Some short introduction paragraphs about the most important things about the artist.
2 Live Crew, the notorious rap group that first took pornographic rap into the mainstream, made waves in the music industry with their explicit lyrics and provocative performances. Formed in California, the group consisted of rappers Amazing Vee, Fresh Kid Ice, and DJ Mr Mixx. Their debut single "The Revelation" gained popularity in Florida, prompting record label owner Luther "Luke Skyywalker" Campbell to help the group relocate there. The addition of Brother Marquis replaced Amazing Vee, and the group went on to release their debut album "2 Live Is What We Are" which featured explicit tracks like "We Want Some Pussy" and "Get It Girl."
About 2 Live Crew
2 Live Crew is a rap group that emerged in the 1980s, known for pushing boundaries with their explicit and controversial lyrics. Originally consisting of rappers Amazing Vee, Fresh Kid Ice, and DJ Mr Mixx, the group gained attention with their debut single "The Revelation," which became popular in Florida. Record label owner Luther "Luke Skyywalker" Campbell assisted in relocating the group to Florida, where their outrageous lyrics and sexually provocative performances earned them a following.
With the addition of Brother Marquis to the lineup, 2 Live Crew released their debut album "2 Live Is What We Are" in 1986. This album showcased their explicit and controversial style, featuring songs like "We Want Some Pussy" and "Get It Girl." The album gained the group an underground following and solidified their reputation as a band unafraid to push the boundaries of acceptable lyrical content.
In 1988, 2 Live Crew released their sophomore album "Move Somethin'," with Luther Campbell officially joining the group as an official hype man and spokesperson. This album marked a turning point for the group, as they fully embraced their pornographic rap identity. "Move Somethin'" was the first album to be sold in both explicit and edited versions, paving the way for more explicit content to be readily available to consumers.
The controversial nature of 2 Live Crew's music caught the attention of authorities, leading to unsuccessful attempts to penalize record store clerks who sold their albums. In 1989, the group released their third album "As Nasty As They Wanna Be," which included their crossover top 30 pop hit "Me So Horny." The album attracted the attention of the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) and Florida attorney/activist Jack Thompson, who led a campaign to label the album as obscene and illegal to sell or perform in certain areas.
This legal battle only fueled 2 Live Crew's rebellious spirit, resulting in their follow-up album "Banned in the USA." Released in 1990 and originally credited to Luke featuring 2 Live Crew, the album included songs like "Fuck Martinez" and the title track which sampled Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA" with explicit permission. The controversial album reached number 21 on the charts, becoming 2 Live Crew's highest-charting album.
Continuing to stir controversy, 2 Live Crew released "Sports Weekend (As Nasty As They Wanna Be Part 2)" in 1991. The album featured somewhat cleaned-up lyrics, but still maintained the group's provocative style. The lead single "Pop That Coochie" reached number 58 on the pop chart, and the album achieved gold certification.
Following a lineup change and a brief hiatus, the group released "Back at Your Ass for the Nine-4" in 1994 under the name The New 2 Live Crew. The album failed to achieve gold certification and had no pop crossover hits. The classic lineup reunited for the release of "Shake a Lil' Somethin'" in 1996, but the album's title track reached only number 72 on the charts. The group's popularity began to decline, and subsequent albums had less impact.
In recent years, 2 Live Crew has seen sporadic music output. Luther Campbell revealed in 2010 that DJ Mr Mixx is not allowed to perform 2 Live Crew songs or acknowledge his membership in the group due to a settlement agreement. Fresh Kid Ice, one of the original members, passed away in 2017, marking the end of an era for the pioneering rap group.
Throughout their career, 2 Live Crew pushed the boundaries of rap music, challenging societal norms with their explicit and controversial content. While their music may not be for everyone, their impact on the genre cannot be denied. 2 Live Crew will forever be remembered as the rap group that fearlessly embraced their own unique brand of explicit and boundary-pushing music.
