Geto Boys

  • Houston, TX
    hometown
  • Hip-Hop/Rap
    genre
  • 1986
    started
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About Geto Boys


Though the controversial subject matter of gangsta rap wasn't much of a barrier to popular success during the '90s, the Geto Boys' recordings proved almost too extreme for widespread exposure. Blocked from distributing their 1990 major-label debut by Geffen -- who insisted that a track dealing with necrophilia as well as murder was a step too far -- the group was saved by producer Rick Rubin, who arranged another distributor for the album, released on his own Def American label. The controversy, which occurred two years earlier than similar censorship incidents involving Ice-T and 2 Live Crew, gave the Geto Boys a large amount of publicity. Their follow-up, We Can't Be Stopped, eventually hit platinum, though the trio of Scarface, Willie D., and Bushwick Bill began to fracture by 1993. After releasing solo albums during the mid-'90s, the Geto Boys reunited in 1996 for their most praised album yet, The Resurrection.

When the Geto Boys came together in 1986, though, it was with a completely different lineup. Formed as the Ghetto Boys in Houston by rap entrepreneur James "Lil' J" Smith (and signed to his Rap-A-Lot label), the group originally consisted of Prince Johnny C., the Slim Jukebox, and DJ Reddy Red. During 1987-1988, both Johnny C. and the Jukebox quit, forcing Smith to add a dwarf-dancer-turned-rapper named Bushwick Bill (born Richard Shaw, Jamaica) and two Rap-A-Lot solo acts: Ackshen (aka Scarface born Brad Jordan, Houston) and Willie 'D' Dennis (born Houston).

After the Geto Boys' Grip It! On That Other Level caught the ear of hip-hop impresario Rick Rubin (LL Cool J, Beastie Boys), Rubin re-mixed and re-recorded tracks from the album. He was ready to release it on his Def American label in 1990 when distributor Geffen balked at "Mind of a Lunatic," a track which described necrophilia with a murder victim. By late 1990, Rubin had found another distributor, Giant Records, and the album was released -- as The Geto Boys -- that same year.

The Geto Boys' association with controversy was far from over, though; rap groups were a hot topic for moral-minded politicians during the early '90s, and several leaders used the Geto Boys as an example to decry the state of modern music. The fires were fanned in 1991 with the release of the group's second proper LP, We Can't Be Stopped. Before the release of the album, Bushwick Bill had lost an eye in a shooting incident with his girlfriend, and the cover featured Willie D. and Scarface wheeling Bill into an emergency room, with a prominent shot of the damaged eye. Inside the album, proceedings were among the most extreme in the history of recorded music. Obviously, radio airplay was non-existent, but We Can't Be Stopped still went platinum in early 1992 -- thanks to the Top Ten R&B single "Mind Playing Tricks on Me," one of the most effective inner-city vignettes in hip-hop history.

By 1993, all three members had begun solo careers, though Willie D. was the only one completely separated from the band, citing artistic differences. Scarface and Bill continued with new member Big Mike, releasing Till Death Do Us Part in 1993, but split late in 1994. Just one year later, Willie D. returned to the fold for another Geto Boys release, The Resurrection, which showed the group in fine form. Now it was Bushwick Bill's turn to leave the group. DMG took his place for 1998's Da Good, Da Bad & Da Ugly but returned for the group's 2005 reunion album, The Foundation. ~ John Bush, Rovi

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Music

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    • My Mind Playin' Tricks on Me
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/7/0/0/3/6/968363007.mp3
    • Damn It Feels Good to Be a Gangsta
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/2/7/1/3/6/968363172.mp3
    • G Code
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/4/1/9/5/5/968355914.mp3
    • Still
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/6/2/7/0/6/968360726.mp3
    • Mind Playin' Tricks
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/1/0/0/3/0/967703001.mp3
    • Mind Playing Tricks On Me
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/2/6/9/2/6/968362962.mp3

Photos

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  • The Geto Boys
    Geto Boys
    The Geto Boys
    Publicity
  • Rap-A-Lot/Noo Trybe
    Geto Boys
    Rap-A-Lot/Noo Trybe
    Mario Castellanos

News

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  • Geto Boys
    15 Memorable Movie Scenes Set To Amazing Songs
    VH1 Tuner
    June 13, 2013
    When our favorite songs find their way into our favorite movies, we start to feel a little tingly. Scenes that already have the power to stand alone b...
    Read More
  • Geto Boys
    Geto Boys' Willie D Pleads Guilty To Wire Fraud, Faces 20 Years
    www.vibe.com
    Founding Geto Boys member, Willie D, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud for his involvement ... Geto Boys' Willie D Pleads Guilty To Wire Fraud, Faces 2...
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  • Geto Boys
    Scarface Open To A Rick Rubin-Produced Geto Boys Album
    www.vibe.com
    Legendary Geto Boys frontman Scarface recently sat down with HardKnock TV to discuss the possibility of crafting a new album with his confidants Willi...
    Read More

Tour Dates

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  • Jun 19 Wednesday
    San Francisco, CA, US Yoshi's Jazz Club, San Francisco
    Buy Ticket
  • Jun 22 Saturday
    Columbus, OH, US Lifestyle Communities Pavilion
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  • Jun 22 Saturday
    Denver, CO, US Summit Music Hall
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  • Jun 23 Sunday
    Minneapolis, MN, US First Avenue
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  • Jun 25 Tuesday
    Buffalo, NY, US Town Ballroom
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  • Jun 26 Wednesday
    Washington, DC, US Howard Theatre
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  • Jun 28 Friday
    Providence, RI, US Fête Ballroom
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  • Jun 29 Saturday
    Cambridge, MA, US The Middle East Downstairs
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  • Jun 30 Sunday
    New York, NY, US B.B. King Blues Club and Grill
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Discography

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  • The Foundation (2005)
    Geto Boys
    The Foundation (2005)
    Rap-A-Lot/Asylum
  • Da Good Da Bad & Da Ugly (1998)
    Geto Boys
    Da Good Da Bad & Da Ugly (1998)
    Rap-A-Lot Records
  • The Resurrection (1996)
    Geto Boys
    The Resurrection (1996)
    Virgin
  • Till Death Do Us Part (1993)
    Geto Boys
    Till Death Do Us Part (1993)
    Rap-A-Lot Records
  • We Can't Be Stopped (1991)
    Geto Boys
    We Can't Be Stopped (1991)
    Rap-A-Lot Records
  • Grip It! On That Other Level (1990)
    Geto Boys
    Grip It! On That Other Level (1990)
    Rap-A-Lot Records
  • The Geto Boys (1990)
    Geto Boys
    The Geto Boys (1990)
    Rap-A-Lot Records
  • Making Trouble (1988)
    Geto Boys
    Making Trouble (1988)
    Rap-A-Lot Records
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