This man runs marathons. Not the 26 mile publicity stunts with an assistant and all of New York City following behind, but the kind that last a lifetime. Since 2002’s Bone Thugs-n-Harmony release, “Thug World Order,” member Layzie Bone (AKA Steve Howse) has been working on projects you may not expect from the “Crossroad” artist. This newfound experimentation stems from the group’s split with Ruthless Records in August 2003. After a decade with the label, he is now taking time to enjoy creative independence instead of racing toward the finish line.
At 2am, when most multi-platinum selling artists are out at the club or demanding to be chauffeured back to the hotel lobby, Layzie takes a break from writing and recording in Seattle to discuss the foundation that past experiences have built for his future. Armed with a beer and my tape recorder (rappers like anything with a microphone), Layzie Bone is a skinny dude with a big personality. He is older than his appearance reveals, a reminder of just how many years he has given to the rap game. Before Eminem, before Nelly, before Common and Twista, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony were the Midwest’s rap ambassadors. In the early ‘90s, five kids from Ohio saved up enough money to travel to LA. The goal was to meet Eazy-E, founder of Ruthless Records, and display their rhyming skills in hopes of getting signed, or at bare minimum having their name dropped in hip-hop entrepreneurial circles.
They managed to get Eazy-E on the phone, but were shrugged off as just some more rappers trying to hustle a record deal. Disappointed and homeless in an unfamiliar city, the group’s break finally came when they received word that Eazy-E would be performing in their hometown, Cleveland, Ohio. Together they collected enough dough for bus tickets back to the Buckeye state, met Eazy-E backstage and free-styled. Their fearless persistence was rewarded and Eazy-E signed them on the spot. Classics like “Thuggish Ruggish Bone,” “1st of Tha Month” and “Crossroad” are undeniable. These songs not only put the Midwest on the map and opened doors for landlocked rappers to come, but introduced an unheard style and delivery to mainstream ears.
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony have worked with icons from all eras of hip-hop, both newcomers and household names. “Let me tell you about Biggie. Dogg, we come in the studio and I got an ounce of weed. You probably can’t print this huh? But I had an ounce and this dude just took my weed!” Layzie waves his beer in the air, “Like, cross-eyed as a muthafucka!”
Nowadays, despite having collaborated with some of the greatest rappers to date, Howse is humble and hardworking, evidence that success was earned, not granted. The latter years at Ruthless Records are often described as volatile and domineering. Layzie does suggest that he gained critical skills while at the independent label. “I learned how to put out records without even having to deal with a major.” (Not only has this knowledge proven to be indispensable for the group’s members, but it was inherited, in the most literal sense, as rap was devastated by AIDS and gun violence.) “The craziest thing was that Eazy-E died, Tupac died, Biggie died. Everybody we did songs with started passing away on us. They were my mentors.”
So… he diversified.
While continuing to rap, Layzie has broadened his artistic spectrum and lengthened his work week, also launching an acting career. He just wrapped a film about the Ultimate Fighting Championship titled “No Rules.” The movie, to be released this November, is his first standout role. “One step just leads to another. Our videos had a lot of acting involved and now I’m doing these movies. It’s really exciting.” Howse also has several other films in the works which will be released in 2005.
Layzie and Bizzy Bone will drop an album this summer entitled “Forever Young” under the moniker Bone Brothers. It’s rumored that these are the two who freestyled to get signed with Ruthless, so the collaboration has come full circle, and should not disappoint. “We’ve always been about our business and stay working. I like to collaborate with anybody that’s really about good music. Whoever wants to work, and I mean really, really work.” Obviously on the grind, expect to see more from the refreshed Layzie in the future. He’s got the credentials and endurance to beat the competition.
Layzie Bone will be performing live along with Dark Lotus at the Catwalk in Seattle on May 22. For the latest info on Layzie and his label, check out mothugsrecords.com.
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