Above the Law (group)

Biography

In 1989, the group signed with Eazy-E's Ruthless Records and became an additional influence in pioneering alongside N.W.A. Their debut album, Livin' Like Hustlers, released in 1990, featured a guest appearance from N.W.A and production from Dr. Dre. Cold 187um worked closely with Dre on production, and the two influenced each other. The songs "Murder Rap" and "Untouchable" became minor hits; "Murder Rap" later appeared in the 2008 film Pineapple Express, and "Freedom of Speech" was featured in the 1990 movie Pump Up the Volume and its soundtrack. In September 1990, members of Above the Law clashed with Ice Cube and his posse, Da Lench Mob, during the annual New Music Seminar conference. The album, released before Dr. Dre's The Chronic, featured a similar G-Funk sound, and Cold 187um claimed he was the first to pioneer the style, with Dre's new sound largely inspired by his work. In 1994, the group released Uncle Sam's Curse, their last album on Ruthless Records, which included the minor hit "Black Superman". After Eazy-E's death, the group signed with Tommy Boy Records in 1996, releasing Time Will Reveal that year and Legends in 1999. They then signed with Suge Knight's Death Row Records in 1999 but left in 2002. Above the Law contributed to the West Coast Rap All-Stars' 1990 anti-violence collaboration "We're All in the Same Gang". On July 7, 2012, emcee KMG the Illustrator died at age 43; Cold 187um stated he died of a heart attack while showering, though the cause remains officially unknown.