off with the members Raheem, Prince Johnny C and Sire Jukebox but ended up releasing their debut album in 1988, Making Trouble, with Prince Johnny C, Sire Jukebox, DJ Ready Red and Bushwick Bill as members. After failing commercially and critically, the group's line-up was changed around by removing Johnny C and Sire Jukebox but replacing them with Willie D and Scarface. This line-up released Grip It! On That Other Level and since then, has become the most familiar Geto Boys line-up. Rapper Big Mike was also a member of the group at one point, for the album Till Death Do Us Part.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The World Is a Ghetto (Geto Boys song)</span> 1996 single by Geto Boys

"The World Is a Ghetto" is a single by the Geto Boys. The song appeared on the group's sixth album, The Resurrection, and was used on the Original Gangstas soundtrack.

<i>Uncut Dope: Geto Boys Best</i> 1992 compilation album by Geto Boys

Uncut Dope: Geto Boys' Best is a compilation album by the Geto Boys consisting of previously released tracks from the group's Rap-a-Lot albums and two new songs. Released on November 17, 1992, through Priority Records, the compilation peaked at #147 on the Billboard 200.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scarface (rapper)</span> American rapper (born 1970)

Brad Terrence Jordan, better known by his stage name Scarface, is an American rapper and record producer best known as a member of the Geto Boys, a hip-hop group from Houston, Texas. He grew up in Houston and is originally from the city's South Acres neighborhood. In 2012, The Source ranked him #16 on their list of the Top 50 Lyricists of All Time, while About.com ranked him #6 on its list of the 50 Greatest MCs of Our Time (1987–2007).

References

  1. ↑ "Geto Boys Biography". Broadway World. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  2. ↑ Adaso, Henry. "25 Best Rap Groups of All-Time". About.com. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  3. ↑ LeBlanc, Ondine. "The Geto Boys". Encyclopedia. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  4. ↑ "geto boys street life". YouTube. April 19, 2007. Archived from the original on January 22, 2010. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Smoke Out Festival 2009 offers reunited bands and munchies…". Consequence of Sound. September 1, 2009. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  6. ↑ Carroll, Susan. "Houston's own Geto Boy faces deportation Archived January 1, 2011, at the Wayback Machine ." Houston Chronicle . July 19, 2010. Retrieved on July 20, 2010.
  7. ↑ Todd, Jessica. "EXCLUSIVE! Scarface: I'll Officially Never Do Another Geto Boys Album". VladTV. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  8. ↑ "DJ Ready Red, hip hop group Geto Boys' first DJ and producer, dead at 53". Usatoday.com. Retrieved August 25, 2018.
  9. ↑ "Bushwick Bill's Cancer Diagnosis Prompts Geto Boys Farewell Tour". TMZ. Retrieved May 11, 2019.
  10. 1 2 3 Bruce, Joseph; Hobey Echlin (August 2003). "The Dark Carnival". In Nathan Fostey (ed.). ICP: Behind the Paint (second ed.). Royal Oak, Michigan: Psychopathic Records. pp.  174–185. ISBN   0-9741846-0-8.
  11. ↑ Violent J (performer) (June 8, 2010). The Opening (song). Hatchet House/Psychopathic Records. Event occurs at 0:54. Much love to Cube, Awesome Dre, The Geto Boys, and Esham / for making us want to be rappers, self employed, and the bomb
  12. ↑ Weingarten, Christopher (October 28, 2011). "Insane Clown Posse's Violent J Picks 11 Horrorcore Classics". Spin . Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  13. ↑ Hochman, Steve (December 13, 1992). "Geto Boys Wave Anti-Abortion Flag With 'The Unseen'". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  14. ↑ Smith, Nathan (March 17, 2016). "A Psychotic Ranking of All 97 Geto Boys Songs". Houston Press . Retrieved June 23, 2021. "The Unseen" is a nasty, murderous anti-abortion screed
  15. ↑ "Geto Boys - Damn It Feels Good To Be A Gangster (CD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  16. ↑ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine : "Aqueduct - "Damn it Feels Good to Be a Gangster"". YouTube . Retrieved December 21, 2007.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.