Was in the mood for some good ol` Bay Area ish so I decided to dust off Young Lay`s 1996 debut album "Black `n Dangerous". With BaNGiN` ass beatS provided by Khayree, Young Lay dropped his distinct tone & flow. Holdin` nothing back, delivering an uncensored & unapologetic view of hood~Life. The album itself is really slept on, so I`m gon` do my part for HiP HoP & slap the sleeperS from SLuMBeR LaND & introduce y`all to Lathan Williams also known as Young Lay...
Honestly this kat should have a movie made about his Life, `cuz it`s some soul~breakin` shit! Only thing is, the ending wouldn`t be so happy. Read along & you`ll see why I feel this way. Young Lay started out rappin` in Vallejo, California, taking part in the Bay Area Rap scene that included such artists as Mac Dre (R.i.P.), E-40, 2Pac (R.i.P.) & Shock G from Digital Underground, amongst many others. In `96 he dropped his first album "Black `n Dangerous" which spawned the hit single "All About My $Fetti", a track that was also featured on the soundtrack for the film "New Jersey Drive". Sounds great right? Well I didn`t mention what happened before the release of his first album...
Several months before "Black `n Dangerous" was released, Lay was shot in the head point~blank range while sitting in a car. FolkS say that jealousy from street katS was the root cause of the shooting, the shooter was never found. Lay recovered remarkably, but was comatose for several days. You`d figured that was enough right?...NoPe, it`s almost like someone didn`t want Young Lay to release his "Black `n Dangerous" album because a few weeks before the album was set to drop Lay`s girlfriend Daphne Boyden was murdered in her home, set on fire & both her & Lay`s 25~day old son Le-Zhan was kidnapped. Due to the numerous personal tragedies & mishaps Young Lay only recorded one more album, dedicated to his missing son Le-Zhan & his deceased baby`s mama Daphne, the album was titled "Unsolved Mysteries" released in 1998. Lay was later tried & convicted for armed robbery, sentenced to 12 years & is currently serving that time at Susanville State Prison...
I told y`all that his Life was some movie script shit! So without further delay, here`s "Black `n Dangerous". Standout jointS include "Got 2 Survive" a posse cut with 2Pac, Ray Luv & Mac Mall, the biter & sucka emcee addressin` "On Da Dick", the funky & laid~back "Livin` `N Da Funk", the catchy synth`D up "Playah`s Mode", the hit single "All About My $Fetti" & "Puff, Puff, Pass", enjoy...
Young Lay - Black `n` DangerousReleased: 1996Label: Atlantic Records1. Sic Set 2. On Da Dick3. Twisted 4. Livin` `N Da Funk 5. Got 2 Survive {ft. 2Pac, Mac Mall & Ray Luv} 6. Ruthless Adolescent 7. Playah's Mode 8. Black `N` Dangerous 9. Stickin` 2 Da Grind 10. All About My $Fetti {ft. Ray Luv & Mac Mall}11. Lawd Have Mercy 12. Puff Puff Pass 13. Playah`s Mode [Rmx] N`JoY...