The Story Behind Above The Law’s Uncle Sam Curse album

RUTHLESS RECORDS 30 MILLION DISTRIBUTION WITH RELATIVITY

Ever since the departure of NWA, Eazy E had to find ways to rebuild the Ruthless Records empire to the heights it had achieved during the height of its success. Not only did alleged shady business practices break up the group but they had also lost talent such as Dr Dre, D.O.C., and Michelle, Ice Cube had left in 1989 so Dr Dre taking his hit making talents along with the D.O.C.’s improvising musical ear and Michel’le was a heavy blow. To make matters even worse, Dr Dre and Ice Cube emerged as next level superstars on their own and sold millions which overshadowed Ruthless during that period. But Eazy E wasn’t gonna let the departure of his major players stop him.. He released 187 um Its On It’s Dr Dre Killa as a response to Dr Dre and Death Row Records . The Record was a big success selling 2 million copies and Ruthless’s cold streak was perceived as over.

The 30 Million dollar distribution deal opened up a new lane and direction for Ruthless. Eazy went on to sign Bone Thugs N Harmony, BG Knocc Out, Menjatwa, Silk E Fyne, Blood of Abraham, H.W.A. and already focused on veterans such as Mc Ren, Above The Law, Kokane and basically reshaping business. Ruthless Records was ready for a comeback and Above The Law’s Uncle Sam was another one of those bricks that were gonna rebuild the house.

THE MUSICAL DIRECTION FROM BLACK MAFIA LIFE TO UNCLE SAM’S CURSE

Above The Law(Cold 187um, The late KMG and LayLaw, Kokane, Go Member- and DJ Total K-Oss) has always been one of the most respected and overlooked groups of not only the West Coast but hip hop period. Albums such as “Livin Like Hustlers” and “Black Mafia Life” sonically are different albums with “Uncle Sam’s Curse” going into a more serious direction. Eazy E has never been shy of pushing the line for controversy in mirroring reality and this album was no exception. I remember the crazy commercials(now banned) featured disturbing images of the KKK chasing the group past a church with burning torches and a white “Uncle Sam” pulling a newborn African-American baby from his Mother’s arms. The album was tackling serious issues such as racism, The Rodney King Riots.

Cold 187um(whom pioneered G Funk) didn’t want to come out with a sound identical to their previous album. The sound at times reflect a darker and serious tone as can be heard on “The G in Me”, the album title Track “Uncle Sam Curse” (which samples Mississippi Burnings Monologue about the Ku Klux Klan) tackles the root of police brutality and explotation by the prison industrial complex. Another one of my favorite songs is the very somber but grim “Gangsta Madness” which tackles the reality of gang violence in the hood.

But not all of “Uncle Sam’s Curse” is serious.. Its lighter moments consist of Kalifornia which pays homage to their homeland(Panamá) and should be held in the same vein as pro California songs such as California Love, Nuttin But a G Thang, and more. Black Superman remains as possibly one of the Above The Law’s most popular songs to date and set the tone perfectly for what the theme of the album is all about.

“He comes in and the last song we play was ‘Black Superman.’ After it goes off, he says that’s the single. He never picked any of our singles. He said the reason why ‘Black Superman’ is the single is it explains what the whole album is going to be about.” Cold 187um on why Eazy E picked “Black Superman” for the first single.

Uncle Sam’s Curse 30 Years later

“Uncle Sam’s Curse” was the last album Above The Law recorded for Ruthless before moving on to different labels later on down the road. Black Superman and Kalifornia remain as West coast staplement songs to this day. Black Superman could be heard on GTA V and Kalifornia has remained as one of the most underated West Coast anthems. The album sonically still sounds fresh as it was released 30 years ago.