When the Bough Breaks (album)

When the Bough Breaks is the second studio album by American hip hop duo MC Eiht & CMW, released on July 23, 1996, on Epic Street. The album featured a darker, more hardcore sound than their debut. It included the singles "Thicker Than Water," which appeared on the film of the same name's soundtrack, and "Def Wish IV (Tap That Ash)".

The album's title is taken from the nursery rhyme "Rock-a-bye Baby," specifically the line "When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall." This title is evocative of the album's themes of societal decay, violence, and struggle in urban environments.

The album features production from DJ Slip, MC Eiht, and Prodeje, among others. Guest appearances include Spice 1, Redman, and Big Mike. "When the Bough Breaks" reached number 35 on the Billboard 200 chart and number 6 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. It is considered a notable work within the gangsta rap subgenre.