Geto Boys

The Geto Boys came out of Houston in the late 1980s with Willie D, Scarface, and Bushwick Bill. Their music was raw and direct, with lyrics that didn't shy away from the darker corners of urban life. That approach got them plenty of criticism from conservative groups who said their songs promoted violence and misogyny, but they kept at it anyway.

Their track 'Mind Playin Tricks On Me' became something of an anthem, a stark look at paranoia and mental strain set over a laid-back Isaac Hayes sample. It showed they could do more than just confrontational street narratives. Another one, 'Damn It Feels Good To Be A Gangsta', later found a wider audience when it was used in the movie Office Space.

Their debut album was 'Grip It! on That Other Level,' which established their aggressive, uncompromising sound. The group's dynamic was built on the contrast between members: Willie D's pointed social commentary, Scarface's gritty storytelling, and Bushwick Bill's eccentric, vulnerable presence.