Partners-N-Crime
International sensation Partners-N-Crime, also known as P-N-C, have been a musical phenom for well over 10 years. Michael Patterson, stage-name Mista Meana, and Walter Williams, stage-name Kango formed the group in 1993 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Wasting no time developing a fan base, the duo dropped a 3 song maxi single. Their hostile and abrasive approach on “Pussy in A Can” immediately sparked a rivalry with cash money artist UNLV, as that was their intention. What followed was a major beef between Cash Money Records and Big Boy Records.
Realizing their music career was about much more than a hip hop beef, Partners-N-Crime began working on their debut album PNC 3, released in 1994. Contrary to popular belief, this was not their third album. The title was representative of a new third member Earlis Williams better known as Primetime. The album gave the group tremendous notoriety in the city as everyone karaoked to the tunes of “Pump the Party” “Thank You Miss Lily” and “Let the Good Times Roll”.
Inebriated off the success, the trio dashed back to the studio and dropped their sophomore album symbolic of their current business initiatives, Puttin in Work. The group devoted much of their time to performances ranging from school and city-wide talent shows, to debuts in nightclubs and social establishments.
In 1996, the group’s contract expired with Big Boy Records. Since tensions had grown high and several conflicts had arisen, the group decided it was time to make some drastic but very necessary career moves. Mista Meana and Kango decided to become a duo, as they originally were. They also left Big Boy Records in an effort to take more control over their careers.
In 1997, the group partnered with ex-manager Robert Shaw to establish the South Coast Music Group. The label made a name for itself by signing dynamic vivacious acts like 5th Ward Weebie, Miss Tee, Lil Slim, Drama Squad and of course the national prodigy, Partners-N-Crime. To put an exclamation point on their musical feats, the group released their 3rd album, What You Wanna Do which sold over 80,000 units locally.
Still on the rise to fame, in 1998 the group released their 4th album Duck Tape’n which was a celebratory reunion; the album featured ex-member Primetime. Thus emerged a more mature Partners-N-Crime; solving disputes internally, and showing hip hop followers a positive example of conflict resolution.
This year was also very significant because the group went on the Let’s Get Ready tour with internationally recognized Jive/No Limit recording artist Mystikal. They remained on tour with Mystikal until 2000 performing shows nationally and internationally gaining a larger and more diverse following. While on tour, Partners-N-Crime continued to work releasing their 5th album We Be Houndin in 1999.
Upon the completion of touring, the group went back to the studio to do what they know how to do best, produce hits. In 2001, they released their 6th album World Premiere. This album was just that. With years of industry experience under their belt, the group had finally broken the local, regional, and national barrier on a larger scale than they had imagined.
In 2002, P-N-C started Crime Labb Entertainment and released the Hard Hitters Compilation CD. New Orleans rappers have an unspoken unity when it comes to music and Partners-N-Crime wanted to be one of the first to showcase it. This album featured local to internationally known New Orleans artist such as Lil Wayne, Juvenile, and Solja Slim just to name a few.
As P-N-C celebrated their 10 year anniversary in 1993, they were presented with an opportunity to sign with the Juvenile imprint UTP and gladly accepted. They toured the nation with the Cash Money platinum selling artist and Kango went on to be featured on Juvie the Great; Juvenile’s last album with Cash Money Records.
In 2004, the group continued to tour with Juvenile and even made an appearance on the album The Beginning of the End with UTP representatives Juvenile, Wacko, and Skip. This album gained immense notoriety from the explosive song “Nolia Clap” which worked its way up to #9 on the hip hop charts.
In 2005, the devastation of Hurricane Katrina affected the group in numerous ways. Not only was their native home destroyed but their album release date for their 8th album was pushed back.
Club Bangaz was released in 2006 showing the incessant tenacity of the group. The duo also appeared on Juvenile’s Reality Check which debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts. Through label changes, industry beef, low album sales, and geographical annihilation Partners-N-Crime has always manage to remain a relevant name in the music industry. A feature on EA Sports Fight Night Round 3 helped the group to prove their relevance and launch their career to new heights.
After three years with the UTP imprint, P-N-C left the label to begin a new business venture. They partnered with long time friend J Dawg of Black Menace and established H.I.T.Z. International in 2007.
In 2008, the single “So Attracted” was released and became an immediate success. The label capitalized on the achievement by releasing a host of mixtapes. “We Are Legends,” the groups’ 9th album, was released in 2009 with an online distribution deal with Most Wanted/EMI. “Move Around,” their second single, was just released and is currently getting excellent feedback from radio DJ’s and devoted fans and followers.
As a talented songwriter, 2009 was a great year for Partners-N-Crime member Kango. He left his imprint on the music industry by composing songs such as “Hands on Me” for Pleasure P and Juvenile, “Money Round Here” for T Pain and C Ride, “We Be Getting Money” featuring Juvenile, Dorrough, and Shawty Lo, and even “You Betta Believe It” for Lil Boosie and Young Jeezy. The explosion of productivity was just a preview of things to come.
Partners-N-Crime is currently filming their first documentary titled We Are Legends the Film to be released in 2010. They are also in the studio diligently working on an astonishing 10th album titled Legendary. After over 15 years in the music industry, and nothing left to prove, Partners-N-Crime is now simply enjoying making music while grooming the next wave of talent to grace the hip hop industry.
