As an 80s baby who discovered my love for hip-hop in the mid-90s, it comes as no surprise that Bone Thugs-n-Harmony was a major influence to me as I became immersed in this music and culture. Those who can recall 1995-96 as vividly as I do will recall that Bone was on top of the world at the time, dominating the commercial charts with singles like “1st of Tha Month” and “Tha Crossroads,” but also maintaing artistic integrity with a very dark, unique, and innovative style. Although their recent output may not match up to the classic E. 1999 Eternal, at least 3 out of the 5 members remain very capable emcees, with Krayzie Bone in particular reminding us of this with his show-stealing guest appearances throughout the last decade. I wasn’t sure if I was up to paying the $30 price tag to see them perform at SF’s Independent with no local support listed on the bill, but when I ended up winning tickets through a Thizzler On The Roof contest, I immediately set my evening’s plans aside and geared up for the show.
