2 Live Crew

2 Live Crew is one of the most controversial rap groups ever, largely due to the sexual themes of one album, As Nasty As They Wanna Be (1989).

As Nasty As They Wanna Be

As Nasty As They Wanna Be (1989) became the group's biggest hit, largely because of the single Me So Horny, which was popular in spite of little radio play, thanks, in part, to prevalent play on MTV. The song was based on a quote from a Vietnamese prostitute in Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket.

Related Topics:
Me So Horny - Kubrick's - Full Metal Jacket

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The American Family Association did not think the presence of a "Parental Advisory" sticker was enough to adequately warn listeners of what was inside the case. A lawyer affiliated with the AFA, Jack Thompson, met with Florida Governor Bob Martinez and convinced him to look in the album to see if it met the legal classification of "obscene." It was decided in 1990 that action should be taken at the local level and Nick Navarro, Broward County sheriff received a ruling from Judge Mel Grossman that probable cause for obscenity violations existed. Navarro warned record store owners that selling the album may be prosecutable. 2 Live Crew filed a suit against Navarro. That June, Judge Jose Gonzalez ruled against the album, declaring it obscene and illegal to sell. Charles Freeman, a local retailer, was arrested two days later after selling a copy to an undercover police officers, followed by the arrest of three members of 2 Live Crew after they performed some material from the album at a performance. They were acquitted soon after.

Related Topics:
American Family Association - Parental Advisory - Jack Thompson - Florida - Bob Martinez - Obscene - 1990 - Nick Navarro - Broward County - Sheriff - Mel Grossman - Probable cause - Jose Gonzalez - Charles Freeman - Retail

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As a result of the controversy, As Nasty As They Wanna Be sold over two million copies. A few other retailers were later arrested for selling it as well. The publicity then continued when George Lucas, owner of the Star Wars universe, sued Mr. Campbell for appropriating the name from his franchise. Mr. Campbell changed his stage name to Luke and then released an extremely political solo album Banned in the USA, legally securing the rights to Bruce Springsteen's Born in the USA.

Related Topics:
As Nasty As They Wanna Be - George Lucas - Star Wars - Political - Banned in the USA - Bruce Springsteen - Born in the USA

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In 1991, 2 Live Crew released the very first live rap album, Live in Concert, and Sports Weekend, a full-length studio original. Neither lived up to the sales that they experienced with As Nasty As They Wanna Be. The 2 Live Crew members went their own ways after this.

Related Topics:
1991 - Rap album - Live in Concert - Sports Weekend

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In 1992, a Court of Appeals overturned the obscenity ruling from Jose Gonzales, and the decision was then upheld by the Supreme Court of the United States. Fresh Kid Ice and Mr. Mixx released unreleased tracks from pre-Luke 2 Live Crew Deal With This under the name Rock on Crew, while Luke and Ice also released new solo albums, I Got Shit on My Mind and The Chinaman, respectively.

Related Topics:
1992 - Court of Appeals - Supreme Court of the United States - Deal With This - I Got Shit on My Mind - The Chinaman

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