When the world-famous rapper Krayzie Bone came home to Cleveland in 2019, he noticed that the city he loves was somewhat in decline. He decided to do something about it to see if he could help make a difference for at-risk youth using music to change the lives of young people.
Anthony Henderson, whose stage name is Krayzie Bone, rose to fame with the rap group, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, composed of rappers Bizzy Bone, Wish Bone, Layzie Bone, Krayzie Bone, and Flesh-n-Bone formed in 1991 in Cleveland, Ohio. The group signed with fellow rapper Eazy-E’s Ruthless Records in late 1993, on which they debuted with their EP Creepin on ah Come Up the next year.
The EP included their breakout hit single “Thuggish Ruggish Bone.” In 1995 the group released its second album E. 1999 Eternal, which included hits “1st of tha Month” and “East 1999.” Their hit song “Tha Crossroads,” a tribute to then-recently deceased mentor Eazy-E, won a Grammy in 1997.
From the group’s success, Krayzie Bone went on to create several solo projects and continued to make music into the 2000s. While making music, Bone never forgot where he came from and continued to champion the city he loved.
“When I came home, I noticed that there was a need to help the kids in the area. So, I started an organization that would help at-risk youth, using music, as a way to get back and stay on track,” Bone said.
That organization, Spread the Love Foundation, works with kids who are in trouble in school or with the law and provides them with a foundation to improve themselves using music as a guide for a better life.
Bone serves as the chairman and CEO of the foundation and invests his financial and personal time with the kids to ensure that they have a better outcome.
“Back when we were younger, as artists, we didn’t have the time or knowledge to give back,” Bone said. “However, now that I have kids, and I understand what it means to have the proper support systems, I wanted to create a new way out for those kids who are struggling today.”
His efforts are paying off. Bone recently visited second and third graders for story time at Franklin D. Roosevelt Academy, a school in Cleveland, Ohio, to read and spend time with them.
The special occasion centered around Bone reading to the kids for story time and he gave out books to about twenty-five students. Krayzie Bone’s vision is to spark the career interests of the kids by providing a launchpad for artists in Cleveland and helping Cleveland Metropolitan School District students gain insight into various career paths within urban arts and entertainment.
“I have a lot of memories here; I don’t want those memories to disappear. So, I started calling people together and decided that I wanted to do something for the city,” Bone said.
And he’s doing just that. Bone Thugs-n-Harmony celebrated three decades of iconic music at the House of Blues Cleveland for their 30th Anniversary Recognition VIP Reception, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to honor the legendary group’s milestone.
During the celebration, Bone introduced his third class of graduates from his diversion program. The kids were introduced and rewarded for their efforts to change their lives for the better by using music to create a better future for themselves.
But Bone doesn’t want to just help them, he wants to be an asset to them as they embark on their own music careers.
“I also wanted to teach younger artists the business. The music business can be pretty lopsided and I wanted to give any young aspiring artist some knowledge so that they can go into the business with a little awareness that these corporate giants try to push on us when we’re young and know nothing about it,” Bone explained.
Bone and the music industry have seen so much change in the last thirty years. When Bone Thugs n Harmony was popular, you needed a record label to help get your music launched and heard on the radio. Today, with the internet and social media, artists can push their own music out and make it on their own.
“You see how these influencers and these kids become famous overnight. If you have good music and you stick to it, you don’t need a record label,” Bone said.
Bone warns about the traps of taking a large recording contract. He explains that the money used to create and promote an artist is not theirs. That money needs to be paid back before the artist can see a dime. He’s using his experience and intellect to not only change lives but create a whole new generation of artists.
All photos were taken by Stay Focused Films.
What Bone never expected was the impact that helping others would have on him. Bone Thugs-n-Harmony’s music is timeless and the impact that the group has on society has been incredible. When Bone decided to start his non-profit, he never expected to get back as much as he was giving.
Today, the group’s music is enjoying a rebirth. TikTok and Instagram Reels are using their platforms to spread the group’s music all over social media and the internet, rekindling a love affair with the group. Starting in 2025, the group is going to embark on their first world tour giving fans all over a taste of what made them famous over thirty years ago.
“Man, it’s amazing to see this younger generation now discovering our music. They like it, they have all kinds of videos with it, we love it,” Bone said. “It’s wonderful for the music to be timeless and we feel lucky to be blessed to have so many people still appreciate us as a group.”
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony’s music was special because the music had edge but it was clean. They didn’t create offensive music for women, they didn’t rap about violence and murder. The music showered its listeners with incredible beats and rhythms that made people dance and sing along.
Krayzie Bone is doing what he promised. He’s making a difference in his community and saving the world — one beat at a time. ●
