The Los Angeles-based rap group Above the Law burst onto the scene in the wake of the success of the N.W.A. in the early 1990s. The group, comprised of Big Hutch (aka Cold 187um), KMG the Illustrator, Go Mack and DJ Total K-Ossv, signed with N.W.A. member Easy E's label, Ruthless Records. The name of the label could not have been more fitting for Above the Law. The group's lyrics were merciless and violent themes were common. As the group's name implies, there were no rules when it came to their music.Above the Law's brash, uncompromising style came through loud and clear on the group's debut effort, Livin' Like Hustlers. A steady stream of images of the ghetto life was laid to innovative beats that incorporated funk and hinted at Big Hutch's affinity for jazz. While their lyrical stylings would become increasingly common as the decade progressed, Above the Law's initial work was relatively fresh and brought the group significant success.Black Mafia Life, Above the Law's sophomore full-length, dropped in 1993. Go Mack left the group shortly after the album's release and the group remained a trio for their third release, 1994's Uncle Sam's Curse. It would be the group's final album for Ruthless as they moved to Tommy Boy following Easy E's death.The group released Time Will Reveal, on which Hutch's abilities as a producer were truly revealed. This paved the way for the group to form their own label, West World, on which they'd release one record. In 2000, Suge Knight and the infamous Death Row Records came calling for the services of Big Hutch. Hutch was named house producer and musical director at Death Row and eventually embarked on a solo career. Above the Law disbanded in 2000 without releasing a record on Death Row.
