WEST COAST HIP-HOP TIMELINE

February 14th 1959- Tracy Morrow, future rapper, record label CEO and actor, actor, Ice T is born in Newark, New Jersey.

1962

Ricky Donnel Ross future Los Angeles King of Crack Cocaine, is

born in Texas.

Historical events are listed here that effected or influenced the creation and attitude of West Coast Hip-Hop culture i.e.; Hip Hop events in other parts of the country, other genres of music, historical and political landmarks, and relevant milestones from all communities ranging from pop to gang culture.

1963

Eric Wright future rapper and record industry mogul Eazy E is born

in Compton, CA.

1965 February 18th-

Andre Young future rapper and “Super Producer” is born.

1965 February 21st-

Malcolm X is assassinated.

1965 August 11th -

a routine traffic stop in Watts provides the

spark that lights the fire of the seething feelings

between the community and the racist L.A.P.D.

police force. Riots last for six days, leaving 34 dead,

over a thousand injured, nearly 4,000 arrested,

and hundreds of buildings destroyed.

1966-

Black businessman, John Daniels opens The Mavericks Flat

nightclub on Crenshaw Blvd. The party scene which develops into

w West Coast Hip-Hop is born thier.

1966 April 19-

Maion “Suge” Knight, future member of the Compton Blood

gang MOB Piru, and controversial record mogul is born in Compton.

1966 October-

The Black Panther Party for Self Defense is formed

by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale in Oakland, CA.

1967

The Watts Prophets (Anthony Hamilton, Otis O’Solomon, and Richard Dedeaux) are formed at the Watts Writers Workshop, an organization in Watts started by screenwriter Budd Schulberg designed to provide a creative outlet in the wake of the Watts Riots..

1968

January- Bunchy Carter forms the Southern California Chapter of the Black Panther Party for Self Defense in Los Angeles California.

1968

April 4th- Martin Luther King is assassinated.

1968

September- Afeni Shakur, future mother of rapper Tupac Shakur,

joins the New York Black Panther party in New York at age 22.

1968 October 16th-

John Carlos and Tommie Smith stage Black Power demonstration at Olympics Games in Mexico City.

January 17th 1969-

Two Party leaders of the

Southern California Black Panther

Party For Self-Defense Chapter,

John Huggins and Alprentice

"Bunchy" Carter, were murdered at

UCLA by FBI paid assassins, with the

cooperation of black nationalist

Ron Karenga and his US Organization.

The Panthers in L.A. were best known

for their community protection against

police harassment, and

their free breakfast for children program.

1969

Raymond Washington a 15 year old student at Fremont High School in Los Angeles starts a gang called the Baby Avenues. Their initial intent was to continue the revolutionary ideology of the 1960’s and to act as community leaders and protectors of their local neighborhoods. The revolutionary rhetoric did not endure. Because of immaturity and a lack of political leadership young Washington and his group never are able to develop an efficient political agenda for social change within their community. The Baby Avenues become the Avenue Cribs, then the Cribs, and shortly thereafter- the CRIPS. A large percentage of future west coast rappers, especially but not limited to gangster rappers, will have some sort of affiliation with this gang. Hip Hop will eventually be instrumental in spreading L.A. gang culture around the world.

1969

The Watts Prophets release “The Black Voices” On the Streets In Watts”. Compared to the east coast group, the Last Poets, the Prophets deliver politically charged poetry over African drums.

1969

Don Campbell, a teenager in L.A., invents a dance called the “Campbellock”. It starts a dance craze called “Locking” which eventually evolves into “Poplocking and Boogalooing,” which become elements of Breaking.

1969

April- Tupac’s mother Afeni is arrested and charged with conspiracy to bomb several New York City public areas.

1969 June 15th-

June 15- O’sea Jackson future rapper, actor, and film producer- Ice Cube is born in South Central Los Angeles.

1971 February

Afeni Shakur, pregnant with Tupac, has her bail revoked; she's sent

to the Women's House of Detention in Greenwich Village.

1971 June 16-

Shortly after Afeni is acquitted on bombing charges,

Lesane Parish Crooks aka Tupac Amaru Shakur is

born in Brooklyn, New York. Tupac Amaru

are Incan words meaning "shining serpent."

Shakur is Arabic for Thankful to God.

1972 August 20-

Wattstax, a concert attended by over 100,000 concertgoers

and first billed as the “black Woodstock”

takes place at the Los Angeles Coliseum.

1972 October 20-

Calvin “Snoop Doggy Dogg” Broadus

is born in Long Beach California.

1973-

Don Campbell organizes the Campbellock Dancers aka The Lockers-

featuring Fred “Penquin aka Rerun” Berry, “Shabba-Doo” Quinones,

Slim the Robot, Fluky Luke, Greg “Campbellock jr.” Pope,

and Don’s girlfriend Toni Basil.

1973-

The movie Wattstax is released. A social commentary on the living

conditions of black people in Los Angeles, particularly Watts.

Original concert footage is inter-cut with interviews of regular

everyday people from the community and special guest star,

Richard Pryor.

1973-

“The Mack” is released. A movie about pimpin’ in Oakland.

It will greatly influence first the style of Bay Area rappers

and eventually hip hop in general.

1974-

"Disco", essentially a homogenized and watered-down funk, is

embraced by the entertainment industry, and dominates both the

airwaves and the club scene. Disco breaks, parts of the record

where all the music and lyrics drop out leaving only the drums, will

become the backbone on Hip-Hop music.

1974-

Gil Scott Heron, urban folk poet, releases

“The Revolution Will Not Be Televised”.

An early “reality rap” song.

1974-

Rock or Crack Cocaine is invented in the San Francisco Bay Area,

by dealers attempting to reverse engineer cocaine powder to make

it smokable- similar to a paste-like substance that had been smoked

in Columbia since the 1930’s. In Columbia they called it

BASE (bah-SAY)- in California Free Base. The dealers thought

they had recreated what was smoked in Columbia but mistakenly

had created something much more powerful.

1975-

Tupac's family shuttles between Harlem and the Bronx. At times,

they stay in shelters. This will continue for the next five years.

1975-

After seeing the Lockers perform on television,

“Boogaloo Sam creates a set of movements that

will evolve into Popping and Boogaloo.

1976-

February- Parliament releases “The Mothership Connection”,

a classic conceptual funk album that will influence the

West Coast Hip Hop forever. It will be the backbone for the

future “G-Funk” sound. The single “Tear The Roof Of The Sucka”

becomes an instant Locking and Crip walking song.

1977-

Boogaloo Sam establishes The Electronic Boogaloo Lockers in Freso CA

The group consists of Boogaloo Sam, Slide, Robot Joe, Toyman Skeet,

Tickin Will, Twist-O-Flex Don and Ant Man. Boogaloo Sam moves to

Long Beach California, hooks up with his brother Timothy “Pop’in Pete”

Soloman, and forms The Electric Boogaloos, featuring Tickin Deck,

Robot Dane, Puppet Boozer, Creepin Sid, Scarecrow Sculley, Daryl (King

Cobra) and George (King Python).

1977-

Parliament releases the album

“Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome”.

The single “Flashlight” is an instant standard

for all California Lockers,

Poppers, and Boogalooers.

1979-

First Hip-Hop rap Record ever recorded and released on wax

“King Tim III” (Personality Jock) by The Fatback Band.

1979-

Second Hip-Hop rap Record ever recorded and released on wax

“Rapper’s Delight” by the Sugar Hill Gang. The popularity of this

song will encourage the West Coast to put out rap records as well.

1979-

Los Angeles born, pioneering Bay Area rapper Todd Shaw aka Too Short, records and sells his first mix tape with partner Freddy B. He will continue recording and selling mix tapes for the next 9 years.

1979-

Lonzo Williams and his promotional dance crew, Disco Construction, open the all age club, Eve’s After Dark in Los Angeles. Disco Construction will later develop into The Wrecking Crew which will spawn N.W.A. and launch the careers of Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, and Eazy E, creating Gangsta Rap.

1979-

December - Ricky "Freeway" Ross, sees his first rock of crack cocaine

1980-

Zapp releases a funk anthem for poppers and Gangsta’s

on the West Coast- “More Bounce To The Ounce”.

1980-

Coolio, a young Crip from Compton is arrested for larceny. He is destined to lay the groundwork for the explosion of hardcore pop hip-hop, taking the sound of West Coast hip-hop to a wider audience than ever before.

1980-

Lonzo William’s Disco Construction changes their name to The World Class Wreckin’ Cru.

1980 June 9th-

Richard Pryor sets himself on fire freebasing cocaine.

1980 November 4-

Ronald Wilson Reagan is elected President.

“Reganomics” will hit especially hard in the

hood in Los Angeles, setting a ripe climate

for crime, crack, and gangs. The children and

teenagers who are the future rappers and

Hip Hop in general will be greatly influenced

by Reganomics.

1981 August 1-

MTV premiers with the video “Video Killed The Radio Star”.

The station makes it clear to it’s staff that the unwritten policy

it not to black artist’s music videos.

1981 June-

Ricky Ross and his friend Ollie Newell begin selling small amounts of powder cocaine in South Central L.A., which they get from a teacher.

1981 Summer-

The first West Coast Rap record “Gigalo Rap” by Disco Daddy & Captain Rap is released.

1982

Rock Cocaine hits the streets of South Central Los Angeles. The majority of the cocaine is funneled to Crip and Blood street gangs through Ricky “Freeway” Ross from Danilo Blandon and Norwin Meneses, Nicaraguan “freedom fighters” who were using the drug money to purchase arms from the CIA to back a civil war in their homeland.

1982-

Afrika Bambaataa and the Soul Sonic Force releases "Planet Rock" on Tommy Boy records in May, the first big techno-funk hit with the Kraftwerk's "Trans Euro Express" beat. (selling 620,000 copies in the US alone) This song will be a big influence on the West Coast electro-funk or techno-funk movement.

1982-

Kid Frost (Arturo Molina jr.) starts rapping and break dancing in East L.A.

He adopted his name as a tribute to Ice T whom he would battle, sometimes

at parties given by Uncle Jamm’s Army. He is one of the early Latino rappers

to gain respect on the West Coast Hip-hop scene.

1983-

George Clinton releases the legendary funk track "Atomic

Dog" which like most of his earlier works will be a big

influence on the future of Gangsta’ Rap.

1983-

Rapper’s Rap Group releases Rapper’s Rap Theme on Rappers Rapp Disco Co.

It features L.A. rappers Mackermo, DJ Flash, MC Frosty, King MC, Disco Carl

and Mr. Ice. They rap about partying, ladies, and hustling- the future of

West Coast Hip-Hop.

1983-

Dr. Dre joins the World Class Wreckin’ Cru. He auditions for Lonzo Williams by mixing “Please Mr. Postman” over the instrumental of “Planet Rock” at the Eve After Dark.

1983 September-

Toni Basil (formally of the Campbellock Dancers aka The Lockers)

releases the pop hit “Hey Mickey”. The Carson High cheerleaders

are featured in the video and the remix of the song becomes an

instant hit on the West Coast party scene.

1983-

September- Afeni enrolls 12 year-old Tupac in the 127th Street Ensemble, a Harlem theater group. In his first performance, Tupac plays Travis in Raisin the Sun.

1983-

Breakin' and Enterin', a documentary about California poppin' and lockin' filmed in Los Angeles airs on cable TV, featuring Shabba Doo, Boogaloo shrimp, Pop 'n' Taco, Blue City Strutters (aka Boo Ya Tribe), and Ice-T, Egyptian Lover, Chris "The Glove" Taylor.

1983-

Ultra Wave Productions a Westside version of Uncle Jamm’s Army is created with the merger of DJ crews The Music Masters (Gregory “MCG” Everett, Roderic “Roddy Rod” Fields, and Richard “Rick Rock” Calvin Aarron III) and Knights of The Turntables (Daryl “The Wiz” Adams, Darnel “The Warlock” Adams, and Rod “Blvd Rod” Adams). They are the first party crew to officially claim allegiance to the “Westside".

1983-

The movie “Scarface” is released.

It affects young dope dealers, thugs and

gang members and rappers everywhere.

They all want to be Tony Montana

1984-

While touring in Oakland, UTFO asks a young local MC named Too Short to open up for them.

1984-

Thanks to Radio DJ Greg Mack, Los Angeles's KDAY

becomes the first rap-only radio station in the United States.

1984-

The World Class Wreckin’ Cru cut their first record “Slice” b/w “Kru Groove”. It features Dr.Dre and Yella performing the scratching. The record was recorded at Audio Achievements in Torrance for $100.

1984-

Michael Jackson does the moonwalk for the second time, this time on the Grammy's and the whole world thinks he's a breaker. It comes to be known as “The Michael Jackson Moonwalk”. He actually learned it from some LA poppers, but the move has been around since at least the 1930’s.

1984-

Ice Cube starts writing rhymes in high school

1984-

Roger Clayton’s popular L.A. dance promotions crew

and West Coast hip-hop pioneers- Uncle Jamm’s Army

releases “Dial A Freak b/w Yes,Yes,Yes” on their own

Freak Beat Records. Uncle Jamm’s Army will be

instrumental in launching the careers of The Egyptian

Lover, Bob Cat, Battle Cat, Ice T, Chris “The Glove”

Taylor, and others

1984-

The Olympic closing ceremonies at the Los Angeles Coliseum. Under a kaleidoscopic firework display, Lionel Richies’s “All Night Long” blares over the speaker as 200 dancers from dozens of crews pop, break, and spin on their heads in front of 100,000 spectators.

1984-

The World Call Wreckin’ Cru release “Surgery”. Written and produced by Dr. Dre it will go on to sell 50,000 copies.

1984-

The L.A. Dream Team (Rudy Pardee and Chris Wilson)

release “Calling On The Dream Team”

on their own Dream Team records.

1984-

The Egyptian Lover (Greg Broussard) releases the

album “On The Nile”. It opens the door to the whole

West Coast electro-hop and future techno-hop

movement. He breaks away from Uncle Jamm’s Freak

Beat Records and starts his own label Egyptian Empire.

1985-

Schoolly D releases “PSK-What Does It Mean”

independently in Philadelphia. The acronym

stands for Park Side Killers, a Philly Gang D

was affiliated with. Gangsta Rap is born,

and not in L.A.

1985 June -

Crack problem "discovered" by the mainstream press after college basketball player Len Bias and pro football player Don Rogers die of overdoses.

1985-

Dr.Dre, in jail for traffic warrants, is bailed out by Easy E. They make a deal that Dre will produce tracks for Easy whenever he forms a record label.

1985-

Kid Frost- releases “Rough Cut” & “Terminator”,

produced by DJ Yella of The Wreckin’ Cru.

1985-

Collio drops the single “Whatcha’ Gonna Do?”.

1985-

The group 2 Live Crew is formed in Los Angeles with Fresh Kid Ice (Born Wong Won in Trinidad, DJ Mr.Mixx (Born David Hobbs) and Amazing V. They release the single “Revalation” (a political rap song) and it becomes such a big hit in Miami that Kid Ice and Mr. Mixx move to Miami. There they release a second single “What I Like” after which Miami native Mr. Marquis joins the group.

1985-

The L.A. Dream Team releases “Rockberry Jam” an instant L.A. underground hit.

1985-

The World Class Wreckin’ Crew releases the album “World Class”

featuring the single “Juice”. They go on tour as an opening act for

Rick James. While on tour they are made an offer by CBS records.

Lonzo excepts a $100,000 advance.

1985-

Ultra Wave Promotions begins a series of talent shows

at Veteran’s Auditorium in Culver City judged by local

Hip-Hop icons such as Ice T and KDAY radio personalities

which spawns a citywide Hip-Hop sub-culture

called The Trendy Scene.

1983-

Ice T puts out his first singles, "The Coldest Rap" and

"Body Rock/Killers"- and in the course switches his

style from “pimpish” to “B-Boy”. The Coldest Rap” is

produced by Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam.

1983-

Tupac’s mother Afeni starts to use crack cocaine.

1983-

Captain Rap releases “Bad Times (I Can’t Stand It)” a social commentary that becomes a huge hit at West Coast clubs. The track is produced by Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam.

1983-

Los Angeles DJ Magic Mike from radio station KJLH releases “Magic Mike Theme” on Rapper’s Rapp Disco Co.

1983-

Michael Jackson first performs the moonwalk on Motown 25

TV Special in Los Angeles. The world thinks he invented it

It comes to be known as “The Michael Jackson Moonwalk”.

He actually learned it from some poppers in LA, but the move

has been around since at least the 1930’s- it is called

“The Backslide”.

1983-

MTV plays it’s first music video by a black artist- Michael

Jackson’s “Billie Jean”. At first the video had been refused.

It was added to their playlist after CBS threatened to pull all

of it’s videos if “Billie Jean” was not aired.

1986-

September 1986- Tupac enrolls at the Baltimore School for the

Arts, where he studies ballet and acting.

1986-

Luther “Luke Skywalker” Campbell signs 2 Live Crew to his label.

First he manages, then joins the group releasing the hit album

“The 2 live Crew Is What We Are”. It features the X-rated offerings

“Throw That Dick” and We Want Some Pussy”.

1986-

Coolio checks into drug rehab for crack cocaine addiction and straightens out by becoming a firefighter in northern California

1986-

Ice cube forms his first rap group called “CIA” which

stands for “criminals in action”. He meets Dr. Dre

who becomes somewhat of a mentor, taking him to

various parties to perform, including Skateland U.S.A.

They perform at parties given by the World Class

Wreckin’ Cru, and put out a record on Lonzo Williams

“Kru’-Kut “ label produced by Dr. Dre called “My Posse”.

1986-

Rodney O releases the single “Computer Power” on The Egyptian Lover’s Egyptian Empire Records.

1986-

The Egyptian Lover releases “One Track Mind”.

It is a mixture of Prince, Euro synth pop, and

North African music. Until the official birth of

Wesrt Coast Gangsta’ Rap, it defines

West Coast Rap.

1986-

DVX (which will evolve into Cypress Hill) is formed,

featuring Cuban born brothers Sen Dog (Senen Reyes)

and Mellow Man Ace (Ulpiano Sergio Reyez) hook up

with fellow L.A. residents- Muggs (Lawrence Muggerud)

and B-real (Louise Freese) and begin pioneering

a Latin and Hip Hop slang fusion.

1986-

HBO, a NY group Eazy E was going to sign to Ruthless Records as his first act, shows up in the studio to record a song written by Ice Cube. The group complains that the song is too “West Coast” and walks out. Since everyone there hanging in the studio that day were all ready in other groups, Dr. Dre encourages Eazy to record the song. When it is released a year later, the song, “Boyz N Tha Hood” becomes a hood hit and is destined to become a world wide classic. . The melody sounds close to Schoolly D’s “PSK”.

1986-

The L.A. Dream Team releases their biggest hit, “The Dream Team Is In The House.. It contains the chant “Yo, Baby, Yo Baby, Yo…” that the duo picked up from parties given by Ultra Wave Promotions. The chant becomes a pop icon expression and party chant standard. They sign to MCA and release “Kings Of West Coast”.

1987 January 12 -

LAPD and County Sheriff form Freeway Rick Task Force, and wear to bring him down by any means necessary.

1987 -

Ice T drops “6 In The Morning” ” on Techno Hop Records, it is considered to be the second gangsta rap record. The melody songs close to Schoolly D’s “PSK”.

1987-

King Tee, Compton rap pioneer releases

“Payback’s A Mutha” on Techno Hop Records,

produced by DJ Pooh and DJ Unknown.

He also releases “Bass” (also produced by DJ Pooh)

on Mack Daddy Records, a label owned by

1580 KDAY radio personality Greg Mack. King Tee

creates the look and feel of West Coast Gangsta’ Rap.

1987-

Eazy E forms Niggaz Wit Attitudes, An “all-star” group

featuring Dr. Dre and Yella producing, Cube writing

lyrics, Arabian prince, Cube and Eazy rapping.

Everyone could continue to do their own solo projects

stand make more controversial records on the side for

Ruthless. They start to sell the single “Boyz In The

Hood” out the trunk, at local swap meets, and “mom &

Pop” record stores.

1987 -

Ice Cube leaves L.A. and studies architectural drafting in Phoenix, AZ.

1987 March 3-

Eazy-E meets Jerry Heller at Macola Records.

Lonzo Williams charges Eazy $750 for the introduction.

Heller hears a sample of his music they later become

partners and form Ruthless Records.

1987-

Ice T releases “Rhyme Pays”

on Sire / Warner Bros. Records.

He introduces the whole world

to the West Coast player scene-

luxury cars, fine women, and

palm trees.

1987-

After recording three albums for the local

independent 75 Girls Label, Too Short releases the

album “Born To Mack” on his own Dangerous Music

label and sells it out of his trunk. This blazes the trail

for the Bay Area’s “do it yourself” indie rap

movement, which will fully blossom years later.

1987-

Seizing on the underground success of the record

"Boyz N Tha Hood," Macola Record’s Don MacMillan

compiled that song, a bunch of demos and rough

recordings various people had done under the

Ruthless banner and issued it as an album under the

name "N.W.A and the Posse." Only three of the songs

on the album were performed by what would become

N.W.A. The record didn't sell in huge numbers,

but it started building N.W.A's reputation.

1987-

Suge Knight, faces auto theft, concealed weapon, and attempted murder charges. He gets off with probation.

1987-

N.W.A. starts a 14-date national tour

on the bill with UTFO, Salt & Pepa and Heavy D.

1987-

A Florida record clerk as acquitted of felony charges after selling 2 Live Crew’s “The 2 Live Crew Is What We Are” to a 14 year old girl.

1987-

Jerry Heller secures distribution for Ruthless Records through Priority Records.

1987 March 3-

August 6- Members of N.W.A. are detained for performing a few lines from “Fuck Tha Police” at a concert in Detroit

1987-

Luther Campbell of The 2 Live Crew releases a clean

and dirty version of their new album “Move

Something” (the first album ever released in this

format) so that younger fans will have a less explicit

alternative.

1988-

Yo! MTV Raps first airs, bringing hip-hop

to a wider mainstream audience.

1988-

A record store in Alabama is fined for selling a copy of 2 Live Crew’s “Move Something” to an undercover cop (a conviction later overturned on appeal).

1988-

Yo! MTV Raps first airs, bringing hip-hop

to a wider mainstream audience.

1988-

N.W.A. drops “Straight Outta Compton” produced by

Dr. Dre and Yella, and featuring Dre., Cube, Eazy,

and MC Ren on vocals. It will quickly go Gold,

popularizing the 'gangsta' school of rap- and

eventually sell more than 3 million units. It changes

the face of pop music forever.

1988 June-

Tupac and his family move to Marin City, California. Shortly after, Tupac moves in with a neighbor and begins selling crack.

1988 July-

Ruthless Records cuts a deal with ATCO Records to distribute products by JJ Fad and Michel’le. JJ Fad’s single “Supersonic”

1987 August-

August- Mutulu Shakur, Tupac’s stepfather, is sentenced to sixty years in prison for his involvement in a 1981 armored car robbery.

1990 January-

Ice Cube leaves N.W.A. He eventually journeys to

New York to record his solo album with Public

Enemy’s production team “The Bomb Squad”.

1988-

Ice T releases “Power” on Warner Bros.

The player as a gangster image goes over well.

1988-

The movie “Colors” is released. It exposes L.A. gang

culture to the world as never before, and become the

blueprint for Crip and Blood “sets” to be born all over

the world. Rappers everywhere begin to rhyme about

what they see in this movie.

1988-

Yo! MTV Raps refuses to air the video for “Straight Out Of Compton”.

1988-

Mellow Man Ace leaves the group DVX and they rename

themselves after a local street. Cypress Hill is born. They

are affiliated with the Bloods. They begin to perform at

undergrounds and clubs all over L.A.

1989-

The 2 Live Crew releases “As Nasty As They Wanna

Be” which will become the group’s biggest hit; the

single “Me So Horny” will climb into the Top 40

despite virtually nonexistent airplay.

1989-

Long Beach Crip gang 21st Insanes member, Snoop Dog is arrested for possession of cocaine.

1989-

Compton’s Most Wanted is formed- MC Eiht, Chill MC,

DJ Mike T, produced by DJ Slip, and Unknown DJ.

They release local hits “This Is Compton” and

“Way To Funky” on Unknown DJ’s and Lonzo

Williams Techno Hop Records.

1988-

Ruthless Records releases Eazy-E solo project

“Eazy Duz It”, which eventually sells more than

2.5 million copies.

1988-

J.J. Fad (Just Jammin’ Fresh and Def) releases their self-

titled album on Ruthless Records. Discovered by Rudy

Pardee of the L.A. Dream Team and snatched up by Eazy

E, the L.A. trio girl group- MCJ.B. (Juana Burns), Bafy D

(Dania Birks), and Sassy C (Michelle Franklin)- are a stark

contrast to their labelmates and producers, N.W.A. The

single Supersonic goes platinum and stays on the

Billboard charts for over four months. They become the

first female rap group to be nominated for a Grammy .

1988-

Too Short re-releases “Born To Mack” and a new album

“Life Is…Too Short” on Jive Records before he could

fully develop an an independent label CEO with

Dangerous Music. These two, and his next two

albums go platinum.

1989-

Ice T forms Rhyme Syndicate Records.

1988-

The Egyptian Lover releases “Filthy” on Priority Records.

1988-

Tone-Loc (Anthony Smith), an ex-member of the Crips,

soars from obscurity into pop stardom with the release

of the single “Wild Thing”.

1988 November 16-

November 16th- King T releases “Act A FooL”.

1989-

Lichelle Law, future female rapper Boss, moves from Detroit to L.A. in search of a record deal.

1990-

Tupac records demo tapes

as part of a group called Strictly Dope.

1990 January 25-

WC (formally a beatbox for DJ Clientle of the Wreckin’

Cru) teams up with DJ Aladdin, a DJ who made a name

for himself on L.A.’s underground party scene, and

make up the group Low Profile. The add new flavor to

the West Coast rap sound of the late 80’s with the

release of their album “We’re In This Thing Together”

on Priority Records. The single “Pay Ya Dues”

becomes a West Coast hit.

1989-

Ultra conservative watchdog group the American Family Association supporter Jack Thompson, a lawyer and religious activist, convinced Florida governor Bob Martinez to open an inquiry into whether “As Nasty As They Wanna Be” violates Florida obscenity laws. The state prosecutor determines that action must be taken on the local, not state, level.

1989-

September- The F.B.I. sends a letter to Ruthless Records warning the group that the agency didn’t take kindly to the single “Fuck The Police”.

1989-

Suge Knight supposedly threatens rapper Vanila Ice by holding him by his ankles out of a twenty story balcony, coercing him into signing over royalties from his smash hit album “To The Extreme.

1989 August 30-

August 30th- Mellow Man Ace releases

“Escape From Havana” on Capitol Records.

It contains the hit “Mentirosa”

1989 August 20-

August 20th- Dallas rapper and N.W.A. member,

The D.O.C. releases "No One Can Do It Better"

produced by Dr. Dre. This album was still burning

up the charts when a car crash almost killed the

D.O.C., greatly hindering his rapping abilities.

1989-

Tone-Loc releases the album “Loc-ed After Dark” on

Delicious Vinyl/Rhino- the second rap album ever to

top the pop charts (after the Beastie Boys “Lisenced

to ILL”. The album is co-written by Young MC and

contains some of the earliest production by the Dust

Brothers. Besides the hit singles “Wild Thing” and

“Funky Cold Medina” the album contains one of the

earliest pro-marijuana raps on record, “Cheeba

Cheeba”. The album will eventually go triple

platinum.

1989-

Rodney O (Rodney Oliver), Joe Cooley, and

”General” Jeff Page drop “Me And Joe” featuring

the West Coast hits “Everlasting Bass”, and

“But You Don’t Here Me Though”.

1989-

Coolio drops the single “Your Gonna Miss Me”.

1990-

It is declared by Broward County Circuit Court Judge Mel Grossman that there is probable cause, that 2 Live Crew’s “As Nasty As They Wanna Be” is legally. County sheriff Nick Navarro warns record stores around the county that selling the album might subject them to prosecution. The 2 Live Crew files suit alleging that Navarro had unconstitutionally overstepped his bounds.

1990-

Tupac joins Digital Underground

as a rodie/dancer/rapper.

While on tour, he finds out

his mother is using crack.

1990-

2 Live Crew’s “As Nasty As They Wanna Be” sells over 2 million copies, and several other incidents around the country are being reported of record store owners being arrested for selling the record. The publicity attracts the attention of George Lucas who successfully sues Campbell for trademark infringement over his stage and label name. Luke Skyywalker shortens his name to Luke.

1990-

Rodney O and Joe Cooley sign to

Atlantic Records and release “3 The Hard Way”.

1990-

The Pharcyde- Tre “Slimkid” Hardson, Derrick “Fatlip” Stewart,

Imani Wilcox, Romye “Booty Brown” Robinson, and

producer “J-Swift” is formed in South Central Los Angeles.

Fat Lip was a promotor on the Ultra Wave Promotions “trendy”

party scene, they will later hone their rapping skills at the “Goodlife”.

1990-

Kid Frost realeses the single “La Raza” produced by DJ Tony G

(Tony Gonzales). It breaks him into a wide audience and

becomes the anthem for Chicano fans everywhere. It also lands

him a deal at Virgin Records.

1990 February-

Compton’s Most Wanted releases

“It’s A Compton Thang” on Orpheus records.

The album includes the hit “One Time Gaffled Em’ Up” .

1990-

March 26- Tennessee District Attorney Joe Baugh rules that N.W.A.’s “Straight Outta Compton” and 2 Live Crew’s “As Nasty As They Wanna Be” violates the Tennessee obscenity laws.

1990 March 27th-

The only white member of Ice T’s Rhyme Syndicate,

Everlast (Eric Shrody) releases ”Forever Everlasting” on

Warner Brothers (executive produced by Ice T).

1990May 15th-

Ice Cube drops “Amerikka’s Most Wanted”,

an instant hit which goes gold in 2 weeks.

1990 June-

Florida District court judge, Jose Gonzalez rules that “As Nasty As They Wanna Be” is legally obscene and therefore illegal to sell. Two days later record store owner Charles Freeman is arrested for selling the album to an undercover cop and the three rapping members of the 2 Live Crew are arrested on obscenity charges for performing material from the record in a local club.

1990-

H.W.A (Hoez With Attitudes) release

“Livin’ In A Hoe House”. Kim “Baby Girl” kenner,

Tanya “Jazzy” Kenner, and Dion “Diva” Devous

are discovered by Easy E and his answer to a

group called “Bitches With Problems”.

1990-

October- Wax Works, a 110-store chain in Kentucky, pulls “100 Miles and Running” from its shelves and refuses to sell it due to its explicit references to oral sex and gang violence.

1990-

Above The Law, a rap group out of Pomona,

releases “Living Like Hustlers” on Ruthless

Records. The group consists of Gregory “Cold

187um aka Big Hutch” Hutchinson. Kevin “KMG

the Illustrator” Dulley, Arthur “go Mack” Goodman,

and “Anthony “DJ Total Kaos” Stewart. The album

is produced by 187um and Dr. Dre, and is a

nationwide hit- especially on the West Coast.

1990-

Ice Cube drops the EP “Kill At Will”.

1990-

Kid Frost releases the album “Hispanic Causing Panic”

with the lead single “La Raza”. The music video for

the single is the first to show East L.A.’s Chicano Culture.

1990-

MC Trouble (Latasha Sheron Rogers) releases “Gotta Get

A Grip”, the first female rapper on Motown Records. The

single “I’m Gonna Make You Mine” features The Good

Girls, an act that was formed from various trendy dance

crews who honed their performance skills at Ultra Wave

Promotions “Battle of the Female Dance Crews” talent

shows at Veteran’s Auditorium in Culver City.

1990 July-

Luke, the rapper formally known as Luke Skyywalker,

releases “Banned In The U.S.A.” (under the group

name Luke and the 2 Live Crew) a semi-political record,

it’s title single becomes the groups second top 40 hit.

1990 September 24th-

King T releases “At Your Own Risk”.

1990-

September 24th- L.A. rapper Candyman, who started his career backing Tone-Loc, releases “Ain’t No Shame To My Game” on Epic Records. The single “Knockin’ Boots” becomes a top 10 hit.

1990-

Yo Yo, who made her debut as part of the Lynch mob on

Ice Cube’s Amerikkka’s Most Wanted albumn drops

“Make Way For The Motherload”.

1990-

Latino rappers, Lighter Shade Of Brown [ODM- One Dope

Mexican (Robert Gutierrez) and DTTX- Don’t Try To Xerox

(Bobby Ramirez)] release the album “Brown & Proud” featuring

the local hit single “On a Sunday Afternoon”. They are one of

the first Latino rap groups to blow up locally.

1990-

The Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E are the six sons of a Samoan descended Baptist minister- Ganxsta Ridd, Ganxsta OMB, EKA, Rosco, Don- L, and the Godfather. They release the album “New Funky Nation” on 4th & Broadway. They are affiliated with an L.A. Bloods gang.

1990 November-

Fox TV Rap video show “Pump It Up” runs a segment on N.W.A. which is crosscut between members of the group bad mouthing Ice Cube and an interview with Cube saying bad things about them.

1991-

MC Trouble dies of an epileptic seizure at age 19.

1990 March 3rd--

March 3rd- After the L.A. Highway Patrol pulled

Rodney King, a black motorist, over after a short

high-speed chase, “four [white] Los Angeles

police officers took over the responsibility of the

arrest by delivering 56 blows on Mr. King’s head,

body and limbs in a beating that took 81 seconds

before he was handcuffed and taken to the hospital

with severe injuries to his head, body and legs”.

1991 February 8 –

Ricky Ross catches a drug case in Cincinnati and is sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.

1991 February-

February- Dee Barnes files criminal charges against Dre for “assault and battery” and files a $22.7 million lawsuit against Dre and the members of N.W.A. The civil case is eventually settled outside of court.

1991 January 27-

Dr. Dre assaults television music video show “Pump It Up’s” female host Dee Barnes because of a skit she ran on the show allowing Ice Cube to make fun of N.W.A.

1991 January 3-

Tupac makes his recording debut on Digital

Underground's “This Is An EP Release”.

1990-

NWA releases “100 Miles and Running”.

It includes the song “Real Niggaz” where

they diss Ice Cube.

1991-

KDAY is sold, and its All-Rap format ends.

1991-

Cypress Hill signs with Columbia Records.

1991-

Warren G forms Three The Hard Way aka 213. Him, Snoop Dog, and Nate Dog. They record demos which Warren plays for his half brother Dr. Dre. who becomes interested in Snoop.

1991-

Luke And The 2 Live Crew release “Live in Concert” the first full length live rap album ever.

1991-

Boyz N The Hood, directed by John Singleton

and starring Ice Cube is released. The movie

was originally suppose to star N.W.A. but they

didn’t respond to Singleton’s attempts to

contact them.

1991May 14-

Ice T drops “O.G. Original Gangster”. It includes a song

called “Body Count” performed with his black heavy

metal band of the same name. Like Ice T, they are

graduates from Crenshaw High School.

1991-

DJ Quick, a Blood gangsta’ rapper from Compton, releases

“Quick Is The Name” on Profile Records. His hooks, beats,

and grooves, set him aside from the flood of gangsta’

rappers coming out at the time. Two singles of the album,

“Tonight” and “Born and Raised in Compton” become sizable

hits. The two songs chart Top 20 Billboard R&B and Pop.

His album drives into the top 10 on the album chart. It goes

gold. DJ Quick also debuts here as a producer, taking credit

for his entire album. He will go on to produce for an incredible

amount of superstars including Janet Jackson. Tupac.

Snoop Dogg Talib Kweli, Whitney Houston, and even Dr. Dre.

1991 June 22-

N.W.A's record, "Niggaz4Life," is released on

Ruthless Records and sells 954,000 copies in its first

weeks of release, debuts at number 2, and becomes

the first “hardcore” or “Gangsta” rap album to hit No.

1 on the charts, despite being banned by some

record stores and seized by English authorities as

obscene.

1991 July 6th-

Compton’s Most Wanted releases “Straight Checkin’

Em’”, featuring “Growing Up In the Hood” which is

featured on the “Boys In The Hood” soundtrack.

1991-

The Movie “New Jack City”, starring Ice T

and Westley Snipes is released.

It will kick off both of their acting careers.

1991 Summer-

N.W.A. officially breaks up

1991-

Ice T premiers his metal band Body Count and the song “Cop Killer” on the 91’ Lollapalooza Tour.

1991-

Above the Law drops the “Vocally Pimpin”

EP on Ruthless Records.

1991-

Kid Frost forms The Latin Alliance featuring A.T.L., Lyrical Engineer, and Markski.

1991-

AMG, a rapper from Hawthorne California, drops “Give A Dog Bone” on Select Records. It basically goes unnoticed.

1991-

Originally from Farmville, VA, The Lady Of Rage was discovered by Dr. Dre and appears on the L.A. Posse’s album “They Come In All Colors”.

1991-

Luther Campbell and Luke Records is successfully sued by one of his artists, MC Shy D, for 1.6 million for non-payment of royalties.

1991-

Cypress Hill released its self-titled debut ‘Cypress Hill’.

Though they are not the first Latino group to mix Spanish

& English, they are the first to reach the masses with this

style. They even reach hard & alternitive rock fans.

They are also the first rap group to successfully push

the pro-marijuana stance. The members B-Real,

DJ Muggs and Sen Dog become supporters of hemp

legalization and official musical spokesmen for the

National Organization to Reform Marijuana Laws.

1991 September 17th-

After the break up of Low Profile, WC goes on to

form WC and the Madd Circle (featuring Coolio).

and releases the album “Aint A Damn Thing

Changed”.

1991-

October- Eazy-E files a state court complaint against Dr.Dre, Death Row Records executive Marion "Suge" Knight and rap artist D.O.C. that alleges the defendents used "duress" and "menace" to get Eazy-E to void his exclusive contracts with Dre and the D.O.C. The case is still pending.

1991 October 6th-

2nd II None, cousins Tha D and KK who attended high school with DJ Quick (who also helped them land their deal and produced their album) release their self-titled album which includes the hit single “If You want It”.

1991 October 8th-

Luke And The 2 Live Crew release

“Sports Weekend: As Nasty As They

Wanna Be, Pt. 2”, the last record they

will release as a quartet.

1991-

November 19- Tone-Loc releases his second

and last album, “Cool Hand Loc”.

1991-

Ice T premiers his metal band Body Count and the song

“Cop Killer” on the 91’ Lollapalooza Tour.

1991 October 31st-

Ice Cube debuts without his signature

jehri curl hair style and releases “Death Certificate”

in which he disses N.W.A. and Jerry Heller.

The Album produces public condemnation

from the trade publication Billboard Magazine.

It’s the first time the magazine singles out an

artist in such a negative way. The album

reaches #2 on Billboard and goes platinum.

1991-

Rodney O and Joe Cooley release “Get Ready To Roll” on Nasty Mix Records. The album includes a song called “Nutty Block” that which is the name of the Crip gang Rodney O is affiliated with.

1991 November 12-

“2Pacaplypse Now” is released. Shortly

thereafter, Tupac files a $10 million lawsuit

against the Oakland police for alleged

brutality following an arrest for jaywalking.

1992-

Coolio joins the rap collective, The 40 Theives.

1992 January 17-

Tupac makes his film debut in Ernest Dickerson's “Juice”,

earning praise for his portrayal of Bishop. It also launches

the career of Omar Epps.

1992-

After living on the streets of L.A. in poverty and sometimes homeless, Boss is discovered by local producer Rob Lowe. She she is later picked up by DJ Quick and becomes the first rapper signed to Def Jam West, releasing the album “Born Gangsta”. She is one of the first female gangsta’ rappers.

1992 March 5th-

The Rodney King trial begins.

1992-

Kid Frost releases his last album on Virgin, “East Side Story”.

It produces the singles “No Sunshine” and “Thin Line”.

1992-

Ice T premiers his metal band Body Count and the song “Cop Killer” on the 91’ Lollapalooza Tour.

1992 March 30th-

Ice T drops the self-titled album with his metal

band “Body Count”. It contains the controversial

song “Cop Killer”.

1992-

AMG releases the album “Bitch Better Have My Money”

and it is an instant west coast hit. Unlike on his first album,

AMG is now affiliated with DJ Quick and it shows.

Boss appears on “My Sista Izza Bitch”.

1992-

The Pharcyde releases “Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde”

on Delicious Vinyl/Rhino. It will go gold. It has a

certain silliness and an everybody freestyling-on-the mic

parking lot of the Good Life atmosphere that highlights

the incredible rapping skills of each member. Produced

by J-Swift the album brings a much needed breath of

fresh air to a West Coast Hip-Hop scene which is over

sachurated by Gangsta Rap. The single “She Keeps

On Passing Me By” becomes a nationwide hit. The

album cover is designed by P-Jay, old school graffit

artist from the crew West Coast Artists.

1992 May 25-

Mellow Man Ace releases “The Brother With Two Tongues”.

1992-

Ice T premiers his metal band Body Count and the song “Cop Killer” on the 91’ Lollapalooza Tour.

1992 June-

The Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas calls a press conference to demand a boycott of all Time Warner Products if the song “Cop Killer” is not removed from all future pressings of the Body Count record. (Other police associations follow calling for divestiture of stock from Time Warner, 60 congressmen sign a proclamation denouncing the song, Vice President Quayle deems it obscene, and President Bush calls it sick.)

1992-

June- Compton’s Most Wanted

releases “Music To Drive By”.

1992-

April 11- Ronald Ray Howard, 19, shoots a Texas trooper. Howard's attorney claims “2Pacalypse Now”, which was in his client's tape deck, incited him to kill.

1992-

Spring- Dr. Dre releases his first solo effort, the title

track for the film “Deep Cover” introducing Snoop

Doggy Dog to the world.

1992-

Ice Cube tours with the second Lollapalooza, successfully consolidating his white rock audience.

1992 August 22-

Tupac has an altercation with old acquaintances in Marin City. As a result, a 6 year old bystander is shot in the head. Tupac's half brother, Maurice Harding is arrested and then released due to lack of evidence.

1992-

Da Lench Mob (Shorty, JD, and T-Bone) release

“Guerillas in The Mist” produced and written

by Ice Cube. Political West Coast Rap.

1992-

The movie “South Central” is released

1992 December 15th-

Death Row Records releases Dr. Dre’s album

“The Chronic”, featuring Snoop Doggy Dog,

Daz, Kurupt (The Dog Pound), Nate Dog,

Rage, RBX, DOC, Warren G, Jewell, and others.

Dr. Dre takes West Coast Gangsta’ Rap and music

production in general, once again to another level.

1992 December 1992 -

Eazy-E releases solo EP “5150 Home For Tha Sick”,

Which has sold more than 500, 000 copies.

1993-

Dr. Dre's "The Chronic" goes multi-platinum

1992-

DJ Quick releases “Way 2 Fonky”.

A gold album that defeats the sophomore jinx.

1992 July 21st-

Everlast formally with Rhyme Syndicate, and his high

school friend Danny Boy (Daniel O’Connel) and D.J.

Lethal (Leor DiMan) release “House Of Pain” on

Tommy Boy Records. Co-Produced by Muggs from

Cypress Hill, the single and video represents the

groups Irech heritage and rises to #3 on the pop

charts. The group especially appeals to young white

suburbanites.

1992-

Ice Cube converts to the Nation of Islam

1992-

During recording sessions for “The Chronic”, Suge Knight is arrested for assaulting two aspiring rappers who allegedly used a phone without his permission.

1992-

April 29th- A jury of 10 Whites, one Korean,

and one Latino, after watching the video,

unanimously agreed that the officers were

using reasonable force and had the policemen

acquitted on most of the charges in the

Rodney King beating. This verdict brought

about a six-day riot in the streets of Los Angeles,

which ended on May 4, 1992. The incident quickly

becomes known as the L.A. Uprising.

1992-

The court of appeals in Atlanta, Georgia overturns Jose Gonzalez’ ruling that “As Nasty As They Wanna Be” was legally obscene. The Supreme Court upheld the appeals court’s decision. The 2 Live Crew drifts apart, various members releasing solo albums.

1992 September 22-

Tupac is denounced by Vice President Dan Quayle, who says

“2Pacalypse Now” "has no place in our society".

1992 October 1992 -

Ruthless Records sues Dr. Dre's Death Row Records and accuses Dre's label of racketeering. The suit gets dismissed on Aug.9, 1993.

1992-

November 1992 - Dr. Dre releases "Dre Day, " a video where he shows an Eazy-E likeness in a disparaging light.

1992 November 17th-

Ice Cube releases “The Predator”

the first album ever to debut #1

on both pop and r&B.

1993-

Kokane releases “Who Am I” on Ruthless Records.

1993 February 1-

Tupac realeses “Strictly 4 My NIGGAZ”

and eventually goes platinum

1993 March 13-

Tupac fights with a limo driver in Hollywood who

accuses him of using drugs in the car. Tupac is arrested,

but the charges are dropped

1993 April 1993 -

Amid a swirl of controversy, Eazy-E publicly speaks

out in support of Timothy Briseno, one of the police

officers who was video taped beating Rodney King.

1993 April 5-

In Lansing Michigan, Tupac is arrested for taking a swing at a local rapper with a baseball bat during a concert. He's sentenced to 10 days in jail.

1993-

The Movie “Menace II Society” is released. The

soundtrack features MC Eiht of Compton’s Most

Wanted’s solo debut “Straight Up Menace”. It is

also his acting debut.

1993-

May 1993 - Houston-based rapper Willie Dee, formerly of the Getto Boys, tells the Los Angeles Times in a interview that "Eazy-E is a sellout, " for supporting Briseno.

1993 July 20-

Cypress Hill releases thier 2nd album

“Black Sunday”. Through the music and album artwork

their connection to rock & roll becomes more explicit.

1993-

Candyman releases “Thought You Knew”.

1993 July 23-

John Singleton's Poetic Justice, starring

Tupac and Janet Jackson, is released.

Jackson demands Tupac take an HIV

test before she does any kissing scenes.

Warren G & Mista Grimm’s hit single

“Indo Smoke” featuring Nate Dogg is

the stand out feature on the soundtrack.

1993-

In response to the frustration of many in the L.A.

gang communitywho saw N.W.A. capitalizing on

gang culture, and lifestyle, actual gang members

drop the album “Bloods and Crips: Banging on Wax”.

The album features Red-Rum-781, Sin Loc, Blue Ragg,

Red Rag, Bloody Mary, and Lil’ Strech. Recorded in two

weeks, on Dangerous Records (producer Ron “Ronnie Ron”

Phillips and rapper Tweedy Bird Loc) it becomes an

underground hit selling over 400,000 copies.

1993 August -

Relativity Records signs a deal with Ruthless Records to promote market and distribute Ruthless artists.

1993-

The L.A. DreamTeam resurfaces as DTP and releases “Rockberry Revisited”.

1993-

King T releases “The Triflin’ Album”.

1993-

Coolio signs to Tommy Boy Records.

1993-

Above The Law releases “Black Mafia Life” on

Ruthless Records, featuring the hit single and

West Coast summer banger, “Black Superman”.

1993-

August - Ricky Ross released from federal prison early after serving four years (in exchange for testifying against crooked cops who where members of the “Freeway Rick Task Force”) . Rick begins rebuilding The Apollo West theater in South Central. His plans are to change it into a hip-hop community center for performing arts. Freeway and Gregory “G.Bone” Everett of Ultra Wave Productions, plan on opening a recording studio there together, and putting on

talent shows modled after the ones done at the Veteran’s Auditorium by Ultra Wave in the mid 80’s.

1993 August-

Snoop Dogg is charged in connection with the

drive by shooting death of Phillip Woldermarian.

Snoop was the driver of the vehicle his bodyguard

McKinely Leet shot from. They clam self- defense

alleging the victim was stalking Snoop.

1993 September-

Snoop turns himself in following a performance at the MTV Music Awards.

1993-

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony auditions for Eazy-E over the phone

after living on the streets of L.A. for months. After getting no

response from the rapper, the group headed back to Cleveland

and convinced Eazy-E to have another listen to their sound

backstage at one of his appearances. This time, Eazy-E signs

them with Ruthless Records.

1993 December -

Eazy-E is ordered to pay child support of $58, 000

a year for a girl he fathered in Nebraska.

1993-

December 7th- Domino from “Bloods and Crips: Bangin on Wax” drops the self-titled album featuring hit singles “Ghetto Jam” and “Sweet Potato Pie”. Production by DJ Battlecat.

1993 December -

Columbia Pictures forces John Singleton to drop Tupac from the cast of his upcoming film, Higher Learning.

1994-

Snoop Dogg’s album “Doggystyle” goes quadruple platinum.

1993 October 26th-

Eazy-E releases second solo album

"It's on (Dr.Dre) 187um Killa, " which

eventually sell more than 1.5 million copies.

The album contains repeated references to

Dr.Dre and shows Dre on the album's inner

sleeve wearing eye shadow, lipstick and sequins.

1993 October 31st-

Tupac is arrested for allegedly shooting two off-

duty Atlanta police officers whom he says were harassing a

black motorist. Charges are eventually dropped when the cops

were found to be crooked.

1993-

November 18th- A 19-year-old woman, whom Tupac picked up

4 days earlier in a New York nightclub, is allegedly sodomized

and sexually abused by the rapper and 3 of his friends.

1993 November 23rd-

Death Row Records releases Snoop Doggy Dog’s

first solo album, “Doggystyle”. It is the first debut

album ever in history to enter the charts at #1.

1993-

December 7th- Ice Cub releases “Lethal Injection”

which debuts #5 and eventually goes platinum.

1994 March 10-

Tupac is sentenced to fifteen days in a Los Angeles jail for punching out director Allen Hughes. Hughes and his brother, Albert, had dropped Tupac from their film “Menace II Society”.

1994-

MC Eiht of Compton’s Most Wanted signs a solo deal with Epic Street Division a subsidiary of Epic Records.

1994 March 23-

Tupac stars as Birdie, a troubled drug dealer,

in “Above the Rim”. The soundtrack, featuring

the song "Pour out a Little Liquor," recorded

by Tupac's group, Thug Life, “Afro Puffs” by

The Lady Of Rage sells 2 million copies.

1994 April-

Eazy-E starts hosting "The Ruthless Radio Show" at Los Angeles radio station KKBT (The Beat) on Saturday nights with former N.W.A. member Yella.

1994 September 7-

Two Milwaukee teens murder a police officer and cite Tupac's "Souljah's Story" as their inspiration.

1994-

Above The Law releases Uncle Sam’s Curse, featuring

the hit single “Black Superman”. It will be their last

album on Ruthless Records.

1994-

Death Row releases the short film “Murder Was The

Case” starring Snoop Dog. The soundtrack features the

reunion of Dr. Dre and Ice Cube on the song “Natural Born

Killers”.

1994-

Da Lench Mob releases “Planet of Da Apes” thier last album.

1994 June 28th-

House of Pain releases “Same As It Ever Was”.

1994 June 7-

Warren G aka Warren Griffen (half brother of Dr Dre) debut album

"Regulate - G-Funk Era" sold over 4 million copies. "Regulate" f/

Nate Dog appeared on the “Above the Rim Soundtrack” and hit

number 2 on the music charts.

1994 July 19th-

MC Eiht releases his solo album “We Come Strapped”.

Although he performs solo, the album cover reads “MC

Eiht featuring CMW”. It is the first album to contain to

parental advisory stickers. The normal one, plus one

from the label stating that Sony claims no responsibility

for the lyrical content of the record. The record reaches

#5 on the pop charts.

1994 March 23-

July 19th- Coolio releases “It Takes A Thief”. The first single

“County Line” is followed up by “Fantastic Voyage” which

rickets to #3 on the pop charts taking the album into the top

ten and past the platinum sales mark.

1994 October 14-

Members of the rap act Po' Broke & Lonely sue Eazy-E, claiming Ruthless Records interfered with their ability to negotiate with other labels.

1994-

Kokane releases “Funk Upon A Rhyme” on Ruthless Records

1994-

Del The Funky Homosapian’s “No Need for Alarm” is released, he used multi-syllabisms, which soon start a whole new form of rhymes in the underground community. Del is

Ice Cube’s cousin.

1994-

Ice Cube produces Kam’s “Neva Again”.

1994-

June- Eazy-E releases Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

first EP- “Creepin’ On A Come up” – It will sell

over 2 million copies. The group delivers a fresh

style of rap with their quick melodic rapping..

1994-

Coolio makes his first screen appearance in “Party Over Here”, and underground hip hop short directed by Nicole Jefferson and produced by Gregory “G.Bone” Everett. The film

was shot at Con Art Studios and is a who’s who of the L.A. underground scene.

1994 November 30-

While on trial for sex and weapons charges, Tupac is shot five times

and robbed of $40,000 worth of jewelry in the lobby of a Times Square

recording studio. Tupac checks himself out of the hospital less than

three hours after surgery. The case remains unsolved.

1993 March 23-

Tupac stars as Birdie, a troubled drug dealer, in “Above the Rim”. The soundtrack, featuring the song "Pour out a Little Liquor," recorded by Tupac's group, Thug Life, “Afro Puffs” by The Lady Of Rage sells 2 million copies.

1994 December 1-

2Pac is acquitted of sodomy and weapons charges but is found guilty of sexual abuse.

1995-

Gregory “G.Bone” Everett agrees to become partners with Freeway Rick on the recording studio at the Apollo West Youth Community Hip-Hop Center. G. Bone will move his recording equipment in when construction is completed on the studio. They also plan on putting on the

same type of talent shows G.Bone put on at Veteran’s auditorium 10 years earlier as Ultra Wave Productions.

1995-

Snoop Dog goes on trial for the murder of Phillip Woldermarian.

1993 February 14- Tupac is sentenced to up to four

and a half years in a maximum security prison. He

immediately begins serving his time in New York's

Riker's Island penitentiary.

199 February 21-

D.J. Quick releases “Safe & Sound”.

1995-

Kid Frost signs to Ruthless Records

and changes his name to Frost.

1995 Febuary 24-

Eazy-E is hospitalized for what he believes to be a case of chronic asthma.

1995 March-

March – Freeway Rick arrested in DEA sting. He is set up by Blandon, his original supplier and old partner who is now a agent for the DEA. During the sting Ross tries to flee from police and porously wrecks his truck into a wall. In an attempt to kill himself.

1995 March-

The Bone Thugs-N-Harmony single “Thuggish Ruggish Bone” is certified gold.

1995-

Ice Cube and Omar Epps star in the film “Higher Learning”.

1995-

Jayo Felony (James Savage) a rapper originally from Virginia who

was raised and exposed to gang banging (he’s of the San Diego

40’s Crip gang which originated in Los Angeles) is discovered by

Jam Master Jay (after releasing underground tapes and selling

them from his trunk all over the country) and after signing to JMJ

records, releases his debut album “Take A Ride”. The pro-drug

song “Sherm Stick” becomes a national underground hit.

1995 Summer-

Coolio and gospel-trained singer, LV, release

“Gangster’s Paradise”. Worried that the song

is too dark for Coolio’s lighthearted image,

Tommy Boy drops it on the soundtrack for the

film, “Dangerous Minds”. The film blows up

and so does the single. The song becomes

Coolio’s first #1 pop single and sets a new

record for most weeks at #1 that year, and is

the first “ghetto centric” rap song to hit #1 on

the UK charts.

1994-

Suge Knight opens a club in Las Vegas called “662”.

The name comes from the spelling of his gang MOB

on a telephone keypad.

1995 March 16-

Through attorney Ron Sweeney Eazy-E releases a statement, disclosing he has contracted full-blown AIDS. In this statement, Eazy-E also says that he has fathered 7children with 6 different women.

1995 March 28-

King T releases “IV Life”.

1995 March- Eazy-E marries Tomika Wood, with whom he had a son, Dominick. In his statement Eazy-E says that both Wood and Dominick have tested negative for HIV.

1995 March 26-

Eazy-E dies at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in

Los Angeles at the age of 31.The cause was

complications from AIDS, according to his doctor,

Dr. Williams Young. He was the first rap artist

to admit having full blown AIDS.

1995-

The Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E. releases “Doomsday”.

1995 April 1-

While he's incarcerated, Tupac's third

album, Me Against the World, debuts at No. 1 on

Billboard's pop chart. Featuring the touching single

"Dear Mama," the album goes double platinum in

7 months. This album is “Tupac the soul baring artist”.

1995-

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony releases “E. 1999 Eternal”.

The LP includes the track, "Tha Crossroads" which

was written in memory of Eazy-E and, and will sell

over 4 million copies in the U.S.

1995-

Mack 10 (Dedrick Rollins) releases his self-titled album on Priority Records. The single “Foe Life” is co-written by ice Cube. Mac 10 puts Inglewood California on the map.

1995 August-

Biggie, Puffy and Harrell tell Vibe magazine they had no connection to Tupac's shooting.

1995 April-

In a Vibe magazine interview conducted in jail, Tupac renounces the

"thug life" and commits himself to positive works. He also implicates

Biggie Smalls, Puffy Combs, Andre Harrell, and his close friend Stretch,

along with others in the recording studio ambush.

1995 August 27th-

Dangerous Records releases “Bangin’ On Wax Greatest Hits”.

1995 October-

Death Row Records CEO Suge Knight posts $1.4 million bond to

release Tupac. Tupac immediately flies to LA, signs with Death Row

and begins recording “All Eyez on Me”.

1995 October 3-

WC and The Madd Circle release “Curb Servin’”.

Although no longer in the group, Coolio returns

for a guest appearance. Ice Cube makes one also.

1995 October 24th-

Frost (formally “Kid Frost”) releases “Smile Now, Die Later”.

It is one of the first political Latino rap album.

1995-

October 31- Daz and Kurupt, The Dog Pound,

featured artists on both “The Chronic” and

“Doggystyle” drop their Death Row album, “Dog

Food”. Before the release of the album, various

conservative organizations attack the record for

being exceedingly violent and vulgar, pressuring

Warner Brothers not to release it. Not only did the

company agree, it also sold off all of its interests in

Interscope Records. So, Interscope signed a

distribution deal with Priority.

1995 October 31-

Cypress Hill releases “Cypress Hill III: Temples of Boom”.

1995 November 14-

The Pharcyde releases “Labcabincalifornia” .

1995 Noverber 21-

Coolio releases the album “Gangsta’s Paradise”.

He wins a grammy for best solo rap

performance. The album goes triple platinum.

1995 November 30-

Exactly one year after Tupac's shooting, Randy "Stretch" Walker (whom Pac implicated in his ambush) is murdered execution style in Queens.

1995-

“Yo! MTV Raps” goes off the air.

1995-

Luke Records, home of the 2 Live Crew files bankruptcy.

1995-

Nate Dog finishes his solo album, but it is shelved due to legal problems with Death Row.

1996-

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony break the record for fastest rising single with their hit "Tha Crossroads", the spot was previously held by The Beatles for "Can't Buy Me Love".

1996-

MC Eiht releases “Death Threatz”.

1996-

Body Count drummer Beatmaster V dies of leukemia.

1996-

February - In Vibe, Tupac suggests he's been sleeping

with Biggie's wife, Faith Evans. She denies it.

1996-

February- Snoop Doggy Dog is cleared of all charges in the murder of Phillip Woldermarian.

1996 February 13-

Tupac's Death Row debut, All Eyez on Me is

released. It is rap's first double CD of original

music. It’s “Tupac the thug icon in all his

brazen excess”. It’s his last album released

while he is alive.

1996 March 29-

Words are exchanged and a gun is pulled when Death Row and Bad Boy employees face off after the Soul Train awards in Los Angeles.

1996-

April 25- All Eyez on Me goes quintuple platinum.

1996-

May - Tupac and Snoop Doggy Dogg release

"2 Of Amerikaz Most Wanted." The video portrays

caricatures of Biggie and Puffy being punished

for setting up Tupac.

1996-

Above The Law releases “Time Will Reveal”

on Tommy Boy Records.

1996 June 4-

Death Row releases Tupac’s "Hit 'Em Up," a brutal diatribe against Biggie, Bad Boy, Mobb Deep, and others.

1996-

The movie “Friday” is released starring

Ice Cube and Chris Tucker. Written by

Ice Cube and DJ Pooh, it is directed by

F. Gary Grey.

1996-

Cypress Hill releases the EP “Unreleased & Revamped”. It features remixes and collaborations with The Fugess, A Tribe Called Quest, Redman, MC Eiht, and Eric Serman.

1996-

Fresh Kid Ice, Brother Marquis, and Mr. Mixx re-form the 2 Live Crew without Luke Campbel and release “Shake A Lil’ Somethin’”.

1996-

Coolio releases ”My Soul”. It is one of the lowest profile platinum hits of the year.

1996-

September 4- Tupac returns to New York for the MTV Music Awards and gets into a scuffle.

1996 September 7-

Tupac Shakur leaves the Mike Tyson/Bruce Seldon fight in Las Vegas and gets into Suge Knight's car. This is shortly after the pair, along with others from their entourage are caught on videotape beating a member of the rival gang of MOB Piru- Compton Crips in the lobby of their hotel. While riding in the passenger side of Knight's car, Shakur is shot four times in the chest by an assailant in a white Cadillac. Knight, escapes with a minor injury. Shakur is rushed to University Medical Center and undergoes surgery, which includes the removal of his right lung

1996 October –

Freeway Rick sentenced to life without parole.

1995 October 22-

Hip Hop’s first supergroup since N.W.A., The Westside

Connection- Ice Cube, Mack 10, and WC releases the

album “Bow Down” and quickly achieves gold status. It

turns the saying “WESIIIIDE!” into a household word.

1996-

House Of Pain releases “Truth Crushed

To Earth Shall Rise Again”.

1996-

Suge Knight is sentence to 9 years for probation violation for the fight in the hotel lobby September 7th.

1996 November 5th-

Tupac’s “Don Killumianti: The 7 day Theory”

is released 8 weeks after his death. Death

Row releases it under the Tupac alias

Machiaveli, after Niccolo Machiaveli an

Italian politician who faked his own death

and came back in seven days to kill his

enemies. This sparks conspiracy theories

that Tupac has faked his own death and was

still alive, plotting against his enemies. A

wonderful marketing strategy for Death Row

to keep fans interested in Pac.

1996 September 11-

A Compton man whom police claim to be associated with the LA Crips is shot to death while sitting in his car. This is the first in a series of gang-related murders. Police begin investigating possible connections to Tupacs's shooting.

1996-

Friday, September 13 1996: After six days in

critical condition, Tupac Shakur is pronounced

dead at 4:03 pm. His body is later cremated.

He was 25 years old. His murder remains unsolved.

1996 November 12th-

Snoop releases “The Dogfather”. Snoop’s

cousin Daz (from the Death Row group The

Dogg Pound) is chosen to be Dr. Dre’s

successor as producer of the album. It

appears to be Snoop’s last Death Row record.

1996 November 26th-

Dr. Dre releases “Dr. Dre Presents…The Aftermath”.

1997 March 9-

Notorious B.I.G. is shot to death after leaving a Vibe magazine party in Los Angeles. Though word on the street it is “payback” for the Tupac murder, B.I.G.’s murder remains unsolved.

1997 April 22-

“Stop the Gunfight” is released on Intersound Records. It is basically a cheap attempt to capitalize on Tupac’s and B.I.G.’s murders by including a couple of tracks featuring the two.

1997 May 20th-

Pomona pimp rapper, Suga Free, releases “Street Gospel” on Polygram, produced by DJ Quick.

1997-

Dr. Dre forms Aftermath Records.

1997-

Snoop tours with the 97’ Lollapalooza Tour.

1997 September 16-

Mack 10 releases “Based On A True Story.

1997-

Coolio and seven members of his entourage are arrested for shoplifting while on tour in Germany.

1997-

The Lady Of Rage releases

“Necessary Roughness” on Interscope.

1997-

The Tupac album, “R U Still Down? (Remember Me)”

is released on Amaru/Jive by Tupac’s mother Afeni

Shakur after she gained custody of allegedly hundreds

of songs from Interscope and Death Row that her son

had recorded after before his death.

1997 November 11-

MC Eiht releases “Last Man Standing”,

his last on Epic Records.

1997-

Frost releases “Til’ Hell Freezes Over” on Ruthless/Relativity.