Given the infamous violent reputation of rival Los Angeles gangs
the Bloods and
the Crips, it seems impossible that the two could collaborate on a music project, but that's exactly what
the Bloods & Crips did on
Bangin on Wax in 1993, organized by Los Angeles area producer
Ron "Ronnie Ron" Phillips and rapper
Tweedy Bird Loc. The success of
N.W.A. had frustrated many in the gang community, who saw the group capitalizing on the gang lifestyle. Actual gang members and local rappers auditioned in an open tryout, with the best talents from both gangs being chosen to record. Some of the names to make the cut were Red-Rum-781, Sin Loc,
Blue Ragg, Red Rag,
Bloody Mary, and
Lil' Stretch.
Bangin on Wax was recorded in only two weeks and became an underground hit, selling over 400,000 copies and producing the popular single
Piru Love. A second
Bloods & Crips album,
The Saga Continues, came out in 1994, but was the last time the two gangs would collaborate. However, it was not the last of either
the Bloods or
Crips as artists.
Ronnie Ron continues to issue albums from gang members on his Dangerous Records imprint under the names Nationwide Rip Ridaz (
Crips) and Damu Ridaz (
Bloods). Some of the MCs on
Bangin on Wax went on to record as
the Young Soldierz, and
Domino, who went under the name
Genuine Draft, had a hit pop-rap single in 1994 with
Sweet Potatoe Pie.
–
Wade Kergan, Rovi