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Tha Crossroads#Blazin' Squad version

{{Short description|1996 single by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony}}

{{Other uses|Crossroads (disambiguation)}}

{{More citations needed|date=August 2007}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2020}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Tha Crossroads

| cover = Tha Crossroads.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Bone Thugs-n-Harmony

| album = E. 1999 Eternal

| B-side =

  • "Crossroad"
  • "Budsmokers Only"

| released = {{start date|1996|4|23}}

| recorded =

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = Hip hop

| length = 3:44

| label = Ruthless

| writer =

| producer = Tim Middleton

| prev_title = East 1999

| prev_year = 1995

| next_title = Days of Our Livez

| next_year = 1996

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|VMYAEHE2GrM|"Tha Crossroads"}}}}

}}

"Tha Crossroads" is a song written and performed by American hip hop group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, released as a single in April 1996. The song is dedicated to the group's mentor, the late gangsta rap icon Eazy-E, and other family members. The song was the highest-debuting rap single when it debuted at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, reaching number one the following week and staying there for eight consecutive weeks.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-06-15-ca-15136-story.html|title=Seeking a Path After 'Tha Crossroads'|last=Cuda|first=Heidi Siegmund|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=June 15, 1996|access-date=October 20, 2015|issn=0458-3035}} It also reached number one in New Zealand, where it was the most successful single of 1996. In 1997, the song won a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/bone-thugs-n-harmony-mn0000081316/biography|title=Bone Thugs-N-Harmony {{!}} Biography & History {{!}} AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=October 20, 2015}}

Background

"Crossroads" originally debuted in 1995 on the E. 1999 Eternal album. It was dedicated to Bone's dead friend Wallace (Wally) Laird III, but after the death of Eazy-E they decided to remake it as "Tha Crossroads". The original song appears on the edited version of the album, though the European release has the original as track number 8 and the remix as track 18. The song is performed by four of the group's members, (Krayzie Bone, Layzie Bone, Bizzy Bone and Wish Bone). After receiving high praise for their song the group decided to make it their third single for their already released album, E. 1999 Eternal.

In 2019, a version including other group member Flesh-n-Bone was released with the Bone Thugs-n-Harmony compilation album Lost Archives Vol 1. (After receiving their publishing rights from Ruthless Records.)

Reception

The song was a hit worldwide and reached the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 and the New Zealand Singles Chart; on the latter chart, it was the most successful song of 1996. It has been certified double platinum in the United States and platinum in New Zealand. In 2008, "Tha Crossroads" was ranked number 33 on VH1's "100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop".{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/24391/vh1s_100_greatest_hiphop_songs-2/franchises/list/|title=VH1's 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs|last=Singh|first=Amrit|website=Stereogum|date=29 September 2008|access-date=24 December 2021}}

Music video

The music video was filmed on February 27–28, 1996. It opens with the female vocal group Tre' (Kimberly Cromartie, Rebecca Forsha and Maniko Williams) singing the traditional spiritual "Mary Don't You Weep" in a church funeral setting, followed by the members of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony singing the main song in several settings, such as a church and a mountain top.

The main focus of the video is a big, imposing man wearing sunglasses, a black hat, and a trench coat, akin to a Reaper. Bone are among the few who can see the man, and watch him as he gathers souls of various individuals who are marked for death, such as a young man who leaves his distraught mother behind (presumably having died after entering life as a gang member), Bone's friend Wally, Wish Bone's Uncle Charles, Eazy-E, and a newborn baby (possibly having died from a childbirth complication). The Reaper leads the souls, with the baby in his arms, up a mountain where he reveals himself to be an angel, then takes the dead to Heaven.

"Tha Crossroads" was nominated for the Best Rap Video at the MTV Video Music Awards in 1996, although it lost to Coolio's "Gangsta's Paradise".

Track listings

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

US, Canadian, and UK CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Tha Crossroads|others=Bone Thugs-n-Harmony|year=1996|type=US CD single liner notes|publisher=Ruthless Records|id=88561-6335-2}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Tha Crossroads|others=Bone Thugs-n-Harmony|year=1996|type=Canadian CD single liner notes|publisher=Ruthless Records|id=34K-3250}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Tha Crossroads|others=Bone Thugs-n-Harmony|year=1996|type=UK CD single liner notes|publisher=Epic Records, Ruthless Records|id=663550 2}}

  1. "Tha Crossroads" (D.J. U-Neek's Mo Thug remix) – 3:46
  2. "Tha Crossroads" (D.J. U-Neek's remix instrumental) – 3:46
  3. "Crossroad" (LP version) – 3:31
  4. "Crossroad" (LP version instrumental) – 3:23

US 12-inch single{{cite AV media notes|title=Tha Crossroads|others=Bone Thugs-n-Harmony|year=1996|type=US 12-inch single sleeve|publisher=Ruthless Records|id=88561-6335-1}}

:A1. "Tha Crossroads" (D.J. U-Neek's Mo Thug remix) – 3:46

:A2. "Tha Crossroads" (D.J. U-Neek's remix instrumental) – 3:46

:A3. "Crossroad" (LP version radio edit) – 3:31

:B1. "Crossroad" (LP version) – 3:31

:B2. "Crossroad" (LP version instrumental) – 3:23

:B3. "Budsmokers Only" (LP version) – 3:35

US cassette single and Australian CD1{{cite AV media notes|title=Tha Crossroads|others=Bone Thugs-n-Harmony|year=1996|type=US cassette single sleeve|publisher=Ruthless Records|id=88561-6335-4}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Tha Crossroads|others=Bone Thugs-n-Harmony|year=1996|type=Australian CD1 liner notes|publisher=Epic Records, Ruthless Records, Dance Pool|id=663309-1}}

  1. "Tha Crossroads" (D.J. U-Neek's Mo Thug remix) – 3:46
  2. "Crossroad" (LP version) – 3:31

UK cassette single{{cite AV media notes|title=Tha Crossroads|others=Bone Thugs-n-Harmony|year=1996|type=UK cassette single sleeve|publisher=Epic Records, Ruthless Records|id=663550 4}}

  1. "Tha Crossroads" (D.J. U-Neek's Mo Thug remix) – 3:46
  2. "Budsmokers Only" – 3:35

{{col-2}}

UK 12-inch single{{cite AV media notes|title=Tha Crossroads|others=Bone Thugs-n-Harmony|year=1996|type=UK 12-inch single sleeve|publisher=Epic Records, Ruthless Records|id=633550 6}}

:A1. "Tha Crossroads" (D.J. U-Neek's Mo Thug remix) – 3:46

:A2. "Tha Crossroads" (D.J. U-Neek's remix instrumental) – 3:46

:B1. "Crossroad" (LP version) – 3:31

:B2. "Budsmokers Only" (LP version) – 3:35

European CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Crossroad|others=Bone Thugs-n-Harmony|year=1996|type=European CD single liner notes|publisher=Ruthless Records|id=REL 663195-1}}

  1. "Crossroad" (LP version) – 3:31
  2. "Tha Crossroads" (D.J. U-Neek's Mo Thug remix) – 3:46

European maxi-CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Crossroad|others=Bone Thugs-n-Harmony|year=1996|type=European maxi-CD single liner notes|publisher=Ruthless Records|id=REL 663195}}

  1. "Crossroad" (LP version) – 3:31
  2. "Tha Crossroads" (D.J. U-Neek's Mo Thug remix) – 3:46
  3. "Tha Crossroads" (D.J. U-Neek's remix instrumental) – 3:46

Australian CD2{{cite AV media notes|title=Tha Crossroads|others=Bone Thugs-n-Harmony|year=1996|type=Australian CD2 liner notes|publisher=Epic Records, Ruthless Records|id=663309 2}}

  1. "Tha Crossroads" (D.J. U-Neek's Mo Thug remix)
  2. "Tha Crossroads" (D.J. U-Neek's remix instrumental)
  3. "Crossroad" (LP version radio edit)
  4. "1st of tha Month" (The Kruder and Dorfmeister remix)
  5. "Thuggish Ruggish Bone"

{{col-end}}

Charts

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

=Weekly charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!Chart (1996)

!Peak
position

{{single chart|Australia|15|artist=Bone Thugs-n-Harmony|song=Tha Crossroads|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Austria|34|artist=Bone Thugs-n-Harmony|song=Tha Crossroads|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Flanders|28|artist=Bone Thugs-n-Harmony|song=Tha Crossroads|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Wallonia|20|artist=Bone Thugs-n-Harmony|song=Tha Crossroads|rowheader=true}}
scope="row"|Canada (Nielsen SoundScan){{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uAkEAAAAMBAJ|title=Billboard: Hits of the World|magazine=Billboard|date=7 December 1996|access-date=21 January 2017}}

|9

{{single chart|Canadatopsingles|30|chartid=9685|rowheader=true|access-date=August 17, 2020}}
scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1996/MM-1996-08-31.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=Music & Media|volume=13|issue=35|page=13|date=August 31, 1996|access-date=August 17, 2020}}

|12

{{single chart|France|29|artist=Bone Thugs-n-Harmony|song=Tha Crossroads|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Germany|15|artist=Bone Thugs-n-Harmony|song=Tha Crossroads|songid=3258|rowheader=true|access-date=March 2, 2020}}
scope="row"|Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40){{cite news|url=https://timarit.is/page/2941871?iabr=on#page/n25/mode/2up|title=Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (22.6. – 28.6. '96)|newspaper=Dagblaðið Vísir|language=is|page=26|date=June 22, 1996|access-date=August 17, 2020}}

|19

{{single chart|Ireland2|6|song=Crossroads|rowheader=true|access-date=August 17, 2020}}
{{single chart|Dutch40|4|year=1996|week=32|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Dutch100|5|artist=Bone Thugs-n-Harmony|song=Tha Crossroads|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|New Zealand|1|artist=Bone Thugs-n-Harmony|song=Tha Crossroads|rowheader=true|refname="nz"}}
{{single chart|Scotland|26|date=19960810|rowheader=true|access-date=August 17, 2020}}
{{single chart|Sweden|7|artist=Bone Thugs-n-Harmony|song=Tha Crossroads|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Switzerland|19|artist=Bone Thugs-n-Harmony|song=Tha Crossroads|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|UK|8|date=19960810|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|UKdance|13|date=19960810|rowheader=true|access-date=August 17, 2020}}
{{single chart|UKrandb|1|date=19960810|rowheader=true|access-date=August 17, 2020}}
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|1|artist=Bone Thugs-n-Harmony|rowheader=true|refname="hot100"}}
{{single chart|Billboarddancesales|21|artist=Bone Thugs-n-Harmony|rowheader=true|access-date=August 31, 2021}}
{{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|1|artist=Bone Thugs-n-Harmony|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Billboardrapsongs|1|artist=Bone Thugs-n-Harmony|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Billboardpopsongs|18|artist=Bone Thugs-n-Harmony|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Billboardrhythmic|1|artist=Bone Thugs-n-Harmony|rowheader=true|access-date=May 9, 2022}}

{{col-2}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!Chart (1996)

!Position

scope="row"|Australia (ARIA){{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/1996/singles-chart|title=ARIA Top 50 Singles for 1996|publisher=ARIA|access-date=August 17, 2020}}

|39

scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1996/MM-1996-12-21.pdf|title=Year End Sales Charts – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1996|magazine=Music & Media|volume=13|issue=51/52|page=12|date=December 21, 1996|access-date=August 17, 2020}}

|97

scope="row"|Germany (Media Control){{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1996|title=Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1996|publisher=GfK Entertainment|language=de|access-date=August 7, 2015}}

|71

scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1996|title=Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1996|publisher=Dutch Top 40|access-date=February 29, 2020}}

|45

scope="row"|Netherlands (Single Top 100){{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1996&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 1996|publisher=MegaCharts|language=nl|access-date=February 29, 2020}}

|41

scope="row"|New Zealand (RIANZ){{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-singles/1996-12-31|title=End of Year Charts 1996|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|access-date=August 17, 2020}}

|1

scope="row"|Sweden (Topplistan){{cite web|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/43?dspy=1996&dspp=1|title=Årslista Singlar, 1996|publisher=Sverigetopplistan|language=sv|access-date=February 29, 2020}}

|39

scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC){{cite magazine|first=|last=|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1997/Music-Week-1997-01-18.pdf|title=Top 100 Singles 1996|magazine=Music Week|date=January 18, 1997|page=25|access-date=May 6, 2022}}

|73

scope="row"|US Billboard Hot 100{{cite web|url=http://billboardtop100of.com/1996-2/|title=Billboard Top 100 – 1996|website=Billboardtop100of.com|access-date=August 17, 2020}}

|7

scope="row"|US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=The Year in Music: Hot R&B Singles|magazine=Billboard|volume=108|issue=52|page=YE-40|date=December 28, 1996}}

|3

scope="row"|US Hot Rap Singles (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=The Year in Music: Hot Rap Singles|magazine=Billboard|volume=108|issue=52|page=YE-42|date=December 28, 1996}}

|2

scope="row"|US Top 40/Mainstream (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=Airplay Monitor Best of '96: Top 40/Mainstream Titles|magazine=Airplay Monitor|volume=4|issue=53|page=30|date=December 27, 1996}}

|58

scope="row"|US Top 40/Rhythm-Crossover (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=Airplay Monitor Best of '96: Top 40/Rhythm-Crossover Titles|magazine=Airplay Monitor|volume=4|issue=53|page=32|date=December 27, 1996}}

|6

=Decade-charts=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!Chart (1990–1999)

!Position

scope="row"|US Billboard Hot 100{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9w0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA20|title=Hot 100 Singles of the '90s|magazine=Billboard|volume=111|issue=52|page=YE-20|date=December 25, 1999|access-date=October 15, 2010}}

|25

{{col-end}}

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1996|certyear=1996|access-date=July 16, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Bone Thugs N Harmony|title=Tha Crossroads|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=1996|certyear=2024|source=radioscope|access-date=April 2, 2025|refname="nzcert"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Bone Thugs-N-Harmony|title=Tha Crossroads|award=Silver|id=15866-3114-1|relyear=2014|certyear=2019|access-date=April 12, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Bone Thugs 'N Harmony|title=Tha Crossroads|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=1996|certyear=1996|refname="uscert"}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true}}

Release history

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

!scope="col"|Region

!scope="col"|Date

!scope="col"|Format(s)

!scope="col"|Label(s)

!scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

scope="row"|United States

|April 23, 1996

|rowspan="2"|{{hlist|12-inch vinyl|CD|cassette}}

|rowspan="2"|Ruthless

|{{cite web|url=https://www.stopthebreaks.com/gems/tha-crossroads-bone-thugs-n-harmonys-first-number-1-hit/|title=Hip-Hop Gem: 'Tha Crossroads' Was Bone Thugs-n-Harmony's First Number 1 Hit|publisher=Stop the Breaks|date=September 10, 2014|access-date=November 17, 2021}}

scope="row"|United Kingdom

|July 29, 1996

|{{cite magazine|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=43|date=July 27, 1996}}

Blazin' Squad version

{{Infobox song

| name = Crossroads

| cover = Blazin-Squad-Crossroads-304876.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Blazin' Squad

| album = In the Beginning

| B-side = {{ubl|"Offering"|"Uproar"}}

| released = {{start date|2002|8|19}}{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/2002/Music-Week-2002-08-17.pdf|title=New Releases – For Week Starting 19 August 2002: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=31|date=August 17, 2002|access-date=August 28, 2021}}

| recorded = 2002

| studio =

| venue =

| genre =

| length = 3:10

| label = EastWest

| writer = {{hlist|Ernest Isley|Marvin Isley|O'Kelly Isley|Ronald Isley|Rudolph Isley|Anthony Henderson|Steven Howse|Chris Jasper|Charles Scruggs|Bryon McCane II{{cite web|url=https://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Blazin%27+Squad&titel=Crossroads&cat=s|title=Australian-charts.com – Blazin' Squad – Crossroads|publisher=ARIA Top 50 Singles|access-date=August 17, 2020}}}}

| producer = Cutfather & Joe

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title = Love on the Line

| next_year = 2002

}}

"Crossroads", a retitled and reworked version of "Tha Crossroads", was released by British ten-piece hip-hop group Blazin' Squad as their first single in August 2002. It topped the UK Singles Chart on the week of August 25, 2002.

=Background=

The group's cover version of "Crossroads" was recorded for inclusion on their first studio album, In the Beginning. The decision to record and release "Crossroads" came about during the final stages of the album production: until June 2002, the song "Standard Flow" was planned for release as the group's first single, with a promotional version of the "Standard Flow" even made available on August 5. Despite being labelled as a cover version, only the chorus from the original version remains, with the verses replaced by new lyrics written by the band. Despite being the only 'cover version' the group ever recorded, it became the band's only number one single, staying at the top of the UK Singles Chart for one week in August 2002.{{cite book | first= David | last= Roberts | year= 2006 | title= British Hit Singles & Albums | edition= 19th | publisher= Guinness World Records Limited | location= London | isbn= 1-904994-10-5 | page= 676}} Two versions of the song exist: the main version, which features in the music video and on In the Beginning, and the full version, which contains two extra verses, which appears on the second physical release of the single.

=Music video=

The music video for "Crossroads" directed by Vaughan Arnell was premiered in July 2002. The video runs for a total length of three minutes and forty-eight seconds{{YouTube|MXh3sueSxps}} and shows the band performing the song on top of an unfinished flyover in the centre of Cape Town. The video also shows scenes of an underpass where a number of homeless people are living, and individual shots of each band member. The video was filmed with the phantom effect, which provides a 'shadow' type movement for each member of the band.

=Track listing=

  • Digital single{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/crossroads-single/121065281|title=iTunes – Music – Crossroads – Single by Blazin' Squad|date=January 2002 |publisher=iTunes|access-date=April 2, 2014}}
  1. "Crossroads" (radio edit) – 3:10
  2. "Uproar" – 3:25
  • UK CD 1
  1. "Crossroads" (radio edit) – 3:10
  2. "Uproar" – 3:25
  3. "Crossroads" (CD-ROM video) – 3:45
  • UK CD 2
  1. "Crossroads" (full version) – 3:50
  2. "Offering" – 3:20
  3. "Crossroads" (T.N.T Remix) – 3:50
  • Cassette
  1. "Crossroads" (radio edit) – 3:10
  2. "Crossroads" (full version) – 3:50

=Charts=

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

==Weekly charts==

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!Chart (2002)

!Peak
position

scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/00s/2002/MM-2002-09-07.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=Music & Media|volume=20|issue=37|page=11|date=September 7, 2002|access-date=August 17, 2020}}

|12

{{single chart|Ireland2|13|song=Crossroads|rowheader=true|access-date=August 17, 2020}}
{{single chart|Scotland|2|date=20020831|rowheader=true|access-date=August 17, 2020|refname="squadscot"}}
{{single chart|UK|1|date=20020831|rowheader=true|access-date=August 17, 2020|refname="squaduk"}}

{{col-2}}

==Year-end charts==

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!Chart (2002)

!Position

scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC){{cite web|url=http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2002.pdf|title=The Official UK Singles Chart 2002|work=UKChartsPlus|access-date=August 17, 2020}}

|67

{{col-end}}

=Certifications=

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Blazin' Squad|title=Crossroads|award=Silver|relyear=2002|certyear=2021|id=1580-5550-1|access-date=March 19, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}

See also

References

{{Reflist}}

{{BTNH}}

{{Blazin' Squad}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Crossroads, Tha}}

Category:1995 songs

Category:1996 singles

Category:1990s ballads

Category:2002 debut singles

Category:Bone Thugs-n-Harmony songs

Category:Blazin' Squad songs

Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles

Category:Contemporary R&B ballads

Category:Music videos directed by Vaughan Arnell

Category:Number-one singles in New Zealand

Category:Commemoration songs

Category:Songs written by Bizzy Bone

Category:Songs written by Chris Jasper

Category:Songs written by Ernie Isley

Category:Songs written by Krayzie Bone

Category:Songs written by Layzie Bone

Category:Songs written by Marvin Isley

Category:Songs written by O'Kelly Isley Jr.

Category:Songs written by Ronald Isley

Category:Songs written by Rudolph Isley

Category:Songs written by Wish Bone

Category:Songs about musicians

Category:UK singles chart number-one singles