They were part of the reason records come with parental advisory stickers; they were banned in the United States and they made a Vietnamese prostitute's cat calls seem like hip hop. They are 2 Live Crew and they will be in Athens tonight at the Blue Gator, 63 N. Court St.
What has become perhaps the most controversial rap group in music history, 2 Live Crew began in California with Fresh Kid Ice, DJ Mr. Mixx and Amazing V. They released their first album, Revelation
in 1985, becoming a big success in Florida.
With that success, Fresh Kid Ice and DJ Mr. Mixx moved to Miami and joined up with Brother Marquis and manager Luke Campbell. After releasing two albums with marginal success, 2 Live Crew finally got the big hit they needed.
The year was 1989, and if you were freakin' on the dance floor, you were doing it to 2 Live Crew's Me So Horny. The song was a hit single off the group's third release, Nasty As They Wanna Be.
A year later, 2 Live Crew was battling the Supreme Court for the right to have their music in stores, after a store clerk sold a 2 Live Crew record to a 14-year-old girl.
For them (Supreme Court) to take it that far still is crazy to me but it had to be done to prove a point Fresh Kid Ice said. We did our part with expression and stood up for the lyrics to give rappers nowadays the freedom to express themselves on record.
After Nasty as They Wanna Be
Campbell left the group to pursue a solo career and other artistic endeavors. But Fresh Kid Ice and Brother Marquis continued on with 2 Live Crew, releasing Shake A Little Something in 1996 and The Real One in 1998.
Fast-forward to 2004 and 2 Live Crew is back, but on this tour, the lineup consists of Fresh Kid Ice, Fish'n'Grits, DJ Big Ed and the Me So Horny Dancers. Fresh Kid Ice said he expects to take everyone down memory lane.
Our live show is still on edge
Fresh Kid Ice said. We try to preserve the artistic integrity of our live shows.
This is 2 Live Crew's first visit to Athens, and Fresh Kid Ice said they are excited to perform to a crowd that most likely has never seen a 2 Live Crew performance. He also said the group always hangs out after shows and are always ready to talk to the fans.
That's what it's all about --feeling the music
Fresh Kid Ice said.
Stu Pflaum, also known as DJ Xplosive, will be one of the openers for tonight's show. Pflaum said he plans to spin southern crunk and Miami bass records to make 2 Live Crew feel at home.
I saw 2 Live Crew four years ago at a rave party and got an idea of what goes down at their shows
Pflaum said. Athens hasn't had acts like this come through the town -everyone is definitely in for a shock.
The Symphonics, a local hip hop group, is also set to open for 2 Live Crew. Mike Big City Roberts of the Symphonics said he grew up as a fan of the group.
These guys are seriously wild and
love them or hate them
you have to recognize them as pioneers
Roberts said. To get the chance to play with a group you grew up listening to -it's going to be phenomenal.
Doors open at 10 p.m. and admission is $18.
