The West Coast All-Stars: We're All In The Same Gang (1990)

"In 1988, violence at rap concerts and black-on-black crime inspired Boogie Down Productions leader KRS-One to found the Stop the Violence Movement and produce the all-star single "Self Destruction." That project was dominated by East Coast rappers, and some Californians wondered why more West Coast rappers hadn't been asked to participate. They reasoned that because black-on-black crime was as serious a problem in L.A. and Oakland as it was in New York, more West Coast MCs should have been part of Stop the Violence. So in 1990, some of California's top rappers formed the West Coast Rap All-Stars and recorded We're All in the Same Gang, which became California's equivalent of Stop the Violence. The list of participants is impressive -- Dr. Dre, Quincy Jones III (son of the famous Quincy Jones), and Bilal Bashir are among the producers, and the rappers include Ice-T, Tone Loc, MC Hammer, King Tee, Young MC, Def Jef, and members of N.W.A, Digital Underground, Oaktown's 357, and Above the Law. Though some of the material is fun and escapist, the CD's overriding theme is a sociopolitical one -- inner-city residents are encouraged to unite and put an end to black-on-black crime. The most compelling tracks include the title song, the South Central Posse's "Livin' in South Central L.A.," and MC Supreme's "Black in America." Although generally enjoyable, the album on the whole isn't the all-out gem it could have been -- some of the songs are excellent, while others are merely decent. But while We're All in the Same Gang isn't perfect, its historic value is undeniable." -- Alex Henderson, Allmusic.com The West Coast Rap All-Stars We're All In The Same Gang Featuring – Above The Law, Body & Soul*, Def Jef, Digital Underground, Eazy-E, Ice-T, J.J. Fad, King Tee, M.C. Hammer*, Michel'le, N.W.A., Oaktown's 3.5.7*, Tone Lōc*, Young M.C.* Producer – Dr. Dre Written-By – The West Coast Rap All-Stars 2 –New World Mafia I Got Style 7:26 Producer – D.J. Scratch*, Michael Concepcion Written-By – D.J. Scratch*, Varsi V. 3 –Juvenile Committee Let's Have Some Fun 10:30 Producer – Quincy D. Jones III* Written-By – Kevin "Kev" Hicks* 4 –Soula Soul Sista 14:42 Producer – E'Ban Kelly*, Michael Concepcion, Paul Arnold Written-By – E'Ban Kelly*, Soula 5 –Latin Kings (2) Tumba La Casa (Rock The House) 19:03 Producer – Broadway (2), Livin' Concept Written-By – Kool Hec'si' 6 –M.C. Supreme Black In America 23:03 Producer – Bilal Bashir, E'Ban Kelly*, Leonard Richardson Written-By – Dr. A. Noel, E'Ban Kelly*, M.C. Supreme 7 –M.C. KRZ* Keep Funkin' It 28:16 Co-producer – D.J. Scratch* Producer – Johnny Jackson Written-By – M.C. KRZ* 8 –Sugar, Spice & Everything Nice We Came To Dance 31:26 Co-producer [Additional Production] – Broadway (2) Producer – Bilal Bashir, E'Ban Kelly* Written-By – Kevin "Kool" Grant 9 –South Central Posse* Livin' In South Central L.A. 35:43 Co-producer [Additional Production] – Broadway (2) Producer – D.J. Scratch* Written-By – South Central Posse* 10 –M.C. Superb Featuring D.J. Pressure* Get Up And Dance. 40:25 Co-producer [Additional Production] – Broadway (2) Producer – Jinx (5) Written-By – M.C. Superb 11 –The West Coast Rap All-Stars We're All In The Same Gang (Gangster Mix) 44:37 Featuring – Above The Law, Body & Soul*, Def Jef, Digital Underground, Eazy-E, Ice-T, J.J. Fad, King Tee, M.C. Hammer*, Michel'le, N.W.A., Oaktown's 3.5.7*, Tone Lōc*, Young M.C.* Producer – Dr. Dre Written-By – The West Coast Rap All-Stars ##### Reelblack's mission is to educate, elevate, entertain, enlighten, and empower through Black film. If there is content shared on this platform that you feel infringes on your intellectual property, please email me at [email protected] and [email protected] with details and it will be promptly removed.