When rap exploded creatively and commercially in the late 1980s, Ice Cube was at the forefront of the expansion. As the lyrical brains behind N.W.A, the Los Angeles-based rapper instantly became a major player in the music game by leading a musical revolution with brutal, profane, politically-infused music that, for the first time in the genres history, sold millions of albums with N.W.As Straight Outta Compton. As a solo artist, Ice Cube became raps premier act with the release of the searing masterpieces AmeriKKKas Most Wanted and Death Certificate.

 

Now, after becoming Hollywoods most bankable actor thanks to his Barbershop and Friday franchises, Ice Cube returns to his first artistic love, rapping. Laugh Now, Cry Later, the multi-platinum, award-winning music icons first solo album in six years, simmers with celebration, as well as the rage, reflection and introspection that are the hallmarks of timeless music. I feel Laugh Now, Cry Later is the state of the world, of America, of urban America, of hip-hop, Ice Cube explains of his seventh solo album. It seems like everybody is playing and nobody's worried about anything.

 

On the explosive Scott Storch (50 Cent, Dr. Dre, Beyonce) produced Why We Thugs, Ice Cube blasts an oppressive system that cripples Americas ghettos and fosters the perpetual ruin of such areas as South Central, Compton and Long Beach, Los Angeles metropolitan areas that have been war zones for decades.

 

Now, with the impending release of Laugh Now, Cry Later, his first solo album released on his own Lench Mob Records, Ice Cube is on top of his creative game and relishing in his ability to make his latest album at his own pace and on his own terms.

 

I'm putting my money where my mouth is because theres nothing a major label can do for me that I cant do for myself, he says. Not being signed to a particular label, putting it out myself, not having to worry about what a company or anyone else has to think about the record, being able to just go in and do it how I feel it with no timelines or deadlines, it made me comfortable. I was able to recommitment myself to rhyming and rapping. That all molded the way that this record sounds, which is important because I want my records to last the rest of the year when they come out.

 

Truth be told, Laugh Now, Cry Later will last well into the next decade.

In 1991 a group of 4 young street hardened boys by the name of B.O.N.E. Enterpri$e used their musical talents to obtain one way bus tickets to make their way out from the rough city of Cleveland, Ohio. They headed out to Los Angeles and were determined to perform for the top record labels at the time. They constantly called in to prove themselves. Their efforts paid off when they rapped over the phone to legendary N.W.A. member, Eazy E, who owned Ruthless Records. They displayed their melodic rapid fire lyrics with group harmony. Eazy E who was having a show in their hometown sent the group back on the bus to sign contracts under a new name, Bone Thugs -n- Harmony. While the group name changed the boys kept their aliases Krayzie Bone, Layzie Bone, Bizzy Bone, and Wish Bone

Eazy put them on a fast track to display their talents to the world. In 1994 the boys cranked out their debut EP "Creepin On Ah Come Up" with hit singles "Thuggish Ruggish Bone" and "Foe Tha Luv of $" which featured their mentor, Eazy E and Layzie's brother Flesh-n-Bone. The group's style brought a breath of fresh air to hip hop at the time that the album went double platinum in a few months. It didn't take long for them to release their second album E.1999 Eternal which told more stories of their lives in Cleveland. Shortly before the release of the album, Eazy E passed away.

Without their mentor around to see their careers through to the highest points that he could have propelled them to, the boys took it upon themselves to put a new spin on their song Crossroads and add a tribute to Eazy E. What came out was their greatest single "Tha Crossroads" which has sold millions around the globe and even won them a Grammy. Since then the group released a few more albums under Ruthless Records; double album Art of War in 1997, BTNHResurrection in 2000, Thug World Order in 2002, and Thug Stories in 2006. In 2007, they signed with lnterscope Records and worked with Swiss Beats to create Strength & Loyalty. In 2010 with much fan input through ''Think Tanks" the group released Uni5: The World's Enemy, which featured a recently released from prison, Flesh-n-Bone.

Throughout the years and also between albums they have released multiple solo projects. They have also released albums under Mo Thugs which featured artists from their city. These days the Bone Boys can still be seen and heard on various social media platforms, engaging with fans by continuing to tell stories with their fast melodic rap style and straight discussions. Eazy E passing away did not stop the group from still selling millions around the world but little did they know that they would be fast tracked to legendary status and affecting the whole music industry into following their style.