Creepin On Ah Come Up

“Creepin on ah Come Up” is the debut EP by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, released on June 21, 1994, through Ruthless Records.

The story

The group had formed in Cleveland in 1991 and released an album, “Faces of Death”, as B.O.N.E. Enterpri$e on the Stoney Burke label in 1993. Later that year they signed with Eazy-E’s Ruthless Records, and Eazy-E suggested the new name Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. The EP was recorded in 1993 and 1994 across three studios, with Eazy-E as executive producer. The group persuaded Eazy-E to release “Thuggish Ruggish Bone” as their first single instead of an alternative choice. It is the only Bone Thugs-n-Harmony project released during Eazy-E’s lifetime, and his involvement as mentor, executive producer and guest gave the group its first national platform.

Sound and production

Production credits went to Eazy-E, DJ Yella, DJ U-Neek and Rhythm D. DJ U-Neek, with co-producer Kenny McCloud, produced “Thuggish Ruggish Bone”, on which the members switch between fast-paced rapping and sung harmonies. Singer Shatasha Williams performed the song’s chorus and outro; accounts differ on whether Eazy-E brought her to the studio or the group met her near the recording location. The second single, “Foe tha Love of $”, released in February 1995, featured Eazy-E himself alongside the group.

Legacy

“Thuggish Ruggish Bone” reached No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified gold. The EP peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard 200 and No. 2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and the RIAA certified it four times platinum, RapReviews gave it 9.5 out of 10, and in 1998 The Source named it one of its 100 best rap albums. The record introduced the group’s harmonized style to a national audience and set up “E. 1999 Eternal”, which debuted at No. 1 the following year. It was the first of three consecutive Bone Thugs-n-Harmony releases on Ruthless to be certified four times platinum.

Released June 21, 1994. More from hip hop in 1994.