Three years after a ruptured artery in his lung nearly killed him, Krayzie Bone is back with a renewed sense of purpose, a new Bone Thugs-n-Harmony album in the works, a Hollywood Walk of Fame star on the way, and, notably, no weed in his life anymore.
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony are one of the only rap groups in history to have collaborations with both The Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur. Sprinkle in tracks with Snoop Dogg, Big Pun, Mariah Carey, Phil Collins, Eazy-E and Busta Rhymes, and it’s no mystery why the Cleveland natives are consistently mentioned among the hip-hop greats.
“It ain’t like we did it on purpose, that’s just the way it happened,” Krayzie Bone says. “It’s a wonderful thing to have that résumé and be able to work with artists that are legendary as well. That just solidifies our legacy.”
Bone Thugs’ legacy was set in motion with the 1994 release of Creepin’ on Ah Come Up, the group’s Ruthless Records debut. The eight-track EP included the singles “Thuggish Ruggish Bone” and “Foe tha Love of $” featuring the label’s founder, N.W.A legend Eazy-E, which helped push the project to No. 12 on the Billboard 200.
But before Bone Thugs could release their sophomore effort, E. 1999 Eternal, Eazy-E died from complications stemming from HIV/AIDS in March 1995, prompting the group to reimagine an older song of theirs, which would eventually become their first No. 1 hit, “Tha Crossroads.” The track debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 then jumped to the top, where it remained for eight consecutive weeks. It later won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.
Bone Thugs, Krayzie Bone, Layzie Bone, Bizzy Bone, Wish Bone and Flesh-n-Bone, has remained active over the last 30 years building their brand, touring, recording and tackling everything life throws at them. In late 2023, Krayzie Bone nearly died from a ruptured artery in his lung, which doctors say was caused by holes in his lungs related to sarcoidosis. He was hospitalized for several days and put in a medically induced coma. He managed to survive and emerge from the incident with a renewed sense of purpose.
A New Chapter, A New Album
He also got back to work. In 2025, Bone Thugs signed a deal with Greenback Records, a label venture co-founded by UFC fighter Conor McGregor. Their latest single, “Awww Shit,” was released in December of that year, signaling a new chapter for all five MCs. Now, they’re cooking up another group album.
“We in the studio working,” Krayzie says. “We got like maybe two more sessions to get in to critique and finish up everything, but it’s been going really well. The chemistry has been there. We’re just waiting to set up the structure for the whole rollout.”
“Awww Shit” boasts more than 1.2 million views on YouTube, a testament to their staying power.
“The connection made with our fans all those years ago was a real connection,” Krayzie says. “It wasn’t nothing fake about it. It wasn’t gimmicky. It wasn’t a fake image. It was just us, and that resonated with people because it was real. We didn’t come out with a gimmick. We didn’t come out with none of that. We just came out with our style. That’s all we did and changed the game a little bit.”
Krayzie is being modest. Bone Thugs essentially invented and popularized a rapid-fire “chopper” style of rapping combined with melodic harmonizing. They’ve influenced a slew of artists in their wake, from Kendrick Lamar, who sampled “Notorious Thugs” on 2015’s “Hood Politics,” to J. Cole, who borrowed from “1st of the Month” for 2011’s “God’s Gift.”
Why the “Budsmokers Only” Rapper Put the Weed Down
But as time has gone on, Krayzie Bone, now 52, has matured in ways that have drastically shifted how he both raps and lives, which is evident on his latest solo album, 2024’s Chasing the Devil: Chapter 2 Salvation. Even before his near-death experience, the pen behind songs like “Buddha Lovaz” and “Budsmokers Only” had put the weed down. The medical emergency only strengthened his resolve.
“It had a lot to do with it, but I was already on that journey and making that shift before it even happened,” he explains. “I had quit smoking weed before already. I was reflecting on everything and looking at the times we were living in and I’m like, ‘Yo bro, I’m a grown man.’ What I look like putting out here to these younger generation stuff that I used to do as a youngster when I see what kind of damage it has done. All that played a factor. I’m in my 50s now. I’m not about to be talking about the same thing I talked about when I was 20. I had a whole different mentality. I was young, dumb and out of control.”
He continues, “Now I move with way more precaution. I think before I move. Everything just ain’t up or spontaneous. I’m not swinging blows just to strike the air these days. I’m aiming my blows directly so that when I’m trying to hit something, I hit the target for real.”
I’m in my 50s now. I’m not about to be talking about the same thing I talked about when I was 20.
Krayzie Bone
The Next Mission: Cleveland
That includes giving back to his hometown of Cleveland. Krayzie’s nonprofit, the Spread the Love Foundation (STLF), is a priority these days. As stated on its website, STLF’s purpose is to “advance urban youth development and criminal justice reform, provide community services for vulnerable families, promote cultural equity for hip-hop culture and support mental health wellness for nonprofit professionals.” Krayzie considers it his next chapter.
“Helping to revitalize the neighborhood and things like that, that’s what I’m into now,” he says. “That’s the next mission in life for me. It’s a wonderful thing. One thing that really made me happy is seeing the people of the community and how much they appreciate it. I know a lot of people probably thought, ‘Oh yeah, they not never coming back here.’ But the whole time, I’ve been just trying to figure out how to go back. Earlier in our careers, it wasn’t the time. We was young. We didn’t have the mindset to stay in one place. It wouldn’t have went the right way if I would have done it back then, but now I’m settled and I can focus on different things. Now is the time to make an impact on the community.”
Cleveland is reciprocating that love. In 2023, Bone Thugs’ old stomping grounds near the intersection of E. 99th Street and St. Clair Avenue was renamed Bone Thugs-n-Harmony Way by the City of Cleveland. Then on July 8, 2026, Bone Thugs will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a momentous occasion for the once motley crew.
“That’s gonna feel so cool to look down and see that name, along with all these other names that have made history,” he says. “Everybody I talk to from Cleveland said they’re going to be there. I got a feeling our Hollywood star ceremony is going to turn into a show or something. It’s going to be a celebration and a time for Bone to reflect and just look at everything we’ve done, where we’ve gone and what’s next in the future.”
Next up is a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which is headquartered in Cleveland. For an artist to be eligible, their first album must be at least 25 years old. E. 1999 Eternal crossed that line in 2020, making a nomination long overdue.
“It would be huge to us because we’re actually from Cleveland,” he points out. “To make it in that would be a great thing, but I’m really not tripping. Every time it’s another rap group or a rapper, our fans always hit us talking about like, ‘Wow, I see they skipped you again.’ But Wu-Tang Clan is in this year, and I’m happy for them. If our day come, it come.”
Bone Thugs will serve as support on the upcoming Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber Tour. The 26-date run kicks off August 27 in Darien Center, New York, and wraps up October 4 in Phoenix, Arizona.
