Anthony Henderson, better known as Krayzie Bone, is an artist with nothing left to prove. In the 90s he and the rest of Bone-Thug-N-Harmony got the attention of Eazy-E and were immediately signed to Ruthless Records where they were able to put Cleveland on the map through their unique brand of melodic gangsta rap (a sound that has resurfaced in a big way thanks to artist like A$AP and the now defunct Raider Klan). In all, Bone Thugs have managed to sell over 25 million records in the US alone, have had 4 of their albums go platinum, and are widely considered to be one of the most successful and influential hip-hop groups of all time.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlugG0NydTw[/youtube]
Krayzie has also proven himself with an illustrious solo career and is one of the few artist who has had collaborations with 2Pac, Notorious B.I.G., Eazy-E, and Big Pun. With all of these accomplishments under his belt at age 42, Krayzie is now ready to explore newer mediums and has announced his final project: a three part super album entitled Chasing The Devil. EARMILK was given the opportunity to examine the artist's current mind-state and inquire about his plans after music.
EARMILK: Religion and the afterlife have always been major motifs in Bone-Thug-N-Harmony's discography. What is the meaning behind the album title Chasing The Devil ?
Krayzie Bone: After being in the entertainment business for so long, you start to realize that a lot of the people in it are on a never-ending pursuit of false happiness, in the form of materialism, fame, and fortune. Especially working in the music industry you see people making all kinds of ethical sacrifices in order to keep up the facade.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFAczz4xE_E[/youtube]
EM: Is this meant to be a a religious album at face value?
KB: This album is meant to reflect reality. It is reality music and I'm just trying to tell it how it is through my own experience. I definitely believe in the bible, and knowing how I came up & where I came from I believe that I am able to relay messages to people who wouldn't normally listen.
EM: What else are you hoping to get across with this project?
aKB: This is my last album. I’m trying to go out a limb to warn people about the entertainment business so that they can avoid the pitfalls. It is a very tricky industry with a lot of crooks and false promises, but a lot of people don’t realize it until it's too late. Instead, kids listen to albums full of all these empty messages. I’m just trying to make something that can give back to the industry and my fans.
EM: Is this really your final project?
KB: It is a three volume album so this is just the first edition. After this, we (BTNH) are going to focus on delivering the final Bone-Thugs-N-Harmony anniversary album. We all want to do more than music so we figured now is the time to focus on other ventures and expand on our legacy. It’s been 25 years so we’ve basically said all we had to say. I want to take a backseat and try my hand at other things.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wS1iZRIuKk[/youtube]
EM: How do you think your sound has evolved? Have you ever feel a need to adapt to the current trends?
KB: Nah, I have never felt the need to adapt to the current trends because we are and have always have been trendsetters since day one. We have always been outcasts who experimented with flows and melody. I don’t like blending in. But we have always stayed true and have been consistent. We created our lane and never felt like we had to copy anyone. Bone Thugs N Harmony paved the way for all of these singer/rapper cats today.
EM: Do you feel like you have accomplished all you’ve needed to as an artist?
KB: I feel like that is not really something that I focus on. When I sit down and read comments and emails from people tell me that their music have saved their life, that is the biggest accomplishment. when I hear from a fan that it was our music that stopped them from committing suicide, that is what I do it for.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9IXAJg4Vm0[/youtube]
EM: What are your thoughts on the current hip-hop scene?
KB: It is what it is, I mean I like some of the stuff I hear, I’m not crazy about a lot of it but it is what it is. Hip-hop is always evolving so it’s never going to be like how it was back in the day, and that is a good thing, regardless of whether I like it or not.
EM: Whats next for you?
KB: I’m currently working on a TV series that will hopefully get picked up by a network (HBO, Showtime , Netflix, etc.) It’s going to be called BACKSTAGE and it’s going to focus on the nitty and gritty of the industry. People are probably going to compare it to Empire, but it’s going to be based off of my own experiences and way more realistic. It’s going to cover everything, from music to movies..
EM: Any words of advice for those trying to get into the music business?
KB: My words would be to really sit back and consider whether you really want to get into this business, because the music business is 10% music and 90% business. Take the time to understand the inner-workings, really know what you are signing before you sign anything and make sure that the numbers make sense. You may toil for a while before you can make it into the big leagues, so be ready for the grind.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAYJ0RinoCQ[/youtube]
Make sure to check out the first part of Krayzie Bone's Chasing the Devil LP on Itunes and Spotify!
