On Stage and in Demand: Rare Live Footage and the Evolution of '1St of Tha Month'
Lyrically, "1st of Tha Month" tells the unfiltered story of government assistance checks hitting doorsteps in low-income housing projects. The track does not preach, nor does it glorify despair. Instead, it captures the tangible relief of a neighborhood coming alive when basic necessities and a momentary financial reprieve arrive at once.
The 1st of Tha Month music video, directed by Ricky Powell and Nigel Dick, captured that very neighborhood dynamic. Shot with warm daylight filters, the visuals contrasted the heavy police presence on St. Clair Avenue with block parties, corner ciphers, and communal barbecues. Musically, DJ U-Neek anchored the track on a sample of The Isley Brothers' 1983 slow jam "Choosey Lover." Layering high-pitched keyboard motifs and booming 808 thumps beneath the sample created enough open space for the members' distinct vocal registers.
Bizzy Bone delivered his verse with a featherlight, unpredictable falsetto that bounced over the beat. Krayzie Bone contributed his signature stutter-step flow, weaving melody and syncopation effortlessly. Layzie Bone provided grounded baritone counterweights, and Wish Bone brought straightforward, aggressive street grit. That balance pushed the single to RIAA Gold certification within months and secured the group a 1996 Grammy nomination for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.
