"We're All in the Same Gang" is a hip hop song by a collaboration of prominent American West Coast hip hop recording artists under the West Coast Rap All-Stars umbrella, who assembled to promote an anti-violence message. It was released on May 22, 1990 through Warner Bros. Records as the lead single and a title track from the compilation album of the same name. Produced by Dr. Dre, the posse cut features contributions from King Tee, Body & Soul, Def Jef, Michel'le, Tone-Lōc, Above The Law, Ice-T, Dr. Dre, MC Ren, J. J. Fad, Young MC, Digital Underground, Oaktown's 3.5.7, MC Hammer and Eazy-E, with the voice of the news reader in the song's intro was done by then-future World Championship Wrestling announcer Lee Marshall. Music video for the song was directed by Ken Andrews.
| "We're All in the Same Gang" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Single by The West Coast Rap All-Stars | |
| from the album We're All in the Same Gang | |
| B-side | "Tellin' Time (Mike's Rap)" |
| Released | May 22, 1990 |
| Genre | West Coast hip hop |
| Length | 7:28 |
| Label | Warner Bros. Records |
| Producer(s) | Dr. Dre |
| Music video | |
| "We're All in the Same Gang" on YouTube | |
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Los Angeles Times |   [1] |
The single peaked at number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 10 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and topped the Hot Rap Songs chart in the United States. It was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on September 19, 1990 for selling 500,000 units. It also made it to number 11 on the Official New Zealand Music Chart.
It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 33rd Annual Grammy Awards, but lost to Quincy Jones, Melle Mel, Ice-T, Big Daddy Kane and Kool Moe Dee's "Back on the Block".[2]
Track listing edit
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "We're All in the Same Gang" (featuring King Tee, Body & Soul, Def Jef, Michel'le, Tone-Lōc, Above The Law, Ice-T, Dr. Dre, MC Ren, J. J. Fad, Young MC, Digital Underground, Oaktown's 3.5.7, MC Hammer and Eazy-E) | The West Coast Rap All-Stars | Dr. Dre | 7:28 |
| 2. | "We're All in the Same Gang (Radio Special)" (featuring King Tee, Body & Soul, Michel'le, Tone-Lōc, Ice-T, Dr. Dre, MC Ren, Young MC, Digital Underground and Eazy-E) | The West Coast Rap All-Stars | Dr. Dre | 4:15 |
| 3. | "Tellin' Time (Mike's Rap)" |
|
| 4:27 |
- Notes
- In the CD versions of the maxi-single, the 'Radio Special' edition is swapped with the original version of the song. The 'Radio Special' cut version had the verses of Def Jef, Above The Law, J.J. Fad, Oaktown's 3.5.7 and M.C. Hammer removed.
Personnel edit
- Michael Concepcion – executive producer
- Eban Kelly – executive producer
- Leonard Richardson – executive producer
- Mary Ann Dibs – art direction
- Glenn Parsons – logo design
Charts edit
| Chart (1990) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA Charts)[3] | 106 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[4] | 11 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[5][6] | 35 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[7] | 10 |
| US Hot Rap Tracks (Billboard)[8] | 1 |
Certifications edit
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[9] | Gold | 500,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References edit
- ^ Gold, Jonathan (July 7, 1990). "Dr. Dre's Expanding Sphere of Influence". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
- ^ "1990 GRAMMY WINNERS - 33rd Annual GRAMMY Awards". www.grammy.com. February 20, 1991. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
- ^ "Bubbling Down Under Australian singles chart peaks beyond the top 100: Week commencing 30 July 1990". www.bubblingdownunder.com. August 13, 1990. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
- ^ "The West Coast Rap All-Stars – We're All In The Same Gang". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
- ^ Trust, Gary (February 18, 2010). "Chart Beat Thursday: A Whole New 'World'". Billboard. Retrieved June 5, 2010.
- ^ "Billboard Hot 100: Week of August 18, 1990". Billboard. August 18, 1990. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
- ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: Week of August 11, 1990". Billboard. August 11, 1990. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
- ^ "Hot Rap Songs: Week of July 21, 1990". Billboard. July 21, 1990. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
- ^ "American single certifications – West Coast Rap All Stars – We're All In The Same Gang". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
External links edit
- The West Coast Rap All-Stars – We're All In The Same Gang at Discogs (list of releases)