Bone Thugs & Harmony in the flesh

MANILA, Philippines - Bone Thugs & Harmony’s (BTH) first Philippine concert has been very low-key ever since the announcement was made last November.

It was initially scheduled for Dec. 11 but due to some technicality, the date had to be moved to Jan. 8. No advertisements were made except on the Internet and yet tickets sold out.

I initially had serious doubts about the viability of the project when the producer intimated that she doesn’t have any plans to advertise in the papers or radio but now I’m a believer. Word of mouth does travel faster and wider.

Bone Thugs & Harmony started in Cleveland Ohio in 1991 with four members — Krayzie, Wish, Layzie, and Bizzy Bone. Its first album release came out in 1993 with an additional member Flesh n Bone. From that point, Bone Thugs & Harmony charted at least 12 songs in the Hot 100 singles chart and nine albums in the Hot 200 Albums charts. They had a very successful career run, gathering two Grammy nominations in 1996 and winning one in 1997, the American Music Award in 1998 and 2007 and four nominations in MTV’s Video Music Awards.

In 2000, Flesh n Bone was jailed for criminal assault with a deadly weapon while Bizzy Bone was expelled from the group in 2003.

The remaining three members Krayzie, Layzie and Wish continued recording and performing. In 2006, their album Thug Stories was No. 1 in the Independent Album charts and No. 25 in Billboard’s Album charts. In 2007, its album Strength & Loyalty was No. 1 in both Billboards Hot albums and Urban charts. It was also No. 1 on iTunes. It featured guest artists Mariah Carey, will.i.am of Black Eyed Peas, Akon, Twista, The Game, Yolanda, etc.

Bone Thugs & Harmony recently concluded a 36-city E 1999 Eternal Tour in the fall of 2010.

Bone Thugs & Harmony’s Krayzie, Layzie and Wish Bone are excited to meet its Pinoy fans on Jan. 8 at the SMX Convention Center for The Crossroads Tour where they will perform all their big hits. A few tickets are still available including a very limited VIP package that includes a private meet-and-greet with BTH prior to the performance.

For details, call Ticketworld or SM Tickets. Bone Thugs & Harmony’s The Crossroads Tour is presented by Music Space, Circles Entertainment in collaboration with Sofitel, the official residence and Hard Rock Café.