A fascinating story involving Bone Thugs-n-Harmony and an aspiring Japanese rapper captivated Hip Hop fans last year.
Ryo Muranaka sold everything he owned and flew over 6,000 miles to Cleveland in an attempt to track down his rap “heroes.” But instead of finding Bizzy Bone, Layzie Bone, Krayzie Bone, Wish Bone and Flesh-N-Bone upon arrival — he got robbed. Local activists James Norton and Kwas Bibbs discovered him alone, broke and stripped of all his luggage.
An outpouring of support followed and word of Muranaka’s plight ultimately made it to Layzie, who briefly put him up in a hotel.
“My initial reaction was I didn’t think too much of it because we’ve had so many fans throughout our careers come from around the world to 99th St. Clair either looking for us or trying to take photos,” Krayzie told HipHopDX at the time. “I thought it was just another fan, but when I heard this dude sold all of his belongings to come to Cleveland I was like, ‘WTH?’
“I commend him for his determination and passion for what he’s trying to do because I can relate. I’m quite sure he heard our story and how we pursued Eazy-E and this is what inspired him.”
Bizzy also attempted to help Muranaka as well, offering to buy him a ticket back to his native country.
“I’ll get the man a ticket to get back home,” Bizzy told Fox 8 Cleveland. “I’m putting my hands out there on behalf of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony to say we do care. And we just want to help the kid, and we appreciate him coming to see us.”
Japanese Rapper Travels To Cleveland Hoping To Meet Bone Thugs — Gets Robbed Instead
Over nine months later, Layzie tells DX he’s actually been working with Muranaka who’s still in the United States.
“He came down and pursued Bone Thugs-n Harmony, particularly me,” he said in a recent interview with DX’s Kyle Eustice. “He got robbed standing on E. 99, so I had to have some staff members go get him. It kind of reminded me of us going to L.A. to try to find Eazy-E but at the same time, this man came to another country. So, I had my family book him a hotel. After that, I’ve just been developing his talent.
“I don’t play games. Baby, I do this. You know what I’m saying? I’m a visionary. I’ve been working with him through my connections, through my family, through the ones that I trust to develop talent and things like that. Everything happens for a reason. He came to me. Everybody else got involved later. It was definitely a learning experience for him.”
Krayzie used the experience to tell a cautionary tale for other emboldened artists.
“I will also say this to other fans and artist that are looking to do the same thing as us or this gentleman did — follow your dreams by all means, but you have to be very careful when you go to places you know nothing about,” he told DX last October. “We’re not from the suburbs, we’re from the ghetto.
“The area we grew up in is not nice by any means, and I’m just thankful all they took from him was his luggage and not his life because it gets real like that. So, be very careful and have some kind of plan.”
Check out Part I and Part II of HipHopDX’s interview with Layzie Bone here and here.
My favorite group of all time…undeniable legends and trend setters who’s influence is still prevalent to this day. However, Bone ain’t never developed 1 artist into shit since they started trying in ’96. Despite having a few good talents, nobody has ever come out of a Bone label and did anything of note. No disrespect just truth. With that said I’m glad them Bone boys showed they got compassion for someone who they’ve obviously influenced in a special way…Major respect to Bone for this
Bone just doesnt have the power to develop artists, especially now that theyre independent and havent dropped a real group album in 10 years. This kid isnt going to make it anywhere
True statement nobody was ever really a success under Bone Thugs, but the most important thing is they tried. They tried to put they whole hood on, sometimes it just don’t work. It wasn’t all of Bone thugs fault that those artist didn’t make it, some fault goes to the artist directly, to the labels over Bone, and some blame on Bone. Yea bone lack of business knowledge, patience, and immaturity caused some of those artist somethings, but let’s also keep it real would anybody else even have gave them a shot??? especially coming out of Cleveland most likely not. Some of those artist didn’t understand their roles, just like a sports team everybody plays certain roles. Bone was just putting people on that they grew up with. Also have to be honest none of the artist under them were talented. 2 tru was dope, felecia was dope, thin c had talent, But if they had 25 people under them only like 3-4 had real talent. So basically do you blame Bone for them not blowing up or do you give Bone the credit for putting in the effort of putting them on?
Yeah, and also u have to understand Bone Thugs were still new to the Business at the time. It’s hard to manage a label of Artists while being an Artist at the same time.
Like u said, Bone thugs lacked the Business Knowledge to get it done, and they were going through their own Situation as Artists with Ruthless records as well as within the Group, notably with Bizzy and Flesh.
Slow day
why? this is an actual story. first article in a while i actually read. a man pursuing his dream.
This was reported time ago
You clearly didn’t read it. It’s an update from Layzie. Duh.
I remember this story.
Good to see this kid is ok I hope he can find some success. Would be smart on Bone part to send him back to his home country and rap over their and rep the Bone brand if he has talent, it would grow their brand. He would have a better shot over there were he is from then here.
This story could have ended extremely bad, glad those activist step in glad Bone reached out and helped
Bone Thugs real as faqq! RESPECT!
Glad nothing happened to the guy but it’s hella ‘Stanish’
Got robbed by bum ass clowns with no dreams… Now he’s living his and I’m sure the clowns who robbed him are still bumming!
Glad this story is taking a turn for the better but how about a look back at East 1999 Eternal, it’s the 25 anniversary.