2 Live Crew is a controversial rap group, largely due to the sexual themes of one album, As Nasty As They Wanna Be (1989).
The 2 Live Crew formed as three men in the Air-Force all became stationed in Riverside California in 1983. Inspired by Planet Rock and Pretty Tony records, they put the group together with the intentions of “sustaining the 808 kick drum”. They recorded their first release in 1984 which became a staple of Luke Skywalker and The Ghetto Style DJ’s in Miami. The group travelled to Miami to perform at Luke’s “Pac Jam” teen club, also landing live mix show slots on Steven J Grey’s WEDR radio show. Shortly after, Amazing V left the group and Fresh Kid Ice along with Mr. Mixx moved to Miami, hiring Luke Skyywalker as their manager. In 1986, the act was hired to perform WEDR’s Dade County Youth Fair, adding fellow California rapper Brother Marquis of The Caution Crew, and recorded the opening song to their album live. After realizing their shows lacked stage presence, they decided to add Luke to the group as a stage hypeman. Reacting to the crowd’s dirty dancing they saw in Miami, they responded by recording suggestive music, which evolved into full fleged x-rated music. Once major labels came to Luke in hopes of recruiting the group away from Luke Skyywalker Records, Luke finally clamped down and had the group sign contracts. On the heels of “As Nasty as they Wanna Be”, Luke decided to record an album in his own name with the massive aid of 2 Live Crew. When the crew recived a small flat fee for their work on Luke’s album rather than receiving royalties, the group secretly broke up over money. Mr. Mixx moved to Oakland forming T-Shirt & Khakis Productions, and Brother Marquis moved to Atlanta forming the group 2 Nazty; however, Luke convinced them to record one more album. During the recording process, sample clearances became an issue, making the record less than their expectations. The crew remained broken up, suing Luke for back royalties. Fresh Kid Ice backed out of the suit, remained with Luke Records, and reformed as “The New 2 Live Crew” for one album. Finally, he too left Luke and the three core members regrouped signing with Luke’s former business associate Lil Joe Weinstein, but the album was not marketed well. The filmakers behind the film “Friday” contacted Luke for a new 2 Live Crew song for the soundtrack not knowing the group had broken up. Luke convinced them to regroup under Luke’s tutelage again for one song, but that was the last time all four members would work together. Since then, various members have recorded and toured as 2 Live Crew, licensing the name from Lil Joe Weinstein |
