Randy
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony member Layzie Bone unveils his full-length solo album, Wanted Dead or Alive, via Harmony Howse Entertainment.
Speaking about the album, he shares, “I feel that this is my best body of work to date. I am extremely grateful for the opportunities that God has provided me. My plan is to execute extreme excellence.”
Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, after forming Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, he traveled to SoCal during the ‘90s, where he hooked up with Ruthless Records’ Eazy E, who, liking what he heard, escorted the group’s much-admired EP, Creepin On Ah Come Up, featuring the hit single, “Thuggish Ruggish Bone.” The EP hit double platinum status, making Bone Thugs-N-Harmony a household name.
Since then, the group has sold more than 30 million records, and received both American Music Awards and ASCAP Awards, along with a Grammy for “Crossroads.” While all this was happening, Layzie’s natural talent landed him in films such as Bar BQ, No Rules, and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony’s straight to DVD movie I Tried, which achieved platinum status.
Featuring 19-tracks, the album begins with “DOA,” opening on a pungent trap beat topped by smooth, slightly nasal delivery, ranging from melodic to spitting rhymes. Highlights include “Killer Instinct,” riding a muscle-bound rhythm capped by strident synths. Darker flows imbue the lyrics with tight tension and riskiness. This track is a personal favorite because of the innovative rhymes and the polished way the song progresses.
“Resolution” stutters and pops with mesmerizing energy, as rapid-fire flows fill the lyrics with urgent dynamism. “Amazing” oozes and glides on rippling sensuous R&B savors, as Layzie Bones’ voice shifts from velvety eroticism to rapping flows.
“Heat Check” discharges slow, low, and banging flavors of Houston slab, but with Eastern mystical hues, injecting the tune with mystery and tasty oomph. “Stir It Up” blends hints of emo-trap with cool R&B aromas, generating a cashmere lo-fi banger.
“I Like to Smoke,” another favorite, gleams and effervesces with shimmering colors and mind-blowing flow, while the final track, “Gone in a Week,” rides snapping percussion on low, slow throbs, as deep rasping vocals imbue the lyrics with palpable frigid timbres.
Wanted Dead or Alive is superb, rife with hefty rhythmic pulses, incisive wordplay, and the inimitable flow of one of rap’s bosses.
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