Bone Thugs are back, well... kind of. Ruthless Records has released a compilation of Bone Thug-N-Harmony's throwaways from the '90s. This is a weak attempt at a paycheck for Ruthless Records, and the album threatens to tarnish Bone Thug's legacy. Despite the uninspired material on T.H.U.G.S., you can't deny the chemistry the group had as a whole.
The album begins with the title track, and unfortunately, it's a waste of five long minutes. There's no song structure, just yelling and harmonizing. The fact that this track even made the cut is a conundrum. On a brighter note, "Unstoppable" showcases Bizzy Bone in his prime. Though the song's hook is lackluster and the beat is definitely outdated, Bone's unison is still highly charismatic. "Nation Of Thugs" finds Bone Thugs spewing verses that urge rebellion and revolution. Their lyrics are often anti-government and pro-black, but their message is somewhat muted due to the tracks uninspired production. Once again, dated production and hideous hooks makes it less enjoyable.
After being subjected to three sterile songs and one whimsical intro, you're finally presented with "Wildin." It's one of a few songs that Bone would have probably allowed to be released to the public. All the basic elements of the group come together on this track: feverous and harmonious flows as well as a contemporary beat and catchy hook. "Don't Waste My Time" falls into the same category; this is Bone Thugs-N-Harmony at there finest. The track's basic kick and snare and inspiring organ melody make for a perfect platform for Krayzie Bone to showcase his harmonious hook. Bizzy Bone also delivers an electrifying verse full of passion and anger.
"Young Thugs" sounds like it's straight from "Tha Crossroads" era; an era that should be revisited more often. Layzie Bone's verse on the aforementioned track has a touching storyline. His verse inspires reflection, mainly because not much has changed in regards to violence in our low-income communities, since the days when this material was recorded. It's a testament to their underrated introspection that Bone's message is still relevant so many years later. "So Many Places" is another Bone banger, full of emotion and able to invoke anger into even the most indifferent soul.
"Not That N----" and "Bone Thug Soldier" were probably recorded during one of Bone's notorious studio sessions. Rumored to have recorded a vast majority of their early music under the influence and amidst decadent debauchery, these songs are amorphously unorganized. Almost every basic element that would make a song interesting is missing in these tracks. "Sweet Jane" is the worst ode to marijuana that will ever pump out of your speakers. Even if you smoked tons of Sweet Jane, there's nothing sweet about this tune.
A true Bone Thugs reunion is as powerful as a Fugee reunion. It's positive for hip-hop and could easily shift the tide of main stream music. T.H.U.G.S. may be of poor quality, with its un-mastered music, but it's also a reminder of how tight this group could be when they worked together. What other hip-hop group can rap faster than Twista and still harmonize like some of your favorite R&B singers? That's originality and talent at its best. Despite the group's hardships, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony still made major history and are not history yet.
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