Eazy-E's Latino Proteges, Brownside To Release Sophomore Album

The Group Is Cited In Jerry Heller's Upcoming Book, "Ruthless"

The late Eazy-E's sole Latino proteges, The Brownside, have justreleased their second album, "The Takeover." Their first album,"Eastside Drama," issued in 1995, had been slated for release throughEazy-E’s Ruthless label, until the Compton rapper’s tragic death endeda solid paper trail of release agreements that had been signed betweenhimself and the intensely street oriented gangsta rappers. Finallyreturning with “The Takeover,” The Brownside is back again with reallife street cred, history and tracks that have helped give them theiroften verified, authentic “la vida gangsta” reputation.

The Brownside members are Wicked, Trouble and Toker, who iscurrently serving time for a sentence in a federal prison. “I expect tobe out of here by the end of next year,” he promises. In the meantime,however, his album speaks volumes for him.

Eazy’s son, Lil E, still has memories of his father’s close friendToker, from when they escorted the ten-year old mini E aroundDisneyland. “I can’t wait to see Lil E when I am out of here,” saysToker, who adds, “I have a lot to tell him about his father.” Eazy-Eand Toker were such a fixture, that in Jerry Heller’s upcoming book,“Ruthless,” slated for release in late August, Heller begins describingthe end of Eric’s life by writing, “Only a handful of people wereclosest to Eric in the weeks leading up to his death. Toker, aka LittleBeaver, his Latino street connection. The mixmaster Julio G.” Helleralso cites The Brownside in relation to Eric’s both visionary and deepdesire to become involved in the Latin rap movement, a move that wasunfortunately nixed because of his death.

Wicked explains, “Toker and Eazy were blood brothers.” He adds,“Eazy was so supportive of us, he kept trying to talk us into changingthe name of the group to M.W.A., but we never did. He was relentlessabout it. He even wrote these little notes in the studio, trying toconvince us.” He observes, “Eric was really looking forward toreleasing our group on Ruthless, and we played some dates with Eazy andBone Thugs-N-Harmony.” Wicked points to “La Despendida (Farewell)” ashis favorite track on the group’s second album, which is released byP.R. Records. As fate would have it, Trouble and Toker originally metin prison. Toker has stated, “We’re not rappers trying to be gangstas,we’re gangstas trying to be rappers.”

With songs on “The Takeover” like “Life Of A G,” “Who We Are” and ItAin’t Easy” The Brownside stays true to their roots that made Eazy-Etake notice. Trouble reports, “We are representing Southside L.A., alsoknown as “The Skanless. But we know that a lot of other people arerelating to the album, as well.” Wicked notes, “Toker brings the highlife from the street, Trouble brings the drama from on street, and Ibring my own experience from the street.” This virtual coup d’eta canbe heard throughout “The Takeover” on its relentless songs that arepure fiya, including “Standing By Your Grave,” “It’s All Good” and thealbum’s standout track, “Growin’ Up.”

On “The Takeover,” The Brownside proves they are still the ultimateVatos En El Barrio, as they release their explosive new rhymes abouttheir experiences in “The City Of Bangers.”