He is arguably the most captivating, and reportedly the most troubled member of one of the greatest Hip Hop groups to date, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. Ever since its conception (formed in 1991 under B.O.N.E. Enterpri$e) all the way through its juggernaut rise, Byron McCane, aka, Bizzy Bone, captured the attention and hearts of Hip Hop fans world-wide with nothing but impeccably reflective rhymes and his teeth in the technique: exceedingly fast raps over BTNH’s signature melodic flows. The youngest member of the group instantly became a favorite among the favorites. Aside from his crucial contribution to BTNH’s most successful records to date (Creepin on ah Come Up, E 1999 Eternal, The Art of War) Columbus, Ohio’s native also released 11 major and Independent studio albums in the past decade, including his most recent release, A Song For You, featuring DMX, Twista and Jim Jones (among others).

Often leaving his members to explain the group’s status without him, it seemed at times that Bizzy himself was unaware of his standing among his Bone brothers. Rumors of alleged drug and alcohol abuse remained consistent in Hip Hop media, as did reports of Bizzy’s eccentric behaviors (such as shaving off his long locks or appearing on stage drunk.) Despite Flesh n Bone’s decade-long incarceration (and his recent release from prison), Bizzy Bone has managed to remain the most distinguished member of the group, staying honest and dedicated to his fans and his music through the good, the bad, and the ugly. And despite all his trials and tribulations, he leaves them yearning for more. In the midst of recording the new album with BTNH, HipHopDX caught up with Mr. McCane to discuss the reunification of BTNH, A Song For You, and everything and anything from religion and his children, to Bizzy’s funny bone.

HipHopDX: Were you at the video shoot for Game’s “The Life” last night?
Bizzy Bone: We didn’t actually have the opportunity to meet with them but we drove past there; unfortunately we had to do some Bone Thugs-N-Harmony [click to read] studio time so we’re really concentrating and focusing on the unity right now of the entire crew.

DX: Let’s talk about that. It seems as though the Bone reunification happened out of nowhere. How did it come about?
BB: Well actually, with Flesh-n-Bone getting out of prison after being incarcerated for a decade, Layzie Bone sat down everyone and made sure that everything went very correct right now; so that’s basically how it came together. Layzie called me and Wish called me and Krayzie called me and Flesh was coming out of jail, and we picked up the buzz, hugs and kisses and passing watches along, and welcome home and things of that nature, and immediately, we went directly to the studio.

DX: Has the group aired out the issues it previously had?
BB: The issues, I think it was more the youth, superstardom, timing – things of that nature. So a lot of the things we sat down and had a discussion about. We try to have a meeting every two or three days just to make sure everyone’s on board, everyone’s on deck. That’s where we are right now. We’re trying to focus on each other, focus on unity, focus on what people want to hear and try to be friends first and foremost.

DX: When the group is asked about the collective status of BTNH, they would put a lot of things on you, in terms of you not showing up to work, substance issues, etc. This time around, will it be different?
BB: Well my father taught me something a long time ago. He told me that “sometimes you have to eat the shit sandwich.” Sometimes you have to take that and you take it in stride - you try your best to do what you can do, and so on and so forth but sometimes you just have to eat that shit sandwich and keep moving forward. As long as no egos are involved and no bad thoughts and any of those things. And once you’ve conquered that, then you can step above and reach another echelon where there are no feelings, towards infinity. It just keeps going up up up up up up up…it never stops. And that’s my focus and if I focus on that then I can be a better team player and get my team to be a part of everything – sort of like the Lakers. I want to make sure the team is making the moves and not just one player.

DX: BTHN are known for their incredible success during the mid-to-late '90s. How are you guys planning to carry the torch this time around?
BB: Well I’m gonna be honest with you - it’s kind of a secret on what we’re trying to do ‘cause we don’t want anybody to capitalize on these moves we’re making; so it’s top secret right now [laughing]. It’s incognegro. [Laughing] So that’s what we’re doing right now. And It’s gonna be something for the entire world to say, “These brothers are back, they’re together and it’s a group again.”

DX: You’re not gonna give me a hint even?
BB: I can’t give you a hint because if I did, my buddies would beat me up. [Laughing] I’ll tell you that we have a brand new style; a brand new style to bring to the table. That’s the only hint they’ll let me give you. Continued on page 2 »