BONE THUGS-N-HARMONY  (April 2007) | Interview By: George Skoutakis

       Dubcnn has once again been speaking to Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, however this time with a difference. Guest Contributer George Skoutakis recently arranged the first online interview with Bone Thugs manager Steve Lobel for Dubcnn. He brought along group member Layzie Bone and the pair set about dissecting the album for us as well as giving us the latest on the group. In this exclusive interview we find out how it was getting through recent troubles, finding a new label home and finishing the new album Strength and Loyalty. We also get the latest on a movie currently in production about the group as well as the reasons fans should buy the album on May 8th.

As always we have both the transcript and the audio for you to check and please feel free to send any feedback regarding the interview to: rud@dubcnn.com


Interview was done in April 2007.

Questions Asked By : George Skoutakis
 

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Dubcnn: For years you've heard their sounds blast through your radio speakers. From the time Eazy E let the world in on their thuggish ruggish ways, the rap world has been mesmerized with their double time rhyming pattern and their un-mistakable harmonies that so many have tried to duplicate. Over the past few years Bone found themselves in a position they had never been. Left without a label and down to three members, the industry was quick to write off the group that had contributed so much to the game.

It would have been easy for the thugs to ride off into the sunset, but bound by the strength of friendship and a loyalty to their fan base, Bone got on a the grind and hooked up with Swizz Beats and Interscope records. The end result is their brand new album Strength and Loyalty due out May 8th.

On the heels of my Flesh N Bone article in The Source magazine, I reached out to Bone Thugs manager Steve Lobel who agreed to take time out for Dubcnn to discuss the album. This marks the first time that Steve has done an online interview. The long time Bone manager has been around the group every step of the way and felt the need to stress the importance of fans going out and supporting the new record rather then downloading it.

However, Steve didn't come alone, Bone Thug member Layzie Bone also joined us to discuss everything from the hardships that were involved of getting to this point, the importance of supporting Bone, and where the group goes from here.
 

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Dubcnn: This album has been in the making for over a year, how does it feel looking at the finished product?

Layzie Bone: It feels absolutely exuberating. We put a lot of hard work into it and there have been a lot of trials and tribulations going through this process and it's been a test of all our wills. I can say I'm just thankful to God and thankful to our team that we were always able to withstand the storm and make this happen. I feel great about the album. The lineup is beautiful and there's not more I can say except it's a blessing and I feel very, very, very good about it. I'm very optimistic about what it's going to do for us.


Dubcnn: No group has been through more then you guys and it's overshadowed a lot of what you've been able to accomplish. What do you think this album does for your reputation and legacy in the rap game?

Layzie Bone: It basically put us back to where we're supposed to be. I think this album will win the respect and show that Bone Thugs N Harmony makes great music. We are originals and trendsetters in what we do. I think it just carries on the legacy and extends our career even further then what it has been?


Dubcnn: I compare your situation to N.W.A (after Ice Cube). How did it feel going through the process of knowing you had so much hot stuff, but on the outside people doubted you as a trio. How did that motivate you guys?

Layzie Bone: I mean, anybody that says you can't do something, you're going to try your best to let them know that you can do that. That was our motivation, people saying that Bone was dead and that it was over for us and we were a thing of the past. Flat-out, that was our motivation. If anyone looks at the album and wonders why we feel it's a Bone classic, it's because of that motivation right there. People counted us out and that's the wrong thing to do to Bone Thugs N Harmony. We're still young men and still have so much more music in us.


Dubcnn: I'll turn my attention to Steve Lobel. You've been around the group forever. How frustrating was it for you when you guys were looking for a deal and you knew what Bone had left to offer the game.

Steve Lobel: The first thing I want to say is strength and loyalty because without the strength and the loyalty none of this stuff would be happening. There is a lot of patience and sacrifice to get us to where we're at right now, especially the guys. Words can't even explain how excited and proud I am of these three guys because they deserve it more then anyone does. I mean, it was frustrating but you always get through the hard times and that's what we did. You keep going over the hurdles, that's all it is. It got frustrating but when you're strong individuals you just got to keep it moving.


Dubcnn: I think one part that's really overlooked is the importance of the touring. How important was turning Bone Thugs N Harmony into a touring group?

Steve Lobel: It's important with everything because that's how your fans are able to get up close and personal with you. The group make themselves accessible by signing autographs and taking pictures and the fans love that. A lot of rap groups don't establish themselves as a touring act. They do a lot of spot dates and go out when they have a hit record. Bone is like a rock group. I compare them to Guns N Roses because they stay on the road regardless if they have a hit record or a video or an album deal because they have enough hits to perform. We haven't had a hit in a while; someone brought that up to me today. Now they got a top 10 record with Akon on the single "I Tried". It shows you how staying on the road keeps the money coming in, it keeps the catalogue selling, and also lets the fans purchase our merchandise. That's why the fans are so loyal because they get to keep seeing (Bone) because their always on the road performing. By staying on the road they get to go to radio, get to do the in stores. It keeps you accessible and lets people know you're still around and not forgotten.


Dubcnn: Layzie, I'll turn the attention back to you. What do you guys have planned for the next couple weeks leading up to the release of Strength and Loyalty on May 8th?

Layzie Bone: Obviously we're going to be on the road promoting the album. We got BET and MTV coming up and all these different ways to promote the album that we'll be doing. Like Steve was saying, the touring is incredible to keep us a float and that's exactly what we're doing now that we have new music. We're still on the road and letting our fans know they're the reason why we're basically out here. We didn't get a big deal and just sit back. We got big things going on but we're not sitting back, that's not the case. We're really attacking the game in the next three weeks. We'll be in Cleveland, Atlanta, L.A, Las Vegas, New York. We're getting at our fans and letting them know there's a reason why they should go buy that album. That's basically what we're doing, promoting in stores and taking it back from A all the way to Z.


Dubcnn: What's your favorite track on the album?

Layzie Bone: First of all, I really think every song that was picked for the album is very classical but the song that sticks with me, because my faith in God is so strong, and the fact none of this could happen without the Lord, is the track Order My Steps. I can listen to that song and hear the truth in it. To dedicate something like that to the Lord and thank him, and truly have an anointed woman like Yolanda Adams on the song like that, it gives me chills every time I listen to it.


Dubcnn: I Tried with Akon is picking up some serious steam and keeps rising on the charts. but looking ahead, have you guys chosen a second single?

Layzie Bone: The album got leaked so it's really basically whatever feedback comes back from radio. Everybody loves the songs and a lot feedback we're getting is from the Mariah record called Lil Love. I feel that's a super strong record so if that's the case then that's what it will be. Whatever's next, it really doesn't matter, all the songs are classic.


Dubcnn:  You guys have a movie coming up about your life story. When can fans expect to see that and where can they expect to see that?

Layzie Bone: I'll let Steve take that one.

Steve Lobel: Basically we're editing right now and in the next two weeks we'll be doing voice overs and some pick up shots. It's looking extremely incredible and now we'll leave it up to the editors and the director and then the group will come in and put their amazing touch on it. I'm proud of them because they're showing their acting abilities and it's amazing. We're going to air it on BET and then eventually it will be released to DVD. We're going to try to put it in some theatres but we just got to see how the final thing looks.

Steve Lobel: I want to comment real quickly on the album. I think it's the most incredible album to come out in a long time. The track listing, the songs are incredible. I'm so proud of them because every record is a fucking different record, an incredible record and it comes from real music, real hip-hop, not that bubble gum shit. They make music with substance. There is a real mixture on this album for the real Bone fans, to their newer fans and everybody in between. You got Flowmotion, Gunblast, Streets and then 9mm. You also got the melodic Bone songs like I Tried and Sounds the Same. You also got the radio stuff like So Good, So Right featuring Felicia and you got Mariah and Bow Wow. Then you got a classic record with Yolanda Adams called Order My Steps, and by the way, it's the first time Yolanda ever recorded with a rap artist.

We also got a classic called Wind Blow which is a Fleetwood Mac sample and we make a big statement on a song called Never Forget me which is letting people know they'll never forget about Bone. We got multiple looks on this album. There were people who were sleeping on Bone. People were telling certain people not to sign Bone Thugs and now my phone is ringing of the hook with the same people saying "I'm sorry and that they were wrong." Anyone who was doing what they were doing are biting their tongue and bowing down but we're just staying humble and saying thank you.


Dubcnn: Everyone is loving the new record but explain to them the importance of actually going out and supporting the record, and buying it on May 8th?

Layzie Bone: If fans are really loyal to Bone Thugs N Harmony and really dig us, it's really important for them to go buy the album and go to the right stores and get it and not bootleg it, and not download it, because if they want to continue to hear from Bone Thugs N Harmony they need to buy it. This record will make or break us right now, that's why we need them to show us their love. We showed our love to them by coming back and doing whatever we had to endure but now it's on them. It's a two way street. We need our fans to show us that they really support Bone Thugs N Harmony. We got extra things in terms of DVD stuff and different things for different stores. We're giving them extra so if they love Bone, and they want to continue to hear Bone, it's very important they go get the album because of that.

Steve Lobel: There will be a couple of bonus things on I Tunes. There's going to be some surprise footage in different stores. I feel we're going to debut at number 1. We need the fans to go out and show their loyalty to Bone and buy the album because Bone showed their loyalty by staying on the road and gave them the music that they love. Now we're giving you more music you're going to love. Fans have to go support it and get the artwork inside the album, see the different merchandise, the sneaker, the watch and the Visa Card. We need to show the industry that Bone can still sell records and debut on the Top 200 at number 1. Then maybe later this year we can drop another album and the fans won't have to wait three, four years like they used to have to wait for Bone albums.

Right now you have to keep hitting them so maybe there will be another Bone album by the end of the year. We got everyone believing in the momentum from radio. Fans have to show their loyalty back to Bone and go to the store in May and buy this album. This group has been loyal to their fans and that's the importance of May 8th, for them to go buy that incredible masterpiece. Its like when a new Jordan comes out, everyone goes out and gets that new Jordan. Go buy that new album when it comes out May 8th.

Layzie Bone: Bottom line, our record is called Strength and Loyalty. We showed our loyalty by keeping Bone Thugs N Harmony going and we showed our strength. Now to continue showing our strength, the only way we can get stronger is if our loyal fans go out and support that.

Steve Lobel: We also got a bunch of new fans that have never heard our music. We're reaching 35 million people in audience with I Tried on the radio. People got to download it but they weren't able to see the visuals, or weren't able to see the artwork, or see who produced what or see the credits. That's what makes it go back to the old days. When you bought an album and put one in the car, one in the safe, one in the radio and put the artwork on the wall. I also want to touch on one thing. The whole first week of the album, we're going to be in a different city every day. It's going to start on May 8th in Cleveland with Bone doing "In my Hood" with BET, showing Bone's neighborhood and all the legendary things that were part of their life. Then we're doing in stores. Then we go to L.A. and do the same thing. Then we're going to Phoenix, Minnesota then Miami and so on. Then you're going to see Bone on Rap City, 106 and Park and Direct Effect. So all the fans who have been reaching out and saying you want to see Bone, you're dream came true. Now you got to be loyal to them and buy that masterpiece on May 8th.


Dubcnn:  Looking back on the recording of this album, what's your fondest memory of this past year?

Layzie Bone: Ah man, I got several of them. One was in New York with Swizz when we first went out there and was just getting our thug on. We weren't really in limos or anything like that. We were walking through Manhattan causing traffic jams walking to the studio, that's one of my fondest memories. Also in Phoenix, we had a great time because that was the closest Bone Thugs lived to each other in probably 10 or 12 years. We were in the same complex cooking dinner for each other and playing X-Box and doing our thing. That was another fond memory. We were also in Atlanta with Akon. There were so many levels to this album that you can't pick just one memory. This whole process was surreal but if I had to pick just one, it would be causing traffic jams in New York City of all cities and Bone hadn't had a hit like that in 10 years and really being recognized like that let us know we still got it.


Dubcnn: One of the strongest members of your group that's not around right now is Flesh N Bone. We seen the Source article but why don't you tell the people how Flesh is doing?

Layzie Bone: He is really, really, really doing good. His faith is tremendous. He's doing good knowing Bone Thugs N Harmony is back. He's happy about what we're doing and that makes us feel good. Basically, the blessings are here for when he gets home. All the hardships that Bone Thugs went through, he doesn't really have to witness that. He had enough hardships in penitentiary so when he gets home he can get right to work and he's very, very excited about that. He's excited about getting with his kids and he's excited about having better communication with all of us now that everything is back on track. It's exciting for all of us man. We're back and he's stronger then ever and we just can't wait for him to get home. He's very ecstatic to get home; you can imagine, he's been down for 8 years.


Dubcnn: What do you guys plan on doing with all the album cuts?

Layzie Bone: Like Steve said, if our fans and the people support it like that out the gate then our thing is to come back with an album as soon as possible. We did do 100 songs for this album and had different features like Chamillionaire, Three Six Mafia and Kelly Rowland that couldn't make the album because of publishing issues, producer issues and clearance issues. That music isn't going anywhere. It's still fresh and there are still over 50 songs that people still haven't heard that are tremendous. It was a hard job picking these songs but we had to eventually settle on some. If this album comes out and does what it's supposed to do we're looking to come right back at them.


Dubcnn: George - Any last words?

Layzie Bone: I would like to thank everyone that's been supporting us. All of the new fans as well. I want to encourage everyone to go check us out and want to thank them for the support and we're going to continue to give them great music. That's what I'm talking about.

Steve Lobel: A lot of the times Bone does interviews and they say we're back but I don't think they ever left. I think they were just missing the machine to put their medicine out. Now that we have the right doctor in Interscope Records, they're about to expose their incredible music to the world. They never left; they just stayed busy and toured the world. Now the industry is feeling their stuff on the radio and seeing the video and they're saying "damn we're glad to see those guys back in action." I'm more then ecstatic and excited and I haven't felt this way in a long time. Nobody deserves it more then these guys and its all about Strength and Loyalty. If we weren't loyal together as a team we wouldn't be where we're at. These guys made a classic album and stayed loyal to the fans and you need to stay loyal to the group that stayed loyal to you. Go out and buy this classic album and you'll be proud of what these guys did. Thank you to all the fans worldwide, we couldn't have done it without you.

Lastly, I want to shout-out some people. Shout out to Tubby from Interscope for believing and signing the group. Swizz Beats for the early morning meeting, Jamie Adler for keeping the guys on the road, Danny at A-2-Z Entertainment for keeping the fans updated when nobody else was. Also, my assistant Sean and D.J. Ice for keeping the shows hot and staying loyal. Most of all I want to thank Bone Thugs N Harmony for showing strength and loyalty to me. Also shout out to Flesh N Bone, see you soon. R.I.P to Jam Master Jay, because without him I wouldn't be where I'm at. R.I.P to Eazy E, because without him I would have never met Bone Thugs N Harmony.

This album is more then just a record to us. It means so much to all of us because it's the culmination of a lot of hard work. When people doubted the Bone Thugs N Harmony camp, we all stayed strong and knew we would rise above it. Everyone that I just mentioned showed us how far strength and loyalty goes when you work as a T.E.A.M. (Together Everyone Achieves More)