Geto Boys

Rap-A-Lot beginnings

The group formed in Houston in 1986 as the Ghetto Boys, signed to James Prince's Rap-A-Lot Records. The first lineup of Raheem, Sir Rap-A-Lot and Sire Jukebox changed quickly; as members departed, DJ Ready Red, Prince Johnny C and Little Billy, later known as Bushwick Bill, came aboard. The debut album “Making Trouble” arrived in 1988, and Rap-A-Lot went on to release every later studio album except the 1990 Def American set.

The classic lineup

By 1989 Scarface and Willie D had joined Bushwick Bill, and “Grip It! On That Other Level” (1989) reached No. 166 on the Billboard 200. The follow-up, “The Geto Boys” (1990), introduced the shortened spelling of the name and was issued through Def American Recordings; its lyrics proved so contentious that the label moved its distribution from Geffen Records to Warner Bros. Records.

Mind playing tricks

After Bushwick Bill was shot and wounded in 1991, the group released “We Can't Be Stopped” (1991) with a stark hospital photograph on its cover. The album reached No. 24 and went platinum, and its single “Mind Playing Tricks on Me” climbed to No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified gold. Willie D then left, and Big Mike joined for “Till Death Do Us Part” (1993), a gold album that peaked at No. 11. Scarface meanwhile pursued a parallel solo career that began with “Mr. Scarface Is Back” (1991).

Reunions and legacy

Willie D returned for “The Resurrection” (1996), which reached No. 6 and was certified gold, followed by “Da Good da Bad & da Ugly” (1998) and “The Foundation” (2005). Frequently cited as pioneers of Southern rap, the group influenced artists ranging from 2Pac to OutKast. Bushwick Bill died of pancreatic cancer on June 9, 2019, at age 52.