Ruthless Records

Last updated
Ruthless Records
Ruthless records-logo.jpg
FoundedMarch 3, 1987;36 years ago (1987-03-03) [1]
Founder
StatusDefunct
Distributor(s)
Genre
Country of originU.S
Location Woodland Hills, California, U.S.

Ruthless Records was an American Independent record label founded by Eric "Eazy-E" Wright and Jerry Heller in Compton, California in 1987. [1] All of the Ruthless trademarks have been owned by Comptown Records, Inc. since 1987. [2] Several artists and groups on the label such as N.W.A, Eazy-E, MC Ren, The D.O.C., Michel'le, and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony have released RIAA certified albums.

Contents

History

N.W.A days

The label's first successful single was Eazy's "Boyz-n-the-Hood". The label's first album was N.W.A's Straight Outta Compton , which was eventually certified Triple Platinum by the RIAA. [3] Immediately following this was the release of Eazy's solo debut, Eazy-Duz-It .

As the six members went on tour in support of their project, some began to voice their displeasure with the financial situation at Ruthless. According to group member MC Ren, it was a common opinion that N.W.A manager and Ruthless co-founder Jerry Heller was the one receiving their due:

We felt he didn't deserve what he was getting. We deserved that shit. We were the ones making the records, traveling in vans and driving all around the place. You do all those fucking shows trying to get known, and then you come home to a fucking apartment. Then you go to his house, and this motherfucker lives in a mansion. There's gold leaf trimmings all in the bathroom and all kinds of other shit. You're thinking, "Man, fuck that." [4]

Heller, in his 2006 memoir Ruthless, disputes any allegations of financial misconduct. [5]

The label also experienced outside pressure due to the group. The success of their song "Fuck tha Police" led to a threatening FBI letter to distributor Priority Records. [6] After coming off tour, group member Ice Cube voiced his opinions on the group's finances. Though Heller continually claimed that everything was in order, and even offered them to open the account books to prove his innocence, [7] the ensuing confrontation ended in Ice Cube leaving Ruthless without signing on as a solo artist, which the remaining members proceeded to do.

1988 also saw the release of J.J. Fad's gold-certified [8] album Supersonic , produced by founding N.W.A member Arabian Prince and in 1989, singer Michel'le's eponymous self-titled album, and The D.O.C.'s critically acclaimed No One Can Do It Better (all released through Atlantic), all produced by N.W.A beat-smiths Dr. Dre and DJ Yella; following these efforts, Dre returned to N.W.A, producing the 100 Miles and Runnin' E.P. and the group's sophomore effort, Niggaz4Life , which reached Platinum status. [9] Above the Law's Livin' Like Hustlers was also released during this period (by way of Epic Records).

In 1989, Eazy signed hip-hop's first white female rapper Tairrie B to Ruthless' new Comptown label subsidiary. She released her debut album The Power of a Woman in 1990 (through MCA Records) featuring the single and video for "Murder She Wrote" which Eazy and Philadelphia rapper Schoolly D appeared in. The album also featured guest vocals by Dr. Dre, D.O.C. and future House of Pain frontman Everlast, and production by QDIII.

N.W.A breakup and other Ruthless artists

Though N.W.A was highly successful, Dr. Dre was advised by The D.O.C. and the rapper's friend, Suge Knight, that he should leave the label to avoid any possible financial meddling by Heller, [10] offering to extricate Dre from his Ruthless contract. [11] Eventually, Knight succeeded in procuring Dre, D.O.C. and Michel'le's contracts—through reportedly illicit means [12] —and proceeded to set up Death Row Records with Dre.

Now short of Dre, Eazy-E signed various other acts that would assist him in a subsequent rivalry with Death Row. Gangsta Dresta and B.G. Knocc Out were among the most vocal of these rappers, with DJ Yella, 187 um and new producer Rhythum D producing. While MC Ren and DJ Yella stayed neutral, they remained with Ruthless, releasing several LPs. Eazy-E released several high-profile LPs dissing Dre, including most famously It's On (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa . Producer Big Hutch/Cold 187 um alleges that during this time period, with Ruthless switching distributors from Priority to Relativity and Epic, even Wright began to feel as though Heller wasn't being honest with the label's finances:

When the money started rolling and a lot of cats couldn't come to the table and renegotiate...Ya know, it was fucked up! That's what was wrong. Like Eazy came to me one night and he said "Man, shit is fucked up, man." Because he was at a point where even he was getting played by Jerry Heller. [13]

However he added, "I can't knock Jerry Heller... because Jerry Heller gave us all an opportunity. He took us to the people to get massive exposure. We couldn't have walked through the doors as brothers like that. We needed a guy like Jerry Heller to do that. You need that face, you need that voice, you need that guy with a connect like that. Without him there wouldn't have been none of that." [14]

Eazy-E allegedly fired Heller shortly before his death in 1995. [15]

Eazy-E's death

On March 1, 1995, Eazy-E was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS; around this time he was beginning to work on his third LP. He had just signed the Cleveland, Ohio-based group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, whose 1994 extended play Creepin on ah Come Up was well received by critics and fans. Eazy-E executive produced Bone Thugs' second album, E 1999 Eternal , which was released shortly after his death on March 26, 1995, of HIV/AIDS in Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. [16] Their smash 1996 single "Tha Crossroads" was dedicated to Eazy-E and helped push the album to multi-platinum success.

The label has had several distributors simultaneously. Early Ruthless releases were distributed by Macola (including certain material from JJ Fad which was made prior to the completion of the Supersonic album, which were at first released on Ruthless' short-lived Dream Team subsidiary), but that deal was short-lived and the rights reverted to Ruthless. All of N.W.A's releases and Eazy-E's debut solo album on Ruthless Records were distributed by Priority, and the rights to these releases are now held by Priority's new owner, Capitol. Releases by The D.O.C, Michel'le, Yomo & Maulkie and JJ Fad were marketed through Atlantic or its subsidiary Atco. These master rights are still held by Atlantic's parent company, Warner, while Above The Law's releases were marketed through Epic and Giant. In 1994, Ruthless found exclusive distribution through Relativity, a former heavy metal label. Relativity was later folded into its parent company, Sony.[ citation needed ]

Roster

Former artists

ActYear
signed
Releases
under the label
Eazy-E Founder (until death in 1995)5
MC Ren 1987 - 19984
N.W.A 1987 - 19913
J. J. Fad 1987 - 19912
Dr. Dre 1987 - 1991
The D.O.C. 1988 - 19911
Michel'le 1988 - 19911
Fila Fresh Crew [lower-alpha 1] 1988 - 19901
Yomo & Maulkie 1989 - 19921
Kokane 1989 - 19952
Tarrie B [lower-alpha 2] 1989 - 19941
Jimmy Z 1990 - 19911
Above the Law 1989 - 19964
Penthouse Players Clique 1991 - 19931
Atban Klann 1992 - 1995
H.W.A. 1992 - 19952
Menajahtwa 1992 - 19941
Blood of Abraham 1993 - 19941
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony 1993 - 20035
Krayzie Bone 1993 - 20032
Bizzy Bone 1993 - 20031
Layzie Bone 1993 - 20031
Wish Bone 1993 - 2003
Brownside 1994 - 1995
Frost 1994 - 19972
King T 1997 - 2000
Stevie Stone 2007 - 20091
Hopsin 2007 - 20091

Former producers

ProducerYears on
the label
Dr. Dre 1987–1991
Cold 187um 1995–1996
Rhythm D [17] 1993–1995
DJ U-Neek 1993–2003

Notes

  1. Released a single under the Comptown imprint
  2. Released an album under the Comptown imprint

Discography

Studio albums

ArtistAlbumDetails
J. J. Fad Supersonic
  • Released: June 15, 1988
  • Chart positions: #49 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: Gold
N.W.A Straight Outta Compton
  • Released: August 8, 1988
  • Chart positions: #4 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: 3× Platinum
Eazy-E Eazy-Duz-It
  • Released: September 16, 1988
  • Chart positions: #20 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: 2× Platinum
The D.O.C No One Can Do It Better
  • Released: June 16, 1989
  • Chart positions: #20 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: Platinum
Michel'le Michel'le
  • Released: October 23, 1989
  • Chart positions: #35 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: Gold
Above the Law Livin' Like Hustlers
  • Released: February 20, 1990
  • Chart positions: #75 U.S.
N.W.A 100 Miles and Runnin'
  • Released: August 14, 1990
  • Chart positions: #27 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: Platinum
J. J. Fad Not Just a Fad
  • Released: November 13, 1990
N.W.A Niggaz4Life
  • Released: May 28, 1991
  • Chart positions: #1 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: 2× Platinum
Above the Law Vocally Pimpin'
  • Released: July 16, 1991
  • Chart positions: #120 U.S.
Yomo & Maulkie Are U Xperienced?
  • Released: September 14, 1991
Jimmy Z Muzical Madness
  • Released: October 1, 1991
Penthouse Players Clique Paid the Cost
  • Released: April 21, 1992
  • Chart positions: #75 U.S.
MC Ren Kizz My Black Azz
  • Released: June 30, 1992
  • Chart positions: #12 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: Platinum
Eazy-E 5150: Home 4 tha Sick
  • Released: December 15, 1992
  • Chart positions: #70 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: Platinum
Above the Law Black Mafia Life
  • Released: February 2, 1993
  • Chart positions: #37 U.S.
Eazy-E It's On (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa
  • Released: October 19, 1993
  • Chart positions: #5 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: 2× Platinum
MC Ren Shock of the Hour
  • Released: November 16, 1993
  • Chart positions: #22 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: Gold
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony Creepin on ah Come Up
  • Released: June 21, 1994
  • Chart positions: #12 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: 2× Platinum
Above the Law Uncle Sam's Curse
  • Released: July 12, 1994
  • Chart positions: #113 U.S.
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony E. 1999 Eternal
  • Released: July 25, 1995
  • Chart positions: #1 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: 4× Platinum
Eazy-E Str8 off tha Streetz of Muthaphukkin Compton
  • Released: January 30, 1996
  • Chart positions: #3 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: Gold
MC Ren The Villain in Black
  • Released: April 9, 1996
  • Chart positions: #31 U.S.
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony The Art of War
  • Released: July 29, 1997
  • Chart positions: #1 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: 4× Platinum
MC Ren Ruthless for Life
  • Released: June 30, 1998
  • Chart positions: #100 U.S.
Bizzy Bone Heaven'z Movie
  • Released: October 6, 1998
  • Chart positions: #3 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: Gold
Krayzie Bone Thug Mentality 1999
  • Released: April 6, 1999
  • Chart positions: #4 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: Platinum
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony BTNHResurrection
  • Released: February 29, 2000
  • Chart positions: #2 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: Platinum
Layzie Bone Thug by Nature
  • Released: March 20, 2001
  • Chart positions: #43 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: Platinum
Eazy-E Impact of a Legend
  • Released: March 26, 2002
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony Thug World Order
  • Released: October 29, 2002
  • Chart positions: #12 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: Platinum

Compilation albums

ArtistAlbumDetails
N.W.A Greatest Hits
  • Released: July 2, 1996
  • Chart positions: #48 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: Gold
N.W.A The N.W.A Legacy, Vol. 1: 1988–1998
  • Released: March 23, 1999
  • Chart positions: #77 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: Platinum
Various Artists The N.W.A Legacy, Vol. 2
  • Released: August 27, 2002
  • Chart positions: #154 U.S.
N.W.A The Best of N.W.A: The Strength of Street Knowledge
  • Released: December 26, 2006
  • Chart positions: #72 U.S.
N.W.A Family Tree
  • Released: December 30, 2008

Related Research Articles

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Lorenzo Jerald Patterson, known professionally as MC Ren, is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer from Compton, California. He is the founder and owner of the record label Villain Entertainment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eazy-E</span> American rapper (1964–1995)

Eric Lynn Wright, known professionally as Eazy-E, was an American rapper who propelled West Coast rap and gangsta rap by leading the group N.W.A and its label, Ruthless Records. He is often referred to as the "Godfather of Gangsta Rap".

<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."

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<i>100 Miles and Runnin</i> 1990 EP by N.W.A

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<i>Eazy-Duz-It</i> 1988 studio album by Eazy-E

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No One Can Do It Better is the debut studio album by The D.O.C., released on August 1, 1989, by Ruthless Records and Atlantic Records. It reached no. 1 on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart for two weeks, while peaking in the Top 20 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album was certified Gold by the RIAA three months after it was released, and Platinum on April 21, 1994. This was the only solo album The D.O.C. was able to record before a car accident resulted in crushing his larynx and permanently changing his voice. In recent years, however, he has been undergoing vocal surgery. He would not release another album until 7 years later, with Helter Skelter (1996), also released by Warner Music Group, but on Giant Records rather than Atlantic. "The Formula" has been seen as the song that invented G-funk.

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Gerald Elliot Heller was an American music manager and businessman. He was best known for his management of West Coast rap and gangsta rap pioneers N.W.A and Eazy-E. He rose to prominence in the 1960s and 1970s representing Journey, Marvin Gaye, Van Morrison, War, Eric Burdon, Crosby Stills & Nash, Ike & Tina Turner, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Otis Redding, the Who, REO Speedwagon, Black Sabbath, Humble Pie, Styx, the Grass Roots, and the Standells, among many others.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Straight Outta Compton (song)</span> 1988 single by N.W.A.

"Straight Outta Compton" is a song by American hip hop group N.W.A. It was released on July 10, 1988 as the lead single from their debut album of the same name. It also appears on N.W.A's Greatest Hits with an extended mix and The Best of N.W.A: The Strength of Street Knowledge. The song samples "Funky Drummer" by James Brown, "You'll Like It Too" by Funkadelic, "West Coast Poplock" by Ronnie Hudson and the Street People, "Get Me Back on Time, Engine No. 9" by Wilson Pickett, "Amen, Brother" by The Winstons, and "One for the Treble" by Davy DMX. It was voted number 19 on About.com's Top 100 Rap Songs, and is ranked number 6 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop.

The discography of American hip hop group N.W.A, consists of two studio albums, six compilation albums, one extended play (EP), eight singles, one video album and five music videos. N.W.A was formed in Compton, California in 1986 by Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, DJ Yella, Arabian Prince and Ice Cube, with The D.O.C. and MC Ren joining later. The group's first release was the compilation album N.W.A. and the Posse in 1987, which also featured songs by The Fila Fresh Crew, Rappinstine and Ron-De-Vu. Their debut album Straight Outta Compton followed the next year, which initially reached number 37 on the US Billboard 200; it has since reached number four, and has sold over 1.5 million copies in the US alone. "Straight Outta Compton", "Gangsta Gangsta" and "Express Yourself" were released as singles from the album, all of which registered on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

<i>Ruthless Records Tenth Anniversary: Decade of Game</i> 1998 compilation album by Various artists

Ruthless Records Tenth Anniversary: Decade of Game is a compilation album released by Ruthless Records. The album featured some of the label's greatest hits from the previous ten years. It peaked at 119 on the Billboard 200 and 44 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.

<i>Straight Outta Compton</i> (film) 2015 film directed by F. Gary Gray

Straight Outta Compton is a 2015 American epic biographical drama film directed by F. Gary Gray, depicting the rise and fall of the hip hop group N.W.A and its members Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, MC Ren, and DJ Yella. Members of N.W.A were involved in the production of the film, including Ice Cube and Dr. Dre as producers, as was Eazy-E's widow, Tomica Woods-Wright. MC Ren and DJ Yella served as creative consultants. Ice Cube is played by his real-life son, O'Shea Jackson Jr., who made his film debut. Corey Hawkins portrays Dr. Dre, Jason Mitchell is Eazy-E, Neil Brown Jr. is DJ Yella, and Aldis Hodge is MC Ren. Paul Giamatti stars as N.W.A's manager Jerry Heller.

<i>Surviving Compton: Dre, Suge & Michelle</i> 2016 television film by Jackie Cooke

Surviving Compton: Dre, Suge & Michel'le is a 2016 American biographical television drama film directed by Jackie Cooke, starring Rhyon Nicole Brown as Michel'le, Curtis Hamilton as Dr. Dre and Jamie Kennedy as N.W.A's manager Jerry Heller. The film is based on the true story of R&B singer Michel'le. The omission of Michel'le's involvement in the lives of Dre in N.W.A's 2015 biopic, Straight Outta Compton, gave her an opportunity to tell her story as a former artist on Eazy-E's Ruthless Records.

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