A Tribute To Hip-Hop's Weed Carrier Crews

Rick Ross' new group Triple C's released their debut album "Custom Cars & Cycles" this week, which pegs them as the latest group that will crash, burn, and be forgotten before next summer.

Have you ever heard the phrase, "behind every great man, there's a strong woman"? Well behind every successful rapper, there are usually 4-5 less talented rappers affectionately known as weed carriers. Their tasks and duties include ruining live performances by shouting into a mic that they shouldn't have, carrying marijuana while on tour so the star attraction won't go to jail in case the cops show up, and doubling as security in times of trouble.

Unfortunately for fans, the weed carriers are usually rewarded with their own group albums that never measure up to the quality fans expect. As a tributeto Triple C's and their new album, I present to you a brief history weed carrier crews that did their best to entertain us for a brief....very very brief period of time.

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Star Attraction: Fat Joe

His Weed Carrier Crew: Terror Squad

Years Active: 1999 - ???

Albums Released: 2 (Terror Squad, True Story)

Nobody knows if this group is still active because the original members keep leaving. The general consensus seems to be that Fat Joe is only interested in furthering his solo career, which leaves the other members in the dark. Tony Sunshine, Cuban Link, and Remy Ma are all gone (or in jail), which essentially tears out the heart of the group.

Star Attraction: Nelly

His Weed Carrier Crew: The St. Lunatics

Years Active: 1993-Present (allegedly)

Albums Released: 1 (Free City)

Although Nelly was technically a member of the St. Lunatics before he ever released a solo album, once he vaulted into superstardom nobody wanted to hear from the Lunatics. They were reduced to "the guys who dance in the background of Nelly videos" and were pretty much viewed as such until they faded into oblivion. They're supposedly releasing a sophomore album next year, but since Nelly's last album flopped I wouldn't hold my breath.

Star Attraction: The Notorious B.I.G.

His Weed Carrier Crew: Junior Mafia

Years Active: 1995 - 1997

Albums Released: Conspiracy, Riot Music

Junior Mafia had a decent album with great singles thanks to Biggie Smalls. Unfortunately he only appeared on a handful of tracks from the album which was enough to garner a first listen but not enough to keep us coming back. After Biggie met his untimely death, the group disbanded and reformed to release a horrible album "Riot Music". Lil Kim is the only relevant member still around today (is she still relevant?)

Star Attraction: Busta Rhymes

His Weed Carrier Crew: Flip Mode Squad

Years Active: 1996 - Present (allegedly)

Albums Released: 1 (The Imperial)

There was a time in history where you could not see Busta Rhymes without him shouting FLIPMODE IS THE SQUAD into whatever camera or microphone that was anywhere in his immediate area. He talked about Flipmode so much that you'd swear up and down they were the next Wu Tang Clan. Things didn't turn too good because 95% of the original members have left to pursue solo careers (that didn't work out).

Star Attraction: 2pac

His Weed Carrier Crew: The Outlawz

Years Active: 1995-Present

Albums Released: 6 (one of which is a posthumous collaboration w/ 2pac)

The Outlawz were actually a pretty good group under the tutelage of 2pac in the mid-nineties, but the main problem is 2pac died before they ever got to release a debut album. After his death, one member was killed, another left for religious reasons, and others left to escape Death Row Records. What we have now is a shell of the group we were supposed to experience.

Star Attraction: Eminem

His Weed Carrier Crew: D12

Years Active: 1995 - Present

Albums Released: 2 (Devil's Night, D12 World)

This situation is similar to Nelly's because Eminem was a member of D12 before he rose to fame and became the biggest rapper on the planet. Although both D12 albums were commercially successful, everyone knows it's because Eminem is so rabidly popular that fans will buy anything he's involved in.