Dramacydal

Outlawz was an American hip-hop group founded by Tupac Shakur and Yafeu Fula in 1995. Originally known as Thoro Headz and Young Thugs, the group attracted attention with their appearance on Tupac's song "Flex", which was the B-side of his single "Holler If Ya Hear Me", released on February 4, 1993.

The group formed as Dramacydal and appeared on the tracks "Me Against the World" and "Outlaw" from Shakur's album ''Me Against the World'', released on March 14, 1995.

History

1992–1995: Early days, Dramacydal

In 1992, Kastro, E.D.I Mean, and Tupac's godbrother Yafeu " Kadafi" Fula, formed a rap trio. They began rapping under the names Thoro Headz and Young Thugs. By then, Tupac had become a rap star and they were featured on his song Flex which was the B side of his " Holla If Ya Hear Me" single which was released on February 4, 1993. In late 1993, Mutah "Napoleon" Beale joined the group, which was now known as Dramacydal. They guest appeared on the songs "Me Against the World" and "Outlaw" from Tupac's LP, ''Me Against the World'', which was released on March 14, 1995.

1995–1996: Outlawz

The group was reintroduced as the Outlaw Immortalz in February 1996. The members included Shakur, who used the alias "Makaveli," Hussein Fatal and Yaki Kadafi, known as Fatal-N-Felony. Thug Life members Big Syke and Mopreme Shakur were also included, going by the aliases "Mussolini" and "Komani," respectively. Dramacydal Big Malc, K-Dog, and Lil' Mu used the aliases E.D.I. Mean, Kastro, and Napoleon. They were first featured on the song "When We Ride" from Shakur's fourth studio album, '' All Eyez on Me''. Storm, introduced on ''All Eyez on Me'' as the only female member, became the ninth member of the group and began working on her solo album under Tupac's management.

In June 1996, Hussein, Kadafi, and E.D.I. were featured on Shakur's diss track "Hit 'Em Up". Although Kastro and Napoleon were not featured on the track, they appeared in the music video.

During the recording of ''All Eyez on Me'' and "Hit 'Em Up," Hussein and Kadafi introduced their homeboy Rufus Cooper III to 2Pac. Cooper, who later became known as Young Noble, joined the group and was featured on Makaveli's album '' The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory''. In August 1996, Nuttso (older brother of singer Keyshia Cole), was appointed as the last official member of the Outlawz, having been introduced previously to 2Pac by Hammer.

1996–2025: 2Pac's murder and aftermath, present

After 2Pac was murdered, Hussein Fatal left the group and went back to New Jersey along with Yaki Kadafi. Kadafi was later murdered in November 1996. The Outlawz were featured on the '' Gang Related'' soundtrack in 1997 which went on to peak at #2 on the ''Billboard 200'' and become certified double platinum.

The group signed with Death Row Records in 1997 after the death of 2Pac and remained on the label until 1999. They released a collaboration album with 2Pac titled '' Still I Rise'' which went on to get certified platinum and peak at #6 on the ''Billboard 200''. After the release of the album, they went on to form their own record label, ''Outlaw Recordz'', and released '' Ride wit Us or Collide wit Us'' in 2000.

Former members

* Tupac Amaru Shakur, alias: Makaveli, the original leader of the group, named after the Italian political philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli, was murdered in September 1996 at age 25. In 2011, members of the group confirmed the longstanding rumour that they smoked Shakur's ashes in a blunt mixed with kush on a beach after his cremation.
*Yafeu Akiyele Fula, alias: Yaki Kadafi, Shakur's godbrother and named after Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, was shot dead by Roddy Beale (cousin of fellow group member Napoleon) in November 1996 at age 19.
* Bruce Edward Washington Jr., alias: Hussein Fatal, childhood friend of Kadafi and named after Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, briefly left the group on bad terms due to the group not protecting Shakur at the time of the Vegas shooting; for forgiving Roddy Beale for Kadafi's death; and for signing to Death Row Records after Shakur asked them not to. In 2010, Fatal rejoined the group to record the album '' Perfect Timing'' which saw its release in 2011. In 2015, Fatal died in a car accident at age 42. The following year he was posthumously credited as a featured artist on the Outlawz song "So Much Pain".
* Katari Terrance Cox, alias: Kastro, Shakur's cousin and named after Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, left the group in 2009, citing differences in the group's direction post-Shakur's passing and to also pursue a solo career.
* Mutah Wassin Shabazz Beale, alias: Napoleon, childhood friend of Kadafi and named after French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, left the music industry and became a motivational speaker after converting to Islam in 2001.
* Tyruss Gerald "Big Syke" Himes, alias: Mussolini, member of Shakur's previous group Thug Life and named after Italian fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, died of natural causes in 2016 at age 48. Big Syke is only credited as a member of the Outlawz on one song; the group's introductory track, "When We Ride", from Shakur's 1996 album ''All Eyez on Me''. Syke later guest featured on the song "Letter to the President" from the group's first album '' Still I Rise'' which saw its release in 1999. Although he's featured with the Outlawz on the song "M.O.B." from Shakur's posthumous album Until the End of Time, he is instead credited with Mopreme as a member of Thug Life. He was also credited as a solo artist alongside the Outlawz on the song "There U Go" from Shakur's following release, ''Better Dayz''.
* Mopreme Shakur, alias: Komani, Tupac Shakur's stepbrother and member of the group Thug Life, was named after Iranian revolutionary leader Ayatollah Khomeini. Mopreme only made one credited appearance as an Outlaw; their introductory track, "When We Ride", from the 2Pac album ''All Eyez on Me''. Although he does feature on the song "M.O.B." from his late brother's posthumous album Until the End of Time, he is instead credited as a member of Thug Life alongside Big Syke.
* Donna Harkness, alias: Storm, the only female of the group, met Tupac and immediately became an official Outlaw Immortal in 1995 by 2Pac himself. She was featured on three tracks on the 1996 All Eyez On Me Album "Tradin War Stories" "Thug Passion" and "Run Tha Streetz." She later featured on the Gridlock’d and Gang-Related Soundtracks and some of Tupac’s posthumous albums and unreleased tracks. Storm left the group after the passing of Tupac and was subsequently taken off of some of 2Pac's original unreleased tracks that were later remixed. She and Young Noble are the only members not named after a historical figure or dictator.

Discography

Studio albums
* '' Ride wit Us or Collide wit Us'' (2000)
* ''Novakane'' (2001)
* '' Neva Surrenda'' (2002)
* '' Outlaw 4 Life: 2005 A.P.'' (2005)
* '' We Want In: The Street LP'' (2008)
* '' Perfect Timing'' (2011)
* ''Livin' Legendz'' (2016)
* ''#LastOnezLeft'' (2017)
* ''One Nation'' (2021)

Collaborative albums
* '' Still I Rise'' (with 2Pac) (1999)

References

External links

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Musicians from Montclair, New Jersey
American hip-hop groups
Death Row Records artists
Tupac Shakur
Cashville Records artists
Rappers from New Jersey
East Coast hip-hop groups
Hip-hop collectives
African-American musical groups
Gangsta rap groups