Bone Thugs-n-Harmony’s E. 1999 Eternal merged R&B and gangsta rap

Like most people, my introduction to Bone Thugs-n-Harmony was “Crossroads.” I first heard the group’s 1995 single in high school—from my friend’s speakers a ring roamed outward, then suddenly, a group of men started singing. It caught me by surprise—wasn’t this gangsta rap? From what I knew of Bone Thugs, I wasn’t expecting such a strong R&B vibe. My surprise quickly shifted to awe, their blend of melodic rap captivating me. I was hooked.

The Cleveland, Ohio hip-hop group’s sophomore album E. 1999 Eternal represents not just Bone Thugs-n-Harmony’s elevation into stardom, but also marks a pivotal shift in their craft. Formed in 1991, Bone Thugs began as B.O.N.E. Enterprise, and from the onset, the group featured rappers Layzie Bone, Krayzie Bone, Wish Bone, Bizzy Bone, and Flesh-n-Bone. They dropped their first record in 1993, Faces of Death, a relatively conventional rap record that does little to stand out when held against their later releases. That said, “Flow Motion” is an early indicator of their inherent talent and proved to be a key component for their eventual success. Having been won over by “Flow Motion,” Eazy E—who the group had specifically sought to persuade—signed them to his label, Ruthless Records. And with this signing, the group rebranded, changing their name to Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.

The group’s music began its evolution with the Creepin on ah Come Up EP in 1994, wherein the group homes in on their melodic style of rapping, which became their signature. By today’s standards, blending rapping and singing isn’t that far-out of an idea, but in the ‘90s hardcore rap landscape, what Bone Thugs was doing felt refreshing, made all the more impressive when you consider each member’s unique vocal cadence. For example, whereas Wish has a soulful baritone to his voice, Krayzie’s has a smooth raspiness, and Bizzy’s brings a high-pitched energy. Additionally, each emcee displays incredible command over pacing and tone, their ability to slow down and speed up lyrical delivery, as well as fluctuate between heartfelt melody and aggressive spitting further fueling the catchiness of their performances.

One year after the release of Creepin on ah Come Up and just months after the tragic passing of Eazy-E, Bone Thugs n Harmony dropped E. 1999 Eternal. Whereas Creepin serves as a sampling of a newly revamped Bone Thugs, E. 1999 makes for a greater breadth of the group’s artistry. Though the album’s defining quality is the group’s vocal performances, the overall production of E. 1999 is dazzling. Further elevating the individual performances of each Bone is the incredible array of stylistic blend produced by DJ U-Neek—along with Layzie and Eazy, the latter who served as executive producer before his passing. Under the banner of gangsta rap, E. 1999 encompasses a compelling range of genres: west coast inspired g-funk, horrorcore, as well as R&B. The instrumental variety makes itself apparent within the first three tracks. “Da Introduction” harbors a somber, eerie air, with “East 1999” continuing to play into that sound, but altering it with a funky spin, and “Eternal” further amplifying the g-funk. This stylistic range, in tandem with the group’s vocals, allows for a constantly revolving flow of refreshing surprises throughout E. 1999’s one-hour run time.

Lyrically, Bone Thugs cover much of the familiar tropes of gangster rap, while also exploring unique territory. Of course, there’s the massively beloved “Crossroads,” which sees the group lamenting the passing of those they love, the hope of seeing them again one day, and at the same time, expressing a fear of death. Whereas violence has been romanticized throughout gangster rap, “Crossroads” subverts that glamorization, the group presenting listeners with a harsh reality. Though, ironically, Bone Thugs do play into that romanticization later with “Mo’Murda.”

Among the songs of heartache and gangster life, the group also celebrates the simple pleasures. “1^st of Tha Month” is one of the best examples of this, the instrumentation radiating a smoothing warmth that gives the impression of a sunrise. The title is a reference to when welfare checks are distributed, and over the course of the song, Bone Thugs speak to how they use such money to enjoy themselves, and how that enjoyment inspires them to steer clear away from violence. As Krayzie puts it, “And I won’t fuck with me, why? ‘Cause it’s the first of the month / And now we smokin’, jokin’, rollin’ blunts / And sippin’ on 40 ounces, thuggin’ / Come, come, we’ve got the blunts and rum.” 

On the note of getting twisted, Bone Thugs have a knack for making great stoner songs. Atmospherically, “Budsmokers Only” and “Buddah Lovaz” broadcast super chill vibes; vibrant to an appropriate level, the instrumental production strolls with calm demeanor as each member’s vocals provide additional soothing layers. Yet, a lot of E. 1999 has that level of charm to it; even in more aggressive sounding cuts like “Down ’71 (The Getaway),” the blend of instrumentation and each Bone’s respective vocal performance comes together to feel hypnotic. It’s the catchiest parts of rap and R&B rolled up into one form, and Bone Thugs mastered it.

E. 1999 Eternal received widespread praise upon its release; it landed Bone Thugs a Grammy nomination and went multi-platinum. In the years since, Bone Thugs have undergone various lineup changes. And while a Bone Thugs record with only two or three of the members might work, as the group proved here, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony is at its strongest when all its members are, true to their name, in harmony. 

While there’s no shortage of R&B and rap hybrids today—which Bone Thugs had a major hand in influencing—E. 1999 Eternal contains a timeless charm. Each song has an irresistible pull that straddles the line between riveting and serene, culminating in intensely catchy compositions that are perfect to vibe to. In a genre populated by grit and bravado, Bone Thugs showed that there’s a place for both melody and harmony.

Treble is supported by its patrons. Become a member of our Patreon, get access to subscriber benefits, and help an independent media outlet continue delivering articles like these.