The Geto Boys haven’t released a proper studio album since 2005’s The Foundation. The original lineup has changed drastically over the years, and with the 2019 death of Bushwick Bill, the Geto Boys Hip Hop fans once knew are no more. But that doesn’t mean Scarface and Willie D can’t continue their legacy.
On Monday (June 28), Scarface posted a photo of what looks like album art featuring the surviving members dressed in black suits with the words “Geto Boys Reloaded” at the top, no caption. The post quickly caught the attention from some of Hip Hop’s most notable names, including Alchemist, DJ Premier, Black Sheep’s Dres, Mia X, Goodie Mob, Gang Starr, Kid Capri and more.
Even Parliament-Funkadelic legend George Clinton was hyped about the upcoming venture, adding dozens of celebratory emojis in the comment section. But judging by the iHeart Radio logo in the left corner, it’s likely their new podcast.
Originally comprised of Raheem, The Sire Jukebox and Sir Rap-A-Lot, the Geto Boys eventually added the late DJ Ready Red, Prince Johnny C and Little Billy (a dancer who would eventually become known as Bushwick Bill) once Raheem and Rap-A-Lot left. Following the release of 1988’s ill-fated Making Trouble debut, Rap-A-Lot Records dropped Sire Jukebox and Johnny C and recruited Willie D and Scarface.
A year later, the new incarnation of the Geto Boys (then spelled Ghetto Boys) released Grip It! That Other Level, which was primarily produced by Ready Red and often considered their breakout album. Although the project peaked at just No. 166 on the Billboard 200 chart, it laid the foundation for 1990’s self-titled album featuring revamped tracks by Rick Rubin as well as 1991’s platinum-selling album We Can’t Be Stopped.
The album art was somewhat controversial. Taken at a hospital, the photo finds Bushwick Bill on a gurney shortly after he was shot in the eye during a domestic dispute. Prior to his death, Bill expressed regret over the decision to take the photograph.
“It still hurts me to look at that cover because that was a personal thing I went through,” he told Check The Technique author Brian Coleman in 2007. “I still feel the pain from the fact I’ve got a bullet in my brain… I think it was pretty wrong to do it, even though I went along with the program at first.”
Bushwick Bill Reportedly Dead At 52
Even so, the album went on to sell over a million copies thanks in part to the single “Mind Playing Tricks On Me.”
But in 2015, Scarface was adamant he’d never do another Geto Boys album, telling The Breakfast Club, “That’s over. That’s a page in history that is closed for me. I’m done. That’s never going to happen again.”
Bushwick Bill was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in February 2019 and passed away, four months later in a Colorado hospital, officially putting that possibility to rest. For now, Geto Boys fans will have to wait on the next chapter.
so no Big Mike inclusion in the history lol guess burnin down a studio to show he wasnt no punk gets supressed by the big boss hogg
Big Mike burned down the 1st RapALot office so that’s probably a no for J.Prince….not to mention
some of their masters we ruined
Wow ? I wasn’t aware of big mike burning a studio down and can still talk about it.
We need one more Geto Boys double album with Big Mike and one more Scarface double album with 22 to 25 tracks that is all
The podcast symbol is even in the bottom left corner lol
We Can’t Be Stopped came out in 1991.
I was gonna say. Scarface himself said he pretty much finished with rap, so I was a bit confused at first.
This geto boys album is gonna be super epic dope word up it’s about time these brothas is dropping a new joint the culture needs more classic hip hop groups to drop new joints we need that unity
Y’all dummies Brad said he’s not into rapping right now. This a podcast rollout.
That’s Premier on the photo, you idiot.
I guess the editor doesn’t know Premo was in Gang Starr, since she mentions DJ Premier twice – once as DJ Premier and once as Gang Starr (considering he’s the only member left, the group name is really just the same as DJ Premier)
This is definitely going to be a podcast. The bottom right hand side shows the Black Effect logo which is Charlemagne The God’s podcast network. Willie D been doing his thing with his show/podcast and we all know Face has very strong opinions. This should be good.
Yo! Yo! I don’t give a damn whether it’s an album or a podcast I just want to see Geto Boys back in action and doin’ something for the culture you feel me?.